Page 75 of Draven

"Tobias can't come to the phone right now," answered an oily male voice.

That voice sounded familiar, and it took me a few seconds to place it.

"Justin," I growled. "You took my mate? I'll make you regret this."

Justin laughed, a chilling sound that crept under my skin. He had always been a jerk and a bully, but now he sounded unnaturally twisted.

"I'm not scared of you, dragon. My mistress will soon put her leash on you as she did me. Then you'll be nothing," Justin said.

His mistress? Belladonna? Had the witch known all along where I was?

Then again, when I rescued Doyle, I'd left behind my blood, and black witches had plenty of applications for that.

Using my blood to track me wasn't a far-fetched idea. Belladonna wasn't a fool, so confronting me head-on wouldn't be her style.

It was just like her to use a lackey to do her dirty work.

Reeling in my temper, I took a deep breath. "I want my mate back, Justin," I said, my voice dangerously calm.

"We're in your old home. Come pick him up," Justin replied, and before I could say anything else, the bewitched human ended the call.

I stood there for a moment, my heart pounding and my mind racing. My old home. Raven Port. Of course, Belladonna would pick that location, knowing it would trigger old memories.

I rang up Zane again, but there was no answer. Four rings later, Doyle picked up.

"Draven, Zane is getting ready to head to Red Vine. Can you wait? Do you have any new information on Tobias?" Doyle asked.

"I do," I said and told him about Justin's—well, Belladonna's—invitation.

"Smells like a trap," Doyle said.

"I know, but I don't have a choice. Tell Zane thanks for taking me in and...I'm flying out to Raven Port as soon as I end this call," I said.

"Understood," Doyle said.

I liked how he didn't try to stop me. Then again, Doyle understood loss. He probably didn't want the same fate to happen to Tobias and me.

After ending the call, I undressed and prepared to shift.

The transformation began with a familiar, intense heat spreading through my veins, as if molten lava coursed through me.

My bones elongated and shifted, a painful but quick process as my skin turned to scales. Wings sprouted from my back, stretching out as they unfurled.

My senses heightened, picking up every minute detail of my surroundings. With a final, powerful burst, I was fully transformed.

My dragon form stood tall, scales shimmering in the fading light. The air rippled with the heat of my breath as I spread my wings wide.

With one claw, I extracted the protective necklace Darcy had given me from my pile of clothes and made sure it was wrapped securely around my paw.

Taking a deep breath, I leapt into the air, my powerful wings propelling me toward Raven Port. I glided past Tobias' hometown, casting a huge shadow over the buildings below.

A few locals who spotted me gasped, their faces turned skyward in awe and fear. I didn't care that I was seen.

At that moment, I wanted one last look at the town where Tobias was born and raised—the home he was willing to leave behind for a more promising future with me.

My heart ached as I thought of his selflessness and kindness. The memories of his laughter, his touch, and his unwavering support filled my mind, urging me forward.

Don't think about death yet, I reminded myself. Tobias needed me, and I would do everything in my power to save him.

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