Twenty Five

Heather was in an isolation cell in Security, having been checked over by the medical team. I knew that Gothi had taken blood, hair and urine for toxicology and performed a CT and PET scan on her before they reversed the tranquilliser. Spitelout had already had a try at talking with her-and all he had learned was that Heather knew an extraordinary string of obscenities. Needless to say, Stoick had been dissatisfied with the results. So Hiccup led us unerringly to Solitary-probably, I guessed with a sinking feeling, because he had spent time in it. For someone who was so highly valued by the project, he seemed to have been very unfairly treated by the very people he was supposed to be helping. He paused before we entered the room and his green eyes met mine seriously. He looked nervous but his voice was steady.

"Whatever happens in there-no matter she says or does or you see, Astrid-stay quiet," he asked me. "I know Heather is acting strangely. I just hope she isn't going to behave how I think she will…" He motioned to the guard and the man stepped out of the room for a moment, handing the Rider the cell keys. Hiccup walked calmly towards the cell while I hung back: I wasn't sure how well Heather would react to me. But in fact, she ignored me.

"Hello, Fishbone," she greeted Hiccup snidely. He walked unevenly forward and stared into her eyes.

"How are you feeling, Heather?" he asked neutrally.

"I'd be better if your blonde bitch hadn't tranked me!" she sneered. "Let me out!" He inspected her as she gave a pouty face and walked towards him.

"I don't think so," he said slowly, observing her expression. "I think you tried to kill both of us and letting you out would be a monumentally bad idea!"

"Hiccup…you know I was only doing what I had to," she pouted, tossing her head. "It was all her. She caused it. I never meant to harm you. I've always liked you…" I stiffened as he tilted his head and appeared to be considering her words.

"Heather, you know I can't let you out…the General…" His voice was softly apologetic.

"Then come in and join me," she whispered seductively. "You know you want to…" He paused-then nodded and let himself into the cell. He carelessly tossed the keys out to me then turned to face her.

"What do you want to say, Heather?" he asked her in a low voice. She sidled up to him, pressing her body against his. He stiffened.

"Why would you want that scrawny blonde when you can have…this?" she asked him, grinding her lithe body against his. I could see his eyes widen and I clenched my fists, shocked at my own reaction-especially when he rested a gentle hand on her shoulder.

"Are you sure, Heather?" he murmured.

"I only want you, Hiccup," she purred seductively, her lips kissing at his neck and seeking his mouth. "You are the only one who can satisfy me. And I will pleasure you beyond your wildest imagination. You know you want me…"

"And what about Eret?" he asked her huskily. I could see his cheeks beginning to flush and realised at least one of her hands was well below the equator and moving purposefully. His breathing was accelerating as well. I wondered why he wasn't just pulling away-and I felt anger start to boil in my stomach. What the hell was he doing? Bastard…

"You know, he really only loves himself," she whispered loudly enough for me to hear. "I can see you would be a much better, more generous lover." A hand raised to caress his face. "I want you," she breathed and ghosted her lips over his, her teeth nipping at his lower lip.

"What did Dagur do to you?" he asked her softly. "What did Alvin?"

"Nothing to what I'm gonna do to you," she promised, her hand moving more insistently. I heard a low groan in his throat and saw his head bow forward slightly as he fought for control. "And you're gonna love it."

"Then tell me," he breathed huskily. "Make me understand, Heather. What did they tell you? Why did they want you and Windshear?" She nuzzled against his cheek and kissed the hollow of his throat.

"Dragons are a fantastically powerful resource," she whispered, her grey eyes shining. Her voice was seductive, very persuasive. "Mobile, intelligent, unstoppable. Why should they be locked away in a mountain in the middle of nowhere and just used to serve immoral governments and self-interested business? Why shouldn't we use them for ourselves. We own them! We ride them! Only we can use them! And they should all learn to bow down to us!"

