“I have nothing, exactly, just a feeling.”  That one of the group could be seriously hurt.“I only ask that you promise me that you will be careful.”  Because you think you are invincible.“Just promise me you will stay alert and not doing anything stupid.”  Although you probably will, and I can’t stand the blood to be on my hands.

“Eryck, stop this horseshit.  We will all be fine.  I will be fine.”

As Erulf starting walking away, Eryck felt a shiver race down his spine.  “I hope you are right, little brother, I sure as hell hope you are right.”

Moving back into the pathway to catch up with Erulf, a slender hand grasped Eryck’s arm, tugging him back into the shade.  Opening his eyes wide, he looked over the woman’s curly blonde wig and skin-tight neon green dress before the vision hit him with such force that he fell flat on his back, gripped by the images of shimmering scales and bursts of fire surrounding Karli flooding into his head.

****

Karli walked sluggishly into the Operations office, moving to her desk.  Grasping a radio in hand, she looked it over as if it were a foreign object versus a device she had used for many years.  She felt odd when it wasn’t strapped on her belt and into her ear.  If all went as she hoped tonight, it would be the last time she would ever use it.  Running her hand over the hard plastic casing, she didn’t want to affix the thing to her hip, but knew she would have to go through the motions tonight if she had any chance at finding Rayne and Ryden.

Clipping the set to her belt, she started affixing her mic when David ducked his head into her office.  “Afternoon, Karli.  How are…wow, you don’t look so good.  Do we need to call Med Services over here to take a look at you?”

Karli did not want to waste any time getting out into the park, so she pushed past David, working her way to the door.  “I’m just a little tired.  But tonight is our last night for the season, and I can get some rest tomorrow.”

“I can’t have my star employee feeling off on the biggest night of our season.  I insist you see Med Services before you head out.  In fact, I will walk you over myself.”

Karli looked at the door, just feet in front of her.  She suppressed the need to race to the door and rush out into the park, considering that if she didn’t find Rayne and Ryden, she would be stuck here until she decided her next move.

Or would she?  Could she stand to continue to walk the paths of this park if they had abandoned her?  Could she look into the eyes of the wolves in the Zoo and not see their silver eyes piercing into her?  No, either way, tonight was her last in the park.  She would leave here a Berserker’s mate, or she would find a new path.  Karli knew that her eyes were open to new worlds, and she could stay here in this old one.

So did it really matter if she checked in with Med Services?  Looking into David’s face, she saw he was in one of his persistent moods, and she didn’t feel like fighting the man on this one. Karli rolled her eyes and led the way to Med Services.

****

Ryden stepped to the edge of the tree-line, glancing in either direction to ensure that the extra security was no where in sight.  He didn’t need the rent-a-cops getting uptight over them moving into the area.  Seeing that the coast was clear, he signaled to Joran and Rayne to move in.  They rounded the trees and ducked around one of the outbuildings closest to one of the haunted houses, peeking out into the Scream Town crowd.

Sniffing, he could not find a trace of Karli’s scent.  She should have been through this area already, leaving a hint of herself behind.  A shudder went up his spine as an instant touch of fear for her safety took over.  Looking over at Rayne, he saw anger reflected back as his twin turned to sniff the air himself, his eyes lowering when he found none.

Fear embraced Ryden for the first time since laying eyes on the woman.  He had always been in control, always been the master strategist, and the wards had not been broken; there were no Swartska in the area.  But he innately knew she was in danger.  As did Rayne, and if she was hurt, he stood the chance of Rayne pulling her from him, to guard her with his life alone.

A flapping sounded above the space, and grew louder.  Ryden looked into the darkened skies, trying to figure out what the noise was.  It sounded so familiar, but he could not place it.  As he stared off into the atmosphere, Eryck and Erulf came running towards them.

“Dragon!  Ryden, I had a vision of a dragon.  And it had…”

“Karli.”  Ryden felt his insides grow cold as the dragon flew into the space above the crowds of people.  Screams filtered through his ears as he felt people pushing to get away from the space, their fear a palpable thing.  Looking into the beast’s left claw, there was Karli, struggling to release herself from its grasp, clawing at the long tendrils that enclosed her within its palm.

Lowering into the emptied space, the red scaled creature flexed its wings, spreading them to their full fifty foot length, creating a demi dome above the field.  Its talons formed a jail of some sort around Karli, the glistening black claws spread and slightly dug into the ground making bars, spread just far enough for the Berserkers to see her, and hear her cries for help.

Ryden stepped forward, raising his hands to the beast, trying to capture its eye.  The last dragon he had seen had to be at least eight hundred years before, and he had assumed like most, that the animals were extinct.  Deadly, the creature was beautiful in its terror, glistening scales iridescent in the soft light of the field, teeth as long as a man’s arm, mouth wide enough to swallow a man whole.

Fire blasted out of the beast’s gaping maw, just missing the structures surrounding them, and Ryden cursed.  A dragon was bad enough, but a fire breathing one was worse.  Looking behind him, he saw Rayne to his left, and both Eryck and Erulf to his right.  Joran was nowhere to be seen.  Further behind his brethren, he saw the crowds of humans, all circling the space, wide eyes seeking the disaster they were all sure they would be a witness to.

Stepping in front of the beast, he bowed.  “Great dragon, you honor us with your presence.”

Furls of smoke sprung from the beast’s nose, and he lowered his head toward Ryden, looking directly into his eyes.  Ryden was not sure how to proceed.  The last time he had slayed a dragon, it had been with a great sword in his right hand and a battle axe in the left.  The small caliber weapon he had at his back would doubtfully do much damage before the beast attacked them all, the armor of the dragon’s scaly plates too strong for his Sig Sauer’s bullets to pierce.  And last time, he also did not have to worry about protecting a woman in the animal’s grip.

Seeking her eyes, his gaze left the dragon’s for one moment.  Ryden captured Karli’s eyes, which went black as her pupils fully dilated.  He was hit by her scent as well.  She was fully in heat, and if he wasn’t able to rescue her soon, she would fight the beast herself to get to Ryden and Rayne.

Ryden heard Rayne’s deep growl as he spotted her scent as well, and hoped that Rayne could hold himself in check in the precarious situation.  Karli’s fingers wrapped around either side of one of the gigantic claws, and he saw her claws extend slightly.  Although she was human, on the Nave, she would find her inner beast.

“Ryden, over here.”  Ryden turned towards the shout.  Joran stood across the opening, several swords in hand ready to arm them all.  He loved that man more in that moment than he ever had.

He eyed the dragon once more.  Ryden would keep the animal distracted until Karli reached the critical state and attacked, giving them the diversion they needed.  And then the men could go on the offensive.  He hoped Rayne realized the plan, and restrain his protective instincts, keeping them all from being killed.