Free Dragon Blood 5: Mage by Avril Sabine Page A

edge of her bed, lying back, arms outstretched as she closed her eyes. “I didn’t realise how many crazy people are in the world.”
    Kade sat on the bed beside her. “I would have thought you’d have already known that. It’s on your news all the time.”
    “Yeah, but that doesn’t exactly seem real.” She opened her eyes to stare up at him. “Like it all happens in a different world.” Her phone rang and she groaned. “I really don’t feel like talking to anyone.” She glanced at the screen and groaned again. “Especially not Cooper.”
    “Ignore him. Call him back later.”
    She was tempted to, but guessed he’d probably keep ringing if she didn’t answer. “Yeah?”
    “I need you to visit me.”
    “Now? I’ve just got home, Cooper.”
    “You promised you’d visit me whenever I asked you to. I want you to keep the promise you made me.”
    She opened her mouth to argue. She’d never made him that promise. The only one he’d tried to get her to make was one to keep him safe. And she’d never actually made it.
    “Please, Amber. Don’t break your promise to me.”
    There was something in his voice that made her worry for him. Surely he was safe. “Cooper, are you absolutely certain I need to visit right now? Are you sure it can’t wait until tomorrow.”
    “I need you to keep your promise.”
    She nearly swore, but was worried someone else might be listening. Who would be there with Cooper? Tahmid was dead and no one else should know where he was. “Okay, give me ten to get ready. I mean, it’s not an emergency now, is it?”
    There was a pause before Cooper answered. “Everything is the same as it always is. I just need to talk to you. Only you. In private. So don’t bring anyone else. Okay?”
    “Sure, Cooper. I’ll get Kade to drop me in my room and then come back in an hour to pick me up.” Amber rose from the bed, holding the phone with her shoulder as she pulled on her wrist sheaths.
    “Can you make that three hours? I’ve got a lot to talk to you about.”
    “Three.”
    “Yes. Exactly.”
    Was that a message? Were there three people with him or was that how long they’d told him to tell her? “Is Elliot there? Or just you who needs to talk to me.”
    “Elliot’s here too. We both need to talk to you.”
    “Alright. I won’t be too long.”
    “Ten minutes, right?”
    “Yeah, see you then.” She hung up, looking towards Kade who was now armed. She guessed he must have been listening to both sides of the conversation. “We have to save Cooper and Elliot.”
    “I’ll organise Rian and Daray, you call Ronan. I don’t know the paths to the inside of your place. Only outside. He’ll probably be able to get you inside quicker.”
    Amber nodded, dialling his number as she strapped on her sword.
    “You better not be ringing to tell me you need more time.”
    “Cooper and Elliot are in danger.”
    “Wait a minute.” Ronan hung up.
    Amber glared at the phone.
    “Daray and Rian will be here in a minute,” Kade said.
    “Ronan just hung up on me.”
    Before Kade could speak, Ronan stepped out of the Void. “There’s three of them. Wayne, Stanley and another man. In the lounge room. Cooper and Elliot are sitting beside each other on the couch. The men have guns. It was a lot better when Knights used swords.”
    “We have to get them,” Amber said.
    Daray stepped out of the Void with Rian.
    Ronan pointed to Daray. “You will get Cooper.” Then he pointed at Kade. “You get Elliot. Return them here and bring Rian back with you. I’ll take Amber.”
    “They’re expecting me to arrive in my room and for Kade to drop me off and leave straight away,” Amber said.
    “What is going on?” Rian asked.
    “Wayne, Stanley and another man are holding Cooper and Elliot at gunpoint,” Amber said.
    “Wait until Amber opens the bedroom door before you grab the mages,” Ronan said.
    Kade and Daray nodded.
    Amber reached for Kade’s hand, momentarily linking her fingers