Page 87 of Tempting Her Dragons

“Oh shit,” Bash says. I strike out with my hand, wrapping it around his throat.

“Shane, you had no idea who and what you were trying to find,” I whisper. “You decided to step out from behind your computer and enter a world you know nothing about. I wasted precious time finding you. The time I could be spending with our mate, and I’m furious.” He laughs manically, and Mav is instantly beside me.

“Let’s kill him and be done,” Mav growls, and I press the back of my palm to his chest.

“How did you find me?” I ask.

“I’m good with computers. I used my skill to cover up my brother’s actions and to find you. My brother always checks in, and sends me the information on the women he needs to disappear. When he didn’t, I knew something happened to him.” He smiles sickly. “I was pleasantly surprised to see you with a woman.”

“So you left the note,” I state.

“Yeah, it was a good way to get your attention.” He loses the grin when I elongate my nails.

“Do you like my attention?” I snarl, digging into his skin slightly.

“Shit, please,” he begs.

“You wanted it? I’m giving you what you wanted,” I snap. A flurry of movement at the top of the stairs breaks through my rage, and I turn my head.

“Kingston.” Sally sprints down the stairs. “Maverick.”

“Sally?” I frown.

“Saphira is gone,” she rasps.

“What?” I whisper furiously.

“We went to the coffee shop. She went to get another coffee and disappeared.” Her eyes are filled with anguish. “Your mom is tracking her. She sent me to get everyone.”

“No,” Mav says, stricken.

“Saphira,” Laken rasps, and Bishop’s face whitens.

“Fuck,” she says. “I would have called, but the coffee shop’s not far. Roxanne said you will be able to track her. Can you?”

“Yes,” I reply faintly.

“Damn, you lost the hot girl?” Shane taunts, and I turn my burning gaze to his face.

“Fuck you,” I rumble. I transform my hand, my claws penetrating his neck, my poison seeping into his body. “You can join your brother,” I say, my voice filled with my dragon. I pull and sever his head from his body. As it rolls across the floor, I call on my fire and direct it to his chest. My fire is pure gold in color, and I will it to burn.

“Holy shit,” River whispers.

“Astonishing,” Sally says.

Mav wraps his arm around my chest and presses his head to mine. “Brother, it’s done.” His voice calms me, and I grind my teeth as I call back my power.

“Nothing but ash,” Ryker says.

“Who is he?” Sally asks.

“The man we have been looking for,” Bash informs her.

“Then who has Saphira?” she asks. “I thought it was him.”

“We don’t know,” Mav says. “Did you see anything suspicious?”

“No.” She shakes her head jerkily. “We were having a nice conversation. We knew the twin had been to the business and thought we would check it out.”

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