Page 1 of Red Captive

1

Jen

I’m stone-cold sober, which is unfortunate but necessary since I have a big day tomorrow. Huge!

It could be the day I die.

I’m no longer buzzing from the wine I consumed earlier. I was enjoying the fun banter and the warmth running through my veins. It helped me relax. Helped me forget. I’ve done that too much lately, allowed myself to relax, to enjoy the moment. I’ve allowed myself to forget, and it’s wrong. I need to face my responsibilities. I need to get home. Cold, hard reality is setting in.

I could die tomorrow. What then? I’m not worried about myself.

The same thought keeps running through my head, and it won’t stop. I have this terrible feeling that something bad is going to happen to me, and I can’t shake it. There’s a chance that I won’t make it through the mind-bond attempt. So far, several people have died. We have to face dragons. Blood-thirsty, fire-breathing, untamable dragons. From what I’ve heard, they’rekillers. Every last one of them. They’re wild and unpredictable, liable to lash out for no reason. And by lash out, I mean kill. Incinerate. Flatten. Murder.

I shiver as I open the door to the bungalow, even though it isn’t cold outside. Hunter walks out ahead of me, turning as soon as she’s through the entryway. She’s the last to leave our little reunion that could very well be my farewell. My last dinner. Arghhhh! I need to stop.

“I’ll see you in the morning,” Hunter says, sounding happy. She looks happy, and I’m glad for her.

Then her words register. “Why?” I snicker; it’s coming from a place of nervous energy rather than out of humor. “I hate to tell you this, my friend, but you’ve already mind-bonded a dragon. You won’t be joining us tomorrow. Not only did you mind-bond, you’re a… What did you call it?” I frown.

“A Seren.” Hunter smiles.

“Yes, that. You have the ability to bond with multiple dragons at once.”

“Trust me, it isn’t as fun as it sounds.” She levels me with a stare. “I’ll see you at breakfast before you leave for your attempt.”

I shake my head. “There’s no way I’ll be able to eat a thing.” I feel slightly ill from all the sushi I consumed. I haven’t eaten that much…in a very long time. It might be my last supper… No! I need to stop that kind of thinking. I’ve always been a positive, glass-half-full kind of person, and I’m not stopping now.

I will get home.

I will live.

“You’re coming to breakfast, and you’re eating something, even if it’s just fruit. We have a great selection of fruit on the island, the likes of which you’ve never seen before. Besides, you need to keep your strength up; you’re going to need it.”

My eyes widen. “For in case I need to run or to fight.”

“Never run!” Hunter narrows her eyes on me. “Never show aggression to a dragon, either. You know the rules.”

I suck in a deep breath. “I do.” I nod. “There will be no need for running. I will stand my ground.”

“Exactly. You need your strength because mind-bonding can take it out of a person. Especially the first few times you do it.” She grins at me.

I sigh. “I don’t want to mind-bond, Hunter. I love being here on the island. I love the adventure. I love how I’ve met new people and made new friends, but I have to go home. I can’t stay.”

Hunter’s gaze softens. “Your mom needs you.”

“And my little brother. I can’t just abandon them.” My eyes prick with tears. “I just can’t.”

“I know.” Hunter puts her arms around me. “It’s shitty how you have so much responsibility at such a young age.”

“It is what it is,” I tell her. “I’ve had so much fun. I’ve loved being here more than I thought I would. I loved meeting you and becoming your friend…but…I have to leave.”

Her eyes start to glitter in the moonlight. “That’s so freaking sweet.” Her shoulders slump. “I really hope you get to go home, but I will miss you if you do.” She makes a sad face for a few beats.

Or if I die.

I shake my head, trying to dislodge the thought. I can’t die. I’m needed back home.

We hug for a few seconds before pulling apart.

---