Page 36 of Inferno

“We’ll protect you.” I gazed around at them, seeing fear, uncertainty and a very cautious hope. “It’ll be risky, but this is the best way to get you all out. If someone does try to stop us, fight back however you can. Don’t let them capture you—I’m not leaving anyone behind.”

“We could be killed!”

Above me, Scarlett snarled, her booming voice making the rest of them jump. “What would you rather do?” she demanded. “Stay here, in this prison, for the rest of your lives? Give up your choice, your free will and your bodies to Talon, so the organization can raise more dragons that think like them? Do you want your offspring to go through that? And, if they don’t meet Talon’s requirements, end up here?”

The hatchling cringed, and one of the Juveniles shook her head. “No,” she growled. “Fuck that. I’m done with this place. I’d rather die trying to escape than live here another day. Let’s get out of here.”

Relieved, I nodded. “Okay, then. Follow me.”

As we hurried to the large double doors of the front entrance, an explosion echoed from somewhere outside, flaring through the windows. Hoping that these doors were unlocked, as well, I put my shoulder against the iron surface and shoved it as hard as I could. The heavy steel door groaned as it swung back, opening onto a war zone.

Oh, boy.

I could see the battle in the distance, the flare of dragonfire and gunshots lighting up the darkness. The yard, except for the roving spotlights, was eerily vacant, though it was obvious where all the guards were. Shouts and screams rose into the air over the howl of gunfire, and the unmistakable roar of an Adult dragon made me shiver.

“Director Vance,” Scarlett growled behind me. “He’s a real bastard. I hope your people came prepared.”

“Don’t worry about them. They can handle it.”I hope.An explosion pulsed through the air, followed by an enraged snarl, and I winced.Ember, St. George, be careful. Don’t either of you get yourselves killed.

Directly ahead of us, the gates to the yard hung open, a pair of dead or unconscious guards lying between the posts. “Mist?” I growled into the com. “Status report. Where are you?”

“We just made it over the wall” was the reply. “There are twenty-four confirmed breeders, about two-thirds of them hatchlings. They’ve been given regular doses of Dractylpromazine, so they won’t be able to Shift for several hours. The soldiers had to kill two guards on our way out, and one breeder was injured when a bullet grazed her arm, but otherwise everyone is fine.”

Better than I could hope for.“Head for the beach. Don’t wait for us, just get going. We’re on our way.”

“Understoo—”

“Riley!” Sebastian’s voice rang over the com, urgent and almost frantic, making my blood chill. “Wherever you are, get out of there! The Adult is coming back.”

“Shit.” Spinning around, I pointed east, toward the gradually lightening sky. “Run,” I told the dragons, who stared at me wide-eyed. “Get out of here! Fly west until you hit the beach. You should be able to see the ship from there.”

“Alone?” the yellow hatchling asked, her eyes going huge. “What about you? Aren’t you supposed to lead us—”

“The director is coming,” I snapped, making them all jerk up. “He’s on his way now, and I sure as hell am not going to lead him to everyone else. You five get out of here—I’ll slow him down at least.”

Scarlett shook her head. “Cobalt—”

“This isn’t negotiable,” I said, cutting her off. “I promised to get you out of here, and I will. Once you’re over the wall, stay low, below the tree line, so you won’t be seen from the air. There is nothing between you and freedom now, as long as you decide to step out and meet it. So, get going.” They still hesitated, torn between flight and staying behind, and my voice became a snarl. “Move!”

The hatchlings went first, taking to the air in a flurry of wings. A heartbeat later, the Juveniles followed. Only Scarlett remained behind, her eyes hard and defiant as they stared at me, as if daring me to make her move. I gave a weary smile in return.

“Go on,” I said, nodding my head at the sky. “Don’t worry about me. This is why we came, Scarlett, to make certain we got you out. So get going. I’ll be fine.”

Her tail thumped against the dirt, and she took a step back. “Don’t die,” she ordered as her wings finally unfurled, sweeping red curtains that caught the wind. “We still need you.”

“I’ll give it my best shot,” I promised. “Now get out of here already.”

She launched herself into the air, whipping cyclones of dust that buffeted my hair and clothes, and soared away after the others. I watched until they had cleared the outer wall and quickly dropped out of sight.

I turned back, took off my gun belt and shed my human form. Wings and tail uncurled as Cobalt rose up, breaking through my skin. For a split second of distraction, I wondered what the Viper suit would do; if I would feel anything as it molded to my body. There was a moment of discomfort, the sensation of a too-small shirt being pulled over my chest, then nothing.

A low growl vibrated the dirt at my feet. Heart pounding, I looked up as a fifty-foot, dark green dragon prowled around a building and came to a stop between the gateposts. He was breathing hard; blood from numerous bullet wounds ran down his scales and dripped to the ground, but he still looked healthy enough to squash me like a cockroach. Slowly, he gazed around the empty yard before stopping on me. I dug my talons into the dirt as he stepped through the gate, his voice rippling through the air like a thunderstorm.

“Where are they?”

“Gone,” I replied, forcing myself to meet the stare of an ancient Adult. “Safe. Somewhere you’ll never find them.”

“Ex-Agent Cobalt.” Vance came to a stop in the middle of the yard, close enough that his enormous shadow still fell over me. Close enough for me to feel the power radiating off his scales. “The organization told me you were dead.”

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