Inferno

by Julie Kagawa

  Riley

  I heard the explosion even through the walls of Scarlett’s habitat.

  The dragon jerked her head up, teeth bared, eyes dilating in alarm. “What was that?”

  “Our signal to leave,” I said, striding to the front of the cell. “Let’s hope your doctor friend did what he said he would do and unlocked all the doors, otherwise this will be a really short prison break. Mist,” I said, speaking into the com as I turned. “I have the pregnant dragonells. Start the evacuation—I’ll meet you outside in two minutes. And don’t forget the minefield. Lead them through one at a time if you have to, but don’t get anyone blown up. The soldiers should be taking care of any guards that would come after us.”

  “Roger that.” A moment’s pause, and then: “Good luck, Cobalt.”

  “You, too.”

  I looked back. The red dragon was still standing in the middle of the habitat, listening to the sounds of rising conflict, wings half-flared and trembling. “Scarlett!” I snapped, making her jump. “You can’t freeze up on me now,” I said. “I need your help to gather the rest of the dragonells. My team is out there, launching a distraction so we can get the hell out, but if everyone here panics, we’re all going to die. We need to let the others know what’s happening. Are you with me?”

  She blinked, and a steely look crossed her reptilian face. “I’m with you,” she growled, and strode forward, toward the large iron doors at the front of the cell. I had to scramble out of the way as the large Adult dragon barreled past me and struck the double gates with the force of an oncoming semi. There was a crash that sounded like two vehicles colliding, and the doors flew open with a bang.

  “Shit!”

  A shot rang out from the room beyond, sparking off the metal frame, and Scarlett hissed with fury. Sprinting out behind her, I raised my gun and fired several shots at the guard overhead on the walkway who was aiming his very large rifle at the dragon who had come bursting out of her cell. At the same time, a gout of flame hissed through the air as Scarlett spat fire at the guard, and he tumbled from the railing like a burning torch.

  I looked around. Dragons were emerging from cells around the room, confused and bewildered and much smaller than Scarlett. A yellow-green hatchling with brown stripes down her neck and back spotted me and gave a hiss of alarm, baring her fangs.

  “Intruder!” she snarled, and crouched down as if unsure whether to flee or fight. “You don’t work here. Did you kill Dr. Miles? Who are you?”

  Her outburst attracted the attention of the three other dragonells—two Juveniles and another hatchling—who stared at me with wary eyes. But before I could say anything, a shadow fell over us as Scarlett marched forward, raising her head to glare down at them all.

  “His name is Cobalt,” she said without preamble. “We can trust him. He’s here to get us out.”

  “Out?” The yellow-green hatchling blinked at the Adult in disbelief. “What do you mean, out?”

  “I mean I’m here to get you off the island,” I broke in. “What you’re hearing outside...that’s my team launching a distraction so the rest of us can escape. I have a container ship waiting just off the northern beach. It’s a bit of a swim, but once we get there, you’ll be free. You can leave Talon and this hellhole and never look back.”

  “All of us?” one of the Juveniles asked. “What about everyone in the building next door?”

  “They’re being taken care of. I have people moving them out as we speak.” I pointed back toward the entrance. “We go out the front, meet the rest of them on the other side of the wall and leave while the guards are dealing with the other team.”

  “What if we’re shot at?”

  “We’ll protect you.” I gazed around at them, seeing fear, uncertainty and a very cautious hope. “It’ll be risky, but this is the best way to get you all out. If someone does try to stop us, fight back however you can. Don’t let them capture you—I’m not leaving anyone behind.”

  “We could be killed!”

  Above me, Scarlett snarled, her booming voice making the rest of them jump. “What would you rather do?” she demanded. “Stay here, in this prison, for the rest of your lives? Give up your choice, your free will and your bodies to Talon, so the organization can raise more dragons that think like them? Do you want your offspring to go through that? And, if they don’t meet Talon’s requirements, end up here?”

  The hatchling cringed, and one of the Juveniles shook her head. “No,” she growled. “Fuck that. I’m done with this place. I’d rather die trying to escape than live here another day. Let’s get out of here.”

