The power within me coiled to the point of pain as the rest of the guards burst into action, lining up in front of the cells of the shifters they’d be escorting to the baths. I heard someone bark for me to back up to the bars, and I did. Then I followed the guard’s direction to step around so I could be let out. I didn’t flinch when they unlocked the cell and rushed in to grab me. Didn’t resist when they led me past Hannon, his expression screwed up in intense pain as he allowed them to manhandle him, ripping open his wounds so that they bled down his back.
I didn’t act out, because I was waiting…
Waiting for when Micah slowed things down, as he always did.
Waiting for him to taunt Govam, as he always did.
Waiting for when he burst into movement, jamming the rest of them up behind him…
When it happened, the power within me exploded, white hot. Strength bled through my limbs in a way that was new and fucking amazing. Searing agony ripped down my back, my dragon wanting to come out, but I was in complete control of the situation this time. I had to be. Hannon depended on it.
I flexed and yanked my hands apart, breaking out of Denski’s hold and the metal cuffs that couldn’t contain me. In a flash, I grabbed Govam from behind and threw him to the right, against the bars of the nearest cell. Taller than him, stronger, fucking angrier, I grabbed his throat with one hand and shoved everyone else away, creating a bubble of power around us with the sheer force of my will. Nyfain flooded me with magic, fortifying me in this space with Govam, where no one could reach us.
Where no one could save him.
“If you force that man upstairs,” I ground out, “I will do what no other dragon has ever done. I will fucking end you.”
His eyes widened and a glimmer of fear sparkled within their slate-gray depths.
“You asked who he is?” I went on, my tone deathly quiet. The guards beat at my will, no more effective than a cloud of gnats. “He’s my flesh and blood. I will burn this whole place to the ground, starting with you, if he is taken up to those parasites.” I spat the last word, pausing for a moment to let that sink in. “Do you want to live or die, Govam? Decide right now.”
I tightened my hold on his throat, but we both knew that wasn’t how I would kill him. His hands were at his sides, pinned with my magic.
“You won’t burn this place to the ground,” he replied. “You don’t have the people. You have a lot of power, but not enough. They’d kill you eventually. And him with you.”
“Fine. But you’ll die first. And I have the power to make it slow. Right here, in front of all your guards.”
He licked his lips. His eyes changed—the intensity, not the color—and something new appeared in them. I didn’t know if I should be scared or wary or worried for my future. But then, I’d decided not to think about the future just now.
“Can they hear me outside of this…bubble?” he asked.
“Yes. I’m not a faerie. I don’t have that kind of magic.”
There was an edge to Govam’s voice as he raised it and said, “Leave him. Even if he was presentable, which he isn’t, we don’t have the guards. He’s trouble.”
“What about the dragon?” Denski asked, just outside my wall of will, his hands burned from trying to get in. That meant he was willing to take damage to help his captain. They had a tight bond. I wondered if this explained why Denski had never been elevated to a similar post—Govam didn’t want his friend targeted by Micah.
Govam kept eye contact with me, never glancing away for even one second. “You can resume your duties, Denski. She and I have an understanding. Don’t we, Finley? I will not include your brother in the parties if you play nice.”
“Not quite,” I replied. “You won’t include my brother in the parties so that I won’t slice off your dick and choke you with it. There was nothing in there about my playing nice with others. But yes, I won’t cause any more trouble than normal if you leave him out of this.”
Govam nodded. “We understand each other.”
I pushed off him, keeping him put for a moment while I backed up and extended my hands behind my back. Apparently I could break out of my cuffs—I just needed enough motivation. I wondered if that was true of most of the non-suppressed dragons. If so, it made me wonder why they bothered with the things. Or why the other Wyvern dragons didn’t break them on the regular. Then again, Govam had increased the amount of guards for each non-suppressed person so they’d be ready if we broke out.