Irritated now, I call forth my dragon, but all I get are smoky huffs and a pissed off beast. “How did you?—”
He snaps his fingers in the air. “Magic. You’ll be here as long as I say. If you can convince me that your intentions aren’t negative, I may release you.” He touches my forehead lightly and suddenly I’m back in the room with the cot. “Rest. I’ll find some food for you.”
He closes the door, leaving me in the dark room again. Well, this is fucking great. I lie on the cot, focusing all my thoughts on Drax while rubbing the mating ring. I have to hope this works. Right now, it’s all I’ve got.
DRAX
We’ve spenthours searching the city’s bars and alleys for Mac or any sign of the mage, but we keep coming up empty until I’m hit with a wave of warmth through our bond.
“Guys.”
Atlas, Cassius, and Roman pause, turning to me. I rub my sternum.
“It’s Mac. I can feel him.”
“Finally,” Cassius grumps. “I was hoping that mate thing would kick in.”
“Me too,” I murmur, trying to parse out something helpful from the vibrations inside me.
There’s a tugging feeling to my left, as well as an alarming sense of danger.
“This way.” I gesture for the guys to follow me.
We walk away from the city center into what looks like an abandoned area of rotting buildings and forgotten, weed-infested parking lots. The feeling in my chest is stronger here, but no clearer.
“Hold on.”
I close my eyes, sending my thoughts along the bond.
I’m here, Mac. Where are you? Can you tell me?
I wait for several minutes, and just as my hope is about to fade, I’m hit with a strong ping of joy. No words come with it though. No. It’s more of a feeling.
Are you okay?
More warmth floods the bond, giving me a comforting feeling.
Focus on where you are. Maybe we can find you that way.
“Are you getting something?” Roman asks. “I can smell the mage’s magic in the air. We must be close.”
“Trying. Hold on.”
I close my eyes again, visualizing my sweet dragon. The more I focus, the more I feel him. My chest nearly vibrates as my feet carry me towards one of the decrepit buildings.
I’m coming, mate. Hold on.
The guys are right beside me when we get to a door that has the bond tightening. “I think he’s close.”
Atlas tugs on the massive door, stuck by time and decay, but that’s no match for his strength as he tears it from its hinges. We creep into the building, looking for any sign of Mac or the mage. The scent of decaying plants, dead animals, and damp stone mixes with the remnants of magic in the air, tickling my nose in an unpleasant way.
I do my best to concentrate on the bond. It’s my only hope of finding my mate.
“Here.” Roman points down a hallway. “The mage’s scent is stronger here.”
We all go that way, and sure enough, the bond vibrates steadily. “We’re getting closer.”
We hurry now, led by Atlas, who pushes falling stones out of our way, but when we get to the end of the hall, we’re faced with a pile of intentionally stacked rocks.
