Wildfire Sea Dragon (Fire & Rescue Shifters: Wildfire Crew Book 3) Read online

  Wildfire Sea Dragon

  Fire & Rescue Shifters: Wildfire Book 3

  Zoe Chant

  Contents

  Author’s Note

  Chapter 1

  Chapter 2

  Chapter 3

  Chapter 4

  Chapter 5

  Chapter 6

  Chapter 7

  Chapter 8

  Chapter 9

  Chapter 10

  Chapter 11

  Chapter 12

  Chapter 13

  Chapter 14

  Chapter 15

  Chapter 16

  Chapter 17

  Chapter 18

  Chapter 19

  Chapter 20

  Chapter 21

  Chapter 22

  Chapter 23

  Chapter 24

  Chapter 25

  Chapter 26

  Chapter 27

  Chapter 28

  Chapter 29

  Chapter 30

  Chapter 31

  Chapter 32

  Epilogue

  A note from Zoe Chant

  Also by Zoe Chant

  Writing as Helen Keeble

  Author’s Note

  Wildfire Sea Dragon is a complete romance without cliffhangers. However, the Wildfire series is intended to be read in order.

  Each book features a different couple, but characters reoccur throughout, and events from earlier books are referenced in later ones. There is an overarching plot that is gradually revealed over the course of the entire series.

  Wildfire Sea Dragon takes place the following year after the events of Wildfire Griffin and Wildfire Unicorn. The crew has spent the winter off duty, but now it’s early summer, and the start of a new fire season. The forests are tinder-dry, just awaiting a spark. And the Thunder Mountain Hotshots are once more gathering at their base in Montana, getting ready to face the dangers that lie ahead…

  Or at least, most of them are.

  Chapter 1

  Joe Small—Heir to the Pearl Throne, Crown Prince of Atlantis, the Emperor-in-Waiting—was about to meet his one true mate.

  First impressions were vital.

  He wiped his sleeve across the nightclub’s bathroom mirror and studied himself critically in the scratched glass.

  The glitter finger-painted across his cheekbones hid the ashen shadows under his eyes. His ripped firefighter crew t-shirt displayed an indecent amount of his torso. Some enterprising woman—and he had no idea who or when—had written her phone number in sugar-pink lipstick across his exposed shoulder.

  All in all, he looked exactly as a dutiful, honorable sea dragon prince shouldn’t.

  Perfect.

  “Well, I couldn’t be any more of a hot mess if I set myself on fire,” he said out loud. “With any luck, she’ll take one look and run screaming.”

  But he couldn’t rely on luck. He had to be sure.

  Heaving a sigh, he turned away from his disheveled, disreputable reflection. He went into one of the toilet cubicles, sliding the bolt shut behind him. The last thing he needed was for someone to barge in and catch him at this.

  In the underwater city of Atlantis, the most powerful Seers spent weeks secluded in total darkness, meditating on the mystic currents of the world. On the night of the full moon, they gathered in a secret chamber grown from living coral, lit by glowing pearls. In that silent, sacred space, they poured pure seawater gathered from the deepest chasms of the ocean into a perfectly polished silver basin.

  And in the rippling reflections, the greatest, most learned sea dragon Seers would strive to catch a single, fleeting glimpse of the future.

  Joe lifted the lid of the toilet. He took a deep breath, closing his eyes for a moment.

  He looked down into the water.

  The sky glows red with wildfire. Cold chains around his wrists. A laugh rings out from the swirling smoke, cold and triumphant. Death rears above them, horned and hell-eyed, a heartbeat away. Her grey eyes look into his, alight with love, one last time. And she steps forwards, unarmored, unarmed, placing herself between him and his doom. Because she has nothing left to protect him with but her own body—

  Joe wrenched himself out of the vision. For a moment all he could do was gasp like a landed fish, lungs filled with terror rather than air.

  He never just saw the future in his visions. He lived it. And that particular moment, he’d lived far too many times already. He didn’t need to experience it again.

  It was still going to happen. Everything he’d done, all his attempts to change things…it hadn’t worked.

  Tonight, he was going to meet his mate.

  She was going to fall in love with him.

  And, sooner or later, she was going to die.

  “Joe?” Someone banged on the cubicle door, making him startle. “You okay in there?”

  “Fine!” He fumbled for the toilet handle. Water swirled. He wished that he could flush fate away as easily. “Just—just give me a sec.”

  He emerged from the cubicle to find Carole, the nightclub hostess, waiting for him. He raised an eyebrow at her as he went to wash his hands. “Isn’t this the men’s room?”

  “I’m glad you’re aware of that.” She leaned to one side, pointedly checking that the cubicle he’d just left was now empty. “You better not have been entertaining a guest in there. Or doing drugs. I can’t make exceptions to the club rules. Not even for you, Joe.”

  “I know.” He gave her a genuine smile. It was wonderful to be among ordinary humans, none of whom knew that he was heir to a vast underwater empire. “You don’t let me get away with anything. It’s one of the reasons I like you so much.”

  She wrinkled her nose at him. “Sometimes I think you have serious mommy issues.”

