Destiny of Dragons (9 page)

“Okay. I am hungry.” Rye followed Carey from the room.

“Your son is clever to get him out of here without rousing suspicion,” Laozi said.

Aden nodded. “I don’t hear any deception in his voice, but he might just be careful with his lies.”

“Possibly. We can’t know for sure until we check out the property. Are you ready little sea dragon?” Laozi asked.

Proteus nodded. Later he’d tell them how much he didn’t like being address as
little
, but right now they had more important things to do.

“I think it safest to teleport you at least a half mile outside the emperor’s compound. If we drop you too close and they see you disappear we could be in for trouble,” Gallen said.

“Good point. I’d prefer they didn’t know I was coming.” The idea of being captured by the emperor sent shudders down his spine.

“You’ll have backup. We have a few hawks who can hide unobtrusively in the trees and wait for a signal. Maybe we can give you a small flare gun to set off if you run into trouble?” Gallen asked turning to Aden for his response.

“A whistle would be better,” Aden said. “Less chance of anyone being injured.”

“I like the whistle idea,” Proteus said. He never handled any sort of weapon and even though a flare gun didn’t really count, he would feel bad if he pulled the trigger out of instinct and someone became injured.

“I’ll find you some warm clothes,” Gallen said. “I don’t want you to freeze.”

“Thanks. I’ll need boots, too. I don’t have anything for snow.” Living in Australia hadn’t prepared him for a sudden trip to Alaska. Until now he’d never gone any place north of the equator.

Magic crackled across Laozi, but Proteus suspected the sorcerer didn’t flare out his magic on purpose. He just had so much he couldn’t help it. Jiang walked into the room and came to a full stop after seeing Laozi.

“What are you doing here?” Jiang’s hard tone took Proteus by surprise.

“He’s Zhou’s mate,” Proteus said surprised at Jiang’s attitude.

Jiang glared at Laozi. “He also the reason we were stone.”

“I explained about that.” Laozi scowled.

“That doesn’t make us best friends.”

Proteus looked from one dragon shifter to the other, uncertain of the proper response. “He’s helping us retrieve Liang and Zhou. They are trapped in the emperor’s facility.”

“Now you’re going to go against the emperor? Why not before?” Jiang’s suspicious tone had Proteus rethinking his impression of Laozi. Was he still working with the emperor?

“I told you I only worked for him under duress. I’m not going to let him keep Zhou,” Laozi said.

Proteus understood the sentiment. He had to get Liang so that together they could protect their children. Sea dragons might never win the contest for best nurturers, but Proteus’s human side would protect them with his last breath.

“We’ll make sure your children are protected, Proteus,” Aden said.

Proteus wondered if the dragon king could read minds, he always knew what to say.

“Thank you.” He gave the king a quick bow.

Aden squeezed Proteus’s shoulder. “Do you want me to go with you? I can leave Kurtis and Broden in charge of your children. No one can get past them. I’ve taught Kurtis to be quite the crack shot these days.”

“You want to come?” Proteus tried to keep the desperation out of his voice. The more help the better. “I’m going to scout before anyone tries to go in.”

“Let me get some weapons and I’ll join you. It’s better to have backup in case your first team fails.” Jiang’s gaze implied what he thought about Proteus’s backup. “Besides, Liang would never forgive me if you got yourself killed.”

“And I suppose Zhou wouldn’t care about me?” Laozi snarled.

“He might throw a fucking party, I know I would.” Jiang spun on his heel and walked away.

Laozi’s face remained impassive, but his hands clenched into fists and electricity crackled across his skin with the speed of a lightning storm.

“Hey, it’ll be fine. We’ll save our mates and Zhou will come to appreciate you saving him.”

Laozi’s brittle laughter echoed in the room. “If one bit of saving replaces hundreds of years frozen in stone I’ll turn myself into a rock.”

Hurt flared bright in the sorcerer’s eyes. Proteus hated seeing anyone carry that much pain around, but he had worries of his own. “I’m going to say goodbye to my kids. I guess I’ll see you later.”

He turned to walk away only to have Laozi grab his arm.

“What?”

