Page 89 of Born in Fire
“The Circle grows stronger every day, Craven.” He shifts in his chair, the chains sizzling against his wrists. “While you play corporate games, we’re reclaiming our birthright.”
I lean in close, letting him see the glow of my eyes, the hint of scales rippling beneath my skin. My beast is close.
“Your birthright? The Circle is nothing but Malakai’s personal cult. And he’s nothing but a crippled old dragon clinging to dead traditions.”
Vance laughs, the sound harsh and grating. “You’ve forgotten what it means to be a dragon. You and your brother both—playing human, building glass towers while our kind dwindles into obscurity.”
My hand moves before I can stop it, claws extending as I grab his throat. “My kind is doing just fine. Yours, however…” I squeeze just enough to make his eyes bulge. “Your time’s running out.”
Caleb’s voice cuts through the room, cool and controlled. “Dorian.”
I release Vance with a shove that sends his chair skidding backward. Caleb stands by the one-way mirror, arms crossed over his immaculate suit. Even in a building under repair, with no employees present, he dresses like he’s headed to a board meeting. His composure only fuels my rage.
“He’s not talking,” I growl.
“He will.” Caleb steps forward, his movements precise, calculated. He addresses Vance directly. “The Syndicate approached the Circle, didn’t they? Offered an alliance?”
Vance’s smirk falters slightly. Interesting.
“Malakai would never align with those clanless mongrels,” he spits, but there’s something off in his tone.
“Wouldn’t he?” Caleb circles the table, mirroring my earlier movement but with more restraint. “If it meant accessing the Heartstone? If it meant control over all dragonkind?”
Daniel shifts uncomfortably by the door. “The Circle has always considered the Syndicate traitors to dragonkind,” he offers. “Malakai called them ‘blood-traitors’ who’d sold their heritage for power.”
“People change,” Elena says from her position near Caleb. “Especially when they’re desperate.”
Vance’s eyes flick to Elena, hatred flashing across his features. “The witch speaks,” he sneers. “Tell me, Rossewyn, how does it feel to be Caleb Craven’s pet?”
The temperature in the room spikes as Caleb’s control slips. I feel a surge of satisfaction seeing my perfect brother’s composure crack. Elena places a hand on his arm, and the heat recedes.
“I’d rather be his partner than Malakai’s puppet,” she replies evenly.
I slam my palms on the table, making Vance flinch despite his bravado. “Enough games. The attack on Craven Towers was a Syndicate plot. We identified their operatives in the footage. You’re working together.”
“You know nothing,” Vance hisses.
“I know an innocent woman died because of your fucking alliance,” I snarl, my voice dropping to a dangerous register. The dragon in me surges forward, scales erupting along my forearms, claws extending fully. “I know someone’s going to pay for that. Starting with you.”
Fear finally flickers in Vance’s eyes as I lean closer, heat radiating from my skin.
“I can make this very painful and very slow. Or you can tell me where Malakai is hiding, and I’ll consider making it quick.”
“You won’t kill me,” he says, but uncertainty creeps into his voice. “Your brother wouldn’t allow it. The precious Craven code—”
“My brother,” I interrupt, “isn’t the one you should be worried about right now.” I trace one claw along his jawline, drawing a thin line of blood. “I just buried the woman I loved. The Craven code means fuck-all to me now.”
Caleb doesn’t contradict me. Smart man. He knows I’m hanging by a thread.
Vance swallows hard, his arrogance finally cracking. “Malakai doesn’t share his plans with foot soldiers,” he says, voice dropping. “But there’s talk. Rumors.”
“What kind of rumors?” Elena presses.
“About a weapon. Something that could bring the Craven clan to its knees without a single dragon being lost.” Vance’s eyes dart between us. “He said it would change everything.”
“The Shard,” Caleb murmurs.
“If he has it,” I say, “why hasn’t he used it yet?”
