Page 82 of Talon

“We don’t have any idea where the other targets could be,” Tristan said, glancing at the computer screen, following the dot as it moved swiftly across the map. “Right now, she’s our best and only suspect. When you were at the carnival with her that day, I went to her house and put a tracking device on her car, so we could follow her if she went anywhere suspicious. When I received orders tonight, I knew exactly how to find her.” He tapped the computer screen with a grim smile. “It sure looks like she’s on the run, doesn’t it? If we’re lucky, she’ll lead us right to the other targets.”

The walls of the vehicle were closing in, and the seat belt felt suffocatingly tight. I stared at the red blip on the screen, willing it to stop, to turn around and head back home. It didn’t. It sped unerringly toward the ocean and the edge of town, driving me closer to a looming, inevitable choice.

Riley

Where was she?

I stood on the beach facing the ocean, the cliff wall at my back, waiting for her. My ribs throbbed; Wes had patched me up as best he could, the bandages tight around my waist, but it was still painful as hell. Remy and Nettle were hunkered down in the cave behind me, and I’d told them not to leave, not to show themselves, until I gave the word to move out. Wes had already taken the car to a safe location, and was waiting for my call to return and pick us up. It was better that way, in case there was trouble. I was taking a huge risk myself, standing in the open like this, wounded and knowing St. George was still out there, searching for us. But I couldn’t risk not seeing Ember when she came. If she came. From our last phone call, she should’ve been here by now.

What if she doesn’t come?

She’ll be here, I told myself. I had to believe that. St. George was probably scouring Crescent Beach for dragons, that twin of hers would be reluctant to turn rogue and Ember herself had grown to love this town and everything in it, but I had to believe that my fiery hatchling would keep her promise and return. Because I was one hundred percent positive I couldn’t leave without her.

This is stupid, Cobalt. What’s happened to you? You’re acting like those weak-willed humans you always made fun of. You’re acting like a sap who’s fallen in love.

I snorted. Love. That was ridiculous. Dragons didn’t love. Living things, anyway. Gold, wealth, power, influence—thosewe loved. Even dragons out of Talon were drawn to shiny things and treasure. It wasn’t the same. I’d seen plenty of humans “in love.” It was messy and annoying and complicated. What I felt toward Ember...that was pure instinct, something as natural as flying or breathing fire. I didn’t know what this was quite yet, but I knew it was something far purer than the mortal’s definition oflove.Muddled human emotions had nothing to do with it.

“Riley!”

My heart didn’t jump as much as it sagged in utter relief. All my senses came to life again, sending heat through my veins, as Ember sprinted over the sand in her black Viper suit and threw herself against me.

I grunted, the impact sending a sharp twinge through my middle, but it was almost instantly forgotten. Ember was shaking, gasping for breath, her hands clenched in my shirt. Alarmed, my arms tightened around her. “Firebrand? You okay?”

No answer, just a noise that sounded half growl, half sob, and my alarm grew. “Hey, look at me,” I said, pulling back, though not enough to let her go. “What happened? What’s wrong?”

“St. George,” she whispered, and I couldn’t tell if she was grief-stricken, terrified or really, really pissed. “He’s one of them, Riley. Garret is part of St. George.”

“Shit.” This day was getting better and better. “Did he hurt you?” I asked, swearing that if I ever saw that human again, I would fry him to cinders. “Are you all right?”

“I’m...I’m fine.” She pulled away, raking hair from her eyes, and gazed around the beach. “Where’s Dante?”

I frowned. “I thought he was coming with you.”

“We split up. He said he would meet me here...” Ember broke off, walking a little ways down the beach, searching. “Where is he?” Her eyes, her stance, everything, was hopeful, and I sighed, hating what I had to do next.

“Firebrand,” I said as gently as I could, walking up behind her. “He’s not coming. I’ve seen his kind before. If he hasn’t sold us out to Talon by now, I’d be surprised. We have to go now, before Talon or St. George finds us.”

“No.” She spun on me, eyes flashing. “You don’t know him. He’ll come. He’ll be here, he promised he would.”

“Talon has him now.” I shook my head sadly. “He’s theirs, Ember. He’ll betray his own blood if the organization tells him to.”

“He’s my brother, dammit!” She glared at me, both the dragon and the human girl of one mind. Both stubbornly resolved. “You’re wrong,” she insisted. “I’m not leaving him. Something might’ve come up, slowed him down. We have to wait a little longer. He’ll be here.”

“No, hatchling,” purred a new voice, one that turned my blood to ice. “I’m afraid he will not.”

Ember

“Lilith,” Riley growled, backing away, as my trainer, Scary Talon Lady herself, sauntered toward us. She was dressed like me, a tight black suit hugging her slender body, her blond hair pulled behind her. Her “work” outfit. My breath seized up with the implication.

“Where’s Dante?” I demanded, suddenly terrified. “What have you done to him? If you’ve hurt him, I swear—”

“Don’t worry, my dear.” Lilith smiled at me, evil and predatory. “Your brother is fine. He’s at home, in fact, waiting for me to bring you back to the fold.”

Riley swore. I looked at him, then at Lilith, confused. “I don’t understand.”

“Dante informed me where you’d be tonight,” the Viper went on. “He said you had been coerced by a rogue dragon that had been hanging around the area, telling all kinds of nasty lies about the organization. He was very concerned about your state of mind, so he contacted me. Smart boy. He knows where his loyalties lie.” Lilith gave me a mock-sorrowful look. “You, however, hatchling, I amverydisappointed in you.”

“You’re lying,” I breathed, shaking my head. “Dante wouldn’t sell me out.”

---