Page 163 of The Bond That Burns

Yes, please, go. They’re idiots. I’ll deal with them,I said with relief.

The only reason I do not destroy them now is out of respect to you. If I see either of them again, they will be meals, not men.

I understand. That’s incredibly gracious and more than they deserve,I replied hastily.

“Kage,” Rodriguez barked. “Now.”

Kage lunged–not towards Nyxaris as I’d expected, but towards me. I was so shocked that I spun too late. My fists went flying but he caught my wrist mid-strike. I twisted, cloak tangling as I tried to kick out, but Kage’s grip was unyielding. He caught my other arm, pinning it behind my back.

“Let me go,” I screamed, thrashing against him. “You bastard. Let me go!”

Nyxaris roared, his massive body shifting forward.I have changed my mind.

“Nyxaris,” I screamed. “No! Get out of here!”

Rodriguez lifted his crossbow.

Let their pitiful bolts fly,Nyxaris rumbled in my mind.I will crush...

The twang of the bow cut him off. The bolt flew true. I waited for it to glance off the black dragon’s scales and fall to the ground.

But instead, the bolt struck Nyxaris just below his shoulder, piercing through his scales with horrifying ease. His roar of anger suddenly shifted into a cry of pain.

“No!” I shouted, struggling harder against Kage.

Nyxaris staggered forward slightly and I let out a roar of fury at the sight of him like that, dazed and in pain, his golden eyes full of shock.

Then the second bolt hit him. Embedding lower down, deep into his flank.

How?His voice trembled in my mind.Their weapons should not...

Tears were streaming down my face. “What are you doing?” I screamed. “What the fuck are you doing, Rodriguez? Why are you doing this? I will never forgive you.Never.”

Rodriguez stepped forward, looking at me with sympathy in his eyes. I hated him for that. He gestured to the crossbow. “This isn’t just any weapon. You may tell Nyxaris that. He’s probably confused. The bolts were coated in an alchemical compound designed to penetrate dragon hide. A relic of my order.”

“What fucking order?” I blazed. “What are you talking about?”

Nyxaris growled, but his voice was fainter than it had been. His massive body was trembling.The Emberwatch. Dragon...hunters.

Rodriguez knelt down by Nyxaris, yanking the lower bolt free. Blood spilled onto the frozen ground, dark and steaming. Tears blurred my vision as I watched.

“You’re killing him,” I cried.

“We’re not killing him,” Rodriguez answered calmly. “But we need his blood.”

“For what?” I demanded. “What the hell are you doing, Rodriguez? Whatever it is, it’s wrong. It doesn’t take a genius to see that much.”

“Wrong?” Rodriguez stood up, his eyes fiery. “I’ve never done anything more right in my life. It’s the only way to protect you. To protect all of Sangratha. From him.” He gestured to Nyxaris.

“He hasn’t harmed Sangratha,” I cried. “He hasn’t harmed anyone. Except highbloods, that is. I thought you’d be a fan ofthat.” I stared at the bolt in Rodriguez’s hand. “What are you going to do with the blood?”

“Use it to return him to stone,” Rodriguez said.

“No.” I shook my head frantically. “You can’t do that. He’s been tortured for long enough.”

My eyes locked onto to Nyxaris’s golden ones, his pain evident.

For once, the dragon had no witty remarks. No scathing words. His face looked almost resigned.

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