Page 29 of Naga Healer's Mate

Joseph stepped forward.“The Jorvlen stronghold near the government district.It’s heavily guarded, but—”

“Then we go now.”Nirrn’s eyes narrowed, his hands gripping the edge of the bed until his knuckles whitened.

“Listen,” the scout cut in, “I know some people who can get us detailed maps of the compound.Give me a few hours to track them down.We’ll need a solid plan to get her out alive.”

Nirrn’s tail lashed out, cracking against the wall.“Every moment we wait is another moment they have her.”

“And rushing in there half-dead will get you both killed,” Joseph countered.“You can barely sit up straight.”

A low hiss escaped Nirrn’s throat, but he couldn’t deny the truth of it.His muscles trembled from the simple act of staying upright, and the room still tilted at odd angles when he moved too quickly.

“I will give you three hours,” he said, his voice lowering to a dangerous whisper.“No more.”

The scout nodded.“I’ll be back with those maps before then.”

As the humans left, Nirrn’s tail coiled tightly around himself.The mate bond throbbed in his chest like an open wound.He could feel Islae’s fear, her anger, and her determination not to break.His hands clenched into fists.

“Hold on,” he murmured into the empty room.“I’m coming to save you.”

His shoulders tensed as he forced himself to stay still, to conserve his strength.The warrior rising within him demanded action, violence, and retribution.But the healer in him knew they needed strategy.He could not risk Islae’s safety with impatience.

Still, his tail moved restlessly, leaving scratch marks in the stone.Three hours.Three hours to regain his strength.Three hours until he could begin hunting those who dared touch what was his.

Three hours later, Nirrn’s massive frame coiled with restless energy as Joseph and the scout spread the stolen blueprints across his bed.His eyes narrowed, scanning each detail of the Jorvlen stronghold’s layout.The mate bond pulsed in his chest, drawing his attention to a section marked “Medical Wing.”

“This medical wing.”His finger tapped against the indicated area.“What exactly do they keep there?”

The scout leaned forward, pointing to specific sections.“Everything from basic medical equipment to experimental drugs.Worth a fortune on the black market.”

Nirrn’s orange scales rippled as an idea formed.“And there are humans who would risk their lives for such supplies?”

“The rogues in the outer district,” Joseph said, understanding dawning on his face.“They’ve been trying to get their hands on Jorvlen medical tech for months.”

“Then we give them what they want.”Nirrn growled low.“In exchange for their help breaking into the compound.”

His tail coiled tightly around the bedpost as he pushed himself upright.The weakness from before had faded, replaced by a surge of strength that seemed to flow directly from the mate bond.Every scale tingled with renewed energy, his muscles responding with fluid grace as he rose to his full height.

“Sir, you shouldn’t be—” the healer started to protest.

Nirrn silenced him with a look.“I am fine.”His large frame towered over the humans as he gathered the maps.“The medicine has done its work.And Islae…” His hand pressed against his chest where the bond pulsed strongest.“She gives me strength.”

“The rogues won’t be easy to find,” the scout warned.“They don’t trust outsiders.”

“Then we will make them trust us.”Nirrn’s tail moved with deadly precision as he collected his belongings.“Take me to their territory.”

Joseph stepped forward.“You seem different now.The healer I met would never—”

“The healer you met died when they took my mate.”Nirrn’s golden eyes flashed.“I am becoming what I must be to get her back.”

His scaled shoulders rolled as he moved toward the door.The mate bond burned in his chest like molten metal, driving him forward.Somewhere in that stronghold, Islae waited for him.And he would tear down anyone who stood between them.

“Let’s go,” he commanded, not bothering to look back to see if the scout followed.“We have rogues to find.”

Chapter 16

Islae

Consciousnessreturnedslowly,likeswimming up through murky water.Pain radiated through Islae’s body as her eyes fluttered open to darkness.Cold metal cut into her wrists, and the chains rattled as she tried to move.

---