Page 8 of Marked Dragon

I clutched my head and stood, the pain intensifying. I needed a dark room, Advil, and caffeine, pronto. I couldn’t run right now, even if I had the opportunity, especially since the adrenaline was wearing off and the pain continued to intensify.

Drake waved the gun at me and Eva, then at the room. My pulse raced, and my head pounded in sync with my heartbeat. I moved away from the front door and farther down the hall just as the back door opened.

“Get in there,now,” Falkor hissed as he ran down the hall.

Eva was frozen, a few tears trickling down her cheeks. She wasn’t crying as hard as before, but I was certain it was because shock had taken over, something with which I was all too familiar.

When I’d asked Drake to take me instead of Eva, I’d had no clue what I’d signed up for. I’d thought it would be a loveless marriage. Little had I known I’d be thrust into a supernatural world with a sadistic assholedragonprince. Not that it would’ve changed anything—I still would’ve taken her place—but I would’ve been more prepared forthisfuture.

I looped my arm through Eva’s, forcing her to move with me. Drake was already at the door, scowling.

We passed a door on the left, and I noted that it was a bathroom. I’d have to get the lay of the house later when Drake didn’t have a gun.

We were a few steps shy of entering the bedroom when the person who’d come in through the back door said, “Falkor, they got away.”

My heart leaped into my throat as hope surged through me. I wanted to ask who, but I swallowed the words whole.Thatquestion would not go over well, especially with Drake still holding that blasted gun.

Someone needed to do something about that.

Drake marched back out of the bedroom, his face damn near the same shade as a tomato. He grabbed Eva and me by the shoulders, spun us around, then shoved us back toward the living room.

“You could’ve justasked,” I growled, not liking being manhandled. This could easily go in the direction of physical abuse.

He snarled, “Move or I’ll make you.”

Eva whimpered, and I pulled her tighter against me. The shaking of her body didn’t lessen as we picked up the pace.

Back in the living room again, Falkor was staring out one of the windows, his eyes narrowed. “We need to alert the warriors at the perimeter.”

The new warrior was dressed in black like the others. He was tall, coming in at around seven feet, and very muscular, with a bald head and honey-brown eyes that weren’t as cold as Falkor’s.

“We already did via cell phone in case the escapees got a walkie-talkie and are monitoring our actions.” The new man rolled his shoulders and glanced at us.

Drake’s chest heaved as he stood next to me. He snapped, “How thefuckdid this happen, Uther?”

Using every ounce of self-restraint I had, I managed not to roll my eyes. He had some nerve talking like that to men who risked their lives daily for a pompous jerk like him.

Uther tuggedat the collar of his black shirt. “We’re not sure, Your Highness.” He averted his gaze and placed his hands behind his back. “They were locked in the cellar of Falkor’s house, the same as they’ve been for the past month. Multiple people must have been waiting nearby because, as the guards were leaving, all five of them were shot with tranqs.”

My breath caught.Thorn, your parents and Saphira escaped.Finally, some good news.

Warmth wafted toward me as he replied,What? How?

One second. Let me hear the whole story. But keep an eye out for them,I replied. I’d take this small win. And if I could get Eva out, I could deal with the hell of being left behind.

Drake growled. “How long were Ladon and the others out?”

“Not long.” Uther lifted a hand. “Four nearby warriors noted three dragons flying away, frantically. Three of them shifted and flew after them, while one rushed to see what had happened. She found all five guards passed out on the ground and gave them the tranq neutralizer, which stirred them awake, and allowed Ladon to contact you.”

That was why Ladon had sounded so groggy over the walkie-talkie.

Drake’s body shook. “You’re telling methreewarriors went after them, and they still haven’t been caught?”

Uther’s Adam’s apple bobbed. “The three prisoners are fast and had a decent head start. The warriors are chasing their scent, but they’ve split up, making it hard to track them.”

I relayed the information to Thorn, ecstatic that he might very well get his parents back.

Vlad knows what to do. He also knows where the cabin is,Thorn linked, but I could feel his trepidation.I don’t know if I can go back and be that far away from you.

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