  “You have no idea,” he muttered. “Did you want something, or were you just checking that I wasn’t having a rather unsanitary and painfully cramped orgy?”

  “You left your phone at the bar again.” She handed him the device. “It’s been driving me mad. There’s only so many times a girl can listen to the first verse of ‘Shake It Off’, you know.”

  “Sorry, bro. Forgot to put it on silent.”

  “That’s would just mean it would be vibrating all night. If you’re never going to answer, just leave it at home.” Her head tilted. “Someone sure seems keen to get hold of you.”

  He glanced down at the screen. The most recent notifications glowed up at him accusingly.

  NEW MESSAGE: Rory

  Where the hell are you? Seriously, last chance or you’re off the squad. I can’t string Buck out any longer.

  MISSED CALL: Rory

  MISSED CALL: Rory

  NEW MESSAGE: Blaise

  You massive [eggplant emoji]. Get in touch OR ELSE [fire emoji]

  NEW MESSAGE: Wystan

  Please call. We just want to know you’re all right.

  MISSED CALL: Callum

  MISSED CALL: Rory

  NEW MESSAGE: Mom

  You leave me no choice. I’ve sent out the Knights. They’re coming to escort you back to the crew. For your father’s sake, please don’t make a scene.

  [+48 other notifications]

  Carole was watching his face. “It’s your hotshot crew, isn’t it? Aren’t you meant to be heading back to Montana for the start of fire season?”

  He dropped the phone into his pocket. “I’m exactly where I’m supposed to be.”

  “It’s your funeral.” Carole shrugged. “Well, if you haven’t got to rush back to the day job, there’s a woman at the bar who is very keen to meet you.”

  His
heart thudded against his ribs. “Is she the most beautiful woman in the world?”

  Carole shrugged again. “I think that’s a matter of opinion. She looks your type, anyway.”

  Definitely not his mate, then.

  But she couldn’t be far away now. He could feel the future breathing down his neck. He was out of time, out of options…

  How can I be even worse within the next thirty minutes?

  Inspiration struck. “Hey, Carole. Can you do me a favor, bro?”

  She gave him a deeply suspicious look. “Is it likely to end with me sweet-talking the cops, pacifying a rioting hen party with free cocktails, or hiding you in the fridge?”

  “Not this time.” He scrubbed at the lipstick on his shoulder, straightening himself up as best he could as he spoke. “Tell the woman at the bar I’m already taken. I’m waiting for someone.”

  One of Carole’s perfectly shaped eyebrows rose. “Got a hot date?”

  “Yes.” He pulled his sunglasses out of his pocket, slipping them over his eyes. “With destiny.”

  Chapter 2

  Seven had never imagined that her epic quest to become a Knight of Atlantis would involve quite so many casinos.

  Other novices get charged with battling kraken in the deepest abysses of the ocean, she thought morosely as yet another annoyed bouncer shoved her none-too-gently out onto the sidewalk. Me? I get sent to Las Vegas.

  At the moment, she would much rather have taken the lightless depths and the tentacled monsters.

  Her sponsor and mentor—the Lord of the Azure Reaches, Knight of the Order of the First Water, Defender of Atlantis, and General Pain In Her Ass—was waiting for her outside, glaring at the entire surroundings as though he was expecting a giant squid to drop from a streetlight at any moment. From the deeper-than-usual scowl on Lord Azure’s face, she suspected that yet another tourist group had mistaken him for a casino attraction. Lord Azure didn’t know what a ‘selfie’ was, but it was clear he’d decided it was a slight on his honor.

  “Well?” he snapped as she approached.

  She automatically performed the deep bow appropriate for someone of her station addressing a sea dragon noble from one of the most ancient and honorable families. “No sign of the Prince here either, my lord.”

  Lord Azure fixed her with an all-too-familiar withering look. “That is the Crown Prince of Atlantis, Emperor-in-Waiting and Heir to the Pearl Throne to you, Seventh Novice.”

  Seven pressed her lips together, hiding her face with another deep bow. No matter what else, being Lord Azure’s squire was doing wonders for her abs. “My deepest contrition and apologies, my lord. The Crown Prince of Atlantis, Emperor-in-Waiting and—”

  “Yes, yes, I heard you the first time.” Lord Azure cut her off with an irritated wave, neon lights reflecting from his pearl-inlaid gauntlets. “Well, that spineless jellyfish of a royal spawn has to be around here somewhere. The Seers were certain they’d scried him in this cursed human city.”

  “Perhaps we should return to the Imperial Champion, my lord?” Seven ventured. “We have been searching for hours without success. It may be time to regroup and see if any of the other teams have located the Prince’s trail.”

  From the look Lord Azure gave her, she might as well have suggested that they order a couple of Jaegerbombs and join a blackjack table. “A true knight does not ask for help when on a quest, Seventh Novice. A true knight has no need. One draws upon one’s inner strength and honor to defeat any foe. Not that I would expect you to understand, given your heritage.”

  Wonder which bit of my heritage he’s referring to this time? she thought in bleak humor as she performed yet another penitent bow. My animal, or the fact that I was born on land?

