Tropical Dragon Diver (Shifting Sands Resort 5)

Everything was black pain, then Saina was aware that Scarlet had her by the arm, looking her anxiously in the face.

“Bastian,” she choked helplessly. “Bastian, you idiot!”

Chapter 28

Bastian fell, tumbling without purpose.

He was distantly aware of Keylor’s roar of triumph above him as he tumbled through the clouds. He’d failed Saina, lost his bid to free her Voice. There was nothing left.

Bastian, you idiot!

Saina’s voice flared in his mind, sharp and angry.

I had to try, he told her, apologetically.

You have to come back to me, she said fiercely. Now!

Bastian was tired, and fighting with her seemed like more work than twisting, folding his wings against his back and diving into the ocean surface that was rushing up at him. He had, at least, been able to lead their fight out over the water.

As he broke through the waves and was once again cradled in the comfortable saltwater he knew so well, he thought belatedly that he should have brought the fight here, to his own element. Keylor, even with goldshot coursing through his veins, wouldn’t have stood a chance against him here.

Air, Bastian. Go up and breathe now. Saina’s voice in his head was all that could make him move again, and he obediently broke the surface again, pain blossoming in his chest as he drew in a heavy breath. What did he do to you? Bastian couldn’t tell what was her agony and what was his.

Kicked my ass, he said. Sideways. He had to add defensively, But only because he was dosed up on goldshot. Did it sound like an excuse?

I could have told you that he would be, Saina said in exasperation. Bastian, you have got to tell me your stupid plans beforehand so I can talk you out of them.

I will, Bastian said meekly.

Go breathe again, Saina chided him. Bastian hadn’t even realized he’d gone beneath again, half drifting rather than swimming. Swimming hurt.

He broke the surface too close to a ship. He squinted at it in tired confusion. They wouldn’t see him, of course. He was masked in the way that dragons naturally were, and only other mythic shifters would see him in this form.

Slowly, as it bore down on him, he realized it was a container ship, chugging south at a steady clip, faster than he’d be able to swim in his current state. It should pass Shifting Sands in just a day or so. He dove just as it came upon him, and rolled, shuddering at the effort, to come up alongside it, hooking one forearm into the docking clips and letting it drag him forwards.

Clever Bastian, Saina said in his head. I will come meet you.

Am I clever, or an idiot? Bastian found the energy to tease, shifting his grip to ease the pain in his chest. Make up your mind.

You’re both, Saina said. My dear, clever idiot.

Chapter 29

I have to go to him,” Saina told Scarlet, as she realized the red-haired woman was still holding her up with one arm. “He’s hurt, he needs me.”

She could stand again, and Scarlet let go of her carefully.

“Is there anything you need?”

Bastian, Saina thought achingly. I need Bastian. She shook her head to clear it, and Scarlet took it as an answer.

Scarlet sighed. “Our boat has not been replaced or I would offer you the use of it. Our usual alternative would be to have Bastian himself do an airlift, but that is of course not possible. I could check the guest list and see if we have any other dragons at the resort currently who may be able to take you, but I don’t recall any.”

Saina suspected that the offer was only a courtesy, that Scarlet had the list memorized. “I will swim,” she said firmly. “He has caught a ride on a freighter headed this way, so it won’t be long until I can get to him.” She looked down at herself. “I should get the first aid kit.” She would be able to shift anything she was wearing with her, and it might come in handy. She remembered that it was resort property. “Er, may I borrow it?”

“Yes,” Scarlet said promptly. Then she added, “Saina?”

Saina braced herself to meet any argument against her departure.