if you have a dick between your legs. Otherwise, not so much. And here I am, being pulled back into all of it. It’ll be kicking and screaming, punching, and scratching.
Bastards!
I allow myself to be led by Lance. I think he’s trying to be nice, but that doesn’t compute with his earlier treatment of me, so I’m on my guard.
Another dragon lands just ahead of us. Lance jogs over there. They talk in muted tones. I think I hear the word ‘male’, and I’m not sure, but I think I hear Stephan’s name… That makes no sense. They shouldn’t know his name. How would they know his name? I must have been mistaken. As hard as I try, I can’t make out much more. The odd word, but it tells me nothing.
“That looked important,” Lance says to Jackson. “Why don’t you go ahead,” he says to the others. “I’ve got this,” he adds. “It’s one tiny woman.” He snort-chuckles.
“You sure?” Jackson asks. He frowns when he looks towards the cellblock.
“Absolutely.”
“Griffin…you go with them,” Jackson says.
“I said I’ve got this,” Lance growls, his hand tightens on my arm. “I can handle her just fine.”
Jackson frowns again, then he finally nods once. “You can stand guard out here, Griffin. The rest of us are needed elsewhere.”
“Did they catch him?” I blurt. The words are out before I can stop them.
“None of your business,” Jackson replies.
“Please tell me,” I beg. I don’t care. I need to know.
“What is it to you whether he’s been captured or not? Either way, you will never see him again.” Ice hits my veins. It splinters its way through me. I want to beg some more, but it is futile. I can see it in his eyes. “Say ‘hi’ to Star for me.” I see his eyes cloud for a second, but the emotion is gone in a flash.
My heart sinks even further. “Fuck you!” I snarl, despite the tears pricking in my eyes. “She’s too good for you. Always was, always will be.”
He grunts.
Does this mean they captured Stephan? Or maybe they’re still in pursuit. Frustration and anger course through me.
“Let’s go.” Lance lightly squeezes my arm.
I see Jackson shift. I hear the others do the same. Griffin will stand guard in his dragon form. His senses will be sharper. He’ll know if I so much as set a toe outside that building. Despair is setting in. I have to try to be strong.
My heart sinks even further when I see a guard at the door as well. Lance and the guard exchange pleasantries. The guard uses a key on a chain around his neck to unlock the door. I hear the lock re-engaged as soon as we are inside.
There are two cells with bars across them, and two rooms. Star is in one of the cells. She jumps up as soon as we enter. She’s wearing a t-shirt like the one I was given before. “Raven!” she yells as she rushes to the bars, stopping just short of touching them. They’re infused with silver. She won’t be able to teleport out.
“I’m so sorry,” I tell her.
“It’s not your fault.” She shakes her head. Her big blue eyes are wide, and she looks pale.
“I shouldn’t have let you help me,” I say.
She gives me a look that says she feels otherwise. “My boyfriend of four years shouldn’t have turned me in. He didn’t even need to think it through.” I see her lip tremble.
“I’m sorry.”
“I knew…I guess I knew deep down.” She bites down on her lip, her eyes welling. “I didn’t want to see what was right in front of me.”
“Here,” Lance hands me a t-shirt. He grips my arm again. “I need to put you in there.” He points at the second door. It’s closed.
Yep, it’s the same room as before.
I nod. “Stay strong,” I tell Star, looking back over my shoulder at her while I’m being led away.
“You too,” she says after me.
Lance unlocks the door and gestures for me to go in. I’m shocked when he comes in after me. He closes the door, placing himself between me and the exit.
I pull on the shirt, turning to face him. I feel a prickle of awareness.
“I really liked you…back when we were kids… you know that, right?” he says.
“I know. I liked you too.” I’m not sure where this is going. I only know that I don’t like it. “I was in love with West.” I pull in a breath.
He sniffs. Then he takes