Page 67 of Naga General's Mate

Brivul studied her face for a long moment. His tail coiled around her protectively as shouts grew closer. Finally, he gave a sharp nod.

“Show us the way.” He scooped her into his arms, mindful of her injuries. “But if things go wrong, we retreat immediately.”

Relief flooded through her as she pointed toward a narrow corridor. “Left at the junction. The hidden door is behind the tapestry.”

Chapter 30

Brivul

Brivul cradled Mila againsthis chest, his jaw clenching at the sight of her bruises. The narrow underground corridor stretched before them, lit by torchlight that cast eerie shadows on the stone walls.

“Nia, get the others in position,” Brivul commanded. “Three floors up, outside Kurg’s communications room.”

Nia nodded, pulling a small dagger from her belt. “Take this,” she said, pressing it into Mila’s hand. “Just in case.”

As Brivul headed down the narrow corridor, the sound of explosions echoed from around the corner—Lors and Kev’s distraction. Brivul slithered silently through the corridor, keeping Mila secure against him. Her breath hitched with each movement.

“I’ve got you,” he murmured in her ear.

“I know.” Mila’s fingers curled into his shirt. “The service passage is through here.”

They reached the junction. An ancient tapestry hung at the end of the left corridor, its threads dulled with age and dust. Brivul quickly reached the tapestry and shifted Mila’s weight to one arm. Using his free hand, he swept the fabric aside, revealing a narrow door.

“Security panel,” Mila said, reaching for the keypad. Her fingers trembled as she input the code that had never been changed for this entrance.

The door slid open with a soft hiss. Brivul’s tongue flicked out, tasting the air for threats. The passage beyond was clear, but the metallic tang of blood—Mila’s blood—made his protective instincts surge.

“Hold tight,” he said, navigating the space. His tail propelled them forward smoothly, avoiding the scattered debris that could give away their position.

Another explosion rocked the building. Dust rained down from the ceiling.

“Lors always did love making things go boom,” Brivul muttered, drawing a weak laugh from Mila.

They reached a maintenance shaft. Brivul coiled his tail, preparing to ascend. “Up we go. Three floors to Kurg’s private comm room.”

“And then we end this,” Mila said, her voice gaining strength despite her injuries. “For good.”

Once they reached Kurg’s private communications room, a flash of movement at the end of the hall caught Brivul’s attention. Guards. At least six of them, their weapons already drawn. Hismuscles tensed as he gently set Mila down behind a decorative column.

“Stay here.” He pressed a quick kiss to her temple. “I won’t let them near you.”

The thunder of boots echoed through the corridor as the guards charged forward. A familiar war cry rang out behind them—Cantos’s signature battle roar. His old crew had the guards flanked.

Brivul’s blood sang with the thrill of combat. This was what he was made for. He launched forward, his tail propelling him with deadly grace. The first guard didn’t even have time to raise his weapon before Brivul’s fist connected with his jaw.

“Just like old times, eh, General?” Lors called out, driving his knee into a guard’s stomach.

“Less talking, more fighting.” But Brivul couldn’t help the fierce grin that spread across his face as he moved in perfect sync with his former soldiers.

A guard’s blade whistled past his ear. Brivul caught the man’s wrist, twisted, and used the guard’s momentum to throw him into two of his companions. They went down in a tangle of limbs.

“Behind you!” Nia’s warning had him ducking just as she vaulted over his shoulders, her boots catching another guard in the chest.

The corridor filled with the sounds of combat—grunts of pain, the clash of weapons, bodies hitting walls. Brivul moved through it all with deadly precision, each strike calculated and brutal. These men had helped hurt his mate. His vision tinged red at the edges.

“Clear!” Fikleo called out as the last guard slumped unconscious.

Brivul straightened, surveying the scattered bodies with satisfaction. None dead, but they wouldn’t be getting up anytime soon. He turned back to where he’d left Mila, his heart rate settling only when he saw her safe and unharmed.

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