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NINE RIDERS HIT THE GROUND—THEN THE BROKEN DRAGON LET ONE WOMAN TOUCH THE WING THAT TERRIFIED HIM / Chapter 14 / 20

Chapter 14 - THE HORROR IN BLOCK NINE

That night, Marlo didn't sleep in the handler quarters. Using small tools concealed in the lining of her boots, she picked the lock of her room and slipped down into the damp lower levels of Block Nine.

Alistair was already there, hidden behind a pillar, holding a small copper lantern.

"I checked the Warden's private ledgers," Alistair whispered as Marlo approached. "The Iron Spire isn't just a prison. It’s an experimental facility."

"Experimental?" Marlo whispered back.

"They aren't trying to heal these dragons," Alistair said, his face pale in the dim light. "They're attempting to surgically remove injured flight membranes and replace them with mechanical or reinforced leather bladders—trying to force damaged beasts back into service as heavy cargo lifters."

Marlo felt sick. "They’re butchering them."

"And Nyx is scheduled for surgery tomorrow morning," Alistair added. "Drake was paid off by remnants of Lord Vane’s faction in the War Ministry. They want Nyx crippled permanently so he can never be used as evidence against them."

Suddenly, a loud screech echoed from the end of the corridor. It wasn't Nyx.

Marlo and Alistair ran toward the sound. In a heavily barred cage at the rear of the hall lay a dragon unlike any Marlo had seen before. Its scales were a brilliant, iridescent silver, but its body was starved, its ribs visible beneath its skin. Its left wing was pinned to the floor by a massive iron brace.

"A Silver-Wing," Marlo gasped. "They were thought to be extinct..."

The dragon lifted its head, its pale purple eyes filled with a terrifying mix of agony and madness.

"She’s the prototype," Alistair said, reading the slate beside the cage. "They've been testing the wing braces on her for six months."

Marlo approached the bars slowly, lowering her voice to a gentle hum. "It’s okay... it’s okay..."

The Silver-Wing hissed, pulling against its iron restraints, causing blood to seep from its torn skin.

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"Marlo, we don't have time," Alistair warned. "We need to get Nyx out before dawn."

"I’m not leaving her behind," Marlo said fiercely. "Or any of them."

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Chapter 15 - THE WHISPER OF REDEMPTION
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