Page 117 of Taken

I scan the area, dragon senses extending beyond human capability. Movement catches my eye, figures darting between structures, the distinctive glow of partial shifts illuminating the darkness.

“I count at least fifteen hostiles,” Hargen reports, scanning through thermal imaging. “Surrounding three heat signatures in that central warehouse.”

“Elena,” Lila confirms, the Shard now pulsing visibly through her shirt. “And Caleb and Dorian. They’re trapped.”

I begin descent procedures, aiming for a flat rooftop two structures away from the conflict. “We go in quiet. Fast. Get to them before—”

The missile hits without warning.

The helicopter lurches violently, alarms screaming as the tail section erupts in flames. We spin, the world outside becoming a dizzying blur of light and darkness. I fight the controls, muscles straining against forces intent on tearing us from the sky.

“Brace!” I shout over the shriek of tearing metal.

Impact comes with a bone-shattering jolt. The world goes black, then snaps back into focus with jarring clarity. Smoke fills the cabin. Blood runs hot down my temple. Pain flares across my ribs where the harness dug in during impact.

“Lila!” I cough her name through the thickening smoke.

“Here.” Her voice comes from my right, strained but alive. “Hargen?”

A groan from the back confirms he’s conscious, at least.

“Exit. Now.” I slap the emergency release for the door, which falls away with a metallic screech.

We stumble from the wreckage onto rough concrete, the night air cool against smoke-heated skin. The helicopter burns behind us, casting everything in wavering orange light. We’ve crashed onto a warehouse roof, the impact punching partway through aging concrete.

“Anti-aircraft weapons,” Hargen says, coughing blood onto his sleeve. “Military grade. They knew we were coming.”

I scan our surroundings, senses extending beyond human range. “Circle operatives. Moving toward us. Six, maybe seven.”

“And more surrounding Elena,” Lila adds, the Shard now glowing visibly beneath her shirt. “She knows I’m here. I can feel her reaching for me.”

“Move,” I order, helping Hargen to his feet. “That fire’s a beacon. We need to get clear before—”

The first attack comes from behind—a blur of motion and gleaming scales. I spin, catching the full weight of a partially shifted dragon against my chest. We tumble across the rooftop, his teeth snapping for my throat. Training takes over. I drive my knee into his gut, then slam my elbow into his temple. He falls away, momentarily stunned.

More shapes emerge from the darkness—Circle operatives moving with lethal purpose. Hargen fires twice, dropping one attacker, then ducks behind a ventilation unit as return fire pockmarks the concrete around him.

Lila stands exposed in the center of the roof, pulling the Shard from beneath her shirt. It blazes between her palms, casting everything in blood-red light. Her eyes glow with inner fire as she extends her hand toward our attackers. Two operatives stumble mid-stride, their partial shifts reversing involuntarily, scales receding beneath skin.

“The witch!” one shouts, voice cracking with fear. “Take her down!”

I move without conscious thought, body shifting as I launch myself toward Lila. Scales erupt along my arms, my back, strength surging as the dragon emerges partially. I reach her just as gunfire erupts, spinning us both behind cover.

“We’re surrounded,” Hargen calls from his position. “No clear exit.”

I assess our options with cold clarity. The burning helicopter blocks one side of the roof. Circle operatives converge from two others. The fourth side overlooks a narrow alley, a forty-foot drop to unforgiving concrete.

“There,” Lila points across the gap to the next warehouse. “Elena. They’re in that building. I can feel her.”

So close. Too close to fail now.

A decision forms with brutal simplicity. I know what I have to do.

I grab Lila’s shoulders, turning her to face me fully. “Listen to me. You and Hargen need to make that jump. Get to the next roof. I’ll hold them here.”

“What? No—”

“There’s no time to argue.” I grip her tighter, willing her to understand. “Your daughter needs you. Right now.”

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