Mated to the Griffin (Elemental Mates 5)

All sound died away. She could no longer hear Zane’s wings.

For the first time since she’d been so rudely awakened, she was safe.

Chapter Eight: Jared

Jared was panting. He’d made it just in time.

Several times, he’d thought he’d gotten lost inside the mountain—but just like a compass, there’d always been the sensation of a tiny light pulling his heart forward. Following it had led him straight to his mate. And just in time, too.

If he’d hesitated just a little earlier, he’d be trapped outside with the shadow dragon now.

“You all right?” he asked.

Chiara wasn’t wounded, as far as he could see.

Breathlessly, she nodded. And then she was in his arms, hugging him tightly as if she never wanted to let go again.

“Thank God you’re here!” she gasped. “How did you even find me? I thought I was going to die all alone inside this mountain!”

“I saw them kidnap you. I followed them. Sorry it took me so long.”

“Are you crazy? Don’t apologize!” She laughed as she pulled back, shaking her head. “I can’t believe you did that. I’m so glad you’re here. And I’m so sorry I pulled you into this.”

“I’m here because I want to be,” he said roughly, heat rushing through him at the sensation of her body pressed against his own.

He fought his arousal down. Now really wasn’t the time. First, they’d have to find a way to escape...

“So what do we do now? Try to get through the maze?”

Chiara nodded. “I’ve got the map memorized. And I have absolutely no idea what we’ll find at the end. Hopefully my magic artifact, of course—but maybe also an exit?”

“I’ll get you out of here,” Jared promised. “Don’t worry about that.”

“I’m not going to watch while you fight a dragon and his creepy shadow-eyed lackeys.” Chiara shook her head at him, then grabbed his hand. She tugged at him. “Come on. The sooner we get going, the better. Who knows what those people will get up to. I’m not planning to stick around and find out.”

The crystal was massive—and it seemed reinforced with a strange energy. It shone as if it was filled with light—not reflecting an outside source, but gleaming as if the crystal itself was the source of light.

It was no dragon magic he’d ever seen. Still, there was definitely a very powerful source of energy behind it.

A new elemental dragon. It has to be.

Maybe that was whoever was hiding at the heart of the maze. And since the council of elements had sent him here, Jared assumed that the new dragon would be on their side.

He can deal with the shadow dragon, if he makes it in.

Despite his quest to find out what was behind this new addition to the council of elements, right now there was only one thing on Jared’s mind: to protect Chiara, and get her back out alive.

“Lead the way,” he said, allowing himself to be pulled along.

He tightened his own fingers around Chiara’s hand, the connection filling him with warmth and relief. He wondered if she could feel it too.

Having to explain about the mate bond and that he was a shifter was going to be difficult after everything she’d been through.

But then, once they’d made it to the heart of the maze and she’d found whatever it was she was looking for, she’d realize that she could trust him. And that not all shifters were monsters.

“It’s incredible,” Chiara breathed as they walked along a path surrounded by gleaming crystal.

The walls around them went right up to the ceiling of the giant cave—which meant that the shadow dragon couldn’t fly over the maze.