Fifth was in shock. Everything happened so fast, and she was struggling to process it all. One minute, Betty was about to saw her arm off; the next, men had barged in and saved her. She didn't recognize them or their clothes. The leader was a tall, tan-skinned man with blue eyes and a bulky frame. She could see the play of his muscles underneath his armor. And his scent was driving her crazy.
It reminded her of the food called chocolate that Doctor Shou let her have as a child. It was so sweet, the flavor bursting in her mouth, making her cry at how good it tasted. Her rescuer's scent and his concerned aura cemented her resolve to trust this man. He, at least, didn't seem to want to hurt her. How long would that last, she didn't know. She would take whatever she could get.
Her ears picked up the sounds of numerous people somewhere ahead of them. The man still held her hand in a gentle grip. She slowed her pace, reluctance rising at having to face a crowd of people. She could hear Doctor Shou's heartbeat and the male interns' as well. The interns' hearts were racing. Doctor Shou's was calm, beating at its usual pace. What did that mean? Was she not afraid of these men?
Wait? What if this was some trap that Doctor Shou had devised to test Fifth? Did that mean she had failed it by not resisting this mystery man? The idea terrified her, bile rising in her throat at her roiling thoughts. She hyperventilated, her vision narrowing, and she came to a halt. Her hand slid from her rescuer's, and Fifth, with a frightened moan, sank to her knees. She couldn't breathe; her frightened wheezing filled the air.
Her nightmarish life wasn't over. It was becoming worse. Doctor Shou would make her bleed for sure for failing this test of her loyalty.
"Hey, little one. Are you alright?"
Her rescuer's voice sounded far away and distorted to her ears. Her vision warped, the darkness of looming unconsciousness pulling her down. Fifth considered fighting it, but then gave in to the urge and fainted from the stress.
Alistair led the unresisting girl toward his waiting knights. They were nearly there when Melchor yelled his name.
{Al, there's something wrong with our girl!}
Our girl? Did his dragon really just lay claim to the female they had rescued? What in the ever-loving universe was up with his dragon?
{Focus, Al!} snapped Melchor.
Alistair was distracted from his raging dragon by the loss of the girl's hand in his. He turned to look at her and stopped, eyes wide. She was down on her knees, hyperventilating, and her heart was racing entirely too fast.
~Your Highness, is something wrong? Why did you stop?~ asked Enriq. He was ahead with the rest of the knights.
~Yes. Don't worry, I'll deal with it. Just give me a couple of minutes and I'll rejoin everyone outside the bunker.~
~You sure?~
~Yes, Enriq. Let Brayden know. Gotta go. I have a scared girl to help.~
The wheezing of her breath was loud in the sudden silence of the corridor. He reached out a hand to her and spoke softly, not wanting to startle her and cause even more fear.
"Hey, little one. Are you alright?"
{She can't hear you, Al. Fear is clouding her mind. Can't you smell it?}
Alistair nodded. He had caught the scent of fear, no terror, emanating from the girl. He couldn't figure out what had prompted such a reaction. They were the only ones in the corridor. Before he could work out what was going on, the girl whimpered and fell forward.
He had to dive to catch her. He caught her and scooped her up in his arms. He cradled her to his chest as Melchor made him croon soothingly to the unconscious girl. Astounded, Alistair let his dragon do what he wanted. Dragons only crooned to three specific types of people: family, close friends, and their mates.
This girl wasn't family or a close friend. Mate? Impossible! Dragons didn't have human mates. The whole idea was ludicrous. Humans lived short lives compared to dragons. There was no way she was his mate.
"It can't be true, can it?" he murmured, his eyes traveling over the unconscious girl's face and body. "No, not possible."
He dismissed the notion and ignored Melchor's disapproving growl. He was taking himself and the girl to the royal healers once they got back. They both needed to be looked over. He arrived at the entrance of the bunker and stepped outside. He saw the four bound humans. He grinned at the scowling, petite black-haired woman. He smirked when her scowl changed to one of anger when she saw the girl in his arms.
~Your Highness, who is that?~ asked Brayden from his position next to their captives.
~A mystery I intend to solve. Now, what have you learned from our captives?~
~Nothing. They are a tight-lipped bunch. I'm sure our interrogator will change that.~
~Good. Let's head back. The girl needs medical attention.~
"Let's move out!" barked Brayden.
As one, the knights shifted to their dragon forms in a flash of light. Ignoring the frightened screams of the humans, the knights grabbed the humans with their hind legs and launched into the air.
"Do you want me to hold her while you shift, Your Highness?"
"No!" Alistair growled ferociously, causing Brayden to raise an eyebrow.
{What the hell, Melchor! Why are you acting like that to Brayden? He didn't do anything wrong.}
{He will not touch what is ours. No male shall,} Melchor snarled.
Alistair sighed. "Sorry, Melchor is being unruly. I got this. I'll join everyone in a minute."
Brayden shrugged, changed, and took to the air. Alistair sighed again over his dragon's unreasonableness and gently laid the girl on the warm sand. He swiftly shifted, carefully picking her up with his claws. He was airborne with a little magical assist without blowing sand on his precious cargo.
He bulged, and as one, the brigade flew back home. Alistair's thoughts were in turmoil. Just what had he gotten himself into? Only time would tell if this raid was a good or bad thing for him and the kingdom.