“Could,” Laozi licked his lips, a nervous gesture Proteus was surprised he could still make as old as Laozi must be. “Could I see your children?”

Proteus smiled. “Sure. They’re just babies, sea dragon babies, but I’m not sure what form they’re in right now.”

“What do you mean?”

“Walk with me and I’ll show you.” He had an insane amount of pride for his children. He didn’t say another word until he led Laozi into the aquarium room. Two small water dragons floated in the fake coral. “There they are.”

This was the first time he’d seen them in their water dragon form. They were adorable.

“They’re dragon, dragons. I thought they’d be leafy sea dragons,” Laozi said.

“Their mother was raped by a water dragon. She was a good friend of mine and I agreed to hatch the eggs. Sadly, after she gave me the eggs her rapist snapped her neck because he said he had no further use for her. She was only ever a means to an end for him.”

“I’m so sorry. That’s terrible.”

“Thanks. I don’t understand sometimes how such horrible things can happen.” He couldn’t bring back his dear, sweet friend, but he could save her children. “They aren’t technically mine. I mean they don’t share any of my DNA, but they’re sea dragon and water dragon like me and my mate.”

“But they aren’t sea dragons,” Laozi said.

“Sometimes they are.”

As if they heard him, the water dragons changed into leafy sea dragons.

“Amazing,” Laozi said. “I wonder if they will be able to camouflage in dragon form? The few mixed species shifters I’ve ever met were able to take on different aspects of their other half.”

Proteus tapped his chin. “It will be interesting to see how they turn out.”

He didn’t mean just their beast halves either. Would they be introverts or extroverts, happy or subdued? So many facets to a personality and topped with having two beasts. His kids could be anything.

“What are their names?” Laozi asked, breaking into Proteus’s contemplation.

“Tae and Kensi, a boy and girl.”

“That’s a really big tank,” Laozi commented. “They should have plenty of room for a while.”

“Yep.”

Shoulder to shoulder they watched the two babies drift around the tank changing from dragon to sea dragon and sea dragon to dragon like flashing lights. The twin’s movement soothed Proteus’s soul as he watched them swim.

They remained there until Carey came to tell them it was time to mount the rescue.

This was a stupid idea. It didn’t make it any better that Proteus had come up with it either. He refused to take credit for no one having the sense to talk him out of it. Suited up in cold weather gear it was surprising he could move. Stiff arms, thick socks and the clunkiest books he’d ever laced to his feet had him walking like a zombie as he carefully lifted a foot then placed it down before lifting another foot. Cold weather sucked.

Grumbling internally, Proteus walked up to the guards. Luckily all the cold fucked up the shifter’s sense of smell. Dripping, sniffly noses didn’t pick up scent like warm dry ones did. Laozi, Aden and Jiang had hidden several yards from the entrance so their presence wouldn’t be noted.

Intent on reaching his destination Proteus walked past the guards. They stood like statues as he clomped past them. They were sloppy at their jobs, not even looking around, more intent on their next cigarette than anything hiding in the woods.

Proteus counted them as he passed. Six patrolled out front of the facility. How many more lurked in front? Rye said twenty, but had he seen them all or did he only see what the emperor wanted him to?

How could he get inside to do a better job spying?

“Babe, where are you? I can hear you’re close.”
Liang’s voice rippled through Proteus’s mind.

“I’m outside counting the guards, where are you?”
Proteus projected the thought back to his mate. He held his breath as he waited to see if his message had been received.

“Run before they catch you!”

“I’m invisible. I’m scoping things out. How many guards have you seen?”

“Ten. We’re on the bottom floor.”

Of course Liang would know how many guards he’d seen. His military training would have him counting his captors and plotting out the space.

“I’m coming for you.”

Screw the plan, he’d get his mate out of there now. He couldn’t stand the thought of his beloved dragon staying in this hellhole one more day. Why couldn’t he be a big bad shifter who could rip people apart?

“No. Not by yourself,”
Liang whispered in his head.
“We can hold tight until you can call for help. How did Aden let you go?”

“He didn’t.”
Aden’s voice broke into their telepathic communication.
“Come back and report.”

