Page 58 of Blazing Reactions

Talon gathered Asher into his arms, his dragon keening at the iceberg she’d become. The black veins had spread across her chest, black magic trying to consume what remained of her hybrid nature. Her eyes fluttered open, focusing on him with effort.

“Did you have to destroy the entire building?” she whispered. “Some of us appreciate structural integrity.”

“Blame your dramatic shutdown sequence.”

“Actually, that was Lori’s virus.” Her smile was weak but real. “I just... improvised the timing.”

From Levi’s arms, Lori stirred. “Did someone say virus?” Her voice was hoarse but carried a hint of her usual sass. “Because I definitely didn’t program any unauthorized system disruptions. That would be illegal.”

“Oh good, you’re both conscious enough for plausible deniability.” Asher’s attempt at humor ended in a pained gasp as more blackness spread. “Though I might need a rain check on the full debrief.”

The building groaned ominously. Levi shifted Lori more securely against his chest, his eyes wild with protective fury and relief. “We need to move. Now.”

“Always so demanding.” Lori’s fingers curled into his shirt. “A girl likes to be asked nicely.”

“Please let me save you from the collapsing evil lair?”

“Better.”

Talon barely registered their banter, focused entirely on Asher. Her heartbeat grew more erratic with each passing second. The cold iron poison had nearly reached her heart.

“Stay with me,” he growled, running toward the exit as walls crumbled around them. “Don’t you dare give up.”

“Not giving up.” Her voice was barely audible now. “Just... need a minute. To recalibrate...”

FIFTY-FIVE

The facility collapsed behind them as they emerged into the night air. Levi immediately took off with Lori, heading for the medical teams standing by. But Talon could barely focus on anything except Asher’s fading heartbeat against his chest.

“Don’t you dare,” he snarled, feeling her consciousness slipping further away. “We haven’t even argued about proper scientific methodology for wedding vows yet.”

Her lips curved slightly, but her skin had gone gray, black veins now covering most of her chest. Their connection stuttered like a candle in strong wind.

“Should have...” she managed, each word a battle. “...documented the control group better...”

“Save the criticism for later.” He ran faster, his dragon howling in helpless rage as her pulse grew weaker. “That’s an order, Dr. Andrews.”

“Not... your employee anymore...” Her eyes fluttered closed. “Got promoted... to mate...”

Her heart stopped.

The sound that tore from Talon’s throat wasn’t human. Power exploded outward as his dragon surged forth, wrappingher in desperate energy. He reached for her fading essence with everything he had.

Don’t you dare leave me,he projected fiercely.Not now. Not ever.

Dr. Bennett sprinted toward them, medical kit already open. “Put her down,” he ordered. “The cold iron is reaching her heart. We need to-”

“No.” Talon’s voice resonated with ancient power. “She’s mine.”

He pulled her closer, letting his dragon energy flow freely into her still form. Black veins writhed under her skin as his power fought the magic. Her body arched as electricity suddenly crackled around them both.

“The mate bond,” Bennett breathed, understanding dawning. “It’s acting as a channel for your energy. But the strain could kill you both.”

Talon ignored him, focused entirely on pushing more power through their connection.Fight,he commanded.You magnificent, stubborn, impossible woman. Fight.

For three eternally long heartbeats, nothing happened. Then electricity surged between them in a blinding flash. Asher’s body convulsed as her heart fluttered back to life.

Her eyes snapped open, glowing with borrowed dragon fire. “That,” she gasped, “was a completely uncontrolled experimental procedure.”

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