Page 31 of Inferno

“And if I let you go, you won’t scream and alert every guard in the place?”

She shook her head.

Okay.Holding my breath, I released her.

“Omigod,” the girl blurted as soon as she was free. “You’re Cobalt!”

I winced. “You wanna scream my name a little louder? I don’t think the guards outside heard you.”

“Oh, sorry,” the hatchling said, pitching her voice to a much softer level. “It’s just…you’re really here.” Her eyes watered, years of hope and disappointment welling to the surface. “They tell stories about you,” she went on. “Some of the older dragons. They say there’s a dragon on the outside who can get you out of Talon, if you’re lucky enough to meet him.” The sheen in her eyes grew brighter, and her lip trembled. “Director Vance told us that you don’t exist, that no one has ever discovered the location of the facilities and that we’re here for our own safety. But some of us still held out hope. That you were really out there, and that maybe this was the year you’d find us.”

A tear slid down her face, making the guilt churning inside about a million times stronger. “I’m sorry,” I said. “I came as soon as I could.”

“Cobalt.” Mist appeared beside me, looking stern. “There is no time for this. We need to wake the rest of the breeders and let them know what is going on, without alarming them and alerting the guards.”

“I know.” I turned back to the hatchling. “Where is everyone else?” I asked urgently. “Are they here, in this building?”

“Most of them.” The girl glanced at Mist, saw she was a dragon and relaxed. “The pregnant ones are next door, in the medical facilities.”

“How many?”

“Five, I think.”

“Shit.” I raked my hands through my hair. Five pregnant dragons that couldn’t Shift to human form would make sneaking out of here even more difficult. We had prepared for this scenario, so it wasn’t unexpected, but having a confirmed number made the stakes more real.

I looked back at the hatchling. “What’s your name?”

“Sera.”

“All right, Sera, can you wake the rest of the dragons here and let them know what’s going on? Get them up and ready to move out when I give the word?”

The girl paled, but nodded. “I think so.”

“Good enough. Mist.” I looked at the other Basilisk. “Stay with her and help. You know the plan. Don’t forget to warn them about the soldiers. We don’t want anyone freaking out before it’s time.”

Mist nodded. “I assume you’re going after the pregnant breeders.”

“Yeah. So you have about fifteen minutes to make sure everyone here is ready to move. Once we give the order, it’s go time. Wes…” I spoke quickly into the throat com. “I’m heading into the medical facility next door. It’s where they’re keeping the pregnant dragons. I need to know what I’m up against.”

“Hang on” came the voice on the other end. “I’ll see if they have any cameras inside.”

The hatchling hovered at the edge of the corridor, watching me. She was trembling slightly, worrying her bottom lip. I put a hand on her arm.

“Take Mist with you,” I told her. “You can trust her, and the soldiers in the building. They’re here to help. Once I get the breeders, we’re all leaving together. But I need you to keep calm and make sure everyone understands what’s happening. Can you do that?”

Sera took a deep breath, and nodded.

“All right.” I took a step back, glancing at Mist. “I’m counting on you. If you don’t hear from me in fifteen minutes, keep with the plan. I’ll let Martin know what’s going on.”

“Cobalt.” Sera met my gaze. “Be careful of Director Vance,” she said, a current of fear underlying her voice. “He’s the one in charge of everything, and he spends a lot of time in the medical bay. If he sees you…”

I nodded. “Thanks for the warning. I’ll be careful.”

I crept back down the stairs, found Martin guarding the front doors with the soldiers and explained the situation. He nodded.

“Do you need us to cover you?”

“No,” I said. “Better that I talk to the breeders alone. A half-dozen pregnant dragons aren’t going to take an invasion of St. George soldiers very well. Stay here, watch the building and be ready to move. Once I give the go-ahead, things are going to get crazy.”

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