His dragon froze within him, as though the beast was holding its breath. Mikhail reached the back door, which was slightly ajar. He leaned in and tried to peer inside, but he couldn't see anything. There was a soft shuffling sound within. A sound he recognized as Piper's. He kicked the door open.

Piper was tied to a chair, a cloth wrapped around her mouth. Conrad stood behind her, a silver blade pressed against her throat. Piper's eyes were bright with fear. He stared at her, ...