Audrey Wright

The dragon had sneaked up on me, but I had my gun out the second I saw the dragon claw marks. The dragon hadn’t opened my window. It hadn’t gone after me, but it had found me, and it could be lurking nearby.

And it was. I spied the shadow first, and as soon as I saw the dragon, I fired shot after shot.

But my bullets were useless. I tried to aim for its mouth or its eyes, where I thought it might be more vulnerable, but the dragon swooped down and plucked me off the ground. The jerking movement caused my head to snap back, and all I saw was darkness. Right before I passed out, I thought I might’ve seen Damon, but I couldn’t be sure.

With a groan, I blinked several times. I was in a cell. The bars were thin and cold beneath my grasp. Everything in this cell was cold. I was shivering, and my teeth were chattering. So very cold.

And I was hungry too. How long had I been unconscious? My neck hurt terribly, and an intense sense of worry rushed over me. I couldn’t explain how I knew it, but I had this terrible feeling that Damon was hurt.

No. He couldn’t be! He had to be all right! He was so strong and capable. He was amazing. More than the others, he was willing to stand up to me, and I so appreciated it.

If my dream was any indication, he was a mighty fine lover, and honestly, I had fallen for him already. We bonded. It was true and deep and real. Yes, we hadn’t known each other for very long, but I could feel him. I could sense him, could experience his own worry and fear and anger.

He gave me his blood to drink. Was that why I felt so strongly for him? But it wasn’t just Damon I was worried about. I was afraid for both Miguel and Francesco too. I couldn’t bear the thought of anything happening to either one of them.

Deep down, I knew that all three of them would come for me. They would do their best to try to save me.

But I didn’t want them too. I was terrified they would get hurt. Or worse. I couldn’t even bear to think about what else might befall them.

Dragons were supposed to be so powerful. They shouldn’t be able to injure even each other. But they could, and I should be thankful they could feel pain and be able to be killed. Otherwise, the Fanged Serpents would remain a blight on the world for far too long.

Damon, can you hear me? Please get better. Please don’t worry about me.

I was lying down in the cell, on the cold hard floor. Only now did I attempt to sit up. My stomach didn’t appreciate the movement, and I nearly got sick.

Francesco, you better be ready for more kisses and for me to kiss your co-leaders. Because they need kisses too.

I couldn’t help it. I wasn’t drawn to just one of them. I was drawn to all three. How could it be selfish to have that much love to spread around?

All right. It was way too early to use the “L” word, but maybe one day, I would have the courage to tell them all I loved them. Would they be able to accept that? I didn’t know. Maybe. Hopefully. Once the dust had settled after the Fanged Serpents were all dead.

I braced against the wall to help me stand. There was a small window in the back of my cell, all the way up at ceiling height. I could just see the sun shining through, but that was it. I would never be able to touch anything near that height. I was way too short.

“Let me out!” I screamed.

I slowly walked over to the other side of the cell. No one was nearby. No one came to see what the fuss was about.

“Hello?” I called. “There’s no need for you to put me in here. Let me go!”

Again, I was met by no response.

“Fine. Whatever,” I mumbled.

I slinked back down to sit. I lowered my head and did my best not to start to cry. I wasn’t hurt, not that badly. Maybe I had a mild concussion from being plucked out of the air. Maybe I didn’t. Either way, I knew that Damon was hurting, and that made me hurt too.

Detective. My cell phone, where was it? I couldn’t find it. If I didn’t find a way to get ahold of him and soon, he’d learn about the dragons. Or else he’d think I was insane. Either way, the cat, er, dragon, would be out of the bag.

Damon, Francesco, and Miguel would not let this go unanswered. I knew that. War was coming and maybe sooner than they wanted.

But if I were here, in this cell, then the Fanged Serpents didn’t plan on killing me. They wanted to use me as bait. They were luring my dragons out.

They were going to keep me alive. Maybe, just maybe, I could learn their plans. I could spy on them. If I could break out of here, I could alert Damon and the others to what their enemies wanted to do. I could be the Fanged Serpents’ worst nightmare.

Because I was an investigative journalist. I knew how to get answers. If I could just get one of them down here to talk to me, I would be in business.

I cleared my throat. “Fine,” I called loudly. “If you won’t let me go, the least you can do is feed me.”

From not that far away, a door opened. My heart began to race with fear and worry. Who was coming? Was I wrong about being bait? Would they kill me after all?

A person approached, half in shadows. I couldn’t make out his face, and my suspicion, hatred, and dismay only grew.

Here we go. My chance to try to see if my reporting background could get me out of this tricky situation.

Or else my entire backside and my front could go down in flames. Literally.

Damon, Miguel, Francesco, I won’t do anything stupid and rash if you won’t.