The enemy.
What the actual fuck!?
I growl low in my throat and step forward, my dragon surging to the surface with a fury that makes my whole body flame up. Drake’s hand shoots out, pressing against my chest, stopping me.
“Fury is a good guy,” Drake tells me, his voice low.
“He’s a fucking Red,” I snarl, my voice coming out more animal than human. “No Red is good. Not a single damned one.”
“He’s a friend,” Drake insists, his hand still firm against my chest. “Let them talk. I want you to hear this.”
Every muscle in my body is coiled tight, ready to spring. My dragon is roaring inside my head, demanding blood, demanding I tear this Red apart for daring to set foot on our island.
It’s against the law. If a Red leaves the Mistveil border, they are to be killed. No questions. No exceptions. No excuses.
Councilor Drake is breaking the law. He must have good cause. Damn him for putting me in this position.
Another growl vibrates inside my chest.
Drake’s eyes are steady on mine. He’s asking me to trust him.
Fuck him. Fuck this. Just plain fuck!
“Fine,” I grit out between clenched teeth.
Drake nods and drops his hand. We move closer to the clearing, and Shadow’s face breaks into a warm smile when she sees me.
“Grim. It’s good to see you.” She moves forward and wraps me in a quick hug. I return it stiffly, my eyes never leaving the Red male standing a few feet away.
He’s tall, with dark hair and eyes that are watching me with the same wariness I’m showing him. His jaw is set, his posture relaxed but ready. A fighter’s stance.
It takes one to know one, fucker.
“Grim, this is Fury,” Shadow says, stepping back. “Fury, this is Grim.”
Fury holds out his hand. “It’s good to meet you.”
I stare at his outstretched hand like it’s a snake about to strike. There’s no way in hell I’m shaking hands with a Red.
Drake steps forward and takes Fury’s hand instead. “Good to finally meet you in person. Shadow has told me a lot about you.”
“What the fuck is this about?” I demand, looking between Drake and Shadow. “What is a Red doing here?”
Shadow’s expression softens. “I heard what happened to you, Grim. About your mind-bond with that human fe—”
“I’m fine,” I cut her off, my voice gruff. “I need some answers.”
Shadow exchanges a glance with Fury, and something passes between them. The way they look at each other…
No. No fucking way.
“Fury and I are together,” Shadow says. “We’re mated.”
I take a step back, staring at Shadow like she just grew a pink unicorn horn. How is this possible? Shadow, who fought alongside us against the Reds for years. Shadow, who lost friends to their attacks. Shadow, who swore she’d see every last Red burn.
“You’re mated,” I repeat slowly, “to him…a Red.”
“Yes.” Shadow’s voice is steady, but I can see the tension in her shoulders. She knows how insane this sounds. “There’s awhole lot you don’t know. Octane would have been here, but his mate is expecting their second child.”
