The Dragon's Mate

Chapter 52

Taking her by the upper arm, Hunter drags Emerald through Cole's lair coming to the mouth of the cave-like entrance as Hunter says, "out of my way, I am taking this whore for a ride". The two guard were suspicious saying, "you told us the prisoner was not to leave... you said that you were just using her to lure the Dragon King". Hunter says, "I have changed my mind, I will take her to the Dragon King and flay her alive in front of him". The guard says, "you don't sound like yourself, sir". The other guard says, "and what of this girl? she's not the same as she was before, not nearly as afraid". Emerald thinks, 'it's not working, something's off'. Emerald decides to help Hunter as she bites down and tries to run as the guard says, "oh, no you don't!". The guard soon catches Emerald by her waist as she says, "No! let me go! I will kill you!". Hunter says, "it's you who will be killed if you don't shut the fuck up!". Hunter says, "see what I have to deal with? Now, stand aside before I lose my patience". The guards says, "yes, sir". With a victorious smirk, Hunter drags Emerald towards the door, he swings it open, and they both walk through with Emerald noticing they are back to the prison cell but this time she is not alone. Hunter says, "what? how?".

Cole comes saying, "that was a spectacular performance, really... I had to pull out one of my more difficult spells to keep you trapped". Hunter says, "you wanted to bait me, well I am here, brother.... let Emerald go". Emerald says, "no, I won't leave you!". Cole says, "neither of you will be leaving, not when I have my brother and a perfect torture device for him at my fingertips". Emerald worries thinking, 'does he mean....me?'. Hunter says, "you think I care about her? I don't". Cole says, "come now, don't insult me with such a blatant lie, I know she's your weak spot, your missing scale". Emerald was shocked and confused wondering, 'missing scale?'. Hunter's jaw clenches as he remains silent whilst Cole answers with inhuman agility clutching Emerald by the throat and hurtling her into the far wall with all his might. Hunter flinches when her body crushes against the stone as Emerald coughs and shakes from the impact. Cole asks, "you still insist this slave means nothing to you. brother?". Emerald says, "I am just his plaything, I feel more for him than he does about me". Hunter says, "Emerald...", her words catch Hunter off-guard as he stares at her in awe as she says, "this is the truth, I may care for him, but he sees me only as his whore". Cole says, "is that so?". Hunter replies, "it is true, she is just my fuck toy and nothing more". Cole says, "then I guess you won't miss her". Hunter says, "what?". Cole transforms into his Dragon as Hunter says, "Emerald!!! NO!!". Emerald barely gets out as Cole releases a barrage of scalding, lethal flames at her. Hunter calls out, "EMERALD!!!". She feels the unending despair in Hunter's soul as immense pressure and heat bombarded her but one thing that she doesn't feel is her body burning as when the flames and smoke clear- Cole changes back saying, "no.... it's not possible...". Emerald rises from the ashes, naked before the twin Dragon Kings, unburnt. Hunter says, "Emerald...".Cole asks, "what is this? some kind of fucking trick?!".Emerald replies, "it's a.... miracle". Hunter says, "it is, a miracle". He grabs a tattered blanket and wraps it around Emerald to cover her as she smiles at him. 

Cole says, "a miracle, huh?". Cole's grimace slowly melts into a sinister smile, he comes closer and grabs her by the arm asking, "is that what you'd call this?". Emerald sees the bandage has been burned away to reveal her Dragon's mark as she says, "oh no! this is nothing just ash from your fire". Cole says, "ash that glows? And protects you from fire that should have melted the flesh from your bones? No, I know exactly what this is, and exactly who gave it to you". Blood pounds in Emerald's ears as Cole turns to face Hunter, sadistic pleasure plain on his face. Cole says, "to think, brother, the answer to your downfall was her and the whole time, right in front of me." He squeezes Emerald's arm tighter, pulling her to him as he sniffs her neck, Hunter says, "get away from her!." Hunter's eyes blaze a furious purple as he lunges for Cole, tackling him to the ground however Cole is strong, but Hunter is stronger, he punches his twin brother repeatedly and again. Emerald grabs one of Cole's sharp torture devices and stabs him deep in the back of the knee. Cole cries out, "AGHHH!!." Cole goes rigid on the floor, giving them a second to escape as Hunter grabs Emerald's hand saying, "Run, Now!." Emerald sprints from the cell, Hunter's firm grip like a beacon in the dark. Cole yells, "GET THEM!!!."