“Show me,” Ignatius said without preamble.
I handed him the phone. Watched his expression darken as he took in the image, the message.
“Fuck,” Max breathed, looking over his shoulder. “When did this happen?”
“Within the last hour.” My voice came out rough. “He was here. He showered after practice. And then he was just... gone.”
“Security footage?” Cole asked.
“I haven’t checked yet. Didn’t want to draw attention.” I looked at Ignatius. “They said no police. No teammates. They’re watching. It’s why I stayed here in case I was followed.”
“Of course they are.” Ignatius handed back my phone, his expression grim. “This is professional. Organized. Which means—”
My phone buzzed again. Another message, this time from a number I recognized with sick certainty.
Odin Clark.
Hello, Theron. I assume you’ve received my associate’s message by now. Your young boyfriend is quite beautiful when he’s unconscious, though I prefer him awake and fighting. More entertaining that way.
My vision went red. I felt my control slipping, felt my dragon pushing forward with murderous intent.
“Theron.” Ignatius’s hand landed on my shoulder, grounding me. “Breathe. We need you in control.”
I forced myself to focus, to read the rest of the message.
I have a proposition for you. You have something I want—a very particular set of skills that could be quite profitable if applied correctly. And I have something you want. I think we can come to an arrangement that benefits us both.
I’ll be in touch with specifics soon. In the meantime, your boyfriend is comfortable and unharmed. Whether he stays that way depends entirely on your cooperation.
Don’t do anything foolish. I’m watching.
I showed the message to Ignatius. Watched his jaw tighten as he read it.
“Dragonsteel,” he said quietly. “That’s what this is about.”
“What’s dragonsteel?” Max asked, looking between us with confusion.
I’d kept this secret for so long. Had hidden what I was, what I could do, from everyone except Ignatius and the few other dragons who needed to know. But standing here with Dante’s life hanging in the balance, I realized I didn’t have that luxury anymore.
“I’m a forge dragon,” I said, and watched as no one looked surprised. “It means I can sense certain metals. Specifically, a rare ore called dragonsteel that’s worth billions to defense contractors and aerospace companies.”
“Even in our world it’s rare and not commonly known of,” Ignatius added.
“And this Odin asshole wants you to find it for him,” Taz said flatly.
“That’s my guess.” I gripped the edge of my desk hard enough that the wood creaked. “He’s human-born but recognized what I was because his grand-sire was a forge dragon. He moved to Denver specifically to get leverage over me. And when hecouldn’t manipulate Dante into—” I stopped, my throat closing around the words.
“Into what?” Max asked.
I looked at Ignatius, who nodded slightly.
“Dante is my mate,” I said quietly. “The bond hasn’t fully formed yet, but it’s there. Has been since he first stepped onto my ice. And Odin figured out the fastest way to control me was through him.”
“Jesus,” Max muttered, running a hand through his hair. “How long have you known?”
“That Dante was my mate? Since we met.” I forced myself to meet his eyes. “Even though I denied it.”
“We already knew,” Cole said quietly, and when I looked at him in surprise, he shrugged. “About you and Dante. The way you look at each other when you think no one’s watching? Pretty obvious to anyone paying attention.”
