Page 47 of Red Fury

“Holy shit, that was perfect,” he says, loosening his tie. “Kozlov has never invited me to his club before. This is a positive sign for our business relationship.” He hits me on the shoulder. “I’m glad I brought you along. You handled that perfectly.”

I nod, “Thank you, sir.”

“Call me Laurence. We’re going to be drinking buddies after tonight. I knew he’d like you. I was right,” he mutters the last to himself.

I force a smile, but inside I’m reeling. Nuclear weapons. Two small countries. They’re going to kill us all.

My dragon is clawing at my skin, desperate to shift, to fly, to warn our people. But I’m stuck in this human form, in this human world, watching them plan the complete annihilation of my species.

Having said that, I need to be sure that’s what they’re planning. What if I have it wrong?

I don’t.

I know I don’t.

I need to talk to Shadow. We need to talk. To compare notes. We need to figure this out.

We.

Since when did I think in those terms?

15

Shadow

I close my laptop with more force than necessary, the sharp snap echoing in the conference room as delegates begin filing out.

What a complete waste of time.

My dragon has been restless all afternoon, pacing beneath my skin like a caged animal. She knows, just like I do, that we’ve spent the entire day listening to bullshit while the real decisions– the ones that could determine our species’ fate – happened behind closed doors during that classified meeting before lunch.

The meeting I was excluded from.

I gather my materials and follow the slow procession toward the doors, keeping my expression neutral despite the frustration clawing at my insides. Around me, other delegates chat about dinner plans and tomorrow’s schedule, completely oblivious to the fact that they might have just spent hours planning the extermination of an entire species.

Or maybe they know exactly what they’re planning and don’t give a shit. We’re just animals, after all.

The thought makes my stomach turn.

As I step into the hallway, my enhanced senses immediately pick up a familiar scent – dragon smoke mixed with that distinctive masculine musk that makes my pulse quicken despite my best efforts.

Fury.

I spot him near the far wall, standing at attention in his standard black suit. His eyes scan the room, but when his gaze lands on me, they narrow slightly, making my breath catch.

He and Laurence Webb arrived back from wherever they went during the lunch break. I’ve been dying to know where that is, what they discussed, but with all the security personnel and delegates around, there’s been no opportunity to speak privately.

I force myself to look away before anyone notices my staring. The last thing I need is to alert the team to whatever this thing is between us. I’m not even sure what to call it myself. Alliance? Partnership?

Truce.

It doesn’t hit right anymore. We are officially working together at this point. A fact my Council hates. At least I managed to get reluctant approval to work with Fury afteroverhearing Harrison in that elevator. They think I’m using him…and Iamusing him. Just as he is using me.

“There you are, Claire.” Secretary Harrison’s voice pulls me from my thoughts.

I turn to find him approaching, his expression lighter than it’s been all day. The tension that’s been radiating from him during the meetings has eased considerably.

“Yes, sir?”