Page 28 of Red Fire

I expect it to run for me and to pounce, but it doesn’t. It makes a rumbling noise that is almost soothing. Almost, because how can anything coming from a huge, killer reptile be soothing? It’s freaking impossible. I look into its eyes. They’re a familiar brown.

What?

The bronze dragon also shimmers and then starts to change. I stare in horror as its body contorts and shifts, bones cracking – there is that sound I heard earlier – and rearranging themselves as it transforms into a human shape. Its tail and wings pull back, as do its sharp teeth. There is skin where there were once scales. The once fearsome creature now stands before me as a man who turns his chocolate-brown eyes on me.

It’s Creed.

It can’t be.

What is this? How?

I make a sound of horror. Then I turn and run.

Creed calls my name, but I ignore him. I need to get away. I need to run. I need— He grabs my arm and turns me around.

I can’t believe how quickly he caught up to me. He’s fast…too fast. Strong…too strong. He has excellent healing. His senses are far better. All of the mountain men have great senses. He’s called me a human several times, making it sound like he is not human. That’s because…because…

“You’re not human.” I try to take a step back, but he grips my other arm. He’s gentle but firm; his eyes are pleading. There are blood spatters on his chest and a smear on his cheek.

“I was going to tell you.”

“Tell me what? What the hell are you? You’re not mountain men, are you? You’re not men at all.”

He shakes his head.

How many dragons are there on the island?

As many as there are humans.

Of course there are.

“We’re dragon shifters. We can shift between the two forms at will.”

I shake my head. This can’t be happening. How is it that it keeps getting worse? I know it’s true. I saw it with my own eyes.

They want to mate you, to breed you.

Like animals. They’re animals. Creed is…he’s…

“I’m not going to hurt you. Please, Octavia,” he says in a gentle tone. He’s not gentle. He’s not human. He’s a killer. Moreover, he lied. He lied to me.

“No!” I yell, pulling my arms from his grip. “Leave me alone.” I start running.

“Don’t,” Creed says in a choked voice.

I don’t listen. I keep going. I have no idea where I am headed, only that I need to get away from him…from all of them.

I run blindly through the dense jungle, my heart pounding in my ears. The realization that the man I thought I knew, my rescuer, is actually a dragon shifter sends shivers down my spine. How could I have been so blind to the truth? Especially since it was staring me right in the face this whole time. How could I have been so damned stupid? I read those kinds of romance novels, too. The ones with paranormal elements. I’ve read all about shifters. Never once in my wildest dreams did I think they existed.

Dragon shifters. They’re not men. They’re so much more. It’s so much worse.

Branches whip at my face as I push through the undergrowth, tears blurring my vision. I keep going until strong arms band around my waist, gripping me tight.

I start to scream, but a hand clamps over my mouth.

“You need to stop. You’re sending me into hunt mode. My dragon wants to claim you.”

Claim.