Even still, he was too good a warrior, and he almost managed to parry the oncoming blow. But the Dragon wasn’t just any warrior. It was Tyrez. In a swift, fluid movement he turned his sword and cut through the Bellati’s neck.
The tall figure dropped like a stone.
A black, furred back presented itself, and Lucas leaped, sinking his claws in deep. The Dire snarled and spun, and Lucas found himself in the maelstrom of the battle.
Within moments, he was in trouble. He had precisely zero experience in fighting hand to hand as a Sabre. Teeth and claws weren’t enough against a creature that had been scrapping since it was born.
Lucas’s reserves were running on zero as he turned, twisted, and ducked, but the Dire was all over him. In moments, his lungs were heaving. He was bleeding, and looking for a way to escape the onslaught—
Something whizzed past him in a gleam of scarlet and gold.
Get back, Lucas!
The tail spike flashed past, slicing clear through the arm reaching for him. The Dire howled, but the spike slashed sideways across his gut, and then up, opening his throat.
Gushing blood, the Dire tumbled back. Heart racing, Lucas retreated up the tunnel with Aria. They paused at the next intersection.
The Dragon shifter glanced up the larger tunnel, and when she saw it was empty, jogged that way.Let’s go, Lucas.
Lucas loped unsteadily alongside her.Do we have a plan?
Ash said you’re the key. And then he said that sometimes the direct approach isn’t the one to take.
Effing hell. Could he be any more mysterious?
Yeah, he’s a bit obscure. I think he meant that we can’t just barge in there and attack Galeran. He’d fry us in an instant.
Lucas’s mind raced.Not to mention battling our way through the Bellatis around him.They’d never fight their way to Galeran. Especially as he wasn’t much of a fighter.
A fighter, no. He was athief. Stealth was his thing.
Sometimes the direct approach wasn’t the one to take.
He flung himself in front of Aria, and only because she was light on her feet did she not crash into him.
Lucas—what?
Rather than answer, he visualized another morph. But this time, his body got part way through, and seized up.
Crap.
What’s wrong?
Lucas gasped as a wave of pain nearly dropped him to his knees.Out of juice.If he couldn’t get back to his own body, this could kill him.
He was saved by a pulse of pure energy. It flooded him, galvanizing the morph. In a few moments, he straightened as the young Bellati, and grew the gray hair over his naked skin.
Thanks for the boost,he sent to Nikolai.
Anytime, bro.He sensed he only had part of the Perditor’s attention.
Aria scanned him from feet to hair, her gaze pausing at significant locations.Well, that’s an idea.Her eyes lit with amber fire.Like the hair. Doesn’t hide much. You’re kinda gorgeous.
He raised a brow, his paler than normal skin flushing.
Her own face matched his as she added,You’re usually irresistible, mind you.
Lucas’s heart leaped around in his chest like a startled deer.I think I fall more into the appealingly cute category myself.