Being the king of dragons apparently gave Aden a bit of a mental punch and the ability to talk to those not his mate.

“I want to get inside. There are six guards in front and three in the foyer. We still don’t know what we’re facing.”
Either he was competent enough to help or they could just send him home. He waited for Aden’s reply.

“Okay, but be careful,”
Aden replied after a long silence.

“No!”
Liang shouted loud enough for Proteus’s head to snap back from the sound.

“Yes!”
Proteus grinned. The flutter of victory rippled through his chest. For the first time since he’d been rescued he felt part of a team. Maybe that was Aden’s purpose behind his agreement, Proteus didn’t know, the dragon king played a deep game, but at least he allowed Proteus to participate.

“
Stay careful and the first hint anything is going wrong, run!”
Aden ordered.

“Okay. I will.”
Proteus had to stay safe for his children. Still, he wouldn’t be a good parent if he fell apart after the death of his mate. He had to save Liang. Even as he made the promise he knew he’d break it in a second if he could save his water dragon.

“Careful!”
Liang must’ve heard the thoughts running through Proteus’s head. He’d heard some mates could read each other’s minds. He’d sort of hoped that was a rumor. He didn’t want anyone running around in his brain. Pushing those worries out away he focused on his environment. If he didn’t pay attention he might end up walking into one of the guards.

The front of the compound looked like the regular entrance to a large house. Rye had told them the bulk of the place lay underground. Like most sorcerers, the emperor had a secretive nature. Even if he weren’t up to anything he’d have built his home underground or cloaked it with magic.

Proteus couldn’t figure out how to get inside. If he opened the door he’d be spotted by the cameras he didn’t see, but knew existed. Luck was with him when a soldier opened the door and stepped outside. Proteus ran for the door, slipping inside just before it closed behind him. Panting he paused a minute before he continued on. The sounds of someone breathing hard would draw attention even if he were invisible.

A long hallway stretched before him. Where should he go now?

“Where are you?”
Liang asked.

“Inside. Where do I go?”

“They took us straight to the elevator.”

“Okay, sit tight. I’ll find you.”

What the fuck was he doing? He had no idea what to do, it wasn’t like he’d suddenly gained ninja skills. If he were caught he’d be unable to defend himself.

Proteus’s heart slammed against his chest as if it were trying to pull him down the hallway. No one was around. The silence eroded Proteus’s control. He’d watched horror movies with a less perfect setup.

Doors lined both sides, but none of them called to Proteus. He spotted the elevator at the far end of the hall. He shouldn’t go inside, he knew it. If he were smart he’d go back outside and let the others know the layout, but what had he really learned. Nothing.

Curiosity led him to push the button on the wall. It lit up.

“I found the elevator.”
He transmitted, hoping to get feedback from anyone listening.

“Go back,”
Liang growled.
“Get the others.”

Proteus bit his lip. He knew his mate was right.
“Okay.”

He turned and headed back down the hall. The thought he could be of any help was stupid on his part. Halfway down the corridor his path was cut off. Two guards walked toward him. There was no room around them for Proteus to sneak past.

Shit.

Proteus frantically looked around. Desperate he grabbed for the closest door. Luckily the guards were still engrossed in their conversation. Proteus turned the knob, pushed the door open and slipped inside. He closed it quietly behind him then leaned against the surface hoping they hadn’t spotted the door moving.

“Who’s there?” a shaky voice called out.

Proteus opened his eyes and examined the interior of his hiding spot for the first time. A white-haired man stood shackled against a cement wall, his wrists and ankles wrapped in heavy metal restraints with just enough give he could maybe move a few inches in each direction. He wore tattered clothing of thin material like something a long-term hospital patient might wear. From the way he squinted at Proteus his blending skills were still in effect. The only other item in the room was a small folding table, a chair and a cheap desk lamp. He wondered if the man was interrogated on a regular basis.

The absolute despair on the captive’s face tore at Proteus’s heart.

“If you’ve come to kill me, do it. I have nothing left to live for anyway,” the man continued, sorrow dripped from each syllable as he spoke.

Proteus walked closer. “Who are you?”