Destiny Kills

Of course, it was highly possible that the passages outside the well room were monitored—in which case, how far I got would depend greatly on how close the scientists were to leaving, and how closely they were watching the security monitors.

He raised an eyebrow. “So it was an escape route for your ancestors?”

I shrugged. “More a refuge from those who would hunt the so-called Loch Ness Monster.”

“I thought it was scientifically impossible for caves and tunnels to form in the rock around the loch. Isn’t it the wrong sort of stone or something?”

“That I can’t say, not being up on all the geology of the area, but this passage wasn’t made by nature. It was made by my ancestors.”

“Ah.” He studied me for a moment, then asked, “How far down is this passage? And how long is the tunnel?”

“There’s no way you can use the tunnel, Trae. You can’t hold your breath long enough to get anywhere near the passage, let alone through it.”

He looked at me, then, and the bright blue of his eyes had given way to the steel of determination. “You are not going in there alone.”

“We have no choice in this. The passage was designed for sea dragons in human form.”

“Destiny—”

“No,” I said, so forcefully he raised his eyebrows. “I won’t let you risk it, Trae. It’s not worth your life.”

He didn’t say anything for a moment, just bent to pick up a stone and throw it in the loch. It landed in the water hard, throwing up a huge splash. The droplets seemed to hang in the air for a moment, glittering and sparkling in the growing brightness of the day.

“I cannot simply sit here and let you walk into a dangerous situation,” he said, his voice edged with an anger I could feel as much as I could see. “I promised to protect and help you, and I fully intend to keep that promise.”

“But not at the cost of your own life.”

“Nor yours.” He glared at me, determination fierce in his eyes. “There’s no way that, with all the security that’s going to be in and around that place, you’re going to get in and out unseen. No way.”

“If I can get in unseen, then I can get out the same way. We have no other choice.”

“There’s always more than one choice. Besides, I’m a very good thief, and I know more than a little about getting through high security.”

I hugged my arms around my chest. “Trae—”

“No. Either I help you, or I’ll stop you.” There was a finality in his voice that brooked no argument. “Besides, there’s one thing you seem to have forgotten.”

I frowned. “What?”

“The kids. If I can’t swim in or out that tunnel, then they’re sure as hell not going to be able to.”

God, he was right. I was an idiot. I sat down on a nearby rock and rested my head in my hands. “Then how are we going to get them out?”

“Easy. I create a diversion while you go in and free the kids and your mom.”

“That still leaves the problem of getting them out of the compound.”

His gaze ran across the water and studied the trees on the opposite shore. “How old are the kids again?”

“The oldest is fifteen, the youngest is seven.”

“So most of them should be able to shift shape and fly?”

I nodded. “All the boys can. Carli can shift, but she can’t hold shape very long. They took her too young and she just hasn’t had the practice.”

“But the others should at least be able to fly across the lake?”

I nodded, and studied him for a moment, watching the glint of sunshine run through the stubble lining his cheeks. Watching his blue eyes glitter and burn. “You have an idea?”

He nodded. “The best way to ensure they don’t notice you sneaking in is to give them something else to worry about.”

“But that could be dangerous. They know how to capture dragons, remember.”

“Not this dragon. Besides, I thrive on danger.” His words were gently mocking, but there was nothing mocking about the caring or determination in his eyes.

“But your skills are sunshine-linked. Our best chance of getting the kids and Mom out unseen is at night.”

“I agree, and yes, my flames are sunshine-linked. But there are other ways to light fires. Hell, matches have been around for ages.”

Matches meant getting a whole lot closer, though, and that was dangerous. But the resolve so evident in his eyes said there was no swaying him. “What about the kids, then?”

“Is there a way up onto the roof?”

I nodded. “There’s an old set of stairs near the cells, actually. I think the scientists have them locked off, but we could break the locks easily enough.”

“Good. Get the kids out first, and send them up the stairs. Twenty minutes after I start the diversion, I’ll make my way up there. I can carry little Carli, and the boys can fly after me.”

“Where to, though? It won’t be safe to bring them back here—they know the little ones can’t fly far, and will search through the closer villages.”

“The scientists are going to be too busy saving their asses and their work to immediately worry about finding the kids or you.”

I gave him a twisted smile. “The scientists never do what you expect them to—and they have a habit of anticipating my moves.”

“Then we book a cottage across the other side of the loch, somewhere that won’t strain the capabilities of young dragons who haven’t flown much.”

“That’ll work.” I studied him for a moment, then added, “Once the kids are safe, I can get Mom out through the well.”

He nodded. “It’s a good plan. Trust me.”

“I do trust you. I just don’t trust the scientists.”

He squatted down beside me, and touched a hand to my cheek. His soft caress sent a shiver of delight through every part of me. “Don’t forget that, no matter what, you can protect yourself. The loch is nearby—use the power of it if you need to.”

“I will.” But if one of the scientists had a gun, then the loch wouldn’t be of much use. I sighed and pushed the thought away. What was the point of dwelling on such things? There was enough fear churning my stomach already. “We should go back and eat breakfast.”

“The second best suggestion I’ve heard for while,” he said with a smile. He rose to his feet and offered me a hand up.

I let him tug me to my feet, then, hand in hand, we left the shoreline and walked up the hill, waiting until several trucks rolled past before crossing the road and making our way back to the pretty little cottage.

Breakfast was waiting in a hamper near the door. Trae scooped it up, then lifted the tea towel covering the top and sniffed deep. “Ah, lovely.” He tugged the towel completely off. “There’s fresh breads, homemade jams, and something that looks suspiciously like lumpy paste, but it’s hot.”

I laughed as I opened the door. “That’s probably going to be porridge. A favorite around these parts, according to my dad, who hated the stuff.”

“It’s not something my clique ever thought about eating, I can tell you.”

“It’s apparently good for keeping the belly warm.” I opened the door and ushered him inside. “You want a coffee?”

“Yep. It may be the only thing that washes down the paste.”

“You eat it with milk and sugar, dope.”

I made the coffee, then brought the two mugs over to the small table. We ate breakfast in comfortable