“Look, I'm really sorry
this has happened to you,” he said softly. “But I'm not who you think I am. I'm here to help you. I can get you out—maybe. If we're very careful.”
Alyx snorted, eyeing him suspiciously. “I'm not going to fall for your tricks. You're a fire dragon.”
“I am,” he admitted evenly. “But I'm not one of them.” He hesitated for a long moment, staring at her with those gorgeous eyes, hypnotizing flames still flickering in them. “I'm here to take out their leader.”
“Steele?” Alyx shuddered instinctively, remembering the terrifying man with eyes like deep, cold shadows.
He'd been the one who'd ordered the experiments. He was the reason she'd been forced to drink the awful dragon poisons and feel her mind invaded by fire and shadows.
“If you're going against Steele, you're fucking insane,” she hissed, still not quite sure if she believed him. “He'll take you out in a second.”
“I wouldn't be so certain of that,” the stranger said calmly.
For the first time, Alyx began to feel that there was something distinctly different about him, compared to the other dragons. Much like Steele, there was a strange aura of power and command around him—but unlike Steele, he seemed weirdly innocent. As if he truly believed what he was saying.
As if he truly wanted to rescue her and save the world from Steele's plans of world domination.
But that was impossible. She’d never trust a shifter again.
So why did she want to believe him?
Chapter Four: Braeden
“Quick now,” Braeden said hastily. “Come on. If they find us here...”
“I don't trust you,” the woman said, still glaring at him.
Braeden found it hard to take his eyes off her. As soon as he'd seen her, he'd realized why exactly his heart had led him right down into this fire dragon lair.
It wasn't the pull of duty, as he'd thought.
She was his mate. She was his mate—and she was a captive of the fire dragons.
Just my luck. Of course she hates me. Who wouldn't hate their jailer?
Of course, he'd once been a prisoner of the council of elements as well. That hadn't worked out too badly for him...
On the other hand, he hadn't been treated the way she'd been treated. She looked exhausted and terrified—but despite everything, there was a steely determination in her eyes.
She hadn't stopped fighting him for one minute since they'd met. Braeden felt strangely proud. His mate had been a prisoner of the same people who'd be only too happy to lock him up for all eternity as well, and she'd survived. She'd even found a way to run.
“There's no time.” He took hold of her hand. “Come—and try to be silent.”
Who knew how long the other two guards would be distracted by searching the eastern tunnels. And of course, there was always the possibility that they'd run into a different patrol down here...
“I think I know how to get to the exit,” he said. His dragon could smell a hint of the mushroom fields, carried in by the faint breeze that came from one of the tunnels above.
If that tunnel led them back to the huge cave with the copses of trees, they could take the tunnel that led outside, rise quickly through the remnant of the old volcano vent, and then make their way to the sunlight by the tunnels he'd used on his way in.
It would be dangerous, but it was the best chance they had.
He knew he'd easily be able to take out the two guards watching the tunnel to the exit. He'd just have to hope that they wouldn't run into any other dragons on their way. He might be strong now—but he wasn't yet used to his power.
And he had his mate to protect now...
“I'm Braeden, by the way.” He tried to give her a reassuring smile. “What's your name?”