Page 81 of Red Fury

They finally do, and I note that the woman looking down at me is stunning in an otherworldly way. Long black hair cascades over her shoulders like silk, and her eyes are the most unusual color I’ve ever seen – almost purple, like amethysts. Her skin is pale and flawless. She’s tall and willowy.

And she’s smiling at me like she’s genuinely happy to see me, which is deeply disturbing.

But it’s her scent that really throws me off. It’s…wrong, and that’s putting it mildly. Not human, that much is clear. But it’s not dragon shifter, either. There’s something different about it, something that makes my instincts scream danger even through whatever drugs are clouding my system.

What the hell is she?

Perhaps my brain is muddled and I’m getting this all wrong.

“There we are,” she says, her smile widening. “Much better. You have such lovely eyes. That shade of green is very unusual. My master was right.”

Master? A chill runs down my spine.

“How rude of me,” she continues. “I haven’t even introduced myself. I’m Neilina.” She tilts her head, studying my face. “And you’re perfectly safe. You have nothing to fear. I won’t harm you.”

I don’t believe her for a second.

“I’m going to remove your gag now,” she says, reaching toward my face. “You can scream if you want, but I’d prefer if you didn’t. It will hurt my ears, and no one will hear you, anyway. So, you may as well comply and make this pleasant for both of us.”

Her fingers work at the knot behind my head, and the gag falls away. I work my jaw, trying to get feeling back into my mouth.

I don’t scream.

“Good girl,” she says approvingly. “Now, I’m going to untie you as well. Please don’t try to run or fight me. Let’s keep things cordial.” Her voice is still warm, but there’s something underneath it now. A warning. “So…um…what’s your name?”

I ignore the question, focusing on flexing my fingers as feeling returns to my hands.

“What do you want with me?” I demand instead, my voice hoarse from the gag. “Why am I here? Where am I?”

Neilina laughs. “All will be revealed in good time. Patience is a virtue.”

She finishes untying the restraints. When she offers her hand to help me stand, I want to slap it away, but my legs feel unsteady.

The dizziness returns in a wave that makes me sway on my feet.

“Easy now,” Neilina says, her arm sliding around my waist to steady me. “You’ll feel right as rain in no time. The effects of the sedative will wear off soon.”

“What do you want with me?” I ask again, hating how weak my voice sounds.

“I’m going to wash and dress you and get you ready for the master,” she says matter-of-factly.

“The master? Who is this master? And why do you call him that?”

It’s weird. Just plain weird. I don’t like any of this.

It’s giving me the creeps.

“You really don’t have any patience, do you?” Neilina’s laugh is light and airy, completely at odds with the situation. “Allwill be revealed in good time, I promise. For now, let’s get you cleaned up, shall we?”

She guides me toward what I now realize is a bathroom, and my jaw nearly drops.

I take the place in for the first time and realize that everything is pure luxury. Plush carpets, gold fixtures, and a bathtub that looks more like a small swimming pool.

“Sit,” Neilina instructs, gesturing to a rich velvet chair beside the enormous tub. “I’ll draw you a bath.”

Like hell.

I’m a dragon shifter. I’m not some helpless human who’s going to meekly submit to whatever this psychopath has planned. The moment her back is turned to start the water, I bolt for the door.