Page 5 of Red Captive

Once I get over my initial outright panic, which takes a few minutes, I start to notice that there are dwellings below us. That and roads. I see cars and even another dragon flying in the distance. Far ahead is a huge castle. Like from the fairy tales I read as a child. If I wasn’t gagged, my mouth would fall open. We make for the tall structure. It’s made from brick and stone, with many towers and spires reaching up high. I can see people on the streets below going about their daily business.

It feels unreal. I can’t believe that this is happening. I look up at the dragon holding me. At its scaly skin. He seems perfectly in control.

I have a feeling that we are headed straight for the castle. Both dragons are focused on the structure. There are flags all over it. They wave in a light breeze. It takes me a minute to make out what is on them. It’s a crest of arms in the form of a large, white, fire-breathing dragon against a red background. Must be a Mistveil symbol…I think.

There are also big stretches of green lawns extending out all around the castle grounds. Not just lawns but flower beds and elaborate fountains spraying water. It’s impressive. Or would be if I wasn’t afraid of falling to my death. I get another wave of panic and breathe through it.

I’m not a fan of flying when in a structure like an actual plane. Dangling like this sucks big time. My only solace is that we are nearly there.

We fly around the castle to the back. It’s far less grand from this angle. It’s definitely the work side of the castle. I squeal into my gag as I’m dropped a few feet onto cobblestone paving. I’m not sure how, but I manage to keep my footing, even though I am still bound. We’re in a courtyard enclosed by high brick walls.Guards quickly surround us. There’s that weird cracking sound again, as Igor and Titan shift back into their human forms.

My eyes are on the guards. They’re in black armor. They all have swords strapped to their sides. One of them has two swords across his back. The metal glints in the sunlight. The weirdest things are these masks covering their faces. Why do they need them?

“We are here to see the general. He is expecting us,” Igor says as his brother grabs my arm.

“Name?” the guard growls.

“Igor,” he says in a clipped tone.

“Titan.”

The guard nods. “He is expecting both of you. Follow me,” he adds as he turns on his heel.

Titan hoists me over his shoulder. I wish they’d untie my legs and just let me walk already. And if I don’t use a toilet soon, I’m going to pee on this asshole. I’m starting to get to the point where I don’t really care if it happens. It’ll be his own damned fault.

We go inside and down a dimly lit corridor; the smell of baked bread hits my nostrils, and despite my predicament, my mouth waters a little. Having said that, I don’t think I could eat a thing. I’m far thirstier than hungry, but again, until I’ve been to the toilet, I won’t be able to drink so much as a drop.

We traverse through winding hallways; the walls are adorned with old-ass tapestries depicting battles and conquests. Someone needs help with the interior decoration.

The echoes of their footsteps bounce off the walls as we walk and walk. The brothers move with purpose; Igor’s expression is unreadable as they take me deeper into the heart of the castle. More guards follow behind us, looking freaky with those masks. We’re on our way to this “general” person.

What does he want with me? More importantly, what will he do when he finds out I’m not the woman he sent these goons to capture? How could they get it so wrong? The only woman at the training camp who looks anything like me is Skylar. We have similar builds, and we both have long, dark hair, but…other than that, we’re very different. Her eyes are green, and mine are blue. She’s gorgeous. Absolutely pristine. A natural beauty, even though I’d say that her lips might have had some help. They’re just too full to be natural. Maybe I’m wrong. Who knows? She has these lashes that go on for days. She’s model material, whereas I’m…not. I’m not getting down on myself; it’s just the way it is. I suppose it might be hard to tell us apart in the dead of the night. Thing is – and the thing I keep coming back to – is that she definitely isn’t a virgin. I’m not sure where that even came from. None of the women at camp are virgins. I know because I’ve spent time with them. Perhaps those guys had it all wrong. It’s possible. Maybe I am the actual target. Maybe any of us would have worked just as well, and I’m the lucky one to get my ass captured.

They finally stop walking, pulling me out of my thoughts. I note that we’re in a wide hallway. The floor is carpeted and still has vacuum lines in it.

A guard up ahead knocks on a large wooden door.

“Enter,” someone says in a booming voice from inside.

The guard puts his head around the jamb. “It’s Igor. He is here to see you, Sire.”

“Let him in and leave us,” the general says.

The guards do as they are told and march away. I notice that one stays just outside as we enter. Igor closes the door with an ominous-sounding click.

“Good morning, Sire,” Igor says.

“Sire.” Titan bows, taking me with him. I can’t see the general because the huge shifter is in my way. I can’t see Igor, either.

“You got her,” the general says, his voice filled with anticipation.

“We did, indeed,” Igor says; it sounds like he is smiling.

“Let’s have a look,” the general says. “Have you ever seen a human female before, Jakes?”

“I don’t believe I have, Sire,” another voice pipes up.

“Lieutenant Jakes,” Igor says. “It is good to see you, as always.”

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