  Relieved, I nodded. “Okay, then. Follow me.”

  As we hurried to the large double doors of the front entrance, an explosion echoed from somewhere outside, flaring through the windows. Hoping that these doors were unlocked, as well, I put my shoulder against the iron surface and shoved it as hard as I could. The heavy steel door groaned as it swung back, opening onto a war zone.

  Oh, boy.

  I could see the battle in the distance, the flare of dragonfire and gunshots lighting up the darkness. The yard, except for the roving spotlights, was eerily vacant, though it was obvious where all the guards were. Shouts and screams rose into the air over the howl of gunfire, and the unmistakable roar of an Adult dragon made me shiver.

  “Director Vance,” Scarlett growled behind me. “He’s a real bastard. I hope your people came prepared.”

  “Don’t worry about them. They can handle it.” I hope. An explosion pulsed through the air, followed by an enraged snarl, and I winced. Ember, St. George, be careful. Don’t either of you get yourselves killed.

  Directly ahead of us, the gates to the yard hung open, a pair of dead or unconscious guards lying between the posts. “Mist?” I growled into the com. “Status report. Where are you?”

  “We just made it over the wall” was the reply. “There are twenty-four confirmed breeders, about two-thirds of them hatchlings. They’ve been given regular doses of Dractylpromazine, so they won’t be able to Shift for several hours. The soldiers had to kill two guards on our way out, and one breeder was injured when a bullet grazed her arm, but otherwise everyone is fine.”

  Better than I could hope for. “Head for the beach. Don’t wait for us, just get going. We’re on our way.”

  “Understoo—”

  “Riley!” Sebastian’s voice rang over the com, urgent and almost frantic, making my blood chill. “Wherever you are, get out of there! The Adult is coming back.”

  “Shit.” Spinning around, I pointed east, toward the gradually lightening sky. “Run,” I told the dragons, who stared at me wide-eyed. “Get out of here! Fly west until you hit the beach. You should be able to see the ship from there.”

  “Alone?” the yellow hatchling asked, her eyes going huge. “What about you? Aren’t you supposed to lead us—”

  “The director is coming,” I snapped, making them all jerk up. “He’s on his way now, and I sure as hell am not going to lead him to everyone else. You five get out of here—I’ll slow him down at least.”

  Scarlett shook her head. “Cobalt—”

  “This isn’t negotiable,” I said, cutting her off. “I promised to get you out of here, and I will. Once you’re over the wall, stay low, below the tree line, so you won’t be seen from the air. There is nothing between you and freedom now, as long as you decide to step out and meet it. So, get going.” They still hesitated, torn between flight and staying behind, and my voice became a snarl. “Move!”

  The hatchlings went first, taking to the air in a flurry of wings. A heartbeat later, the Juveniles followed. Only Scarlett remained behind, her eyes hard and defiant as they stared at me, as if daring me to make her move. I gave a weary smile in return.

  “Go on,” I said, nodding my head at the sky. “Don’t worry about me. This is why we came, Scarlett, to make certai
n we got you out. So get going. I’ll be fine.”

  Her tail thumped against the dirt, and she took a step back. “Don’t die,” she ordered as her wings finally unfurled, sweeping red curtains that caught the wind. “We still need you.”

  “I’ll give it my best shot,” I promised. “Now get out of here already.”

  She launched herself into the air, whipping cyclones of dust that buffeted my hair and clothes, and soared away after the others. I watched until they had cleared the outer wall and quickly dropped out of sight.

  I turned back, took off my gun belt and shed my human form. Wings and tail uncurled as Cobalt rose up, breaking through my skin. For a split second of distraction, I wondered what the Viper suit would do; if I would feel anything as it molded to my body. There was a moment of discomfort, the sensation of a too-small shirt being pulled over my chest, then nothing.

  A low growl vibrated the dirt at my feet. Heart pounding, I looked up as a fifty-foot, dark green dragon prowled around a building and came to a stop between the gateposts. He was breathing hard; blood from numerous bullet wounds ran down his scales and dripped to the ground, but he still looked healthy enough to squash me like a cockroach. Slowly, he gazed around the empty yard before stopping on me. I dug my talons into the dirt as he stepped through the gate, his voice rippling through the air like a thunderstorm.

