Ransom summoned his dragon, mentally stronger now that he had a strategy.The instant Scarlett crawled from the chamber, he’d let rip with his fire.He’d toast the phrullin’ prince before the Maphra royal knew what had hit him.
“I hope you have a plan,” Scarlett whispered to Talon who perched on her shoulder.“His purpleness is cray-cray.”
“Haw-haw-haw.”
“Yup,” Scarlett said.“Shifting might break through this spell.”
Talon released an urgent growl and batted her head with his claws.
“I’ll take that as a no.Someone’s coming,” she whispered.
Her pulse raced, each crack and groan of the walls shoving a new wave of fear through her.She didn’t want to die this way.
The prince appeared, his breathing harsh.This exertion was taxing his physical body.He should reconsider if he expected them to carry him down the mountain.Given the opportunity, she’d kick his purple arse and cheer if he rolled.
“Quick.”The prince waved his hand at her, and she could move her limbs again.“Don’t try anything stupid.”
Scarlett ran toward the prince while Talon clung to her shoulder.
“Leave your pet.He is slowing you,” the prince ordered.
“Talon is coming with me.”She raced past the prince, dodging the stacks of coffins to follow the same path Ransom had walked earlier.Even in her human form, she deciphered his scent trail.Sweat beaded on her brow, the heat from the lava flow more intense now.Tiny flames licked some coffins, the rancid scent catching at her throat.Smoke curled toward the roof of the chamber in black spirals.
Scarlett coughed and increased her speed, almost knocking Talon off her shoulder.He growled and dug his claws into her shoulders.“Ouch.”
Talon growled again.
“Leave the beast,” the prince ordered from behind them.
“He is my pet,” Scarlett snapped, slowing to allow Talon to regain his balance.“I refuse to leave him in danger.”
Talon purred into her ear.Scarlett just bet he bore a toothy smirk.Wee monster.
The entrance lay ahead.Scarlett could see the brighter light.The cracks and creaks from the wall were constant now as the pressure of the lava increased.Once the chamber gave way, lava would engulf the space.
“Hold on, Talon,” she whispered and increased her pace.
“Don’t leave me behind,” the prince complained.
Scarlett ran faster, darting around stacks of coffins and jumping over one that toppled.The wall of the chamber to their left exploded, and lava pushed through.
Talon snapped and snarled in her ear, but she didn’t bother with a reply.The exit was ahead.She kept running and hurdled a fallen box.The metallic stench of lava was heavier in the air, the crackle and pop bringing an ominous warning.Something crashed behind them, and the prince shouted, but Scarlett paid no heed.She dived out of the entrance hole and crawled on her hands and knees until she was in the whitelight.
Talon released a warning growl, and she jumped to her feet.
A huge dragon sat waiting.Ransom.His gaze remained on the hole, and Scarlett translated the situation without the need for words.She darted to the side and out of the way.
The prince popped out of thin air, right in front of the hole.Ransom reacted with a stream of flames.The heat of them seared her cheeks.
Then the flames froze in mid-air.The second flick of his purple fingers immobilized Ransom in his dragon form.
“I should kill you for that,” the prince shouted.He swaggered over to Ransom and kicked one of Ransom’s legs.
It must’ve hurt because the prince limped as he railed at Ransom.
“Haw-haw-haw.”Talon smothered his chuckle against Scarlett’s ear.
Scarlett sneaked closer.If she could jump him from behind, she might escape those magical, flicking fingers of his.
