Page 25 of Red Fury

Both islands. They’re talking about both Draig and Mistveil as active threats.

This is exactly the kind of intelligence my Council needs, but hearing it spoken so casually – like we’re nothing more than animals to be contained or even worse…exterminated – it makes my blood boil. It makes my dragon snarl with rage.

The elevator gives a sudden, violent lurch, and I grab the railing.

Harrison’s phone clatters to the floor as everyone grabs for the handrails. The elevator drops what feels like several feet before jerking to an abrupt stop, throwing us all against each other.

“What the hell—?” Thompson starts.

The lights flicker and go out completely, plunging us into absolute darkness.

“Oh, my god!” Deveraux’s voice is high and tight.

“Are we moving?” Peterson asks, his usually steady voice cracking. “I don’t think we are. What is going on? Shouldn’t we be moving? It’s pitch black in here.” His voice is now shrill.

“There must be a problem,” Thompson says, swallowing thickly. “Why has the light gone out?”

My dragon explodes into motion beneath my skin. The confined space, the total darkness, and the complete loss of control… It’s everything my beast fears most. I press my back against the elevator wall, fighting to keep from shifting. I’m panting softly under my breath. My eyes feel too wide in my head.

Not here. Not now.

No!

“Everyone, stay calm,” Fury’s voice cuts through the chaos, steady and authoritative. “We’ve stopped and there is no light, but we’re secure…we’re okay.”

I hear him moving; there’s the rustle of fabric. The elevator lights up just a smidgen. The small beam of light coming from the back of his phone is like a lifeline in the suffocating darkness.

“I’m calling for help,” he announces, typing into his phone’s keypad.

“This is Marsh with Secretary Harrison’s detail,” he says into the device. “We’re trapped in elevator bank C, car number 4. Need immediate assistance. It seems to have malfunctioned.”

Trapped.

My dragon claws, desperate to break free from this metal cage. I feel scales pressing against the inside of my arms, my neck. If she emerges here, everyone in this elevator will die. Including me.

Everyone.

“How long?” Harrison demands, his voice strained.

“They’re working on it, sir,” Fury replies. “Shouldn’t be long. This is a simple malfunction. There is nothing to be concerned about. They will have us out of here in no time.”

Shouldn’t be long. But what if it is? What if we’re stuck here for hours?

The lights flicker back on for a moment, and I see the fear etched on everyone’s faces. Deveraux looks green around the gills. Peterson is sweating despite the cool air. Thompson checks his watch.

Then the lights die again.

Someone screams. I think it’s Deveraux, but I can’t be sure.

All I know is that my control is slowly slipping as well. I’m panting hard. On the verge of— A large, warm hand envelops mine. The touch is firm, and I know without looking that it’s Fury. His thumb strokes across my knuckles in a soothing gesture that somehow reaches my dragon and calms her frantic struggle.

I squeeze his hand, using his steady presence as an anchor to keep from losing complete control.

“Emergency services are on the way,” Fury announces to the group, but I feel him give my hand another reassuring squeeze.“Everything is fine. We’re okay. We need to stay calm,” he repeats.

The lights flicker back on, and he immediately releases my hand, returning to his professional stance. But I can see the concern in his eyes when he glances my way.

“This is unacceptable,” Harrison snaps, his face flushed with anger and fear. “I have three critical presentations I need to attend, and—”