Page 98 of The Breeding Cave
“I was just about to bring Yeosin to your grave,” Luciano said. “Care to join us?”
“No, I am here to ensure Yeosin’s safety,” Gideon said, straightening himself out. “She’s not safe here.”
Conflicting emotions surged inside me, but I buried them all away and stayed put behind Luciano. He didn’t trust Gideon for a reason, and I trusted Luciano. I wanted answers just as badly as my mate, but I had made a promise to myself that I would have Luciano’s baby.
Our baby.
“I’m fine,” I finally said once the tension became enough.
“Is that so?” Gideon peered at Luciano. “She carries our future after all.”
“Our future?” Luciano growled. “Yeosin is my mate, Gideon. Don’t overstep.”
Gideon’s expression remained calm, but there was a glint of mischief in his eyes. “I’ve tried to be nice. I’ve tried to protect her. Most importantly, I’ve tried to keep quiet about the curse, but Yeosin deserves to hear the truth for her own protection.”
I furrowed my brow. “What are you talking about? What don’t I know?”
“Shut your fucking mouth before I tear it off,” Luciano snarled.
Gideon stepped forward. “Do you want to know why you feel this connection with both?—”
Before Gideon could finish his sentence, a deafening roar echoed through the ruins. The sky darkened as massive, winged creatures descended upon us. The dragons were here. They had found us, and we were alone.
CHAPTER
FIFTY-FOUR
YEOSIN
Flames licked at my skin as I huddled behind a crumbling wall, clutching my belly. Out of all the fucking times that the dragons could attack, why did it have to be now?! The scent of charred wood filled the air, the smoke nearly choking me.
I held a hand over my mouth and nose in a measly attempt to block it from entering my body. My mind was racing, but my anger burned hotter than any dragon fire. Luciano had already shifted into his beast form, standing a few feet from me and throwing a fallen beam away from me. His canines were lengthened, and parts of his fur were burning.
Wings sprouted from Gideon’s back, and he took flight to chase down the dragon spurting fire from his mouth. They raced through the air, flying in circles so quickly that even down here, I could feel the wind from their speed.
Gideon’s shriek pierced through the darkness, as the dragon had taken a chunk of meat off his abdomen. My eyes widened, and I kept myself hidden behind the wall, not knowing what to do.
I didn’t want to stay hidden. I wanted to fight.
But I knew it wasn’t smart. I knew they were here for me. Maybe for my baby.
“Come with me!” Luciano shouted.
After peering around the wall, I caught Luciano holding back his hand for me. My heart pounded in terror as a dragon who had been hiding suddenly swooped in through the broken roof, spreading fire all inside the kitchen.
“Luciano!” I screamed, my voice raw. “Watch out!”
Luciano dragged his claws against the dragon’s underbelly, opening it up. Blood and guts rained down upon us, and the dragon lost balance and dived headfirst into the living room beside me. I screamed and backed up into the wall.
Before the dragon could regain control, Luciano leaped at him, his howl sending shivers down my spine. He ripped the beast to literal meat pieces, throwing them back in the living room until nothing was left, except bare wings and a carcass.
As Luciano finished him off, another dragon swooped low and snatched me with its talons. I dived out of the way, the sharp claws cutting into my ribs, and shrieked out in pain, grasping the open wounds.
I couldn’t let them take me. I … I wouldn’t. I’d promised myself I’d have Luciano’s child.
Gideon swooped down toward the packhouse, blocking the dragon he had been fighting from breathing fire down onto Luciano. His wings ignited into flames, yet he didn’t seem to be in pain.
“Get out of here!” he shouted at me. “Both of you.”
