The way to our objective was clear. Quickly, we ducked through the door, wary for more soldiers lying in ambush, but the car was empty save for a narrow wooden table in the middle of the floor. A lamp sat atop it, bathing the table in a dim orange glow, and in the center of the light lay a long case of glimmering metal.
Tristan let out a breath, reached out and pulled the case toward him. It was almost certainly our objective, but we had to make sure. The case was padlocked shut, but a pair of heavy-duty bolt cutters took care of that problem. The latch released with a click, and Tristan yanked it open.
Oh, yes, he murmured as the lid fell back. A long, long black barrel lay gleaming in the cutout foam padding, much larger than a standard rifle barrel and three times as thick. It was obviously meant to be fired from a stand or tripod, as it would be far too heavy for a single person to lift, much less aim. The rest of the weapon had been disassembled and lay in pieces in various foam cutouts, but Tristan stroked the length of the barrel with an almost maniacal glint in his eye. Hello, beautiful, he purred. Would you like to come home with me?
I rolled my eyes. Hey, Romeo, ask it to dinner later. We gotta move.
Almost at the same time, a bang came from the door at the far end of the car, and angry voices echoed through the barrier. More guards were on their way.
Shit. Tristan closed the case with a snap, then hauled it off the table. It was almost too big for a single person to carry, but he set his jaw and started for the door. Lets go.
We left the car, hurried to the ladder and together managed to drag the prototype case onto the roof. Wind buffeted us, cold and savage, and the tops of the empty train cars stretched on in either direction.
All right, Tristan panted, holding tightly to the case as he scanned the sky. Where the hell are those lizards? Were sort of sitting ducks out here.
Theyll be here
Freeze!
I looked up. Three soldiers had ascended the roof of the car from the other side, and a pair of M16s were now pointed in our direction. One of the men, the one out front, looked to be a captain or sergeant, for he was dressed differently than the near-identical soldiers behind him. I raised my hands as he approached, the two guards flanking him, to give me a hard smile.
Well, well. End of the line, it seems. His voice had a trace of a Southern accent, breathy and somewhat smug. I guess Ill have to give you props for this ballsy little heist. Though, for the life of me, I dont know where you thought you were going to go, unless your plan was to sprout wings and fly away.
Tristan snorted, managing to turn a laugh into a rather painful-sounding cough that didnt fool anyone. The officers eyes narrowed, and pointed a black handgun at my face. Put down the case and step away, now, he demanded. Nice and slow, and keep your hands where I can see them. When neither of us moved, his voice turned hard. Boy, dont make me shoot you, he said as the soldiers behind him took aim. Its over. Theres nowhere to go. Your choices are either death by jumping or death by lead poisoning. Or you can surrender now and live awhile longer. Personally, Id take the last option.
There was a ripple of shadow over the trees, and I smiled. One more, I said, making the officer frown. There is one more choice.
Yep, Tristan agreed, the smirk on his face indicating that hed seen it, too. He kept a tight hold of the case as he nodded to the soldiers. Time to go. Sorry, boys, but were doing you a favor, trust me.
The officers frown turned to a scowl. All right, thats enough of that. Shoot
A roar boomed overhead. The two soldiers whirled, and managed to prostrate themselves on the roof as the two dragons came swooping in. The officer screamed, raising his gun to fire, but was hit by a passing wing and knocked to his back, barely stopping himself from going off the edge. Cobalt didnt slow; I heard Tristans yelp of surprise as the blue dragon grabbed both him and the weapon case and flapped away over the trees. A half second later, talons closed around my arms, my feet left the roof and I watched the train fall away beneath me as Ember rose into the air, beating her wings furiously, and we soared over the tree line and disappeared into the night.
Ember
You should have had them destroyed!
That was the first thing we heard upon returning to Order headquarters, a loud, angry voice echoing down the hall to the command room. I paused, as did Garret, Riley and Tristan, listening as the indignant, hate-filled words carried through the corridor.
What has gotten into you, Lieutenant? Speaking to dragons? Letting them into our ranks? Promising to help them? Can you be any more blasphemous? The voice turned into a sneer. You might as well sacrifice a goat and try to summon the devil himself.
