Dragon Blood (Completed)

Over Exerted

"Umm..." Dean thought for a moment. "Is she in jail with him?"

"They are locked in a cage in the guard station, so yes."

"She can reach through the bars?"

"Yes."

Dean planted a seed, and Zane could see real possibility in it, but there were issues. "I don't know," Zane murmured when Dean finished telling him the idea he had.

"Please, Zane, I want to help."

"How about you go get some breakfast. I have to talk to Maze before I go back to Paige," Zane advised to put the boy off. He left Dean to get ready while he set off to find Maze. After he spoke with her about Paige's condition, and let her know Paige would be out of the cell within the hour to see her, he returned to the guard station.

Ash was still sitting in his chair, his arms crossed over his chest as he scowled at the floor. It didn't take Zane long to see what had soured his mood even more. Paige was now sitting with the assassin. He had his arm around her, and she was leaning into his side.

They were talking quietly, and Paige was even smiling every once in a while, but Zane suspected their conversation had little to do with the things he desired to know most.

"How long have they been like that?" Zane asked as he sat down next to Ash.

"Since you left. He picked her up off the floor, and they have been like that ever since."

"Hopefully she's getting something good," Zane said doubtfully.

"I think we should pull her out. Obviously, she's not getting the information she needs."

"I don't know." Zane saw something in the man's posture that told him he was boasting about something. Somehow, the story he was telling her was meant to impress her. She listened intently, as if his story was the greatest one she'd ever heard.

When he finished his story, she asked him a question that caused him to pull away from her, removing his arm and standing to pace the cell.

Zane became apprehensive. No one knew how to push buttons or drive a person to anger the way Paige could. He leaned forward in his chair, placing a hand on his dagger. Paige saw his move and gave him a sharp warning look while the man's back was to her. He released the dagger, but couldn't relax any further.

The conversation in the cell turned increasingly hostel with the two making short, sharp comments to each other. Paige stood and moved to the edge of the cell, pressing her back against the bars.

Zane stood, unable to let her spend another moment with the dangerous individual, but before he could move, the door opened. Dean walked in with Ryder and their guards. Dean looked every bit the young prince with a new blue cape, coupled with a set of fine clothes. His little head was held high like a proper royal, and Zane could see he was playing the game.

"I've come to see the prisoners," he announced.

Zane had no choice but to fall in step with Dean as he bowed and escorted him to the cell. Paige had turned at the sound of Dean's voice, and she was now leaning against the bars, watching him cautiously. The man moved away from the bars, retreating to the back of the cell.

Paige said something over her shoulder to the other prisoner. He nodded, but didn't move any closer.

Dean stood next to Zane while Paige crouched down to his level. Dean turned to Zane, his little face fierce with anger.