Page 64 of The Dragon Recruit
Chelsea had been taunting the human guards more and more. Her plan was to get them frustrated, to the point they opened her cell and she could attack them and make a grand escape.
It was a stupid plan, given how the guards carried all kinds of dragon-specific weapons—special stun guns, tranquilizer dart guns, syringes, and more that Zoe hadn’t been able to identify yet.
In the end, Chelsea had vomited for most of yesterday. By the time the guards had retrieved her, she’d barely been able to hold up her head.
Zoe hadn’t eaten anything since.
Rebecca whispered so no one else could hear her. “I’m scared, Zoe.”
She was just about to comfort her cousin when one of the guards opened the giant door at the end of the hallway and entered, with six other males behind him. He made a beeline for her cell.
Zoe stood and walked to the bars. Despite everything that had happened, she wanted to protect her cousin. Rebecca had started to see the light now that she was away from her domineering parents, and Zoe wanted to have both of them walk out of this place alive.
The male stopped in front of her. Like all the guards, he wore a mask over his face and dark clothes. “That’s her, the one planning to escape.”
Before Zoe could think of what to do, there was a sharp pain in her neck, and the world faded away as she fell to the floor.
It’d taken nearly a week to assemble all of the other teams and outfit them with the discreet filters before they could search the hidden, underground areas of Birkwood Castle.
The days flew by as everyone shared information, devised plans, and waited for Dr. Turner’s okay that the filters should keep them from dying, even if she couldn’t guarantee it.
In the whirlwind, Iris hadn’t spent much time alone with Antony. Certainly not enough to be intimate again, no matter how much she itched to see him fully naked.
Even now, as he gave some instructions to Kai Sutherland and Trina Lau, she stole a glance, loving how he talked with his hands and could make Kai roll his eyes at some corny joke.
Her dragon spoke up.You love his jokes.
Aye, maybe so, but I’m not going to encourage him.
So will you let him kiss us on the mouth once we finish this mission?
Maybe.
Even if the thought of being a mother scared her, she’d seen how Faye MacKenzie balanced being a mum with being a Protector. It wasn’t easy, but Faye’s mate supported her. And the more Iris thought about it, the more she thought Antony would do the same. Not once had he tried to convince her to take a safer job, away from danger.
Her dragon spoke up again.Then we need to watch his back and make sure he survives. I’m more than ready for sex and maybe a frenzy.
The frenzy isn’t guaranteed, dragon.
Maybe not. It’s still unfair that male dragons can tell and females can’t. Maybe Dr. Turner and Dr. Sid can come up with something so that female dragons can detect true mates, too.
She smiled.I’ll make sure to bring it up. Just don’t expect them to drop everything, aye?
A familiar voice filled her ear, and she shivered at the heat of his breath as Antony said, “Am I the reason for that gorgeous smile?”
She wanted to playfully push him, but had decided to be more professional around her fellow Protectors. She whispered back, low enough so none of the others could hear. “Wouldn’t you like to know?”
He discreetly winked. “I’ll get it out of you later.”
Max’s booming voice prevented her from replying. “Did you hear my question, Antony?”
“Yes. And no, you can’t go off by yourself this time. You’ll stay behind until we give you the green light. If we don’t return, you know what to do.”
Max crossed his arms over his chest. “I don’t like it, but yes, I know—call my assigned contact in the DDA.”
Alice sat a few seats down from Max and waved her hand. “I’m sitting right here, thank you very much. My name is Alice.”
Before Max could reply, Antony jumped in. “Now, now, let’s get along, shall we? We’re due to leave within the hour and need to gear up. So, any last-minute questions about the plan?”