I sighed and, beside me, felt Garret tense. We did not need this right now. Wed just gotten to the point where at least some in the Order didnt view us as soul-sucking demons. For the first time, dragons and the Order had worked together on something that wasnt a life-or-death situation. The last thing we needed was someone trying to destroy the very shaky truce wed established.
I shot a glance at the others, all of whom looked as grim as I felt. Garret and Tristan were tense and had that look of wondering if they should go forward or not. Rileys mouth was twisted into a smirk, but it was one of his dangerous ones, and his eyes were hard.
Thats Lieutenant Ward, Tristan mused, sounding like hed just stepped in something nasty on the sidewalk. I didnt know he survived. He mustve just gotten here. He and Garret shared a somber glance, and Tristan blew out a breath. Well, this is going to be interesting.
Who is this bastard? Riley wanted to know.
Hes the lieutenant of the Eastern Chapterhouse, Garret answered. He can be very...verbose in his beliefs.
Tristan snorted. Thats putting it mildly. When you graduate the Academy, the Eastern Chapterhouse is where youre sent if your teachers didnt like you. A particularly loud portion of the rant echoed though the hallway, and he winced. Maybe this isnt the best time to announce we just robbed the military, he suggested in a wry voice. I say we do a tactical retreat and come back when Ward has cooled off a bit.
The officers voice rang through the corridor again, berating Martin for not shooting us all in the back of the head as he should have done, and I narrowed my eyes. No, I said. If we let this continue, word could spread. The other soldiers might start to listen, and then everything weve accomplished so far will be for nothing. Well be back to square one. I gazed down the hallway and set my jaw. Besides, I want to talk to him. I want to look him in the eye and have him say those things to my face.
He will, Ember, Garret warned softly. Wards hatred for dragons is something even the Order takes note of, and he doesnt mince words. Its probably going to be very ugly, if he doesnt try to shoot us on the spot. Not that Martin will allow that to happen, but I do want to warn you.
I know. I nodded at him. And Im not expecting to change his mind. I just want him to see us. Even if its just to hurl insults, hell be talking to us instead of trying to slaughter us on sight. I want him to know that theres actually a person on the other end of his bullets, not a mindless animal.
I know. I nodded at him. And Im not expecting to change his mind. I just want him to see us. Even if its just to hurl insults, hell be talking to us instead of trying to slaughter us on sight. I want him to know that theres actually a person on the other end of his bullets, not a mindless animal.
Oh, good. Riley sighed as we started down the hall again. Thats what I wanted to do today. Get screamed at by a dragon-hating fanatic. This is going to be all kinds of fun.
For you and us both, dragon, Tristan muttered. Being known as a dragonlover around here is almost as bad as being a lizard. Just ask Garret. He knows, isnt that right, partner? Garret shrugged, but Tristan continued to watch Riley, the corner of his lip curling in a smirk. The trick is not to stare directly at them when theyre screaming in your face, and think happy thoughts.
Riley snorted. Like melting their face off with fire?
Well, I think of girls, but whatever floats your boat.
As they were talking, Garret reached down and took my hand, strong fingers curving around mine. He squeezed once, gently, before letting goa quiet reassurance that he was still there, that he had my back. I smiled at him, and we entered the command room.
Lieutenant. Martins voice, calm and resolute, drifted to us as we stepped through the frame. I understand your concern, but there is no cause for
Oh, you understand my concern, do you? interrupted another voice, the same one that wed heard in the corridor. It belonged to a tall, muscular man with cropped blond hair and a pale mustache beneath a very large nose. He wore the black-and-gray uniform of the Order, the familiar red cross on a white shield standing out on one shoulder. Though I noticed the sleeves were slightly singed and torn at the cuffs. You understand my concern that one of our lieutenants has apparently turned into a dragonlover? That he has allowed demons into the Orders sacred affairs? That, in our darkest hour, the hour we must stand fast against our enemies and not bend, our sanctum has been violated and our soldiers are in danger of corruption because their superior officer has betrayed them, and the Code, to the very creatures we swore to wipe out?
Man, he sure likes to hear himself talk, doesnt he? Riley muttered. I feel like he needs a pulpit and a choir behind him screaming, Hallelujah! every third sentence.
Beside him, Tristan had a quiet but very intense coughing fit, turning away and putting a fist to his mouth. It did not go unnoticed, as the men finally looked up and spotted us.
