Page 71 of Dark Dragon’s Mate

As they entered the castle through one of the side doors, he asked Grange, “Is Mayah in her room?”

Grange shrugged. “I guess. It’s where she usually is.” Then he frowned. “Why?”

Noah said, “I know Emon left you in command, but legally, with him gone, Mayah’s in charge of the domain. I’d like to run this by her and see what she says.”

And also see what she had to say about Grange. And what Tristan and Brock had to say as well. Come to think of it, Brock had never really been friendly with Grange. He was more friendly to Emon, who was certifiably nuts, than he was to the normal-seeming lion.

And Brock had an uncanny way of seeing into people’s minds—and hearts.

He started up the stairs, and heard behind him, “I’m afraid I can’t let you do that.” Then a jolt of electricity froze his entire body, and he was gone.

Grange looked down at the Enforcer lying in the hallway. Luckily, there were no staff around to see him—they were all snoozing in the staff dining room, courtesy of one of Ragnor’s special recipes.

The Al-Maddeiri princess was subdued and collared, unable to Change or use her powers. Tristan, Mina and Brock were locked in Mayah’s room with her, a powerful spell net keeping them there.

Trish and Noah had been the last loose ends. He’d set her up so that Noah would have to take her back to Silverlake, getting rid of him too. That hadn’t worked out, but if she thought she’d really killed all those sheep and attacked Grange, then she’d be too afraid to come back.

Even if she did realize she’d been set up, she still wouldn’t come back. She’d probably try to go find Emon. That would take a while. Long enough for Grange to do what he needed to do.

Yes, this would work just as well. He’d get rid of the Enforcer, and if Emon started back too soon, he could divert him on a search for Trish.

Everything was still on track. He was almost there.

Grange slung Noah’s inert form over his shoulder, and carried him off to dispose of him.

When he was done, he took the King’s Key up to the huge empty laboratory where Ragnor used to do his experiments on the prince and princess. Where Trish had almost caught him after she’d found him in Ragnor’s study.

He’d already done everything Gen-X had asked of him. He’d captured the white wolf, the princess, and the little boy with the strange mental powers. He’d used the King’s Key to unlock Ragnor’s study. He was ready.

He got out his private communicator and put in the call to Earth. “Everything’s set,” he said. “I’ll be activating the portal momentarily.”

“Copy that. Good work.”

Grange held the King’s Key in both hands and opened the portal that would lead him to freedom—and wealth beyond all his imaginings.

Chapter 36

Emon stood at the entrance to the iron mine. It was not more than a couple of hours past noon, and already he was anxious to get back.

Digging out the mine had ended up being much more difficult than they’d thought. It turned out that there were, in fact, people trapped down there—a small team doing an unscheduled inspection before the shift started.

No one seemed to know what had triggered the collapse. There was no sign of instability in the surrounding area, that anyone had been able to find.

Luckily, no one had been injured or killed, but digging down to them had turned out to be slow and arduous, even with his dragon doing most of the heavy lifting. They’d had to shore up the collapsed tunnel with supports every few feet, and that took time.

He wished to hell he had his magic—things would have gone a lot faster. But it had nearly deserted him in the last few days, as his wound got worse.

Finally they were on the verge of reaching the trapped workers, and he’d gotten his huge bulk out of the way, letting the humans tunnel through the last few yards.

After this, he’d just have to clear the road, and then he would be able to head back.

He stretched gingerly, trying to ease the pain in his side. Oddly enough, the heavy work had seemed to help. Or maybe it just took his mind off the pain.

But it was kind of nice to be needed. It felt—right.

A cheer went up as the rescue group came out of the mine, tired and dusty, but escorting the three miners who’d been trapped. They were instantly surrounded by friends and loved ones, faces full of relief and tears.

At least someone was getting a happy ending.