Hidden Flame: Bound to the Triplet Dragon Kings

**Avery**

I ran and hugged Draven and Rory as soon as I saw them. They just giggled. We all sat and ate breakfast before we went

into a room in the palace that hasn’t been used in a long time. The dimly lit chamber buzzed with tension as Draven and

I leaned over a weathered map, our fingers tracing the jagged borders of Nightshade territory. The air was thick with the

scent of pine and sweat, a stark contrast to the cool, calculated demeanor of the group. Rory, her sharp eyes darting

between the map and the others, adjusted her hood, her voice low and urgent. “Remember, this is reconnaissance only. No engagements, no traces. We’re ghosts in their midst.” Her words hung heavy, a reminder of the peril we were about

to face.

Draven, his dark hair falling over his forehead, nodded grimly. “We’ll mask our scents and alter our appearances. They’ll

think we’re human traders passing through.” His hands moved with precision as he pulled vials of pungent oils from his

satchel, distributing them to the group. With my fiery red curls tied back in a loose braid, I sniffed the vial skeptically.

“Smells like a dead skunk mated with a pine tree. Should do the trick.” My lips quirked in a faint smile, but my eyes

remained hard, my mind already on the mission ahead.

The group worked in silence, smearing the oils over our skin and clothing, the acrid scent overpowering the natural musk

human disguises with the aid of Draven’s magic,

to mimic the look of weary

and charmed to

we approached the outskirts of Nightshade territory, the atmosphere shifted. The

hand rested lightly on the hilt of my dagger, my senses on

Nightshade pack’s compound came into view, a sprawling cluster of wooden

hung in the air, mingling

but I kept my expression neutral, my

traders, our cart laden with trinkets and

but the human disguises held. Bethany, a tall, gaunt

eyes narrowing as she inspected our wares. “What brings you to Nightshade, strangers?” Her

and

had the finest furs in the region.” Bethany’s lips curled, but she

We

compound, my heart pounded in my chest.

a small, windowless hut, a muffled cry pierced the air. I froze, my eyes locking with Draven’s as all of

resolve hardened.

drifted closer to the hut, my movements casual. Through a crack in the wall,

their once-proud forms

Bethany stood before them, a whip in her hand, her face twisted in sadistic glee as she lashed out

thinking, I shoved Draven aside

echoing through the small space. Bethany whirled

at her, fists