Page 37 of Pierce

He would’ve started a war against the entire species if either of his daughters had fallen victim to one of the shifters. Both of us? He would’ve brought down the entire mountain rather than see us held captive for all eternity. He had his principles.

Thinking about them wasn’t helping. I had to find my way around so I’d know how to get out when it came time to escape. And if I ran into Pierce, it was time to turn things around so he’d loosen up.

If he thought I was at least willing to be his friend, he might give me space—which would give me the chance to slip out and run as soon as my strength was back.

I needed to believe it. It was all I had to hold onto.

The tunnel went on and on, stretching out in front of me for what felt like miles. And there was still no light at the end. It had to curve, somehow, or slope gently enough upward that I wasn’t aware.

I uncapped the water and poured a little on the floor—sure enough, it trailed slowly behind me, so slowly that the angle couldn’t be very steep at all. I kept going.

Another few minutes later, a pinpoint of light appeared in front of me. I walked faster, desperate to feel sunlight on my face, to fill my lungs with fresh air. Was it really that easy to get out of there? Simply walking uphill until I reached the mouth of the cave? I couldn’t wait to find out.

Pretty soon, the recycled air gave way to something fresh. A scent I would always associate with the color green.

A forest. I jogged the rest of the way and didn’t stop until I was outside, in the open.

I closed my eyes and tilted my head back, relishing the warmth of the sun’s caress. I felt my energy improve almost instantly, along with my outlook.

There was no way I could consider living in a cave when being outside made me who I was. It was in my blood. I couldn’t help it any more than I could help the color of my eyes or the way my hair frizzed up in humid air.

I couldn’t stand around like this all day, of course. I had to learn more about my surroundings. Where was the road? Was there any other way out? A path, maybe. Even that would be better than climbing straight down the sheer face of the mountain.

The sound of a great deal of air moving around at once sparked a vague memory.

I knew that sound.

Like sheets billowing in the wind. Where else had I heard it before? There was no chance to give it much thought—almost as soon as I heard the sound, something blocked out the sun. Something big. Scaly. Breathing. Flying.

I had a flashback to that moment in the air, flying on the back of a dragon.

This dragon, the one who landed in front of me and leaned down until we were face-to-face.

I couldn’t breathe. It was too big, so much bigger than me. One of its massive feet—were they feet? I didn’t know—was bigger than half my body. It could’ve easily taken a swipe and sent me flying into the rock behind me, crushing me to a bloody pulp. Or it could’ve sent me off the mountain, hurtling through the air. Either way, I’d be dead.

My heart was in my throat, and I could hear it pounding even over the loud in-and-out of the dragon’s breathing.

Its breath was hot, and strong enough to stir my hair. It watched me closely, eyes moving back and forth, observing the way I would observe a ladybug walking across a leaf.

Except I didn’t think its interest was based on mere innocent curiosity.

The dragon was Pierce. I couldn’t make the image of his human form match up with what I saw in front of me, and I wondered how much of his consciousness remained. Did he even know who he was looking at?

Just then, he nodded his huge head. Like he could read my thoughts. It had to be coincidence—just me letting my imagination get the better of me again.

He didn’t want to hurt me. I could feel that much. His big, amber eyes peered straight into mine. Waiting for me to do something.

So, I did something. I reached out with a hand that shook a little more than I wanted it to and barely touched the tips of my fingers to the scales on the bridge of his snout.

They were smooth, warm. Tough as leather. He stayed still and allowed me to touch him, and I only let out a shaky breath after I lifted my hand away. I hadn’t realized I was holding it.

He snorted lightly. Laughing at my nerves?

I tilted my head to the side and shot him a withering look.

He snorted again.

“I want to see the rest of you,” I announced, even though my insides were watery and my knees knocked together.

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