“Where’s Dante?” I snarled, my voice echoing through the warehouse. “I don’t believe he set this up, he wouldn’t do that do me. You’re lying.”

Another soft laugh. “I suppose the hatchling in the meeting with Mr. Roth—the one who looked just like you—was just there to discuss politics,” the voice said, finally resolving itself in a direction, directly in front of me. “Of course, you could always ask him yourself. If you survive tonight!”

I spun around with fangs and claws bared to face the dragon charging in from behind. With a triumphant snarl, I lunged, thinking I had her. Quick as a snake, she changed direction, leaped over my head and soared up to land on the container aisle behind me.

Dammit, she’s fast. Hold still already.

Growling, I sprang after her, using a shove from my wings to launch myself off the ground. This time, the other dragon didn’t run away but smiled as I landed on the edge of the container. Somewhere in the labyrinth, a flurry of gunshots rang off the rafters; Garret and the remaining Talon agents still going at it. I hoped he was okay, but I couldn’t help him now.

“No more games,” I said, glaring at Faith, who watched me with her tail curled around herself, that insufferably smug grin still plastered across her muzzle. She was faster than me, and she knew it, but I wasn’t going to let her get the upper hand. “That’s twice now that someone has mentioned the Elder Wyrm,” I went on. “What does the CEO of Talon, the most powerful dragon in existence, want with us? And how does Dante fit into all of this?”

Faith sneered. “You think they’d tell me? If you’re so very curious, go back to Talon and ask him yourself. Or better yet, I can call him right now and ask him.” She jerked her slender muzzle at the ground, smiling. “I left my phone right over there when I changed. There’s only one number on it. Call him yourself and see what your precious twin has been doing.”

Without thinking, I glanced in the direction she pointed.

And Faith lunged.

I jerked up, realizing what she was doing at the last second, and the other dragon slammed into me, knocking me off the edge. I tumbled to the floor, hitting the cement on my side, the impact driving the breath from me. Gasping, I struggled upright as Faith hit the ground a few yards away, landing as lightly as a cat. Her grin was cruel as she turned to face me, lashing a slinky tail against her flanks.

“You wanted me out in the open, Viper,” she taunted, as I growled and staggered forward, trying to ignore the dull ache in my side. “You wanted to face me one-on-one. Well, here I am. Are you ready?” She gave a weird little sidestep, her lithe body rippling like ink across the cement. “Here I come.”

And she surged forward, a dark blur over the floor. I barely had time to register she had moved when something hit my shoulder and sent a flare of pain up my leg. I snarled and lashed out with my claws, but Faith was already gone, skipping back out of reach, then darting in again. I managed to dodge the blow to my neck, feeling the tips of her claws rake along my scales, and sprang forward to sink my fangs into her throat. She sidled away, quick as a shadow, and slashed me across the face, rocking my head to the side. I stumbled, disoriented, felt something hook my front leg and yank it sideways. I lost my footing and crashed to the floor again, a breathless grunt escaping me as my chin struck the unforgiving concrete.

Ow. Crap, I’m getting my ass kicked here. Panting, I clawed myself upright, searching for the other dragon. She stood a few yards away, watching me with that amused smile across her narrow face, making my temper spike. She was toying with me, just like Lilith had.

“What’s the matter, Ember?” Faith asked, cocking her head like a curious dog. “I thought this was what you wanted. Are you saying you expected to be able to take on a Viper without finishing your training? If you had only stayed with Lilith, you might actually have had a chance.” She shook her head, narrowing her yellow eyes at me. “Are you ready to stop this, kill the soldier and return to Talon? Or am I going to have to tear you apart bit by bit?”

Dammit, she’s so fast. How do I counter it? Angrily, I thought back to the fight with Lilith, trying to think of anything that I could use. She’s quick, but she’s relying on speed to keep her out of danger. If I could get close, I might have a shot. I took a deep breath, bracing myself. Okay, then. Let’s do it. This is gonna hurt.

Raising my head, I met the other dragon’s smug grin with one of my own. “You’re making the same mistake she did,” I told her, making her blink. “She thought I was beaten, too. Overconfidence must run in the family.” Faith’s smile faded, and I bared my fangs defiantly. “Talon’s best Viper did her best to drag me back to the organization, and I’m still here. What makes you think her slimy little apprentice will do any better?”

Faith slitted her eyes. “You know what?” she said, gliding closer, her body nearly invisible in the shadows. “I think I’m done playing with you. It was fun, seeing you and the soldier stumble about, completely oblivious. It was highly amusing, watching the pair of you dance around each other like skittish goats.” Her muzzle curled back, showing rows of needle-sharp teeth. “But you crossed the line. You have feelings for that human, that soldier of St. George, and that’s something no true dragon would ever allow.” She sank into a crouch, her lean body coiled like a snake, ready to strike. “You’re a disgrace to Talon,” Faith spat, lashing her tail. “An embarrassment to us all. And I think Lilith would congratulate me for getting rid of you!”

She lunged, a streak of darkness over the cement. I snarled and leaped forward to meet her, lashing out with my claws as she got close. Like quicksilver, she sidled away, leaving a stinging gash along my neck as she did. I turned, lowered my head and plowed forward, pursuing her across the floor. She dodged and twisted away, slashing me with her talons, trying to fall back. I took the blows, gritting my teeth with every gash and cut ripped across my scales, and slammed into her like a bull.

My horns struck her chest, bowling her over with a startled gasp. She hit the floor on her back and instantly kicked out with her back legs, catching me in the stomach and ribs with her back claws as I pounced, tearing me open. I ignored the pain and went for her throat. Snarling, we rolled across the floor, tails and wings lashing, trying to pin the other down.

Shrieking with fury, we rolled into a pair of steel drums in the corner, tipping them over with a crash. Liquid spilled everywhere, sharp and acrid, stinging my nose and burning my eyes. I was instantly drenched, choking on the fumes that rose around us, but I couldn’t take my eyes off the Viper beneath me. As the drums clanged to the concrete, there was a split-second hiss…