EPILOGUE
DANTE
I wondered if it was possible to die from nerves.
I had nothing to be anxious about, I told myself for about the hundredth time. The mission had been a rousing success. The vessels had performed flawlessly; in a single night, they had swept through a town, eliminated every target and returned to the rendezvous point exactly as planned. None of the humans living in that place had survived or escaped. The vessels had hit hard and fast, and were able to destroy all targets without alerting a single outside source. A few had sustained minor injuries, and one had been wounded so severely that it had to be put down, but all in all, everything had gone according to plan. Talon couldn’t be more pleased. And I was the junior executive who had made it all happen.
I should be ecstatic.
“Mr. Hill? The Elder Wyrm will see you now.”
I rose, managing to smile and nod at the secretary as I walked toward the pair of colossal wooden doors at the end of the hall. Nothing adorned the wood, no symbols or emblems, though the flat glare of a security camera caught my attention as I approached the huge frame. I had already passed the biggest, scariest security guard I’d ever seen in my life—a Gila who was possibly half a millennium old, judging by the way my instincts shrank back in terror—before coming into the office. He’d scrutinized my badge long enough to memorize every number on it, then reluctantly let me through. Even now, I thought I could feel his cold stare on my back as I walked steadily toward the looming entrance at the end of the corridor.
My hand shook as I reached out and touched the gold door handles, and I took a moment to catch my breath. The Elder Wyrm has called for you, Dante. The leader of Talon, the oldest, most powerful dragon in the world is waiting right behind these doors. Think of what that means.
I couldn’t think of the implications for too long. One, it was terrifying; only a handful of dragons ever saw the Elder Wyrm face-to-face. And two, I was expected. It would not do to be late.
With a deep breath, I turned the handle, pushed back the door and stepped into the office of the Elder Wyrm.
Surprisingly, though it was huge and modern with one entire wall made up of windows that showed off the brilliant blue sky, the office was simple and functional without being overly extravagant. The walls were bare and stark, no pictures, photographs, inspirational quotes or anything. The theme of the room was black, gray and white; the only spot of color a red coffee mug on the corner of the enormous black desk. A black leather chair sat behind that desk with its back to me, the leather so glossy, I could see my distorted reflection in the seat.
Heart pounding, I walked across the room, my shoes making no sound on the gray carpet, until I stood at the edge of the desk, gazing at the back of the huge chair. I thought I could just make out a few silvery strands of hair drifting over the top, when the leather seat abruptly swung around to face me, revealing what was behind it.
My mouth went dry, and I was sure I turned as pale as a sheet, as the massive aura of power hit me like a tidal wave, nearly knocking me down. Draconic instincts shrieked in utter primal terror, telling me to run, that the woman sitting calmly behind the desk could squash me like an insect and not even realize it.
“Hello, Dante,” the Elder Wyrm said in a low, cool voice, regarding me with appraising green eyes. In her human form, she was a striking older woman with bright silver hair cut into a simple, no-nonsense bob. She wore an elegant gray business suit, a thin gold necklace with a tiny emerald at its heart and her perfectly manicured nails were as red as blood. “I’ve been wanting to meet you for quite some time.”
My mind had gone blank. It was all I could do not to flee that tremendous presence, or drop to my knees and press my face to the floor. Fortunately, my training kicked in even when my brain had stupidly frozen. I felt a smile cross my face, and I gave a slight bow.
“It’s a tremendous honor to be here, ma’am. I only hope I don’t disappoint.”