Page 39 of Red Fury

We reach the exit area, where team members start saying their goodbyes and heading toward their respective vehicles in the parking structure. I’m walking toward the black SUV I’ve been using when I spot Shadow about fifty yards ahead, standing next to a silver sedan with the hood up.

Even from this distance, I can see her frustration. She leans over the engine, then straightens and pulls out her phone, probably calling for roadside assistance.

I should keep walking. Should get in my vehicle and drive away without getting involved. The smart thing would be to maintain our professional distance and avoid any more situations that could compromise either of our missions.

Instead, I find myself changing direction and walking toward her car. Bottom line: I need her. Whether she wants to admit it or not, she needs me, too. We will have more chance of being successful if we work together.

“Having trouble?” I call out as I approach.

She looks up from her phone, and I catch the flash of surprise in her eyes before her expression becomes carefully neutral. “Nothing I can’t handle.”

“Right.” I gesture toward the raised hood. “Mind if I take a look?”

She hesitates, glancing between me and her phone. “I seriously doubt you can help, but knock yourself out.”

I move to the front of the car, rolling up my sleeves. “You don’t trust me to look at your vehicle because you think all of us from Mistveil are feral and brainless, right? We don’t knowmuch about anything that requires actual thought. At least, that’s what you Draigers believe.”

There’s a long pause behind me, and when she speaks, her voice is softer than before. “I don’t believe that anymore. You’ve done more than enough to change my mind.”

I glance back at her, caught off guard by the admission. There’s something vulnerable in her expression that makes my chest tighten in a way I don’t want to examine too closely.

“Good to know.” I tell her, turning back to the engine, where I start checking the basics. The battery terminals are clean and tight; oil level looks good. I test the spark plug connections, then move to examine the air filter housing.

“Do you have vehicles on Mistveil?” she asks, moving to stand beside me as I work.

I snort-laugh. “I can drive, can’t I?”

“You most definitely can.”

“We do use our dragon forms to get around as well. Shifting and flying are par for the course on Mistveil.”

“You’re lucky.”

“Not really, since we’re confined to the island.” I glance her way, and she gets a sheepish look.

“What about grocery stores? Do you live in actual houses?”

I can’t help but laugh at the questions. “We have all the modern conveniences, Shadow. We’re not living in caves and hunting with spears.”

“Spears.” She laughs softly. “Now that would be something. I know that sounds stupid, but we’ve been told so many things over the years…” She trails off, watching as I check the fuel injector connections. “All the modern conveniences, you say. Does that include running water? Electricity? I’m assuming at this point that it does.”

“We have everything.” I find a loose connection in the electrical system. “There’s a city with shopping districts,restaurants. Villages throughout the island with schools. We’re in the process of building a state-of-the-art hospital, now that humans are living among us. The island is ruled by a king, although he appointed a Council soon after he took the throne, so he doesn’t have absolute power anymore.”

I work on tightening the connection, hyperaware of her proximity. Her scent fucking slays me.

“Everything we’ve been told by our Council, moreover by the Mainland government…” She shakes her head. “It’s all been lies, hasn’t it?”

“Glad you’re starting to realize that.” I straighten up, wiping my hands together.

She hands me a cloth from her back seat.

“Thanks.” I wipe my hands on it. “The question is why they’ve been lying. Why does the Mainland have you convinced that we need containing, when it’s not true?”

“That’s a really good question,” she says. “Maybe we’ll get some answers tomorrow.”

I nod toward the driver’s seat. “Try starting it now.”

She moves around to the driver’s side, and I hear the engine turn over once, twice, then nothing. She gets back out.