Bound to the Dragon

by Zoe Chant

  Dante’s human mind pushed back against the harshness of the dragon’s judgment, but at the same time, he realized that he may not have any other choice. Roy was clearly prepared to kill – and Dante was not about to let a point of principle stop him from returning to Mercy. If it was a choice between kill or be killed, he wasn’t about to come out the loser.

  All right, then, he told his dragon. I’ll give you free rein. Don’t hold back.

  Triumph surged in his dragon’s heart.

  We will find him, it vowed, as fire swirled in its belly, heating his blood for the fight. We will find him, and then he will pay for what he’s done.

  Dante felt a new strength in his wings as he swept through the cool night air. He had flown far beyond the city limits now, still following the river, but now it flowed through a rural area of sparse trees and plains. It was for the best, Dante thought – the last thing he needed to worry about while fighting all-out was trying to avoid being seen by humans. Or being sent crashing into someone’s house.

  You’re persistent, I’ll give you that.

  Roy’s voice in his head was a sudden surprise. Dante pulled up slightly as he sensed Roy’s presence a moment later – the same strange, dark cloud on the horizon of his perception.

  All this over a human woman?

  She is my mate, Dante snarled back at him as he finally saw Roy’s form, silhouetted in the darkness, not too far distant. And even if she weren’t, I would protect her – I’d protect her community. You can’t treat people that way.

  Roy’s laugh was low and dark. And who’s going to stop me – you? You have no idea what you’re talking about. You don’t even know what I am.

  Dante had to admit Roy was right about that – he’d never felt a presence like Roy’s before. Hell, even Stefan had said he didn’t know what Roy was.

  It doesn’t matter, Dante thought, snarling. Whatever he is, I’ll take him down. I’ll make sure he won’t hurt anyone ever again.

  He surged forward, keeping his eyes fixed on Roy’s form. He was flying fast now, but it was clear that Roy didn’t intend to try and escape. He must have known that Dante would hunt him down wherever he went, and had decided to try to end things quickly.

  You’ll realize what a fool you’ve been soon enough, Roy said, turning suddenly in the sky, and surging back toward Dante.

  Dante felt his blood boil. His dragon – still just a beast in many ways – was actually relishing the thought of the fight. This was how dragons had settled things in times gone by, after all – with blood and fire, until the enemy that threatened them was well and truly beaten.

  He opened his mouth as Roy drew near, his massive form dark against the twinkling stars, letting the dragonfire build in his belly. There was nothing in the world that could withstand the heat of dragonfire – it didn’t matter what Roy was, he’d burn just like everything else did.

  Dante waited, calculating, before suddenly launching himself upward as Roy came within range. He spewed a hot jet of flame downward, forcing Roy to twist in the air to avoid it.

  It was only now that Dante could get his first good look at Roy in his shifted form – and even as a dragon, he was shocked.

  What is he?

  Patchy fur and scales covered his body. His wings were leathery, more like hide than the delicate membrane of Dante’s own wings. Long, shining teeth protruded from his jaws, sharp and deadly as knives. When he opened his mouth to roar, the sound was a twisted, menacing cry, completely different from the sound a dragon made when it roared. And his tail...

  His tail!

  Dante, in his shock at Roy’s appearance, only just managed to dodge back as his massive tail suddenly whipped through the air, almost lashing against his side. Dante could see some kind of viscous liquid dripping from it, spraying through the night sky, filling the air with an acrid scent.

  It was a scent that Dante would know anywhere.

  Manticore venom.

  Manticores’ venom was their main weapon. It dripped from their scorpion tails, and was one of the only things on earth that could hurt a dragon, or pierce through the armor of their scales.

  But Roy definitely isn’t a manticore, Dante thought as he wheeled around, avoiding another strike from Roy’s deadly tail. I would have been able to sense it immediately if he was. And he looks nothing like one.

  He was so busy watching for Roy’s tail that he almost didn’t notice it when Roy lifted his head – and he was nearly too late to swerve away from the sudden jet of fire that shot from his mouth.

