Page 96 of Red Fury

“Steel—”

“If you think for one second that she’s interested in you for any reason other than to use you, you’re delusional. Draigers don’t form attachments to Reds, Fury. They hate us. They’ve been suppressing us for centuries.”

“What about Octane and—?”

“That’s different. That’s completely left field. Not a normal situation. This Draiger is using you and—”

“It isn’t like that. I—”

“It absolutely is like that!” Steel roars. “You’re in over your head. You’re thinking with your dick instead of your brain, and you’re about to throw everything away – your career, your life, possibly expose our entire species – for a female who sees you as nothing more than a useful tool. A fucking chump.”

At this point, my hands are shaking with rage.

“I wish you would listen to me, Steel.”

“Iamlistening, and I don’t like what I’m hearing. Stand down, Fury. That’s a direct order. We’ll handle Kozlov through the proper channels. This female…this Draiger will be rescued in good time. I will make it one of the directives. You have my word.”

“There is no time, Steel. He’s dangerous, and he has her. I have to go in there now.”

“The female is expendable.”

“She’s not expendable to me,” I say.

“Then you’re compromised.” Steel’s voice goes quiet. “I’m ordering you to stand down and return to base immediately. If you go after her, you’re on your own. We won’t back you.”

I stare up at the twentieth floor, my decision already made.

“Then I guess I’m on my own.”

I end the call and power down the phone, tossing it onto the passenger seat.

My dragon surges forward as I get out of the SUV, scales pressing against my skin with violent intent. The night air hits my face, carrying the scents of the city – exhaust, concrete, millions of humans living their oblivious lives.

Twenty floors up. Good thing I’m not afraid of heights.

I walk around to the back of the building, staying in the shadows as I scout for the best approach. The rear facade has fewer security cameras, and there’s a fire escape that goes up about ten floors before stopping.

Perfect.

I check my weapons one more time. Then I start climbing.

The first ten floors go quickly, my enhanced strength making short work of the fire escape. When I reach the end of the metal stairs, I grip the building’s facade and keep going.

Handholds that would be impossible for a human are easy enough for me to find. My fingers dig into tiny crevices in the concrete, my boots finding purchase on architectural details.

One of the guards does a perimeter check and I press up against the wall, waiting for him to walk away, then to make the turn that will take him around the other side of the building. I push out a heavy breath as soon as he disappears and keep going.

The windows on the upper floors are huge. I keep going until I reach the top floor – the floor where Kozlov lives.

Once there, I peer through each set of windows, looking for any sign of Shadow, careful not to be spotted. I look into emptybedroom after empty bedroom. How many bedrooms does a person need? There’s also a gym and a room with blacked-out windows. I hope she isn’t in there.

Just when I’m giving up hope, I spot Shadow through the next set of windows, pacing back and forth like a caged animal.

But she’s alive. She looks unharmed.

I sigh, feeling some of the pent-up tension release.

I tap softly on the glass, and her head snaps toward the window. Her eyes widen when she sees me, and she rushes toward the glass. I pull myself up onto the small ledge.