A soldier’s head poked through the hatch and she punched him in the side of the face. She risked a glance through the hatch and caught Lincoln’s eye.
“Go!” he yelled again. “Get somewhere safe.”
Sucking in more air, she turned and dashed to the other side of the room. Glancing back, she saw the disappointment in Lincoln’s eyes. Her heart ached. But she had no choice, she had to leave. Pulling open the door, she disappeared.
Chapter 15
A combination of relief and shock ran through Lincoln. He didn’t want Anastasia in the middle of this. But he couldn’t deny the twinge of disappointment as she’d abandoned him. She’d let him down before. He should have known she’d do it again. But he wanted her safe, needed her out of this shithole. If she had to leave him behind to do it, then that’s what needed to happen. He was big enough to look after himself.
“On your feet.” A soldier tapped him with his gun.
Lincoln stood as his hands were tied behind his back. “Are we going somewhere nice?”
The soldier grunted and shoved him in the shoulder. “Nowhere you will enjoy.”
Lincoln shrugged. “You might be surprised. I have interesting hobbies.”
“Let’s move it.” The soldier jabbed him with his gun again, and Lincoln walked toward Clive’s office.
“Take him to the back room.” Clive stood on the other side of the bar. “I’ll be along in a minute. Got a few questions before I kill him.”
Lincoln glowered at Clive as he was pushed forward.
Another soldier opened a door leading off the passageway out back, and shoved Lincoln through it. “Sit.” He pointed at the only chair in the room.
“I’m not a dog.”
“Do it,” growled the soldier.
Lincoln dropped into the seat and his gaze ran over the two soldiers who’d escorted him to the room. They carried pulse laser weapons and each had another gun strapped to their belts. If he could free his arms, get his hands on a weapon, he’d be able to get out and catch up with Anastasia.
Clive strolled in, smiling when he saw Lincoln, as if they were old friends. “Let’s see how cooperative you’re going to be before you die.”
“I don’t feel like talking. And I don’t feel like dying.”
“Well, I do. And you are going to die.”
“You’re acting as a State puppet now?”
Clive shrugged. “Whoever pays the bills is my boss.”
“Then I feel sorry for you,” said Lincoln. “Being a slave to the State can’t be any fun.”
Clive frowned and scrubbed a hand across his chin. “It makes no difference to me who pulls the strings. Now, what do you know about the women you picked up today?”
“Nothing,” said Lincoln. “I was following your vague orders.”
“You knew they were pregnant?”
“That was easy to see when we met them.”
“And what else?”
“I don’t know what you mean.”
“You know what they are?”
“Victims of your sick business.”
Clive smirked. “Aberrations. And since you’re an Ember brother, you believe in dragons, don’t you?”
Lincoln pressed his lips together and glared at Clive.
“I’ll take that as a yes.” Clive walked in front of Lincoln, the soldiers keeping watch from the door. His pace slowed. He placed his hands behind his back. Even though he tried to appear relaxed, Lincoln felt the tension radiating off Clive. The State had to be putting him under pressure to get results.
“What of it?”
“Pregnant dragon freaks are of interest to the State,” said Clive. “Can’t figure out why they’re so interested, but they pay top credit for any dragon hybrids discovered with babies, or who are pregnant. Or who have the potential to become pregnant.”
Lincoln’s stomach clenched. The idea that the State were forcibly impregnating dragon hybrids made him sick.
“So, you see, you infiltrating my club and then trying to ruin my business is a bad move. I need to stay on the good side of the State.”
“You sound scared.”
“Wouldn’t you be?”
“You’re still making a mistake,” said Lincoln. “I’m just a fighter who made an error.”
“I haven’t,” said Clive. “When I saw you and that fire-breather were more than fighting partners, it got me interested.”
“I barely know her. She’s great to look at, that’s why I’m interested.”
“Didn’t seem that way,” said Clive. “And everyone knows you Ember guys are obsessed with dragons. Talking nonsense about wanting to bring them back.”
“If you know they’re real, then you also know that’s a possibility.”
