Fury of Fire (Dragonfury Series #1)

deep inside him and zeroed in, marking its prey. Bastian fought the instinctive response, tried to shackle the need. The beast overrode reason—rearing, snarling, declaring its intent.
    Bastian closed his eyes and, for the first time in his life, started to pray. He asked for strength and, cursing his nature, dug deep to find his humanity. Myst needed his protection. Deserved lightness and good, not the shadows he’d given her.
    Or the pain he was about to inflict.

    Bastian could go to hell if he thought Rikar would choose a female over him. No way would he let his best friend die. It didn’t matter that neither of them liked the game plan. Or that he felt badly for Myst. Reality was a ball-breaker with a big attitude.
    Bastian needed her. So, yeah. Myst was on the hook.
    Banking like an F-18, Rikar came around the last bend in the river. The tumbling roar of the waterfall met him, spraying a cloud of mist into the night air. Without slowing, he sliced through the cascade into the tunnel beyond. Water wicking from his wing tips, his sonar lit up like the Fourth of July, pinging off the rock face as he navigated the narrow passageway. The LZ lay just ahead. Beyond that? The underground lair…and his friend’s salvation.
    Coming in fast, he drew up short, floated above the landing zone for a second, then touched down softly. His back claws scraped granite, throwing up stone dust. Wick cursed as his bare feet met stone. The male stumbled sideways into the hatchback. Bastian’s legs buckled, sending him to the cavern floor.
    Rikar shifted, moving from dragon to human form. Concern riding him hard, he crouched, coming down beside Bastian. The male groaned and, planting his palms, pushed away from the ground. Careful of his injuries, Rikar slid to his friend’s good side and helped him up.
    Electricity sparked as Venom came through the cavern wall. Ruby eyes aglow, the male swept the scene and, giving the f-bomb a workout, ran toward Wick.
    Rikar slung Bastian’s arm around his shoulders and turned them toward the lair’s entrance. “Where is she?”
    “The clinic.” Wick in his arms, Venom met his gaze over-top of his buddy’s head. “I didn’t warn her.”
    “Don’t…” In obvious pain, Bastian groaned. “Rikar…don’t…”
    “You need her.”
    “I’m too…hungry.” He recoiled, struggling as Rikar half-carried, half-dragged him across the LZ. “Don’t…please. I’ll…kill her…can’t…”
    “I’ll stay with you. If shit gets critical, I’ll pull her free.”
    “Bull…shit. You won’t be able—”
    “Fuck off.” With a snarl, Rikar muscled his best friend through the invisible barrier. Static electricity surged, raising the fine hairs on the back of his neck. Another step and he was through, boots planted on the polished concrete of the interior corridor. Thank God. He was seconds away from getting Bastian what he needed. The clinic was up the hall. Myst was in there, waiting for her male. “I’m not letting you die.”
    Chin to his chest, Bastian shook his head. “Rikar, please. Please.”
    Rikar ignored the begging. In that moment, he didn’t care. He would give his best friend what he needed…risk of a dead female or not.
    The double-wide glass doors to the clinic slid open, and—
    “Oh, my God!” Wide-eyed, Myst sucked in a quick breath seconds before her bare feet took flight. “Rikar, we need to get him into the clinic. I’ve got—”
    “No! Stay away!”
    The desperate denial echoed against concrete, but Myst didn’t slow. Like a female hurricane, she raced down the hallway, her eyes riveted on Bastian. Thank Christ. The faster she got to him, the faster he’d lose the battle and stop fighting. Still, as she came within range, Bastian reared, trying to retreat. Rikar held firm, strong-arming his best friend into the female’s path.
    Her proximity wrecked Bastian.
    Deep-seated instinct surged, shoving B toward his female. With a snarl, he lunged at her. Rikar let him go, watched his friend wrap her up hard. As his broken leg gave out and sent them sideways, Myst gasped. The shocked sound lasted less than a second before Bastian caged her: pressed her back against the wall, put his mouth to her throat, his hands searching beneath her tank top. As skin met skin, she arched and energy surged. Wild heat exploded, knocking Rikar back a step and…
    Jesus Christ. The female, she…she…
    Was bleeding white-hot energy.
    Twisting, she tugged at Bastian, pressed