  “Where are they?”

  “Gone,” I replied, forcing myself to meet the stare of an ancient Adult. “Safe. Somewhere you’ll never find them.”

  “Ex-Agent Cobalt.” Vance came to a stop in the middle of the yard, close enough that his enormous shadow still fell over me. Close enough for me to feel the power radiating off his scales. “The organization told me you were dead.”

  “Yeah. I get that a lot.”

  The Adult dragon ignored that statement. “Rest assured, I will find my breeders,” he said, sounding confident and assured. “There is no escape, no place on this island that they can hide. Save me some time. Tell me where they are, and I’ll make your death painless.”

  I curled my muzzle in a sneer. “Oh, didn’t you know? I stole them away to my magic island, where I’m the king and they’re all part of my harem. Sorry, but I don’t really feel like giving them back.”

  “Very well.” Vance smiled coldly and took a step closer. “Then I suppose I’ll have to pull your limbs off one by one, until you feel more cooperative.”

  I took a deep breath. No way in hell I was going to win this fight. That was fine; I just had to keep him here, keep him distracted, until the breeders reached the ship and the evacuation was complete. Maybe I’d even come out of this alive.

  And then, a shadow fell over us, a second before Ember swooped down with a flash of metallic red and landed beside me. Stunned, I blinked at her, and she shot me a sideways grin.

  “Garret and the others are on their way,” she told me in a near-whisper. “They just have to get through the rest of the guards. We can hold out until then, right?” Turning, she stepped forward, toward the Adult looming above us, and raised her voice. “This guy isn’t that scary.”

  Vance snorted in contempt. “Your bloodline will not save you, Ember Hill,” he growled, and stalked forward. I tensed, lowering myself into a crouch, and saw Ember do the same. “You have no idea what you’ve done. Do you think the breeders will be able to survive without Talon? That this so-called ‘freedom’ is worth risking your lives over?” He curled a lip. “They were safe here. If you take them into the world now, they will all die when Talon launches the final stage of their plan. I will not allow that to happen.” His eyes narrowed, zeroing in on Ember. “Even if I must kill the daughter of the Elder Wyrm myself!”

  Ember

  He lunged at me, covering the space between us in a leap, jaws gaping to bite me in half. I sprang into the air to avoid it, hearing his jaws snap shut below me, and immediately dove at his back, landing between his wings and sinking my claws into his scales.

  He roared and spun on me like a snake, frighteningly quick for his size. I saw his head whip around from the corner of my eye, and I leaped out of the way, barely dodging his fangs a second time. As I flew off his back, I saw Cobalt lunge in and rake his claws down the Adult’s leg and shoulder. There was a faint metallic screech, and Cobalt darted away as Vance lashed out at him. I spun in midair and came back for another attack, but the Adult swung his head around again, bashing me in the side with his horns. I heard something snap as I tumbled from the air and hit the earth, then rolled to a painful stop at the base of a tower.

  “Ember!” Cobalt raced toward me, but Vance whirled and lashed out with a talon, swatting him into the fence. The blue dragon went through the barrier and collapsed to the ground, dazed and tangled in wire.

  The Adult prowled forward, half-open wings draping me in shadow. “Insects,” he murmured, watching me stagger upright, an amused smile on his face. “Hatchlings. You cannot hurt me. You are a vague annoyance at best.” I lunged at him with a snarl, but a stab of pain went through my ribs, slowing me down, and a clawed forepaw smashed into my shoulder like a sledgehammer, sending me tumbling over the ground. “Where are my breeders?” Vance rumbled, stalking toward me. I staggered upright, but a heavy claw slammed into my back, crushing me to the ground again. I gasped for breath as the world went fuzzy. “Tell me,” the voice overhead growled. “I know they are still on the island. Point me in the direction they went, and I will let you live to face the wrath of the Elder Wyrm.”

  “Rnesh karr slithis,” I spat at him, and he chuckled.

