“The boy has a point, Reign,” Mr. Roth broke in. I wanted to glance at him but didn’t dare take my attention from the Wyrm glaring down at me. “Once we retrieve Ms. Hill and deal with the rogue, the Order will have no reason to stay in Vegas. They will leave, we will return to the organization, and your assistance will be much appreciated once it gets back to the Elder Wyrm.”

“I’m sure it will.” Reign hadn’t looked away from me the entire time. “But let me ask you this, little hatchling. Let us say your sister is truly lost, that she refuses to return to the organization. What then?”

I swallowed, realizing he was testing me, seeing how far I would go. “Everyone has something that they want, sir,” I replied. “Everyone has a price that they are willing to pay. Ember is with the rogue dragon, Cobalt, and even he has weaknesses. If we can find them, exploit them, we’ll have them both.”

Reign blew out a long, rumbling breath, filling the air with the smell of sulfur. “Spoken like a true dragon of Talon. Very well,” he growled, and shifted upright, making my pulse skip at how big he really was. “I have several agents who might be able to track them down. One in particular has been very helpful, keeping eyes on the parts of the city I cannot. I’ll have my people contact him. If the hatchling and the rogue are here, he’ll know where to look.” The tip of his tail thumped the ground, and he blinked slowly. “Will that be sufficient enough for you, Mr. Hill?”

Again, he wasn’t looking at Mr. Roth, but at me. I bowed my head, letting gratitude seep into my voice. “Yes, sir,” I said. “Thank you, sir. Talon will not forget this.”

“I’m sure they won’t.” He shook his massive head. “Though I might have to have a talk with the Elder Wyrm about too-clever hatchlings who overstep their bounds. I assume you have a plan for dealing with this girl and the rogue, once you find them?”

My mind was already spinning. Bring Ember back, and make sure the rogue could never take her away again. That was all that mattered. Talon was watching me; I would not fail them. “Yes,” I answered, setting my jaw. “I do.”

Riley

Riley

Come on, you bastard, I thought, glaring at my phone. You know we’re here. Text me back already.

The device in my hand remained obnoxiously silent. Sighing, I shoved it into my jacket pocket and tried not to pace, feeling time ticking away from me. At least the room was large, airy and luxurious, though a bit on the gaudy side. I could’ve done without the shiny gold curtains and bright purple carpet. And the painting of the barely clad Greek woman lounging by a pool.