Page 48 of Blazing Reactions

The research wing sprawled before them, a disturbing blend of cutting-edge science and corrupted magic. Asher’s enhanced vision detected the shimmer of dark enchantments woven through otherwise ordinary laboratory equipment. Her fingers twitched toward the hidden camera in her glasses, already documenting everything.

She slipped her hand into her lab coat and palmed the auto-injector filled with a neuro-lock compound she developed that temporarily halts synaptic transmission in the brain causing immediate unconsciousness for about 30 minutes.

They debated long and hard who they would test it on. Levi won.

“This is fascinating,” Asher faked. She waited for Sarah to turn away and then made her move to inject the serum into the back of her neck. Asher caught Sarah and laid her gently on the ground. “Sorry about that, but you’ll feel great when waking up.”

Talon’s presence strengthen as she approached more dangerous territory filled her mind. His protective instincts warred with his respect for her abilities – a complex mix of emotions that made her smile despite the tension. He’d learned to trust her strength even when his dragon demanded he shield her from all harm.

The stolen access card from around Sarah’s neck opened a heavy door marked “Project Genesis,” revealing a dimly lit laboratory that made her blood run cold. Tubes of iridescent liquid bubbled ominously, connected to containment units that hummed with corrupt energy. Through observation windows, she glimpsed figures in various stages of transformation – some wholly dragon, others caught in grotesque intermediate states.

“Oh god,” she whispered, her camera documenting everything. These weren’t voluntary test subjects. The restraints on the examination tables told their own horrifying story. Talon’s fury spiked as he processed the images she was gathering.

A computer terminal beckoned, its screen displaying complex molecular diagrams. Her fingers flew across the keyboard, breaking through layers of encryption. Each new file revealed more of Dimitri’s twisted vision – detailed plans for weaponizing transformation, forcing mate bonds, creating an army of hybrid soldiers under his control.

The final document made her blood freeze. Project Genesis wasn’t just about creating hybrids – it was about triggering mass transformations on a global scale. The virus he’d engineered would force dragon characteristics to manifest in anyone with even trace amounts of shifter DNA in their ancestry.

“A genetic apocalypse,” she breathed, copying the files as quickly as she dared. “He’s going to reshape the world.”

The lights flickered, and Asher’s heart stopped. The facility’s systems were rebooting – including security. Her bond with Talon flared with sudden alarm.Get out,his thoughts pressed urgently against her mind.Now.

“No, no, no...” She yanked the drive free, shoving it into her pocket as alarms blared to life. Red emergency lights cast everything in a bloody glow.

“Security breach in Sector Seven,” an automated voice announced. “All personnel clear the area.”

FORTY-FIVE

Asher’s mind raced through options as footsteps thundered down the corridor. Think, think... Her gaze landed on the environmental controls. Perfect.

She slammed her palm against the emergency purge button, triggering the chemical decontamination system. Dense vapor filled the air as sprinklers activated, providing cover as she slipped into the corridor. Her dragon powers might be unreliable, but she hadn’t survived this long on supernatural abilities alone.

A guard rounded the corner, weapon raised. Asher dropped and swept his legs, using his momentum to throw him off balance. The self-defense training with Talon’s security team paid off as she disarmed him smoothly, locking him in a supply closet before he could radio for backup.

She knew he was worried. His dragon paced restlessly, demanding action, but he maintained position – trusting her to execute her escape plan. The depth of his faith in her abilities warmed her even as she ran.

More guards would be coming. She needed an exit, fast. The facility schematics she’d memorized showed a maintenanceshaft that led to the roof, but getting there meant crossing exposed territory. Unless...

Asher sprinted to a control panel, fingers dancing across the keys. If she could just... There. The lockdown protocols reversed, emergency hatches popping open throughout the building. In the resulting chaos, she slipped through the maintenance shaft and emerged on the roof.

The air hit her lungs like a blessing as she pulled out her encrypted phone. “Extraction needed,” she gasped.

“On our way.” Talon’s voice held barely contained relief. He was already moving, his dragon singing with the need to reach her.

Minutes later, the sleek shape of a helicopter appeared. Levi Matthews piloted with characteristic precision as Asher scrambled aboard, facility guards bursting onto the roof below just seconds too late.

Strong arms pulled her close as soon as she was safely inside. Talon buried his face in her hair, inhaling deeply as their bond thrummed with relief and lingering fear. “Don’t ever do that to me again,” he growled softly.

“No promises,” she murmured, pressing closer. “But I got what we needed.”

Back at the Draker estate,Asher stood before the assembled team in their high-tech conference room. The stolen data projected onto screens around them, each image more damning than the last.

Talon hadn’t let go of her since their return, one arm wrapped securely around her waist as if afraid she might disappear again. His dragon was still unsettled, needing the constant physical contact to stay calm.

“Dimitri plans to unleash a virus that will force mass transformations,” she explained, her voice steady despite her exhaustion. “The resulting chaos would destabilize governments, economies – everything. The world would tear itself apart.”

“While he positions himself as the only one who can control it,” Talon finished grimly. His arm tightened around her waist. “We need to mobilize everything we have. Every ally, every resource.”

“I’ll coordinate with our contacts,” Levi added, though his attention kept straying to where Lori worked frantically at her computer station. “We need to move fast.”

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