Page 16 of The Eternal Choice

Ernestino curses.

The prisoner spits at Ernestino and snarls, “We will have our day of reckoning and you won’t see us coming because we are already here.”

“Well, listen to you, sounding all ominous.” I press the tip of the ninja star deeper into his skin. “I guess you’ll never find out ’cause you’re dying today.”

His laughter is dark. “Death is not the end. Victory will live on in the blood oath of vengeance. The past has a promise that needs to be rectified.”

The need to squeeze more information from this idiot is agonizing, especially if he keeps talking in riddles.

I grab a fistful of the idiot’s hair and yank his head back. “Okay, buddy. Time for you to talk normal instead of dancing around the shit you just rattled about.”

“Lilliana.” Ernestino says my name in a harsh voice, instantly locking my gaze with his. “I need you to step back and come with me right fucking now.”

Normally, I would say “Fuck off,” to anyone interrupting me. I’m sure if I use my abilities, I can persuade the fucker to tell the truth. Though, the urgency vibrating off Ernestino has me rushing toward him. Ernestino links our fingers together and rushes me out of the dungeon and up the stairs. The door almost falls shut when I hear the blast.

With wide eyes I ask, “What the hell was that about?”

He releases a deep breath. “Self-destruct.”

“Excuse me?” I ask, completely baffled.

Ernestino shoves his fingers through his hair in frustration and starts to pace. “This will stay between us.”

He stops to give me a penetrating look. I return it with a look that might come off as “of course” and yet I’m trying hard not to let it border on a “duh” look because this might be the craziest thing that has happened in the past two weeks.

“If a dragon is brought to the brink of death we have an option to self-destruct. It’s a defense mechanism to save others.” He says this shit as if it makes sense.

Pointing at him I can’t help but say, “That right there is the most insane shit I’ve ever heard. Not to mention, it’s unbelievably stupid and unreal with dragons being immortal. You’re saying you can kill yourself with one thought? Because that prisoner down there wasn’t doing shit.”

“He was, I could see it in his eyes when his dragon made the decision. The fire we breathe is caused by a chemical reaction our body creates. A fire triangle consists of oxygen, which we get from the air around us, the heat through our blood, and the fuel is supplied by our dragon. If our dragon doesn’t see a way out, is threatened and needs to protect the clan, a chain reaction starts within us. Something similar to a nuclear bomb, taking out everything in its surrounding area.”

I throw a glance over my shoulder. “Is that why the door is still in one piece? You guys do all the torturing in a bomb shelter?”

He’s slowly shaking his head. “For a dragon to detonate it would mean only one thing…he was protecting the clan. He might have given you more information if his dragon hadn’t interfered.”

“Or Nario tortured him to the max,” I mutter, stunned about this little fact.

To have a dragon shifter as a mate is one thing, knowing there’s basically a beast living inside him. To know that beast iscapable of self-destruction? Mind blown is a bad choice of words here…but seriously…holy fuck.

CHAPTER SIX

– ERNESTINO –

“Nario is in his own cottage. I’ve put one of the guards on stakeout to make sure we will be notified if he goes anywhere,” Ivano says through the phone and I let my gaze settle on Lilliana who is making spaghetti in my kitchen. “The team scanning the mine with the camera ball will let us know if they find any tunnels. Anything else, boss?”

“For now, I think it’s best if we keep Cleo’s pregnancy between the four of us.”

“Of course, we should celebrate your mating and pregnancy first. I’ll make sure to let Cleo know and have her stay home for the upcoming few days,” Ivano instantly replies.

A tired sigh rips from me. “I don’t care about any celebration. If word got out two females of our clan are expecting it would raise unwanted attention. After decades of no pregnancies and then one after the other a lot of mated couples would want answers, other clans as well. Answers we don’t have or want to share at this point. Besides, we have enough to deal with as it is.”

“Understood, boss,” he rumbles.

“Thanks, Ivano. That’s it for tonight. Unless there’s an update, let me know. If not, I will see you tomorrow morning at the office. Oh, and Ivano?” The business part is handled and I let some warmth seep into my voice to tell my brother-in-law, “Congratulations once again. Go home to my sister to celebrate.”

“Will do, boss. Goodnight,” he rumbles and breaks the connection.

I let my phone slide back into the pocket of my jeans while my gaze stays locked on my woman. She seems completely at ease in the kitchen and is setting the table.

---