Page 7 of Marked Dragon

There was no getting out of this.

I’m on my way,he replied.

“You better think carefully about your next steps,” Drake spat as he pressed his chest against Eva’s back and placed his head next to hers. “One wrong move and Iwillblow her brains out.”

My stomach convulsed. It wouldn’t be long before I vomited up whatever was left in there. “Pleasedon’t. You said you need her, so I’m begging you not to hurt her.” I connected with Thorn,Please don’t come. If you do, things will only get worse. I need you to find a way to get us all out of here. It has to be planned.

His response was just turbulent emotions. I couldn’t lock onto one in particular, but an icy and hot blend of terror, anger, and distress filtered through the bond.

The jangling of Falkor fastening his belt had despair pressing in on me. He was back in position, and soon, I’d becollared. My dragon hissed, but she didn’t force herself forward, as if she loved my sister as well and wouldn’t risk her life.

Drake chuckled sinisterly. “Do you think I can’t find another human to use? I brought her here to make my future wife happy and keep her family close.”

That was bullshit, and we both knew it. I was tired of taking it without calling the other person out. “YouknewI didn’t want this life for her. That’s why I volunteered to take her place. Besides, it’s not like anyone else embezzled money from your company, so don’t pretend you’ll do something we both know won’t happen.”

His hand shook, and his eyes flashed with anger. “Are you that foolish? I can take whoever and whatever I want. There are other ways to blackmail humans into giving up something precious. And…wouldn’t it be something if, after you begged to take your sister’s place, she died because you wouldn’t submit to me?”

Every breath I took roared in my ears. I’d thought that I severely disliked my stepdad, but boy, he was a saint compared to Drake. Anger settled heavily in my chest, my dragon fidgeting inside my brain. “Fine, you win.” I forced out the words, knowing they were the ones he wanted.

Warmth approached my back. Falkor. I closed my eyes, waiting to feel cool, rough metal sliding around my neck.

“Don’t,” Drake commanded. “That won’t be necessary.”

“But, sire.” Falkor cleared his throat. “She can’t be trusted. Not afterthis.”

I didn’t have to see the warrior’s face to know what I would find. He was embarrassed.

The click of the gun had my eyes popping open.

Drake had loaded a bullet, and the end of the barrel was still in place. “Everly, tell us you’ll behave.”

Eva’s eyes were red from crying, and her bottom lip quivered.

This asshole would pay. I wasn’t sure when or how, but I wanted to be the one who knocked the cocky grin off his face. I choked, “I’ll behave.”

“Good,” he cooed and dropped the gun to his side, releasing my sister.

My entire body wanted to give out, and unshed tears blurred my vision and burned my eyes, but I blinked them back. I connected with Thorn,He released Eva. She’s not in immediate danger.

The lightness of his relief through our bond eased some pressure off me.

“Your Highness, this isn’t a good idea,” Falkor insisted as he moved to stand beside me. He had the collar in his hands and a scowl on his face. “She needs to be contained.”

Though I knew better, I couldn’t stop the words. “Since you obviously don’t know how to prevent yourself from getting pantsed.”

His nostrils flared, and his head jerked in my direction. “That was a cheap move. A true fighter wouldn’t do that.”

“It doesn’tmatter,” Drake snapped. “You are supposed to betrainedforeverysituation. If someone wants to get free, they’ll do whatever is necessary.” His gaze landed on me, and there was something odd in his eyes.

I didn’t want to know what it was, but the emotion would no doubt further disgust me.

The vein between Falkor’s eyebrows bulged. He’d never be my ally, but I hadn’t counted on that, anyway. He was drinking whatever Kool-Aid Drake was serving.

I wondered why these guards were so loyal.

Wings flapped over the house, and footsteps pounded our way. Whatever was going on outside was still underway.

“You three need to go into the bedroom,” Falkor commanded as he pivoted toward the end of the hallway and the front door, positioning himself so he could still watch me. At least, he thought I was worthy enough not to disregard me.

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