Raising my head, I met the other dragon’s smug grin with one of my own. “You’re making the same mistake she did,” I told her, making her blink. “She thought I was beaten, too. Overconfidence must run in the family.” Faith’s smile faded, and I bared my fangs defiantly. “Talon’s best Viper did her best to drag me back to the organization, and I’m still here. What makes you think her slimy little apprentice will do any better?”

Faith slitted her eyes. “You know what?” she said, gliding closer, her body nearly invisible in the shadows. “I think I’m done playing with you. It was fun, seeing you and the soldier stumble about, completely oblivious. It was highly amusing, watching the pair of you dance around each other like skittish goats.” Her muzzle curled back, showing rows of needle-sharp teeth. “But you crossed the line. You have feelings for that human, that soldier of St. George, and that’s something no true dragon would ever allow.” She sank into a crouch, her lean body coiled like a snake, ready to strike. “You’re a disgrace to Talon,” Faith spat, lashing her tail. “An embarrassment to us all. And I think Lilith would congratulate me for getting rid of you!”

She lunged, a streak of darkness over the cement. I snarled and leaped forward to meet her, lashing out with my claws as she got close. Like quicksilver, she sidled away, leaving a stinging gash along my neck as she did. I turned, lowered my head and plowed forward, pursuing her across the floor. She dodged and twisted away, slashing me with her talons, trying to fall back. I took the blows, gritting my teeth with every gash and cut ripped across my scales, and slammed into her like a bull.

My horns struck her chest, bowling her over with a startled gasp. She hit the floor on her back and instantly kicked out with her back legs, catching me in the stomach and ribs with her back claws as I pounced, tearing me open. I ignored the pain and went for her throat. Snarling, we rolled across the floor, tails and wings lashing, trying to pin the other down.

Shrieking with fury, we rolled into a pair of steel drums in the corner, tipping them over with a crash. Liquid spilled everywhere, sharp and acrid, stinging my nose and burning my eyes. I was instantly drenched, choking on the fumes that rose around us, but I couldn’t take my eyes off the Viper beneath me. As the drums clanged to the concrete, there was a split-second hiss…