He gathered wood from the stack against the cavern wall, piled some in the firepit where the old peat still smoldered days later, and coaxed the flames higher. Smoke curled upward before escaping through the hole in the ceiling.
Ash removed her black parka, then stilled. Footsteps echoed from the tunnel entrance.Jesus. So quick?Do they have infrared security lights trained on this place?
Race cast her an indulgent smile as he rose.No cameras. Just lookouts. I sensed them as we reformed.
Attor, Koal, and Skaldr entered, followed by Talon-Marshal Varkyn. But it was the fifth figure that gave her pause.
Tall and elegant, the woman glided inside, wearing the Resistance’s earthy colors—worn brown leathers and a belted green tunic. Her copper hair, pulled into a sleek high ponytail, swung with her movements. Even in plain battle dress, her animalistic grace marked her as someone used to action.
Golden green eyes swept the cave, glossing over Ash before fixing with predatory interest on Race.
Ash slowly set her parka onto the stone seat and sat again, watching.
This should be interesting.
“Sire.” The woman bowed, her voice honey-smooth. “I am Rhaedra, chief strategist for the Southern Resistance.”
Race inclined his head in acknowledgment, back to his reserved self. He folded his arms over his chest and waited.
“We’ve confirmed the site,” Varkyn said.
Koal dropped Ash a quick, warm smile, one that saidyou’re not really supposed to be here,but that he was glad she was.
Ash smiled back.
Rhaedra opened her satchel and drew out several maps, spreading them across the rough stone floor. The parchments were old, the edges frayed, the surface marked with what looked like patrol routes and supply lines. The others crouched low, studying the terrain.
From what Ash could see, the woman knew her craft.
“The breeding camps are here.” Rhaedra’s talon traced near a range. “Getting the women out is our priority?—”
“And the children?” Race’s voice cut across hers, hard as flint.
“Secondary objective. The breeders are key to Malcarion’s power?—”
“Both matter.” He hunkered down, his eyes narrowed, scanning the map.
“Yes, of course, sire.” Rhaedra turned the map his way, then shifted closer, with all the sinuous grace of a fox.
Ash rose, smoothing her shrunken, maroon ribbed top that refused to stay down and revealed a handspan of her waist. She skirted the firepit, didn’t intrude, and just stood behind Attor and Skaldr.
The she-dragon dragged her talon across the map again. “I suggest we strike here, at Gildershard Mount, when the moon’s dark.”
The terrain’s mapping nagged at Ash’s mind. She moved to the side and studied the faded charts and the landscape. Something wasn’t right.
She looked up, meeting Attor’s quiet stare, Koal’s wry one, and Skaldr, who, of course, looked like he wanted to murder someone. Varkyn, at least, remained politely impassive.
Why are they watching me like that?she telepathed Race.
They can smell me on you,he replied dryly.Even with the smoke from the fire masking your scent.
She bit her lip, fighting a blush.And her?
He rose to his feet.Hard to say. She-dragons don’t reveal much.
Ash barely suppressed a snort. If she had to guess, that one likely wanted to cuddle up with Race.
A flicker of dry amusement slid through the bond.Ugh.He’d heard every word of her thoughts. Ash’s face went hot in an instant.
