Page 51 of Flame it Up

Immediately, he caught Mazie’s scent. It thrilled him as it trickled through the air vents and settled around him.

She’s here, and she’s alive.

Pyrus’s phone beeped with a text from Richard. He was directed to the basement and rushed to find the stairs that would take him to the lower levels.

As he pounded down the stairs, he noticed Mazie’s scent getting stronger. He couldn’t believe it, but it looked like Richard had brought her to the meeting.

That could be very good news.

Pyrus hit the bottom of the stairs and pushed through the door at the end. He entered into a huge underground chamber big enough to store jets. Pyrus didn’t know if Richard used this space … because he couldn’t imagine what for … or if they’d just borrowed an empty building.

“Pyrus!” Richard called from across the room. “Good to see you, old pal.”

Richard took a few steps toward him as he held tightly to Mazie in front of him like a shield, keeping the muzzle of his gun pressed against her neck. “No sudden moves,” Richard said, shaking her.

Mazie whimpered, and Pyrus put the duffle bag down, raising his hands above his head.

Pyrus looked around as the two goons came forward to collect the money. It was a big enough space for him to shift, and it was far enough underground that he could fight without anyone up top knowing what was happening. He was somewhat restricted from breathing fire because he could turn the place into an oven if he wasn’t careful.

Even more stupid on Richard’s part, he had actually brought Mazie to the meeting. Pyrus had to hold in a satisfied grin as the goons approached. Now that he had his eyes on her, he could keep her safe. If she’d been elsewhere, possibly under threat, he wouldn’t have been able to attack.

The goons collected the bag, and Pyrus kept his face still and his hands behind his head. He was calculating how fast he could shift and free Mazie as soon as Richard dropped his guard.

“You have the money,” Pyrus said. “Let her go.”

Richard shook Mazie, pressing the muzzle of the gun to her forehead. “No way,” he muttered. “I’ll take a look in the bag first.”

Pyrus stood still, watching the goons walk up to Richard. As his old buddy leaned forward to look in the bag, he loosened his grip on Mazie and the gun.

Now!

Pyrus shifted in the blink of an eye. With one flap of his powerful wings, he was above Richard and Mazie. Faster than a hawk plunging from the sky to snatch its prey, Pyrus plucked Mazie from Richard’s grasp. All three of them turned to fire, and he simply put himself between Mazie and the guns.

Most of the bullets didn’t penetrate his dragon scales, and those that did weren't very deep. Pyrus set Mazie down behind some crates and spun around to take care of Richard.

The two goons stayed put while Pyrus turned to them, but when he snapped at one of them and almost cut him in half, they both bolted for the stairs. Pyrus let them go.

“It’s just you and me, now,” he hissed. Richard nodded.

As they glared into each other’s eyes, Richard shifted. Pyrus had never seen him shift. Richard was almost the same size as him and had armored scales, as well as wickedly sharp teeth and claws.

Both of them roared as they charged each other. Pyrus let all of his hate and rage pour into that scream, attacking Richard as fast as he could. Just before they clashed, Pyrus saw the other dragon shudder, and he knew his old friend was afraid.

They locked claws, spinning as they snapped at each other with their jaws. Pyrus went for Richard’s throat, but the other dragon kept him at bay. Frustrated, Pyrus pulled back and darted forward, sending them both rolling across the floor to hit one of the solid concrete walls with a loud crash.

A pressure crack streaked up the wall, and white dust drifted down from the ceiling. Pyrus realized that if the building fell in, he and Richard might survive in their dragon forms, but Mazie wouldn’t.

Pyrus twisted toward Richard with renewed urgency, trying to claw out his throat. Richard slashed with his wings and caught Pyrus across the ribs, ripping open his flesh. Pyrus roared and staggered backward, almost falling.

The two dragons glared at each other, both of them puffing hard. Pyrus charged, feinting to the left and then darting to Richard’s right.

His old pal was just a second too slow, and Pyrus managed to slash him across the shoulder. He dodged out of the way before Richard could return a blow.

They faced each other again, and Pyrus’s hate for his old friend emanated through his pores. This wasn’t just about money, not anymore. Pyrus had to destroy Richard for his own reasons.

Pyrus waited for Richard to make a move. When the other dragon laughed, Pyrus was thrown off guard. Then he noticed the smoke leaking out around Richard’s fangs.

Pyrus ran toward Mazie, praying that he’d make it in time. Richard was going to blow fire all around the room, turning it into a furnace. The two dragons would take little damage, but Mazie would be turned to ashes. The only chance was for Pyrus to reach her before the flames did and shield her with his fireproof body.

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