Page 11 of Red Fury

I flash him a smile. “I don’t give a shit about being polite. Besides, I’m the one holding the knife,” I growl. “I’m in charge, and I’ve decided that you don’t need to know my name.”

He studies my face in the dim light, those blue eyes taking in every detail. “Pity. I thought we might be friends.”

I laugh despite myself, quickly pulling myself together. “You’re full of shit.”

“Go ahead, then. Ask your questions. I have nothing to hide.”

Liar!

“Why are you on the Mainland?”

“I’m working security for Secretary Harrison. I thought that was obvious.”

I press the blade deeper, and blood wells up against the steel. “Bullshit. Try again.”

His jaw tightens. “I got sick of life stuck on an island. I wanted something more, and here I am. My people don’t even know I’m here.” Another shrug.

Does he think I’m that freaking gullible? I want to roll my eyes, but I need to keep them trained on him, and so I don’t.

I snort-laugh. “Last chance, or I’ll kill you right here and now.”

He smiles. “I am being serious. Why won’t you believe me?”

I slice the prick, and he hisses, blood running down his neck onto the crisp white sheets.

“You may as well tell me. I have all night to cut the truth out of you.”

“Fine, my people caught wind that a Draiger had infiltrated the Mainland government. I was sent to investigate.”

“Caught wind how?”

“It was our IT department. They intercepted an email. Correspondence between our late prince and someone from your Council.”

“Who?”

“I don’t know that.”

I move the knife, nicking some more of his skin; more blood wells.

“You don’t know, or won’t say?” I ask.

“I don’t know, okay?” His voice is a deep rasp. “I don’t have an answer for you. It’s not like you and I are given all the facts. We’re told what we need to know and what our assignment is and nothing more.”

That is true. I actually believe him this time.

“How are you feeling, by the way?” he continues. “You must be in desperate need of a shift. Of spreading your wings and feeling the wind on your back.”

Just thinking about it has scales pressing against the inside of my skin, trying to break through.

My dragon tries to surge to the fore.

Easy girl.

Easy!

His hand shoots up, grabbing my wrist and twisting until I’m forced to drop the blade. Before I can react, he’s using his superior weight and strength to flip our positions, rolling until I’m pinned beneath him on the mattress.

I try hard to resist, but I am no competition, not for the likes of him. He has both my wrists in one hand, using his free hand to pick up my knife, which he puts against my neck.