The woman’s hair was clipped up under a hat and she wore a puffy parka. She looked more like a tourist than a royal and nothing like she had appeared while at the castle. Still, the woman was beautiful and completely flawless, which really irked Bryn.
“Still pretending that you belong here, are you?”
Bryn’s pulse hit overdrive. “I don’t have time for you.” She grabbed the dress from Hannah. “I’ll go try this on.”
Hannah nodded and tried to step in between Bryn and Alitta. “Can I help you find something?”
Alitta pushed her out of the way and stepped closer. “So tell me. How did your little mating thing go?” She leaned forward and inhaled dramatically. “I don’t smell any pregnant vibes, so I guess you just weren’t good enough.”
“Get out of my way.” Bryn wondered if she could make the sparks appear in her hands again.Oh, shit. Is this woman a dragon, too?Her own fire might prove to be too new, too little, and too pathetic.
She tried to step around Alitta, but the woman reached out and grabbed her wrist. “Don’t you walk away when I’m talking to you.”
A jolt of pain where their skin made contact seared into Bryn’s wrist. She gasped and yanked her arm away but not before Alitta’s eyes widened in dramatic fashion.
“Oh. My. God. You’re not just some pathetic little human.” Alitta looked at her hand which had red streaks on it.
Bryn turned to Hannah who just stared as if trying to figure out what the hell just happened. “Can you put this in the dressing room for me?”
“Of course.”
Alitta waited until she was out of earshot. “You sneaky little bitch. You have dragon blood.”
“Not that I’m aware of.” It was true. She might suspect but she didn’t know for sure.
“Looks like we took the wrong person if we want to get Sven to bend to our will.”
“Where is Erik?” Bryn’s voice was calmer and stronger than she felt. “Why did you take Sven’s brother?”
Alitta motioned to the women with her. “We’re going to need an extra seat. This little mouse is going with us.”
“I’m not going anywhere with you.” Fear cranked up as Bryn realized the enormity of her mistake. No one at the castle even knew where she was. She did not want Sven to have to figure out the rescue of another hostage.
She stepped backwards away from Alitta. The desire to practice the kicks she had learned almost overwhelmed her, but she knew she was outnumbered, not to mention way in over her head in the experience department.
If she was a dragon, she had no idea how to use any of her talents. Alitta, on the other hand, was probably well versed.
She also had Hannah to worry about. Not only did they have to hide the whole dragon thing, she didn’t want her friend to get hurt trying to intervene.
As if reading her mind, Alitta pointed to the door. “Either head that way, or your little buddy won’t be here to help you shop next time.”
“Leave her out of this.” Bryn could feel her palms tingle and wondered if that was the start of the sparks.
“Then leave with us.” Alitta motioned for the others to go first. “Follow them.”
As Bryn reached the entrance, the others went first and held the door open. She slowed her steps and turned, but Alitta jabbed her in the back. “Keep going.”
“Bryn, where are you going?” Hannah called. “Don’t you want that dress?”
Alitta turned to look at the clerk. “She won’t need it.”
Bryn used the opportunity to focus all of her anger to her hands. Sparks sizzled as she grabbed Alitta’s arm and spun her toward the door. The woman tripped and stumbled out as Bryn grabbed the door from the surprised cohort and swung it shut. She slipped the deadbolt into place before the other women could recover.
Hannah hurried over. “What is going on?”
Before Bryn could answer, a cracking sound echoed through the store as the woman kicked the door. She grabbed Hannah’s arm. “Come on. We need to get out of here.”
Before they could move, a loud roar filled the air. Lars appeared outside and the women scattered. Bryn couldn’t tell where Alitta disappeared to, but she undid the lock and swung the door open to help Lars.
