The Matchmaker - The Arrax Saga Book 1 Chapter 44

Saphira and Nikolas arrived at the meeting point where the others had already begun gathering. The tension was palpable, heavy with anticipation as they prepared to exchange their findings.

Nikolas took the lead, voice firm and measured. “What did you find?”

Jed and Asher exchanged a look before speaking.

“We saw something,” Jed said first. “A glimpse of a dragon. But our view was blocked before we could get a clear look.”

Asher nodded, his expression tight. “It was definitely movement, though. Not just a shadow or illusion.”

Saphira swallowed, her pulse quickening at the confirmation.

Nikolas turned to Raven. “And you?”

Raven exhaled, rolling her shoulders before responding. “I tapped into the energy around the area. There are two large figures inside that room, the one the guards were stationed at.”

Saphira’s breath hitched.

Two. Asher’s mother. And Zafira.

Nikolas absorbed the information, then asked, “Did you sense anything else?”

Raven shook her head. “No Elders. No additional presence beyond them.”

Finn and Amara stepped forward. “We found two more guards,” Finn reported. “Back entrance. Armed, but not heavily.”

Amara nodded. “They don’t seem to expect anyone coming from that direction.”

Nikolas ran a hand through his hair, processing.

Saphira took a step forward, adding her own findings. “Nikolas and I spotted two guards at an entrance we believe to be the front. They were pacing in front of a doorway, stationary, focused on guarding whatever’s inside.”

Nikolas nodded in agreement. “That’s four guard’s total. No sign of Elders, no additional reinforcements.” He glanced at the group. “This means we have to be smart moving forward.”

Nikolas stood in the centre of the group, his golden eyes sharp with determination as everyone gathered close, ready for the final planning before they moved in.

“We need to move in one motion,” he said, voice steady, commanding. “Jasper and Raven will take the back two, Jed and I will handle the front. We take them out at the same time, no hesitation, no delays.”

Jasper smirked slightly, rolling his shoulders. “Nice and clean, got it.”

Raven exhaled, flexing her fingers as a subtle hum of magic crackled at her fingertips. “I’ll suppress their ability to react before Jasper moves in. We don’t need unnecessary noise.”

Nikolas nodded approvingly, then turned to the rest of the team. “Finn, Amara, Asher, and Saphira, you four hold position and keep watch. If anything unexpected happens, reinforcements, an Elder arriving, you signal immediately. We cannot risk getting caught in an ambush.”

Saphira swallowed, the weight of the responsibility settling deeper into her chest. It was a solid plan, smart and efficient, but the risks were still suffocating.

Asher clenched his fists at his sides, jaw tightening. “We need to be quick. The longer we’re here, the higher the chance they notice something’s off.”

Nikolas nodded. “Exactly.” He scanned the faces around him, making sure no one was second-guessing, ensuring everyone was ready. “Once the guards are down, we regroup immediately, then move in.”

Finn exchanged a look with Amara before speaking. “And if we run into more than expected?”

Nikolas’ gaze hardened. “Then we adapt. We don’t lose control, we adjust the plan as needed. But whatever happens, we keep moving.”

Saphira turned to Nikolas, keeping her voice low but urgent. “If all goes to plan with the guards,” she started, “we need to be quick getting the dragons out. How exactly are we doing that?”

Nikolas met her gaze, his golden eyes unwavering. He had already been thinking ahead, she could see it in the way his jaw tightened, in the measured breath he took before answering.

“We go in,” he said simply. “We assess their conditions first. If they’re weak, injured, if they can’t move on their own, we carry them out. I will try get them to shift first if I can.”

Saphira exhaled, nodding slightly. That part had always been clear. But there was more. “And if they’re restrained? If they’re too far gone to even try to leave?”

Nikolas clenched his fists, his voice steady but edged with quiet determination. “Then we find a way. No matter what.”

Silence stretched between them, the weight of his words pressing into her.

Because Nikolas meant it.

They weren’t walking away without Asher’s mother.

And if this was Zafira, if Nikolas’ sister was truly behind those doors—

Then no force in this world would stop him from getting her out.

Saphira felt the same resolve settle into her bones.

No matter how fast they had to move.

No matter what they faced inside.

They were getting them out.

Together.

Raven stepped forward then, rolling her shoulders, her fingertips twitching with magic. “I can try using a spell to make it safe for travel,” she offered. “It wouldn’t last forever, but even if it gives us a window of time where we’re harder to track, it’ll be worth it.”

Jasper smirked slightly, adjusting the daggers strapped to his belt. “And if we need speed, I can run them back, one at a time, as fast as I can.” His vampiric nature meant he could move faster than anyone else in the group. “It’s not subtle, but if it comes down to getting them out now, I’ll make sure they don’t get left behind.”

Nikolas nodded, taking in their offers, calculating, strategizing.

“We use everything we have,” he decided. “Magic, speed, strength, all of it.”

Saphira felt her pulse steady at his words. Because now, this wasn’t just a rescue mission.

It was a fight for freedom. And they weren’t leaving anyone behind. Not today.

“Then we have our plan,” she said, nodding to Nikolas.

Nikolas met her gaze, his golden eyes unwavering, filled with silent intensity. “Let’s go.”

But before parting, he stepped closer, his presence grounding her in a way only he could. His fingers curled lightly around her wrist, his forehead pressing against hers, warmth radiating between them.

“Be careful,” he murmured, his voice lower now, edged with something raw. “I cannot lose you in this.”

Saphira exhaled, steadying herself, absorbing the quiet vulnerability laced between his words.

“I will,” she assured him, a small smirk tugging at her lips. “You be careful too. I don’t want to have to save you for a third time.”

She winked at the last part, injecting light into the heavy moment, pushing past the tension that had been pressing down on them both.

Nikolas smiled, the corner of his mouth lifting just enough before he leaned in, stealing a quick kiss, brief but full of unspoken promises.

Then, just like that, he turned and left with Jed, slipping into the shadows.

Saphira watched him go, holding onto the warmth for a moment longer before she felt movement behind her.

“Come on, Sis.” Finn’s voice pulled her back, grounding her in a different way. She turned to see him standing there, his expression confident, strong, his belief unshaken.

They would pull this off.

They had to. Because failure wasn’t just unacceptable.