  Knowing Lord Azure, probably both. Not for the first time, she wondered what in the ocean had made him agree to take her on as his squire at all.

  Just be grateful that he did, she commanded herself. She squashed all other emotions down into the deepest chasm of her soul, where she kept her beast. If she was ever going to be a knight, she couldn’t afford to be anything except grateful.

  She had to be perfect. Perfectly respectful, perfectly courteous, perfectly honorable, no matter how much Lord Azure set her teeth on edge. She’d fought too long and too hard to fail now.

  Because if she did…she’d never have another chance to prove herself.

  “We cannot rest until our quest is done,” Lord Azure declaimed, squaring his armored shoulders. “We are to locate the Prince. We shall not contact the Imperial Champion except to inform him that his son is safely under our protection. So hurry up and find the royal runaway, Seventh Novice.”

  So much for drawing on one’s own inner strength and honor to succeed single-handed, whispered the snide human part of her that she’d never quite managed to silence. She reminded herself that Lord Azure didn’t mean to be hypocritical. As far as Lord Azure was concerned, as his squire she was simply an extension of his own self. He didn’t ask for her help any more than he asked for the help of his sword or his helmet; he just used them. And her.

  She just wished he’d use her for something she was good at, or at least could even attempt.

  She knew it was futile, but she tried again anyway. “My lord, I am humbled by your faith in me, but I fear that in this case it may be misplaced. I am doing the best I can with the information we received from the Seers, but I’m running out of places to search.”

  “I personally assured the Empress and her Imperial Champion that your background and nature meant that you would be able to assist in finding the Prince, Seventh Novice.” Lord Azure narrowed his eyes at her. “Will you make me a liar?”

  Seven gritted her teeth. “No, my lord. I will find him, on my honor. It would just be easier if—”

  “A true knight does not seek ease,” Lord Azure interrupted. “If you are ever to be worthy of joining the Order of the First Water, you must learn to swim against the current, not with it.”

  He was lecturing her about not taking the easy path? She swallowed hysterical laughter, forcing her voice to stay politely neutral. “I will bear that in mind, Lord Azure.”

  “Do so.” Lord Azure waved her onward with airy condescension. “Now continue, Seventh Novice. Your talents may be shallow compared to the true magics of a sea dragon, but in this task they are of some small use. Your savage instincts have led us this far, have they not?”

  In fact, Google StreetView had led them this far. Of course, to Lord Azure, that was just as arcane as any theoretical power her animal might have granted her. Stifling a sigh, Seven pulled out her phone, and tried once again to make the second-hand descriptions of the Seers’ visions of the Prince’s location match up with an actual street address.

  “This way, my lord,” she said, trying to sound firm and decisive, and not at all like she was picking a direction at random.

  The streets were becoming more crowded as the evening darkened into night. They were some way off the main strip, thank the sea, but there were still more than enough bars and casinos around to attract tourists. Seven led Lord Azure through the thickening throng, uncomfortably aware of the eddy of amusement and curiosity swirling in their wake. Even in Vegas, a pair of people dressed in armor tended to attract stares. She wished she’d been able to persuade Lord Azure to swap his mother-of-pearl greaves for a pair of jeans.

  Human thinking, she chided herself. She lifted her chin, mimicking Lord Azure’s aristocratic disdain for the double-takes and raised cellphone cameras. She tried to view the gawking tourists like a sea dragon would—mere land dwellers, to be pitied for their inability to ever understand the wonders beneath the waves.

  Still, she found herself dropping one hand to the hilt of her sheathed stunsword. The smooth pearl pommel comforted her sweating palm. If the worst happened—if all those wide eyes narrowed, if the whispers turned to shouts, if the crowd surged forward with yells of freak, freak!—at least this time she could defend herself.

  Her an
imal stirred, somewhere in the depths of her mind. Seven drew in a deliberate, calming breath, banishing the old memories before they could rouse her beast any further. That was the last thing she needed right now…or ever.

  Go back to sleep, she told the silent, mindless killer that shared her soul. There’s nothing for you here.

  To her alarm, her animal refused to settle. She could usually banish its sleek, silent presence without trouble, but now it surged up from her subconscious like a whale breaching the surface of the ocean. The glare of neon signs was abruptly brighter, shimmering with unnamed colors beyond human perception. The dry desert air rasped against her skin, stirred by the breaths of uncountable living creatures.

  So many warm bodies. So much prey…

  Not now! Seven clenched her teeth together as hard as she could, but it was impossible to block out the flood of tastes. All around her, a thousand thousand trails stretched out, each with its own unique, tantalizing flavor…

  And one that tasted of home.

  “Seventh Novice?”

  She hadn’t been aware of closing her eyes, but they flew open at Lord Azure’s voice. The sea dragon was frowning at her with an expression of mild annoyance, as though she was a cellphone with a flaky signal.

  “The Prince.” She took a shallow breath through her mouth, struggling to separate out that salt-sea whisper from the barrage of human scents. “I think…I think I can find him.”

  Lord Azure made a noise somewhere between a cluck of exasperation and a sharply plucked harp string, which translated as a distinctly uncomplimentary comment if you happened to understand sea dragon language.