Page 1 of Red Fury (The Dragon Tributes #8)

S hadow

My leather uniform creaks as I pace outside the Council chambers. My boots thud on the gleaming tiles in the hallway as I go back and forth…back and forth.

Why is this taking so damned long?

I look over at the PA, who gives me a kind smile.

“It shouldn’t be too much longer. Are you sure you don’t want to take a seat? I could get you some coffee, or a juice perhaps?”

I couldn’t put anything into my stomach even if I tried. I’m too nervous.

I give her what I am sure is a tight smile. “Thanks, but I’m good.”

I need to keep moving, or I might just throw up. It’s the only thing keeping me sane right now.

Why am I here?

I run my hands down the front of my tight leather vest, smoothing out wrinkles that don’t exist. I feel hot and sweaty despite the air-conditioning in the building.

In all my years as leader of the Academy, I’ve never been summoned by the full Council. Individual members? Sure. Emergency meetings about problematic Tributes or failed bonding attempts? Absolutely. But the full Council? That’s reserved for matters of life and death.

Or war.

Crap!

My dragon stirs restlessly beneath my skin, sensing my unease.

Easy, girl. Whatever this is, we’ll handle it. We always do. I’m sure it’s nothing. I’m overreacting here, that’s all.

I pause mid-step and close my eyes, taking a deep breath. This place has stood for centuries and has weathered some serious storms.

Why do I feel like I’m about to become part of its history?

I don’t like this one damned bit.

“Shadow.” A voice cuts through my thoughts.

I turn to see Councilor Thorne standing in the doorway, his weathered face giving nothing away. He’s ancient, his silver hair tied back in the traditional Council style. His eyes are filled with intelligence that shows his years.

“We’re ready for you.”

My stomach drops, but I nod anyway. “Yes, sir. After you.”

I follow him through the massive oak doors into the chamber beyond. Including Councilor Thorne, twelve pairs of eyes track my every movement as I enter. The members sit at a curved table that dominates the room. Oh crap, their faces are unreadable.

Thorne takes his seat.

I know them all by name, of course. You don’t reach my position without understanding the political landscape of our island. Seeing them all together like this, united in whatever purpose brought them here today, is worrying, to say the least.

I wish I knew what this was about.

I wish I could have prepared.

It’s the first time I have been summoned here, so despite my nerves, I can’t help but take in the place, because it’s something to behold, with its high, arched ceilings. The walls are lined with paintings of previous council leaders, long since deceased.

“Sit,” commands Councilor Vector from the center of the table.

Vector is the Council Leader, a position he’s held for as long as I can remember. His voice carries the authority of someone who’s never been questioned, never been denied. I’ve always respected him, but I’ve also been careful to stay out of his direct line of sight.

Until now, and it’s not by choice.

I swallow thickly, keeping a tight hold on my nerves as I lower myself into the single chair facing their table.

Breathe!

“I’m sure you’re wondering why you’re here,” Vector continues, his steel-gray eyes fixed on mine.

“Yes, I am indeed,” I reply, keeping my voice level.

A few of the council members exchange glances. Councilor Reed, seated to Vector’s left, leans forward slightly. I’ve always enjoyed our interaction since she’s more direct than some of the others.

“We have an assignment for you,” Vector says. “One that will require you to break the most important rule in our book.”

I frown. I have worked my entire life to uphold the rules.

“We need you to leave Draig Island,” he continues.

I hold back a snort. “Apologies.” I lick my lips.

“It’s just that…I… I’m shocked, that’s all.

We…um…shifters don’t leave our island. Ever.

It’s the most fundamental rule of our existence, enforced by the Mainland government…

and by all of us. Perhaps I misunderstood, Councilor Vector. You want me to leave Draig Island?”

“You didn’t misunderstand.” His expression doesn’t change. “You’ll be going to the Mainland to infiltrate the human government.”

Holy shit!

I grip the arms of my chair. This is impossible. Unthinkable.

How?

Why?

A million questions run through my mind and all at once.

“I don’t understand,” I finally manage to say.

“You will work as Personal Assistant to the Secretary of Homeland Security,” Councilor Reed explains.

She stands, walking to me. Then she places a folder in front of me.

“We submitted your application for the position, and you’ve been selected.

There will be a formal interview when you arrive in one month, but that’s just a formality. ”

I stare at the folder like it might explode.

“One month? A Personal Assistant?” I realize that I am repeating everything like a complete idiot, but I can’t seem to stop myself.

I am gobsmacked. I can’t process what they are telling me.

It’s too ridiculous. Not to mention that it goes against our very principles.

This is the last thing I expected to hear today.

What the hell?

This is insane.

“Yes, one month. It will give you time to prepare,” Vector says.

“You’ll need to grow your hair out as much as possible.

” He looks at the top of my head. “Your short style is uncommon for human females. You’ll also need to reduce your training regimen.

Your current muscle definition is… Let’s just say that humans aren’t typically built like we are. ”

“Why me? I’m not sure I would even pass as a PA.”

“You will handle the position in your sleep,” Vector says.

“We chose you because you are one of the most controlled dragon shifters on Draig Island. It also needs to be said that you’re well-trained, disciplined, and will be capable of maintaining your cover under pressure.

You already run your entire department with one eye closed and do a damned good job of it. We believe in you, Shadow.”

Councilor Drake, a younger member whom I can’t quite get a read on, speaks for the first time.

“I know it doesn’t need to be said, but I’m going to say it anyway: you will not be permitted to shift while on the Mainland.

You’ll be given one weekend per month to return to Draig Island for that purpose. Otherwise, shifting is forbidden.”

My dragon recoils at his words, a sharp spike of panic shooting through me. Not being able to shift for weeks at a time? That’s asking for the near impossible. We need to shift regularly to stay sane.

“I understand the difficulty of this restriction,” Reed says, her voice gentler now. “But if you shift on the Mainland, humans will die. And if that happens, you will be executed, and we will be in a pile of… Let’s just say there’d be serious repercussions.”

“Understood,” I say as I reach for the folder with trembling fingers, pulling it toward me. Inside, I find documents detailing a completely fabricated life. Birth certificate, education records, and employment history. Looks like I’m going to be posing as a human female named Claire Douglas.

“Study everything in that file,” Drake instructs. “Your new identity, your job description, appropriate wardrobe choices. You have one month to become Claire Douglas.”

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 that this 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.