Chapter 22
TWENTY-TWO
Aydan
I land and swiftly shift back. Near me, Granger does the same. We start running for the base together, laughing like idiots. For some reason, play fighting with the beta dragons feels like engaging in tackle football. It’s a blast and really gets my blood pumping. But we’d had enough of that for today, now it’s time to shower and hang out with Sam.
Evander is hanging out by our building with Dr. Duncan, chatting about whatever the hell they talk about. For two such opposite personalities, they get along better than I would’ve ever imagined.
“Hey,” I greet, reaching them before Granger.
“Nice flying,” Evander comments. “Zane says that engaging with the betas is helping them to see us in a new way and that we’ll be creating lasting bonds this way.”
Granger comes up beside me panting. “You’re so damn fast.”
I grin. “Not when it counts.”
Granger shakes his head, laughing.
“Where’s Sam?” I ask.
Evander releases a deep breath. “She’s having coffee with Dahlia.”
We look at him in alarm. What the fuck? That can’t be a good idea.
He lifts a hand. “It’s a two minute flight from here, and I sent Zane with her. He’ll die before he lets anyone hurt her.”
“Still…” I say, hating the way my stomach flips at the thought of her out there with just Zane.
“She’s been satisfied recently, so her scent shouldn’t draw anyone to her, and Malikay and his gang are hours away.” He looks a little tired. “We can’t guard her every second of the day, or she’ll start to resent us. She’ll start to wonder if we’re any better than those jackasses who want to take her prisoner.”
“You’re right.” Granger looks like he’s coming to terms with it himself. “Sam is a wild card. If she doesn’t have some space, she’ll go nuts. This is a safe way for her to have some freedom.”
Evander surprises me by looking at me. “What do you think?”
I hate having to admit it. “I don’t like it.”
Evander nods. “So, maybe the three of us should head into town and just hang around. There’s a little cafe across from the coffee shop…”
I instantly feel better. “Let’s go.”
We head for the parking lot at a brisk pace, nodding at betas along the way. It’s not that I think something bad will, or has, happened to Sam, it’s just that I’ll feel better if we’re closer to her. Especially if we’re keeping an eye on her and she doesn’t know it. Then she’ll get her freedom and stay safe.
Evander’s phone rings. He stops walking, looks at it, and his expression instantly hardens. “Hello?” There’s a long pause. “How long ago?”
My pulse picks up. This is bad, obviously bad, but it doesn’t mean Sam has anything to do with this. It could be something completely unrelated.
Then, why do I feel sick to my stomach?
Clicking off the phone, he looks at us, terror in his eyes. “A dragon took Sam.”