Sebastian. Martins tone was as calm as ever, nodding to Garret and the other soldier. St. Anthony. Youve returned. He nodded at the glowering man standing across the table. I think you know Lieutenant Ward of the Eastern Chapterhouse?
Yes, sir, Garret said as Tristan echoed him. I believe we met last year.
Lieutenant Ward stared at Garret, pale eyes glittering with contempt. Garret Xavier Sebastian, he announced in tone of mock grandeur. The Perfect Soldier. The traitor who ran off with dragons. His fat lip curled as he stared Garret down, ignoring me and everyone else in the room. And now youre back, and it appears that your taint is spreading. That this foul brand of lunacy is affecting even those who are supposed to lead. Ward shot Martin a quick glare of contempt before turning on Garret again. Were it up to me, Sebastian, I would execute you on the spot, he said, making me stiffen. That is what the Order demands of traitors and dragon converts. That is what you deserve. But it appears I have been voted down. That you have somehow convinced Martin and the rest of your chapterhouse to welcome evil into your ranks. So be it. He made a vague gesture, as if washing his hands of all of us. I have no choice but to go along with this travesty. But make no mistake. One thick finger rose, pointed in Garrets face. Once the Order is back on its feet, once we have dealt with Talon and have slaughtered these demons that have been sent against us, you and all your sympathizers will be brought to justice. I will make certain of it.
Garrets voice was quiet, unruffled. I was amazed he could speak to this disgusting human without swearing in his face. The Order of St. George has been scattered, sir, he stated. There is virtually no one left but us. Talon is on the move, and St. George, whats left of it, cannot stop them alone. Were going to need all the allies we can get.
Ward snorted. Where are your lizards, Sebastian? he demanded. Where are the devils that Martin claims are helping us? Are they afraid of a true son of the Order? Bring them to me. I would like to see these dragons who would have us believe they are working against Talon.
Youre looking at them, I said, trying very hard to keep the growl out of my voice. Theres no need for threats, Lieutenant. Were standing right here.
Wards gaze jerked to me. For a moment, his pale eyes widened as he took me in. You? he said in disbelief as I raised my chin and stared him down. Youre a girl. A child.
Yes, because dragons hatch fully formed out of the egg, Riley broke in, the smirk on his face not quite able to mask his anger. Already grown and hungry for human souls. They certainly dont start life as innocents. Where would the Order be if they knew half the dragons theyre slaughtering are kids who havent hurt anyone?
Innocents? Wards face twisted so hard I thought he might be having a seizure. Thats like saying fire is cold or a wolf is a vegetarian. There is no such thing as an innocent dragon. I dont care if theyre five or five hundred, every soulless lizard will get the exact same treatmenta bullet to the back of its skull. If I can kill them while theyre young, thats one less dragon to plague humanity when its an Adult.
I felt Rileys fury rise like an inferno, felt the subtle shift of energy that said Cobalt was very close to the surface, ready to burst out and char this insufferable human to ash. You wanted to see us, I said quickly, before things spiraled out of control and someone ended up shot or incinerated. Here we are. Was it actually for a purpose, or did you just want to throw insults in our faces?
Wards jaw tightened. I would prefer bullets to insults, but that will have to wait for the moment. His pale eyes narrowed, and he stepped around the table, looming over me. I felt Garret lean close, as well, his presence bolstering me as I stared up at the lieutenant. Why are you here, dragon? the officer demanded. Martin says you are not part of Talon, but even if that were true, it does not explain why you have chosen to seek out your enemies. Why did you risk coming here? What do you hope to gain from the Order of St. George?
I met his gaze. Hasnt Martin told you?
Some things. The officers voice was unyielding. But I want to hear it from the dragons mouth. I want to hear it from you.
Well, thats too bad, Riley broke in. Because I dont feel like telling you a damn thing, St. George. Maybe if you hadnt called me a soulless demon wed be more inclined to share. As is, Im not about to reveal anything to someone who might shoot us all in the head, or the back.
I hesitated. I could feel Rileys gaze burning the side of my face, hard and angry. Dont tell him anything, it was saying. Certainly I could understand his reluctance. Letting this man set foot on an island of breeder dragons seemed like a very bad idea, as was letting him know that we now had what could be a very powerful weapon in our possession. How much had Martin already revealed? If he hadnt told Ward our plans, I didnt want to be the one to fill him in.