 |
 |
|
|
[ Pobierz całość w formacie PDF ] eyes and he couldn’t stop the sob yanked from his chest. “No, he’s been captured, but he’s not dead. If he were dead you’d know.” Aden walked over and wrapped his muscled arms around Proteus. He rested his head on the dragon king’s chest taking comfort from his strength. “What do we do?” Proteus had to take action. Someone had captured his mate. “I’m going to have Gallen send me and a few others through a portal to get your mate.” Aden’s tone indicated he doubted anyone could stop him. “I should go with you.” Proteus stepped out of the king’s embrace and flushed. “I can help.” “No offense, little one, but you aren’t exactly a warrior,” Aden said, his tone gentle. Proteus wiped away his tears with the back of his hands. “No, but I can blend in and check out the area without being caught.” “There is snow. They will see your footprint,” Aden argued. “No. It is part of my blending. My footprints will match my environment. They’ll never see me coming.” “He could pull it off,” the man on the floor said. “The guards aren’t super-vigilant. They might overlook your friend. Even if they hear him they won’t investigate if it means leaving their post and having to explain their absence to the emperor if no one is there.” The redhead stood up, but kept his head down and his shoulders slumped as if bracing himself for Aden’s punch. Since Proteus hadn’t seen the king be violent against his own people the dragon’s fear surprised him. “Proteus, this is Rye. He was there when Zhou and Liang were captured.” “And what were you doing while they were taken?” The story didn’t strike him as complete. “Yes, Rye, please explain to Proteus why his children don’t have their father.” Aden’s voice roughened as if he had to push his inner beast back down. Rye’s entire body shook and his face paled even further a neat trick with his alabaster skin. He avoided Proteus’s eyes while he talked “I was the bait. While they were securing your dragons I snuck away. Liang told me to come to Seattle. I want to help get them back. I’m willing to do whatever necessary to make amends. I couldn’t go against the emperor’s wishes, he was going to kill me.” Despite his wish to hold a grudge Proteus found he couldn’t. After all, if it had been his life against someone he’d never met he might have made the same decision. A loud bell echoed through the room. Proteus flinched at the sound. “Zhou’s mate has arrived.” Aden winced. “I’ll go let him in,” Carey said, leaving the room. “What is he?” Rye asked. “A powerful sorcerer. He won’t take the news well,” Aden said. “Maybe you’d better wait in the kitchen.” Rye shook his head. “No, I will face the people I’ve wronged.” Proteus examined the dragon shifter with new interest. He was either a brave man or the stupidest creature Proteus had ever met. Even he could feel the magic crackling through the air. Whoever Zhou’s mate was he could annihilate them all. “What happened to my mate?” A slim Chinese man marched into the room, the fury etched on his features highlighted the scar on his cheek. “I’m sorry, Laozi, but he was captured by the emperor’s soldiers during a scouting expedition.” Aden stepped between the sorcerer and Rye. Proteus smiled over the protective gesture. Aden cared for his subjects no matter how wrong they’d acted. The worshipful expression crossing Rye’s face told Proteus he wasn’t the only one feeling admiration. “Where is he?” Laozi asked. “A compound in Alaska,” Aden answered. “I thought it was a scouting mission, I should’ve sent more people. It’s my fault.” Laozi visibly deflated. “No. It isn’t your fault. He’s willful. He would’ve gone with or without your people if he could get to the emperor.” The sorcerer ran his fingers through his hair. “What’s the plan?” “I’m going to go scout,” Proteus said. He trembled when Aden and Laozi turned their powerful gazes in his direction. He straightened his spine and met their eyes one by one. “He’s my mate. I get to help with his rescue.” “Wow, the little guy has spunk. What can you do?” Laozi asked. “What are you?” “I’m a sea dragon shifter. As for what I can do.” Proteus focused his energy and vanished. “That is excellent. I don’t even get a magic fluctuation in the room. What an amazing ability.” Laozi’s praise warmed Proteus. He reappeared. “I’m not a fighter, but I can get close enough to see what’s going on.” Proteus wouldn’t be left out. “What happens to your kids if you get killed?” Aden asked. “The same thing that happens if my mate is murdered. I die.” Proteus scowled at the dragon king. He was right in this. He wouldn’t back down. After a long moment where he thought he might have overstepped enough to get into real trouble with the dragon king, Aden nodded. “If this is what you want to do, I won’t stop you. Gallen can transport you there. They must’ve dropped their phones because their coordinates haven’t changed.” “He can send me, too.” Laozi said. “You can’t transport yourself?” Proteus asked, and then blushed when Laozi stared at him. “Sorry, that was rude.” Laozi patted him on the shoulder. “No. It’s all right. We don’t know much about each other’s abilities. I’m very powerful, but every sorcerer has different spells. I’ve never had the ability to teleport. My magic is a bit different,” Laozi said almost apologetically. “Oh. All sea dragons have the same powers. I didn’t realize the same wasn’t true of other kinds of magic users or shifters.” Proteus wondered how many variations of magic were truly out there. Sea dragons weren’t known for their introspection they were more active than magical. When your sole ability involved hiding it didn’t make you a magical powerhouse. “Interesting.” Laozi sounded sincere and offered Proteus a friendly smile. “If you can sneak inside and let me know the situation. I can gather my sorcerers to mount an attack.” “Do you think they’ll follow you?” Aden asked. “They haven’t exactly been known for their loyalty.” “They can help or they can get their asses off my property. I refuse to house cowards. If they won’t battle for my mate they are useless to me.” Laozi had no remorse in his tone. “How many soldiers are there?” Aden asked Rye. Rye shrugged. “I didn’t get to see them all. I was only allowed at certain levels. I know of twenty for certain. Sorry, I wish I had more I could share. I’m a horrible spy. I’m sure the emperor sent me because if I were captured I wouldn’t be able to help much.” “Why don’t you come with me and we’ll get you some food,” Carey offered. “My dad and Laozi can make plans and if they need you they can come get you.” [ Pobierz całość w formacie PDF ] |