Charred Hope (#3, Heart of Fire) by Lizzy Ford

had planned but stopped himself, deciding that he not only trusted her, but meant he’d do whatever it took to win her over. “Whatever you have in mind, I’m all in?”
    “Good. Do you think I can fly if I shift into a griffin?” she asked almost absently. “I can feel their magic.”
    “No way,” he said firmly. “If you had trouble using your paws as a lioness, you’re not going to know how to fly.”
    She frowned. “Okay then. Well, my idea –”
    The dive of a griffin cut her off. She ducked down, and he mirrored her movement.
    This griffin was smarter. He landed on the boulder in front of them and began slashing at them with one talon and his beak.
    Chace tumbled out from the safe spot, Skylar landing on top of him. They vaulted to their feet and started to run. Not two steps later, he was yanked backwards as the griffin tore Skylar away from him.
    “Chace!” Skylar’s cry made his chest seize.
    He spun in time to see a large griffin hauling her away. She was panicking and wriggling, trapped in long talons wrapped around her body.
    “Sky!” he shouted. “Gunner!”
    The big cat turned then darted towards them.
    Chace chased after the beast. He didn’t have a chance for the helplessness to steal his hope. One second he was running, the next, he, too, was being dragged into the midday sky. The talons around his midsection gripped him tightly, and his breath caught as he stared at the two cats on the peak below. They grew smaller quickly as the griffin charged into the sky.
    Chace twisted to see what direction they went and was somewhat relieved to see that they were following the griffin that had Sky. He mentally calculated how long they’d have to wait for a dragon to find them.
    At least six hours. Way too long. His frustration turned to fury, mostly directed at himself. His magic wasn’t responding to him, even now, when they were in danger. Not one tiny spark filled his blood when he begged it to.
    The griffins didn’t take them far. Across one mountain range, over a lower range of peaks and onward to a towering plateau with sheer, rock walls pockmarked by caves. There was no visible way down except to fly.
    The griffin lowered them to the ground then dropped him and landed, folding its wings.
    Chace climbed to his feet, eyes seeking Skylar.
    She was a few dozen feet away, separated from him by three large griffins.
    “You okay?” he called.
    “Yeah.” She met his gaze. “You?”
    He nodded. “About that idea of yours …”
    A griffin snapped at him.
    Skylar appeared uncertain, as if she wasn’t convinced her idea was going to work. She looked away.
    “It’s okay if it involves lassoing me or injecting me with fire,” he said.
    “Nothing like that,” she assured him. “Something worse.”
    Not sure what that means.
    “You promise you won’t hate me, right?” she asked again.
    “Never,” he vowed quickly.
    “We’ll see.” She smiled. “If it works, maybe we can figure out a way to start over. Together.” Her face grew pink.
    Despite the milling griffins, his gaze became riveted to her features. “I’d do anything for that chance with you, Sky.”
    “I’m counting on it.”
    “How touching.” Dillon’s sharp voice came from beyond the griffins. They parted to move out of his way, and he walked towards Skylar. “I didn’t think you’d survive, Chace.”
    I really hate that man right about now. “I’m a lucky dragon.”
    “I’ll make sure you die right this time.” Dillon’s dark eyes slid to Skylar and lingered.
    “We’re both here. What’s your grand plan, griffin?” Chace asked, wanting to keep Dillon’s attention off Sky.
    “Simple. Kill you and use her to find my enemies while they sleep. Easy way to end a war.”
    “What war, Dillon?” Skylar demanded. “One you started because of what happened to your father?”
    “You leave him out of this!” Dillon snarled. His face turned red while his eyes flashed with anger. “You had to kill him,