“Oh!”a green-skinned woman said, her tone rampant with disappointment.
A Red Mumber female appeared equally despondent.“I wish he’d capture me.”The woman’s tentacle hair writhed and hissed and reached in the naked man’s direction.
The man seized Scarlett’s arms, holding them immobile.She fought, cursing her smart uniform skirt that restricted her legs and the pair of comfortable but impractical shoes.
“Let me go.You have no right to manhandle me.”
The naked man dragged her to the door leading to the gardens, holding her with effortless strength.Seconds later, he tossed her over his shoulder.She pounded her fists on his back and grabbed handfuls of his black hair.The great big lug didn’t stop but strode outdoors.
The interior door slid open, and Saber stepped through.
“Scarlett, what— Oh,” he said in what Scarlett considered a severe understatement of the situation.
An unwelcome thought slithered into her brain, drilling in like an unwanted pest.“Saber, so help me, if you arranged this, I will get payback.”
“Not me,” Saber said, his green gaze watchful.
“Then do something.Help!”Scarlett yelped.
Felix and Leo, two more of her brothers, skidded to a halt by Saber.Their shock told her that Saber spoke the truth.Nothing they’d done had contributed to her current predicament.Saber barked orders, and her brothers gave chase.
The man upped his pace, and Scarlett bounced on his shoulder.Not even the flex of his prime backside distracted her from her discomfort.Wow, the man bore a speedy capability.He sprinted through the garden, past startled guests.
“Help!”Scarlett hollered to her cousin Sam, who was working the poolside bar.
A large hand slapped her on the arse.“Quiet.”
Enough.She kicked and pounded her fists before resorting to her teeth.They sank into the man’s shoulder until she drew blood.The taste, the prickling of warning in her mind, had her teeth releasing their grip and her furiously spitting.Her feline gave a frustrated snarl because she’d enjoyed the coppery flavor.
Shouts rippled from behind them.The cavalry.About time.
“Release me, and no one will get hurt,” she yelled.
The man slowed, and for one moment, she thought he’d heeded her.But no.The most godawful cracking noises rent the air.Startled, she took a beat to comprehend.
No.No.No!
Scarlett recognized this scenario.How had she missed this crucial piece of information?
He released her, but shock held her immobile, and she wasted precious seconds.She gaped at the man as his body expanded.Scales formed on his skin.Scales.Claws.Sharp white teeth.Flames roared from his great maw, and her brothers and their security team withdrew.
He was a freakin’ big black dragon.
She stealthily retreated.With his attention divided, perhaps she could dart into the trees where his size would become a hindrance.He threw back his head and roared, flames shooting from him.He turned to her, his green-brown eyes full of intelligence, his wings extending from his body.
Before she took another step or sprinted for freedom, he seized her in his talons.
Frying fungus.If the dragon took to the air, she was toast.
Surprisingly, he bounded away, his feet striking the ground, instead of flying into the sky.The dragon grasped her in his claws, and his bouncy strides had her stomach writhing in distress.
He cleared the fence without breaking stride and headed for the open countryside.They passed the Scothage cattle chewing their cud and rows of grapes.The vegetable plots blurred as the dragon raced from the resort.Scarlett struggled, and a growl burst from him.She ceased her squirming to save energy.He wasn’t flying, which meant a nearby destination.
She’d met him on Narenda and was at a loss as to how he’d discovered her whereabouts.When she lifted her head, she spotted trees.A furious caw blasted from overhead, and she raised her gaze skyward.Holy frying fungus!Fear rippled through her on seeing the gigantic bird that had them in its beady sights.
“Watch out for the eagle,” she shrieked.
The dragon never slowed.If anything, he increased his pace.Horrified, she trained her gaze on the eagle approaching with talons extended.She’d heard Saber and Eva speak about the massive bird that’d carried them across Ione Island.The tale grew with each telling, or so she’d thought.This bird was as big as they’d claimed.Larger, in fact.
