let them suffer another day.
“I can’t stop thinking about the possibility of there being others.”
Croy stilled in understanding as Henry let out a low rumble, coming up to Croy’s side and tilting my jaw up.
“We have to save them. We have to make this right. They deserve freedom like I got,” I nearly choked out.
Henry examined my expression. “Then we will. When we leave here, we will go and find them. I’m positive your parents are already gathering intel to attack the coven, we just have to make sure that we work into it checking for any other prisoners.”
“Really?” I asked, feeling a surge of hope.
“Yes, really,” he promised, cupping my jaw. “But we are doing it in a way that keeps you safe. I don’t want those fuckers getting their hands on you again.”
Before either him or Croy could say anything else, there was a knock on the bathroom door, causing all three of us to turn to it in confusion. Who would be knocking? Henry strode forward and I tilted my head, surprise filtering through me because it was not one of my mates or anyone I had ever met before standing there. In fact, it was actually one of the first women I’d seen outside of the few in town. Had there been any in the throne room? I had to assume so, although there was for sure a lack of women overall. Was that because they weren’t dragons? Or pure dragons? Hadn’t Croy mentioned something about that?
Taller than myself, probably somewhere around 5’9” or 5’10”, she was wearing a uniform that I’d yet to see before but found somewhat intimidating. It was a dark maroon leather with black and gold across the bodice, highlighting a large dragon that seemed to almost shift under my gaze. I didn’t bother hiding the fact that I was looking over her, curious about why she seemed so different, wondering if it was the uniform. Outside of the color difference between her and my mates, she had a pair of over-the-knee boots, leather with laces, and a dark set of rings that covered her long fingers. Across her chest was a long leather band that attached to a carrying case behind her. Was it for a sword? I couldn’t tell fully.
None of that was what made her unique though. Nor was it the dark tattoo that ran along the right side of her neck or the gold hair that she had pulled back to reveal a stunning but extremely serious face. No. I realized very quickly it was her magic. I didn’t think she was a shifter, but she had a lot of magic, and it seemed to be vibrating through the air and around her in an aura of black energy. Honestly, if I wasn’t so fascinated by the woman, I would have been terrified.
The only soft part of her face was a pair of brown eyes that were so dark they almost appeared black, surrounded by thick lashes. I saw her look over me as well before she offered me a small nod in greeting, looking at Henry with indifference as he let out a defensive rumble. Except instead of being scared, she just looked back at Croy and I, my wolf wrapping an arm around my waist.
“Who are you?” Henry demanded, his voice laced with suspicion.
“Senior Group Leader for Squadron Eight from Eldur Academy.” She paused and then seemed to realize something. “My name is Eleven.”
“Like the number?” I questioned softly.
Her eyes flashed with something that looked a lot like pain wrapped in slight embarrassment, but it was gone a moment later. “Yes. I’ve been sent here by Queen Cyra to be Princess Sol’s personal security detail tonight.”
“You can call me Maya,” I insisted softly.
“Alright.” Eleven nodded, keeping her face void of expression.
“She doesn’t need a security detail,” Croy insisted quietly.
“I’m just following orders.” Eleven offered him an indifferent look that was absolutely mastered. I was a bit jealous, because I could never do that. Then again, usually if someone was good at hiding their emotions, it was for a reason. Just another reason I was glad I was so open with my mates.
She continued, “I’m going to be following her either way, so I figured I would at least introduce myself.”
“Nice to meet you.” I stepped forward and offered her my hand. Normally I would have done a hug, but she didn’t strike me as the type to like that. Surprise covered her face before she masked