  “Such language,” he said, and casually bent my wing backward. There was a snap, and I shrieked in agony as the Adult let the broken limb drop. “You try my patience, Ember Hill,” he said as I panted through clenched teeth and tried not to pass out from the pain. “I will ask again. Where are my breeders? I encourage you to make it easy for yourself. I have at least five more limbs I can break before I start peeling off scales.”

  Garret, I thought, squeezing my eyes shut. Where are you?

  “Still not talking?” The Adult sighed and gripped my other wing. “Then I suppose we’ll have to do this hard way.”

  “Director!”

  A roar echoed above us. I looked up, just as another Adult with dark red scales slammed into Vance, knocking him off me. The two Adults crashed to the dirt, making the ground tremble like an earthquake. Vance let out a bellow of fury.

  “Scarlett! You traitorous bitch! What are you doing?”

  The other dragon smiled, golden eyes shining with hate. “Something I’ve wanted to do for years,” she growled, and lunged at the Director. Vance reared up to meet her, and the two behemoths collided with the screech of metallic scales and claws.

  I staggered to my feet, still dizzy from the throbbing pain of my broken wing. Gritting my teeth, I stumbled away from the battle, watching as Scarlett lashed out and raked a gaping wound across the larger dragon’s neck. With a furious hiss, the director plowed into her, using his greater bulk to knock her over, trying to pin her down to end the fight. Snarling, Scarlett rolled onto her back and used her hind legs to rip and gouge at the other dragon’s stomach. Blood ran down the scales of both dragons, staining the ground crimson.

  “Ember!”

  Cobalt appeared beside me, panting, his yellow eyes bright with pain. “Are you all right?” he asked anxiously. His gaze landed on my wing, hanging uselessly at my side, and narrowed furiously. “That son of a bitch! I’ll kill him.”

  “We have to help Scarlett.” I looked back at the raging Adults. Scarlett, still under Vance, was putting up a good fight; blood streaked his underside and shoulders from where her talons clawed at him. But Vance was larger; he still had her pinned and appeared to be biding his time.

  “Ember, you’re hurt...” Cobalt began, but I’d already started across the yard, ignoring the shrieking pain in my wing. With a growl, he bounded a
fter me.

  As I got close, Vance abruptly snaked his head down, dodging a blow from Scarlett’s talons, and clamped his jaws around her neck, right below her chin. My stomach dropped, and Scarlett screamed, slashing and clawing furiously, trying to throw him off. Vance dropped his full weight onto her, crushing her to the earth, and the red dragon’s struggles grew weaker and weaker.

  I hit the Adult dragon as hard as I could, sinking my talons into his shoulder, tearing through scales into flesh and muscle. Vance jerked, his huge body shuddering, but he couldn’t turn to deal with the annoying hatchling dragon without letting go of Scarlett. I dodged a swat from his tail and went for him again, leaping to his back to assault the base of his neck, biting and clawing wherever I could reach. I saw Cobalt leap at him, as well, sinking his talons into the dragon’s side and raking several long furrows down his ribs.

  With a roar, Vance turned on us, releasing Scarlett to whip his head around. I felt jaws close on my hind leg a second before I was hurled through the air, the ground rushing up at me. I struck the earth and rolled, and everything fractured into blinding shards of agony.

  For a few seconds, it was all I could do not to pass out. Through my hazy, darkening vision, I saw Vance swat Cobalt away and turn on me with murder in his eyes. He took a step forward...

  And a shot rang out somewhere close, causing the dragon to jerk up with a snarl. Blearily, I turned my head. A handful of soldiers swarmed into the yard, the chatter of M14s echoing off the buildings. As I struggled to stay conscious, one pale-haired soldier leaped over a pile of rubble, spun to face the dragon and fired a flurry of shots into its side.

  “Garret,” I whispered as Vance bellowed with rage. As the soldiers spread out, surrounding him, he drew back, nostrils flaring, to unleash a column of fire at his enemies.

  He didn’t see Scarlett stagger to her feet, eyes burning, and make one last, desperate lunge. As the director’s mouth opened, glowing red with imminent flames, the crimson dragon struck him hard, knocking him off balance, and clamped her jaws around his throat.