  Even so, Dante didn’t have time to get completely out of the way as the fire gushed into the night air, splitting the sky where he had been only a moment earlier. Despite his quick flying, he could still feel the scales of his side being scorched and blackened by Roy’s fire.

  That’s dragonfire!

  Dragonfire was the only kind of fire that could have any effect on a dragon – even in human form, a dragon could touch an open flame without any fear of being burned. Dante twisted his body, trying to get away from the heat. Shock pounded through him.

  Roy has venom like a manticore... but he can also breathe dragonfire? How can this be?!

  He didn’t know. He didn’t understand anything about this – he only knew that this fight had suddenly gotten a lot more dangerous. Between Roy’s lashing tail spitting venom and his deadly dragonfire, Dante had nowhere he could go that wasn’t in striking distance. As he plunged out of the way of a swing from Roy’s tail, he had to swerve again to avoid a jet of fire from his jaws.

  This is bad. This is really fucking bad.

  Dante pulled up sharply, twisting his head to send a stream of fire at Roy’s body. Roy’s attacks might have been deadly, but it seemed he was a far slower flyer than Dante, and much less agile. A dragon’s body was swift and streamlined in the air, but it seemed Roy’s strange, bulky body was much less maneuverable. His wings weren’t nearly as suited to sharp turns or aerial acrobatics. Dante decided he’d have to use that to his advantage as much as he could.

  His jet of fire hit Roy square in the side, causing him to bellow in pain. He hadn’t been nearly fast enough to avoid it. The smell of burning scales and fur filled the air. But Roy retaliated quickly, swinging his tail and sending another wave of deadly venom through the air.

  Dante did his best to swoop upward to avoid it, but there was no way he could evade all the tiny droplets – he felt some rain down on his side, fizzling as they burnt away the armored scales. It wouldn’t be enough to cause him a serious injury, but it still burned.

  But strangely enough, the pain only seemed to send a surge of adrenaline through him. His dragon’s fury raged within him, a red mist descending over his eyes as he felt the dragon’s fighting instincts take over. Dante knew that to lose this fight would be to put Mercy in danger – and that was something he swore he’d never do. The thought that he was fighting for his mate’s safety lent him a new speed, a new ferocity that he’d never known before.

  Protect our mate! his dragon howled, as Dante turned once more, his mouth open, sending fire spewing toward Roy’s bulky form.

  Roy roared again as this time the fire hit his wings – they were far tougher than Dante’s, but even their leathery expanse couldn’t withstand that kind of heat. Dante knew that if he could stop Roy from flying or slow him down even more, then he’d stand a much better chance of winning.

  While Roy was still writhing in pain, wings struggling to keep him in the air, Dante folded his wings and dove, speeding toward him, lashing out with the long claws of his front feet at the last moment before swerving away. He had been fast, but Roy’s deadly tail was there only a moment later, swishing through the air and missing him by inches. A little spray of his venom against his scales was something Dante could deal with, but a direct strike from the stinger on the end of Roy’s tail would be the end of him – manticore venom worked fast, and once it was in your blood, you were done for.

  But still, Dante’s strike had opened
up a gash on Roy’s side, long and deep and painful. His wings were clearly blackened and singed. Roy bellowed again, clearly enraged.

  Dante swooped again while he still had the advantage, looping down beneath Roy to shoot flames up at his belly this time. If he was anything like a dragon, his belly would be a vulnerable spot for him – a dragon’s scales were softer on its underside.

  Again Roy’s bellow of pain and fury cut through the sky as Dante swirled beneath him. His claws raked the air but missed Dante as he folded his wings and dropped quickly, putting distance between himself and Roy.

  That was how it was going to have to be, Dante realized. He was used to using his strength against opponents – ending fights quickly through sheer power and muscle. But that wouldn’t work with Roy. He’d have to strike quickly and then retreat, and wear him down over time. He wasn’t used to fighting this way. He’d have to trust his dragon’s instincts totally.

  But he knew he could. Never before had he felt so in tune with his dragon. Now that they were protecting Mercy, he felt utterly in harmony with it, perhaps for the first time in his life.