“The State tells me things. Some of it I listen to,” said Clive. “If they were real, they aren’t now. And what they’ve left behind is a mess.”
“Caused by the State.”
“Again, don’t care who caused it, just so long as I get my credits.”
“We can get this cleared up if you untie me,” said Lincoln, shifting in his seat and seeing the soldiers tense. “I won’t even hold it against you for making a mistake. Might even keep fighting in the club. The crowd loves me.”
Clive smirked. “Your fight club days are over. In fact, all of your days are over. Tell me what I want, I’ll pass the information to the State, and make your death a quick one. No pain, no torture, just you and a gun to your head. You’ll barely see it coming.”
“That’s a generous offer,” said Lincoln. “Think I’ll pass.”
Clive’s fist slammed into Lincoln’s stomach and he doubled over, the breath knocked out of him. “Tell me again, what you know about the hybrids.”
“Nothing,” gasped out Lincoln, his stomach burning.
Clive hit him again. “Are there other traitors aware of the trafficking breeding program?”
Lincoln forced himself to sit up and ignored the throb in his stomach. “Like I said, this is a mistake. You’ll feel real stupid in the morning.”
“And you’ll feel real dead.” Clive backhanded him across the face. Lincoln tasted blood.
“Who’s working inside the breeding program?”
“I know nothing about your sick little breeding program,” said Lincoln.
Clive shook his head. “You’re the kind of hero who won’t reveal any information, even if it will save your life. But what about Taser? What’s she all about?”
He kept his expression neutral. “She likes to fight, that’s why she’s here.”
“No, it’s more than that,” said Clive. “What’s her real name, anyway?”
“No clue.” That comment earned Lincoln another backhander.
“Not that it matters,” said Clive. “She’s already been caught and killed by now. Dragon hybrids who don’t play by the rules don’t live for long. You never know, if she is still alive, maybe she’ll be useful in the breeding program.”
Lincoln gritted his teeth, refusing to dwell on the possibility Anastasia had been captured. “I’ll take that drink now, if you’re still offering.”
Clive chuckled. “Not a chance. No more pleasure for you.”
“I can’t help you. But we can still be friends if you untie me.”
“If you won’t talk about the trafficking breeding program, then what about your brothers?”
“We’re not close. I only see them on family holidays.”
“The State knows you’re working together.”
“They’re mistaken.” He received another punch in the guts.
“Tell me where you’re based.”
“We’ve got a mansion in the Old Shires,” said Lincoln. “Ten bedrooms and six bathrooms. We’re looking into getting an outdoor pool installed next year.”
Another punch in the face from Clive. “Try again.”
“My mistake. There are twelve bedrooms.” Lincoln spat blood on the ground.
Clive shook out his fists, one
of his knuckles already bloody. “We can do this all day. I like the thought of messing up that face of yours.”
“Go ahead,” said Lincoln. “Women love the bruises. And I’ll have a tale to tell when we’re done here.”
“There won’t be any women for you to talk to where you’re going,” said Clive. “One last chance. Give me the information I’m asking for, and you can die happy.”
Lincoln raised his gaze and glared at Clive, not blinking. He would die happy. Anastasia had escaped and was making her way to Heath and Arlo. They’d take care of her and make sure she was okay. She’d always have a place at the bunker.
As Clive raised his fist again, Lincoln held onto that thought. Anastasia was fine. She would live out her life with the others and be safe with her sister and Skyler. Clive wouldn’t touch her. She’d help in bringing back dragons and make sure the State paid for everything they’d done. He hoped she remembered him, didn’t think of him as a waste of space, maybe even thought of him fondly at times.
He shrugged his shoulders and grinned at Clive. “Do your worst.”
ANASTASIA CROUCHED in the back of the closet, hidden behind a jumble of chemical-scented rags and dust-covered brooms. Despite Lincoln insisting she leave, there was no way in hell she would abandon him.
Waiting until footsteps had passed the door, she inched it open, checked the corridor was clear, and then hurried to the next room. Testing to make sure the door was unlocked, she opened it and peered inside. At first, she thought it was empty, but then sensed movement. Inhaling deeply, a flicker of a smile crossed her face. There were dragon hybrids in here.
