Page 11 of Ensnared (The Dragon Captured #1)

The tall man sinks his claws into my arm, which hurts more than I expect. I drop my sword. His smile widens, and he yanks me backward. Unfortunately for him, close fighting is kind of my sweet spot. I stomp on his left foot and bring up my poker arm, smashing his nose with the handle.

He releases my arm, blessedly, though it still burns like fire, and reaches for my throat.

I drop straight down onto my heels and pivot, kicking his uninjured leg.

He, predictably, drops, and I drive the poker through his eye.

It won’t kill him, if he’s anything like Gordon and Axel, but it distracts him long enough for me to retrieve my sword.

It takes me three attempts this time to decapitate him, and the side of the sword grinds on the pavement with each stroke, further dulling the already blunt blade. It’s no shock to me that the short man’s waiting for me when I finish.

And not in his human form, dang it all.

I’m sure he’s more than ready to kill me by now.

I hope the kids are hiding, because I’m positive I can’t defeat this one.

He’s bigger than either Gordon or Rufus, and his scales are a deep, emerald green.

I only know it’s him because the eyes are the same strange shade of brown as before, glinting with hatred.

I wasn’t trying to hurt any of you, I say. For what it’s worth. I am ensnared.

The bright green dragon’s eyes widen with fear, which makes no sense. He can’t be afraid of me, so what could be causing that? I follow his eyes—he’s staring at something over my shoulder. I turn around slowly, forgetting about the threat of the green dragon when I see what has him worried.

Until now, I’ve only seen the terrifying, blood-red beast from afar.

He descends rapidly, his wingspan greater than a Boeing 737’s, banks hard and then drops right in front of me.

I clench one hand on my sword. I’ve killed two dragons who were in their human form.

That green one was about to end me, but I planned to make it feel the misery of taking down a warrior.

But now?

This one could end me with one breath. I stand no chance, but that doesn’t mean I should give up.

I’ll die screaming in his horrible, disgusting face.

I brandish my pathetic weapons and leap sideways, my sword slashing at his wing.

If I can damage it, maybe he won’t be able to fly.

Maybe he won’t be able to kill so many humans with such ease until it heals.

But my stupid, blood-soaked ornamental blade clatters off the wing, sending a painful vibration up my shredded arm. Still, I can’t give up. I just can’t. I set my feet and hurl my poker at his eye.

Eyes probably aren’t armored, right? If I can spear it, he might go blind on one side. Except he turns his head and it hits his eye-ridge and falls to the ground harmlessly as well.

Then he snorts.

He raises one enormous claw, and I bow my head, balling my fists at my side, preparing myself for the ending I know is coming. Will Axel still protect the kids, even after I’m gone? Maybe he’ll be patient enough to wait for them to grow into adults. He might want to try and ensnare one, right?

Only, he doesn’t kill me.

There’s a whoosh of air as the crimson monster inexplicably flays the green dragon open and shoves it dozens of feet away from us.

“Why?” I can barely force myself to breathe. Why would he kill the dragon instead of me?

I’m a friend of Axel, he says. I’m his oldest friend, in fact. He scowls. He told me you were supposed to stay inside that building. He tosses his head toward Star Furniture.

I splutter.

Get inside, and I’ll clean up this mess.

The scariest creature I’ve ever seen just saved me? For Axel? “But?—”

Now . The word’s punctuated with a snort that nearly knocks me over backward.

I jog over to the bushes where the poor little Pomeranian has ducked her head under her paws and is whimpering.

What’s that ?

“It’s a creature I found,” I say. Then I realize that he didn’t say whether he knew about my siblings. It’s probably better if I don’t mention them. “I need something to do while I’m trapped in that building all day.”

Is the terrifying beast smiling? It almost looks like he is.

“Can you tell Axel to come back soon? Because I’m almost bored to death.”

You very nearly were, yes. He watches me calmly as I grab my backpack, tuck the terrified dog under my arm—just in time for it to wet all over me—and scurry inside the furniture store.

My three siblings are not waiting in their room.

They’re just inside, and the second the doors close, they rush to my side.

“You’re bleeding,” Jade says.

“Is that a dog?” Sammy asks.

“You smell like pee,” Coral says.

“I’m going to kill all of you,” I say.

But seeing them, touching them, is exactly what my trembling body needs more than anything else. At least, it’s enough right up until the venom from the stupid dragon man who clawed my arm sets in.

Then I can’t think about much of anything at all.