Page 78 of Deadly Alliances

Hair Gel pulled out a set of very large pliers and handed them to Hadrian, who held them precariously, like they could hurt the vampire, too. I didn’t need to be told what they were for.

“Did you know that the scales of a dragon are not only impenetrable, but they don’t decay like the rest of the body?” Hadrian asked, his eyes on the pliers as he turned them in his hand. “It makes one wonder why a person wouldn’t happen upon dead dragons more often.”

Char stiffened.

“And why humans are so unaware of them.”

I didn’t feel the need to answer the question. Dragons kept track of each other. If one died in dragon form, the body was taken care of to avoid detection from humans.

“But if one lost only one scale, say in battle or an unfortunate accident...”

In one quick motion, Hadrian gripped one of my stony blue scales from my side and tore it free. The surprise and ripping of my flesh was too much, and I let out a roar. Unfortunately, there was still no fire within to retaliate against the bloodsucker.

Hadrian palmed the brilliant blue scale, though it was much bigger than his hand.

“It’s almost like a stone,” he said, testing the weight of it. “It’ll last forever. Unlike you and your friend.”

With a snarl, I willed my fire chamber to ignite as I pressed harder against the lead bars in an attempt to break free. But my insides were cold, and the bars didn’t even groan with the pressure.

Hadrian handed the scale to Hair Gel behind him before turning back to the dragons in the cage. “You might not know about shifter military plans,” he continued. “Your father is a smart man. But you’ve attended that fishbowl of a school for long enough that I’m sure you’re in the good graces of the director? Caesar Rex?”

“Caesar?” I blurted. “You want to know about Caesar?” I was feeling hysterical, probably the result of the stinging wound where my scale was torn from. “I highly doubtyouwould have any interest in what Caesar Rex is currently doing.”

This got Hadrian’s attention. “Oh?”

Char cleared her throat.

“He isn’t in charge of the school anymore, you asshole!” I said, feeling like my voice was too high-pitched, even in my dragon growl. “My father is.”

“Interesting.” Hadrian rubbed the stubble of his chin. “I’ll have to look into the gryphon’s whereabouts.”

Char shifted uncomfortably next to me before I finally realized what I’d done. What would Hadrian do with that information? Was Caesar in more danger? Was the school?

Hadrian snapped his fingers at Hair Gel, then handed over the pliers. “Take more from both of them. Then shift them back and cuff him.” Hadrian pointed at me before turning to walk away.

“Yes, sir.” Hair Gel muttered.

Hadrian paused. “Also, put the belt on him. The one that shoots out lead barbs whenever the wearer speaks. He’s too mouthy for my liking.”

“Yes, sir,” Hair Gel said, with more enthusiasm than I thought was necessary.

Hadrian hadn’t even reached the doorway before Char screamed.

Chapter 30

Arya

As I traipsed back up the steps from the dungeon, inserting my hands into my rear pockets, I realized my keycard was no longer there. Fear instantly spiked through me at the consequences of losing it—in the dungeon, of all places! Hadrian’s daywalker spell would be completed soon, and I had no doubt he’d pay a visit to Tobias right after. If Hadrian found my keycard down here, I’d lose any chance of breaking Tobias out.

I raced back down the stairs, scanning every inch of the floor until I saw the shiny white plastic winking at me in the darkness. Flooded with relief, I knelt and picked it up, clutching it to my chest as if it were something precious.

“I don’t think you activated the curse,” Char’s voice carried from down the hall.

I froze on the spot, my ears pricking with intrigue. Char knew about Tobias’s so-called family curse? How close were they?

“Thanks, but I have to disagree with you. I saw the look in her eyes the instant the curse was triggered. I felt it, and then saw the change inher. So much hatred. All the potential of whatever we could’ve been, snuffed out just like that.”

A storm of curiosity, confusion and guilt began to brew in my stomach. Was that what he really thought happened? That this curse was the reason I…

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