They entered the huge cave from a different exit than the one he'd taken to get in. This one was further up—perhaps half the height of the cave. And it
was a little closer to the tunnel that would lead to the old volcano vent.
Braeden spread his wings and soared into the cave as if he belonged there.
Before, he'd kept a tight hold on the flame that burned brightly in his heart. This time, he drew on the power of the element, using it to surround himself with the lightest of shields. A shield made of pure heat.
Alyx would feel it as a gentle warmth, and it would be useless in a fight. But hopefully, it would divert the attention of everyone who might look up at the wrong moment. If they did, their eyes would be distracted by the hot air surrounding him.
The illusion wouldn't work for more than a few seconds—but that would be enough in a place like this, where a fire dragon soaring through the cave was an everyday occurrence.
Braeden kept his eyes on the exit. As Alyx clung to him, he spread his wings wider, soaring beneath the ball of dragon fire.
No one looked up. There was no shout, no dragon's roar.
Braeden beat his wings once, then angled them slightly. They began to descend.
The exit was very close now. He could already see the two shifters who'd greeted him when he'd first arrived.
They hadn't seen him yet. Instead, they were watching the other side of the tunnel, their long tails moving back and forth.
Good.
If he could surprise them, he might gain the seconds he needed to take them out before they could alarm anyone else...
And then Braeden saw just what had roused their attention.
Another dragon had arrived from the old volcano. And not just any dragon.
Braeden felt his heart painfully contract as he recognized him, the same moment the dragon's aura of flame and smoke alerted him to the danger they were in.
Steele.
Just in time, Braeden managed to beat his wings with enough force to take them high up into the air.
Braeden prayed that if anyone had been watching, they'd see it as a sign of respect for the arrival of their leader.
Hurriedly, his eyes scanned the wall of the cave that rose before him. He couldn't hover in the air indefinitely.
Steele would recognize him the moment he set foot into the cave. Braeden needed to get out of his sight immediately. He needed a hiding place. He needed—
There.
To his right, another opening loomed. It was dark and unguarded, and the air smelled somewhat stale, and like—like soap.
The servants' area, perhaps? In any case, he had no time to be picky.
The tunnels before him smelled abandoned, and that was all he needed to know.
As soon as he'd landed, he shifted back, catching Alyx in his arms and pressing his hand to her mouth before she could cry out.
“Hush. Steele just arrived. You know him?” he asked.
Alyx paled as soon as she heard the name.
“I have no idea where we are,” he whispered, “but we're not far from the exit. We'll hide here for a while until he's gone, and then make our escape.”
“Mmprgh!”