  We will make the one who hurt our mate pay!

  Dante watched as Roy flailed awkwardly, his burned wings struggling to keep him airborne. He was clearly furious. He reared back, spitting fire in Dante’s direction, but Dante dodged around it easily, and just as easily avoided the spray of venom from his tail.

  Only one or two more hits, and he thought he might be able to force Roy to land. It would have been better to try to go for Roy’s wings again, but with his tail still whipping around wildly, Dante knew it would be a risk. He’d have to go for the belly instead.

  He circled low, coming up beneath Roy again, and prepared to spit flames upward –

  – Only for Roy to suddenly drop like a stone. Dante tried desperately to swerve out of the way to avoid him, but he wasn’t quite fast enough. Roy’s massive claws buried themselves in his left hindquarter, piercing his scales. Dante let out a grunt of pain. The wound wasn’t so bad – the worse problem was that Roy had a firm grip on him now, and wasn’t letting go. He was still plummeting toward the river below, and dragging Dante down with him.

  He’s realized he can’t fly much longer, and he’s trying to make sure neither of us can, Dante realized suddenly. He filled his wings with air, but he couldn’t keep both of them in the air at once. Roy was simply too bulky and heavy. And he was determined to pull Dante down to earth with him.

  From the corner of his eye, Dante saw Roy’s tail as it whipped toward him suddenly, spewing venom. It dripped onto his skin, sizzling at his scales, but Dante managed to bat it away before Roy could bury the stinger in his flesh. It wasn’t long before he tried again, however, the tail once again driving toward him. This time, Dante only just barely managed to shoot a jet of flame at it, warding it off –

  Dante!!

  Mercy’s voice was in his head suddenly, and it was almost as if someone had thrown him a lifeline. Strength suddenly surged through him, his muscles renewing, his wings stretching to their utmost.

  Dante, please – please, I hope you can hear me –

  I can, Mercy. I can.

  All at once, the golden bond between them lit up. Power flowed through it – the power that only a dragon’s mate could give him.

  Dante roared, twisting free of Roy’s death grip, fire gushing from his jaws. He scored a direct hit on Roy’s neck, the smell of burning scales and fur filling the air as Roy howled in pain, claws flailing as he fell.

  Knowing this was his chance, Dante followed, his own claws raking Roy’s belly, burying themselves wherever they could in his flesh. He ignored the small jet of flame Roy managed to send in his direction, concentrating only on getting in his hits while he could.

  Power poured into him through the bond, Mercy’s strength becoming his strength. And Mercy was the strongest person he had ever known.

  Dante, I believe in you. I love you.

  Dante roared, burying his teeth in Roy’s neck as both of them crashed down into the water with an almighty SPLASH.

  Dante had managed to maneuver Roy so he took the brunt of the impact. He fell wings-first into the river, the water closing over them almost at once. Dante pushed himself back off Roy’s body as soon as he was fully submerged, breaking free of the water’s surface once more, propelling himself upward into the air. Below him, Roy thrashed furiously, his damaged wings churning up the water’s surface.

  Roy couldn’t help the feeling of triumph surging through him – hitting the water and the bottom of the river that hard had to have damaged Roy’s wings, and the fast-flowing water would impede his movements.

  I can get him. I can beat him. And then –

  STOP RIGHT WHERE YOU ARE.

  The booming voice from behind Dante jarred his mind mid-thought. It was almost as if the blood seemed to freeze in his veins, his muscles seizing up mid-flight. It took several seconds for his wings to flap again, for the command to relinquish his hold on him.

  Dante shuddered back to life, turning in shock. He knew what had happened: another dragon had used a Voice on him, a strong magic that only powerful dragons could use to compel others to obey them. But the only dragon Dante knew who was powerful enough to use a Voice command was Stefan.

  And why would Stefan...?

  As soon as he could move, Dante twisted in mid-air, looking for the source of the Voice. Now that he could think again, he realized it hadn’t sounded anything like Stefan.

  So who was it?

