“Quiet.” Scarlet pointed at Candy, who paled. “Your fate is sealed. There is no point in arguing. It’s done.” She shook her head. “I can’t believe my king has brought you here. Small, frail humans. I doubt you will survive the mating let alone the pregnancy. It’s crazy they would attempt this.”

“Stop it.” Julie’s voice quivered this time. “We have rights. It’s not—”

“I told you,” Scarlet spat. “You are on dragon territory. I would suggest that you run, that you fight and that you pray. Our males are big and strong, if they try and rut you, you will be torn apart.”

Ash stepped forward. “You are scaring them. What you are saying is not entirely true. There are—”

“Are our males not big? Much bigger than human males?” She put emphasis on the word much.

Ash was silent for a time. “Yes, but—”

“But nothing.” Scarlet cut the other woman off. “It is time for the hunt to begin.”

“No!” Jo shrieked. The woman was completely terrified. Julie couldn’t blame her. It was how she felt inside. Julie had learned long ago that it didn’t help to panic or to scream and beg. She would bide her time and find a way out, hopefully for all of them.

“Don’t come near me.” Candy tried to act brave. “I’m not going anywhere with you.”

Lisa folded her arms. “My lawyer will—”

Scarlet slapped Lisa a second time, this time on the other cheek. “I will hurt you, all of you. I hate humans. You can choose which you would prefer. I will kill you quickly, I’d snap your neck like a thin twig. Or you can face our males who will hurt you a whole hell of a lot before you finally—”

“Scarlet.” The other dragon shifter looked really uncomfortable. “You need to stop toying with the humans. She won’t kill you. Our males are really big and strong but—”

“But nothing,” Scarlet interrupted. “You don’t have a choice. I would recommend that you head for the waterfall. Find the river and follow it. The males will have a hard time picking up your scent. It is your only hope for escape. Be very quiet. Our hearing is extremely good. Cover yourselves with mud to try and mask your scent. We see well at night. You never know… if you are quick, quiet and careful, you might just get away. I hate humans. I want nothing more than for all of you to be gone.” She shrugged. It seemed like the female was helping them. “This is your only hope for escape. Our males won’t expect it.”

Even though her words made sense, she clearly did not like any of them. Maybe it was all a trap.

“You would like nothing better than for the humans to escape.” Ash shook her head. “I’m sorry this happened, Scarlet, but you need to let it go.”