She hurried into the room and shut the door behind her. Her dragon senses kicked into action and cut through the gloom. Damson and Caitlyn were tied to chairs in one corner.
Damson let out a gasp of surprise when she spotted Anastasia. “You’re still alive!”
“And so are you.” Anastasia hurried over and untied them both. “When the militia arrived, I thought we’d all be dead.”
“So did we. They brought us here after the Jeep was ambushed.” Damson rubbed her wrists and then lowered her head. “They killed Olivia.”
“I saw. I’m sorry we couldn’t save her.”
“She hated what they’d done to her,” said Damson. “At least she can get some peace now. And I should be the one saying sorry. We shouldn’t have run. We panicked and messed up.”
“You’re here now. We can still get out. How you doing, Caitlyn?” Anastasia looked at the other dragon hybrid.
“Drugs are wearing off,” said Caitlyn, as she shook out her shoulder-length blonde hair. “But still feel like I’ve been stomped on by a giant.”
“Think you’re up to fighting?”
“You’re going up against the militia?” Damson shrank in her seat.
“We need to, if we’re getting out of here,” said Anastasia. “What abilities do you both have?”
“I’m a fire breather,” said Caitlyn. “But my control is poor. I was still learning from my mentor when she was killed.”
“As well as my future-seeing abilities, I’m a freezer,” said Damson.
Anastasia tipped her head to one side. “Nice. I’ve never met an ice breather before.”
“There are a few of us around.” Damson’s bottom lip jutted out. “I can’t say I like the ice burns much, though.”
Rubbing her hands together, Anastasia formed a small fireball. “We can take them. Just make sure you don’t hit Lincoln when we go on the attack.”
“They’ve got him?”
Her fireball faded. “He let me get away, but they took him. But we’re getting him back.”
“We should get out while we can,” said Caitlyn. “Clive’s goons will be looking for you. And we’ve no clue what they’re planning to do with us next.” Her hand went to her swollen belly.
“I’m not leaving Lincoln behind.”
“We do owe you.” Caitlyn stood on wobbly legs. “We’ll help.”
Damson swirled frost around her head, before joining Caitlyn. “We do owe those creeps for taking us. We’ll get your mate for you.”
Anastasia opened her mouth to say he wasn’t her mate, but then smiled. She wanted Lincoln as more than a one-night stand. He was brash and covered his seriousness with jokes and innuendos, but the time she’d spent with him made her realize there was so much more to Lincoln Ember. And she wanted him. Not just as a fling, but as her mate. Someone to share everything with, let her heart be consumed by him. She wanted to devote herself to loving him until she couldn’t stand. But first, she had to get him back.
Slipping back into the corridor, Anastasia led Damson and Caitlyn toward the bar, refusing to let her nerves take over. Lincoln would be fine. She’d find him, take out the soldiers, and they’d escape. One step at a time.
They shrank against the wall, as voices echoed in the empty space. Risking a look into the room, Anastasia spotted two armed soldiers by the exit. Lincoln was nowhere to be seen.
“Is he in there?” whispered Damson.
Anastasia shook her head. “Maybe Clive took him to his office. But there are two soldiers in here we should meet. Explain to them how rude it is to kidnap pregnant women and mistreat them.”
They all growled in unison, before Anastasia stepped forward, Caitlyn by her side. Together, they shot two jets of flame at the soldiers.
Anastasia’s aim was accurate, slamming the soldier she targeted in the chest. But Caitlyn’s flame went wide. She set the wall alight, before crouching and redirecting her fire. The soldier hit the ground and fired a few shots at them, but he was too busy cowering from the fire to be of any risk.
Caitlyn shot Anastasia an apologetic look as her fire hit the soldier. He screamed and rolled across the room, trying to extinguish his flaming clothes.
“Put out the flames,” Anastasia said to Damson. “Don’t want the place burning down until we’ve all gotten out.”
