Inferno (Talon #5)(50)
“Roger that.” A moment’s pause, and then: “Good luck, Cobalt.”
“You, too.”
I looked back. The red dragon was still standing in the middle of the habitat, listening to the sounds of rising conflict, wings half-flared and trembling. “Scarlett!” I snapped, making her jump. “You can’t freeze up on me now,” I said. “I need your help to gather the rest of the dragonells. My team is out there, launching a distraction so we can get the hell out, but if everyone here panics, we’re all going to die. We need to let the others know what’s happening. Are you with me?”
She blinked, and a steely look crossed her reptilian face. “I’m with you,” she growled, and strode forward, toward the large iron doors at the front of the cell. I had to scramble out of the way as the large Adult dragon barreled past me and struck the double gates with the force of an oncoming semi. There was a crash that sounded like two vehicles colliding, and the doors flew open with a bang.
“Shit!”
A shot rang out from the room beyond, sparking off the metal frame, and Scarlett hissed with fury. Sprinting out behind her, I raised my gun and fired several shots at the guard overhead on the walkway who was aiming his very large rifle at the dragon who had come bursting out of her cell. At the same time, a gout of flame hissed through the air as Scarlett spat fire at the guard, and he tumbled from the railing like a burning torch.
I looked around. Dragons were emerging from cells around the room, confused and bewildered and much smaller than Scarlett. A yellow-green hatchling with brown stripes down her neck and back spotted me and gave a hiss of alarm, baring her fangs.
“Intruder!” she snarled, and crouched down as if unsure whether to flee or fight. “You don’t work here. Did you kill Dr. Miles? Who are you?”
Her outburst attracted the attention of the three other dragonells—two Juveniles and another hatchling—who stared at me with wary eyes. But before I could say anything, a shadow fell over us as Scarlett marched forward, raising her head to glare down at them all.
“His name is Cobalt,” she said without preamble. “We can trust him. He’s here to get us out.”
“Out?” The yellow-green hatchling blinked at the Adult in disbelief. “What do you mean, out?”
“I mean I’m here to get you off the island,” I broke in. “What you’re hearing outside…that’s my team launching a distraction so the rest of us can escape. I have a container ship waiting just off the northern beach. It’s a bit of a swim, but once we get there, you’ll be free. You can leave Talon and this hellhole and never look back.”
“All of us?” one of the Juveniles asked. “What about everyone in the building next door?”
“They’re being taken care of. I have people moving them out as we speak.” I pointed back toward the entrance. “We go out the front, meet the rest of them on the other side of the wall and leave while the guards are dealing with the other team.”
“What if we’re shot at?”
“We’ll protect you.” I gazed around at them, seeing fear, uncertainty and a very cautious hope. “It’ll be risky, but this is the best way to get you all out. If someone does try to stop us, fight back however you can. Don’t let them capture you—I’m not leaving anyone behind.”
“We could be killed!”
Above me, Scarlett snarled, her booming voice making the rest of them jump. “What would you rather do?” she demanded. “Stay here, in this prison, for the rest of your lives? Give up your choice, your free will and your bodies to Talon, so the organization can raise more dragons that think like them? Do you want your offspring to go through that? And, if they don’t meet Talon’s requirements, end up here?”
The hatchling cringed, and one of the Juveniles shook her head. “No,” she growled. “Fuck that. I’m done with this place. I’d rather die trying to escape than live here another day. Let’s get out of here.”
Relieved, I nodded. “Okay, then. Follow me.”
As we hurried to the large double doors of the front entrance, an explosion echoed from somewhere outside, flaring through the windows. Hoping that these doors were unlocked, as well, I put my shoulder against the iron surface and shoved it as hard as I could. The heavy steel door groaned as it swung back, opening onto a war zone.
Oh, boy.
I could see the battle in the distance, the flare of dragonfire and gunshots lighting up the darkness. The yard, except for the roving spotlights, was eerily vacant, though it was obvious where all the guards were. Shouts and screams rose into the air over the howl of gunfire, and the unmistakable roar of an Adult dragon made me shiver.
“Director Vance,” Scarlett growled behind me. “He’s a real bastard. I hope your people came prepared.”
“Don’t worry about them. They can handle it.” I hope. An explosion pulsed through the air, followed by an enraged snarl, and I winced. Ember, St. George, be careful. Don’t either of you get yourselves killed.
Directly ahead of us, the gates to the yard hung open, a pair of dead or unconscious guards lying between the posts. “Mist?” I growled into the com. “Status report. Where are you?”
“We just made it over the wall” was the reply. “There are twenty-four confirmed breeders, about two-thirds of them hatchlings. They’ve been given regular doses of Dractylpromazine, so they won’t be able to Shift for several hours. The soldiers had to kill two guards on our way out, and one breeder was injured when a bullet grazed her arm, but otherwise everyone is fine.”