Page 3 of Red Fury

I flip through the pages, my heart sinking with each detail. This female is nothing like me. She’s soft where I’m hard as nails, she’s accommodating where I’m direct. She’s a human, whereas I am not…not even close.

“What exactly is my assignment?” I ask, looking up from the papers. “What am I supposed to accomplish as this Claire Douglas? You said something about infiltrating the Mainland government.”

“Intelligence gathering,” Vector says simply. “We need information about both Draig and Mistveil Islands. Everything the Mainland government knows, everything they’re planning, everything they’re hiding. We believe that they are indeed hiding something, or we would not be sending you. No detail is too small, no information too insignificant.”

“But what specifically—?”

“It’s a need-to-know basis,” Reed cuts me off. “And right now, you need to know that your job is to gather intelligence by any means necessary.”

Any means necessary.

The phrase sends another chill through me.

“How long will this assignment last?” I ask, though I’m not sure I want to know the answer. “Our new recruits are due to arrive in less than two months.”

“It’s indefinite, Shadow,” Vector replies, and my heart stops completely. “The Council no longer trusts that the Mainland government has our best interests at heart. Something isn’t adding up. Something that could threaten our existence as a species. We need to know what it is before it’s too late. I can’t give you more information in this regard, but understand thatthis is serious. This assignment could very well be the most important of your career.”

I look around the table at their faces, at twelve of the most powerful dragon shifters on our island.

It’s worse than I ever imagined.

“Our long-term survival could depend on you,” Reed adds.

I feel a huge weight land on my shoulders.

I close the folder and meet Vector’s eyes. “Understood. I am up for it.”

“Good.” He nods. “We’ll announce your temporary replacement at the Academy in two weeks. As far as everyone is concerned, you’re taking an extended leave for personal reasons. This is confidential. No one must know the real reason. Any information you garner is strictly confidential as well. Is that understood?”

“Yes, Councilor Vector. I understand.”

“Any other questions?” Drake asks.

Only about a thousand, but I know they won’t answer most of them. It’s a need-to-know basis, and apparently, even though I’m the one putting my life on the line, I don’t need to know.

“Not at this time, sir.”

“Then you’re dismissed,” Vector says. “Prepare well, Shadow. Everything depends on your success.”

I stand, clutching the folder that contains my new life. As I turn to leave, Councilor Reed’s voice stops me.

“Shadow?”

I look back at her.

“Be careful. The Mainland is more dangerous than you know. Trust no one completely.”

I nod.

“Also, if you are caught, we can’t protect you. We will have to pretend that you are a vigilante acting on your own. You will be on your own to face any consequences.”

This keeps getting better and better.

“It’s simple…don’t get caught,” Councilor Vector tells me, as if it’s that easy.

I nod once, not trusting my voice not to give me away.

I walk out of the chamber feeling afraid for the first time in my life and I hate the feeling.