  It was then that he finally sensed it – the presence of several dragons, fast approaching. His mind had been so clouded with fury before that he must not have noticed them earlier. But now, he could sense them, clear as day.

  Six. Six of them. They must be allies of Roy’s.

  Snarling, Dante prepared himself. Six against one wasn’t great odds, but he’d do it if he had to.

  To protect my mate – to protect Mercy –

  Turning in the air, Dante prepared to meet the new dragons head on.

  Bring it on, assholes, he bellowed, sending the message loud and clear.

  I told you to stay where you are, came the immediate response. My name is Officer Declan Shaw of the Shifter Patrol Corps. You move one more time and we’ll make sure you won’t do it again.

  Dante paused, confusion racing through his brain.

  The Shifter Patrol Corps? What the hell is that?

  There was absolutely no way Dante was going to listen to a command from a dragon he didn’t know, representing an organization he’d never heard of – not even if they were powerful enough to use a Voice.

  He snarled, preparing himself to fight.

  In his mind, he could hear Officer Declan Shaw – whoever the hell he was – sigh in exasperation.

  Fine. But don’t say I didn’t warn you.

  The Voice ripped through him once again, pinning his wings to his sides. He dropped onto the riverbank, helpless against the magic that bound him.

  Dante – what’s happening? I –

  Mercy’s voice rippled through his mind. She sounded panicked, and he didn’t blame her. He wasn’t sure how it worked, but she could probably sense the Voice through their mated bond. Certainly she’d be able to sense he was in trouble, the same way he could sense when danger threatened her.

  We’re coming for you, Dante.

  It was Stefan’s voice he heard next, deep and stern.

  I know I told you this was your fight, but things have changed.

  That was putting things mildly, Dante thought as six large dragons dropped to the earth around him. None of them looked particularly friendly.

  I’m sorry I had to do that, but you were warned, the largest of the six dragons said. Dante’s mind was still slightly foggy from the effects of the Voice, but he recalled that this dragon had identified himself as Officer Declan Shaw. Dante glowered at him, before glancing around at the dragons who surrounded him. They weren’t attacking – yet. Between them and R
oy, he knew he couldn’t let them get the drop on him. But they had him surrounded, and he didn’t know where to start...

  What is the meaning of this? Stefan’s booming voice cut through the air like a thunderclap, a moment before he landed with an almighty THUD on the riverbank beside Dante. I am Stefan Novak, the leader of the Novak Clan, and this dragon is a member of my family who is defending his mate. Why have you stopped him? Who are you?

  The large dragon seemed to pause, regarding Stefan through narrowed eyes.

  The leader of the Novak Clan?

  Dante could see Shaw considering this information.

  I’m with the Shifter Patrol Corps, Shaw said after a moment. We received a report of a fight, involving a wanted criminal. That’s why we’re here.

  Dante bristled. Had the past he thought he’d left behind come back to haunt him yet again, despite the fact he’d done his time and had tried to leave that life behind?

  “No!”

  Dante started at the sound of Mercy’s voice, ringing clearly through the air. He looked down to see her striding forward without any fear, staring up at Shaw’s massive form.

  “You aren’t going anywhere with Dante! He was only fighting to protect me.” She pointed to where Roy was crouched furiously in the water, his wings too battered to fly and escape the dragons who surrounded him. “He’s the one you want. He tried to kill me. He sent men to threaten me and intimidate me into selling my restaurant. He’s been bribing local police and who knows who else. Dante hasn’t done anything except try to defend me!”

  Even as Dante willed Mercy to stay quiet and not put herself in danger, he couldn’t help but admire her bravery and spirit. She was tiny compared with Shaw and the other dragons – and yet, here she was yelling at them and trying to convince them of his innocence.

  My mate. My brave, strong mate.

  Again, Shaw seemed to hesitate, looking between Mercy and Dante. Clearly, he was the type to think first and speak later, wanting to weigh things up before he continued.

  Ha. Roy’s laugh was sudden and cold. Your lies won’t wash here, human. Do you have any idea who I am? Do any of you know who I am?