Damson nodded, took a deep breath, and shot a stream of ice from her mouth, coating the walls and floors and killing the fire. She wiped her hand across her blue lips before grabbing a bottle of whiskey and downing some. “Don’t worry, it won’t hurt the baby. I metabolize it too quickly. But it helps take the sting out of the ice burns.”
They ran through the bar and slowed as they entered the corridor. Anastasia raised a hand, her senses on high alert for any sound of Lincoln. She breathed in and grimaced. She could smell him, but his scent was mingled with the metallic tang of fresh blood.
“This way.” She led Damson and Caitlyn farther along the corridor. The scent grew stronger. Her stomach recoiled at the thought of what she would discover. Lincoln had to be alive. But what if he’d pulled his usual cocky act and made Clive angry? He would kill him out of spite. She shook her head. Clive was too greedy for that. He knew the size of the bounty on Lincoln’s head and would want it.
A muffled yell sounded from a nearby room. Anastasia ran forward. Only Damson grabbing her arm stopped her from charging in and killing everyone.
“We have no clue what’s on the other side of that door,” whispered Damson. “Be cool. We’ll get your mate out alive.”
Taking a shaky breath, Anastasia fought the primal urge to kill. “Caitlyn, you open the door, I’ll shoot the fire. Damson, ice blast anyone you see and cover Lincoln. I don’t want him burned, but we want no one left standing.”
“No problem.” Damson took another slug of whiskey. “We got this.”
Anastasia positioned herself in front of the door, raised her internal temperature to decimate anything she saw, and then nodded at Caitlyn.
Caitlyn licked her lips, grabbed the handle of the door, and shoved it open.
Red rage flashed before Anastasia’s eyes as she saw Lincoln tied to a chair, his face bloody and his arms bound. Clive stood beside him, surprise on his face as Anastasia and the dragon hybrids appeared. Two soldiers stood behind the chair, their weapons seeming to move in slow motion, as she opened her flame a
nd poured it into the room.
She saw nothing but fire as her power raged. Damson shot ice over Lincoln’s head, providing him with an ice shield as the fire grabbed Clive and the soldiers and extinguished them.
A smoke-filled silence descended as Lincoln peered at Anastasia with puffy eyes. Water from the melting ice above his head dripped down on him. “Nice shooting, gorgeous. And you’ve brought friends.”
Anastasia’s stomach still burned from the fire, but her rage cooled as she saw the charred remains of Clive and the soldiers. She stomped on a small fire as she ran into the room toward Lincoln. She wrapped her arms around his neck, clinging to him, smelling his blood and sweat.
Lincoln groaned as he leaned into her embrace. “It’s amazing to see you, too. But please don’t squeeze me so hard.”
Anastasia pulled back and wiped the blood from his cheek. “Thought you might need help.”
“I was doing okay.” Lincoln’s smile was lopsided. “My plan was to lull them into a false sense of security before I pulled my best moves.” His gaze moved to Damson and Caitlyn.
“They helped,” said Anastasia.
“I noticed.” His gaze returned to her and his smile faded. “I thought you’d left.”
She cupped his cheeks in her hands, her heart thudding in her chest, and kissed his lips. “I will never leave you.”
Chapter 16
Desire, pride, and just a hint of fear raced through Lincoln. Anastasia had saved him from Clive. But it was more than that. She’d let her barrier down, showed him she cared. He couldn’t decide if that terrified him more than the State.
She was a full-on hurricane, a force of nature. No one could stop her if she set her mind to something.
Hell, he’d fallen for her hard. He didn’t know when it had started, probably the first time he saw her strutting toward him in a sheer dress and heels. But it wasn’t her looks that had tipped him over the edge. She was fearless, strong, and devoted to those she loved.
And that devotion was clear in her eyes as she untied him and helped him to his feet. It made him feel alive. He was important to her, and he loved that.
“We need to hurry,” said Lincoln, as they left the charred room. “Won’t be long until more soldiers arrive. Might even be a few of Clive’s crew around to cause us trouble.”
Lincoln (Ember Quest Book 3) Page 16