"And who controls us?" Hiccup asked in a breathless voice, He was breathing hard now and I saw a clenched fist-but his other hand moved to grip Heather's wrist and stop her. She tossed her hair and kissed his neck again, her body arched hard against his. And I realised: he hadn't kissed her.

"Alvin and my brother will be very generous to any who join them," she promised, kissing his chin and implying the attractions of the offer. He gasped quietly as she ground her body against his again.

"And the gunmen? Were they yours?" he asked softly, a hand bracing against her shoulder. His other arm was braced, clearly fighting against her attempt to continue arousing him. Her eyes flared.

"No-rivals!" she hissed. "Trying to steal our dragons! But we will crush them once we have our full complement. And a Night Fury will fit our team perfectly…"

"You've already got a Skrill," he breathed.

"Your little friend will provide speed, strike capability and control of the dragons," she promised, licking his cheek. His eyes widened and I saw his throat work in surprise. His hand tightened on her shoulder. "You will make us an irresistible force!"

"It's a tempting offer," he murmured, forcing her hand back from his body.

"Then let me make you happy," she whined. "You know I know how to excite you. Surrender to me, my love, and I'll make you a very happy man!"

"So why a Nadder? You already have one…" he murmured in her ear, giving another small groan. She looked up into his hazed eyes.

"And Nadders are the only species were have where there is a breeding pair," she giggled, grinding against him again and he gasped, almost beyond words. "Currently the only viable way to generate new dragons, short of finding more nests. Mmm, someone's having a good time…" I saw him half-turn his head away and bite down hard on his lip. He flinched.

"Thanks, Heather," he breathed, his voice barely a groan, "that was all I needed to know!" And he shoved her back-hard-against the wall, backing away against the bars. He was almost bent double, clearly in all sorts of trouble. A hand clamped onto a bar as if it was the only thing he could use to anchor himself. I realised she had brought him to the brink so I wrenched the door open and dragged him out, slamming the door closed before she could even move. He collapsed to his knees.

"Goddamn it, you one-legged freak-I'll see you scream for this!" she snarled, suddenly raging at her thwarted plan, her affect frighteningly changing from seductive to sadistic. "You too, bitch-whore!" she added, acknowledging me for the first time. I glared at her.

"Really feeling the love," Hiccup shot back ironically, doubled up and in pain. He was still breathing hard.

"You will be when my brother gets his hands on you, loser!" she shrieked, suddenly a raging demon. "He is gonna screw you into the middle of next month! He will break you in half!" He lifted his flushed face: his pupils were dilated and eyes hazed.

"Never gonna happen," he told her. "You know I won't ever surrender to him."

"He's gonna take what he wants!" she sneered at him. "You know he will!" I saw him swallow and a flash of fear crossed his face. I wondered again just what Dagur had done to him in the past. I was sure that there was more I hadn't been told. "We all do." He closed his eyes.

"Heather-what about Ozzie?" he asked tonelessly. Suddenly she stilled and her eyes widened, the grey depths momentarily blurring with tears.

"Ozzie…" she breathed and I could see her warring, the grief of her loss breaking through whatever spell they had her under. "Ozzie…" And then her face hardened and a different person took control. "Ozzie was a traitor to his family and deserved to die." Hiccup's head snapped up at the cruel words and he painfully lurched to his feet. He turned away, his eyes seeking for me and I read self-loathing in their green depths.

"I'm sorry, Heather," he said and limped out. I followed him and I knew my face was like thunder. I slammed the door to Solitary. He looked back at me, bent forward and breathing hard.

"What the hell was that?" I snapped. He grimaced, still clearly in a lot of discomfort.

"That was Dagur," he grunted. "Exactly how he behaved."

"And you were resisting really hard, weren't you?" I snapped.

"That wasn't Heather," he said slowly, emphasising every word. I raised an eyebrow, breathing hard and still angry. . "Heather was far more controlled before she went missing…but Dagur has always been very…tactile." He sighed and took a shuddering breath. "First he was just beating the crap out of me but before he left he…started imagining we had a relationship…" He winced. "He called me his 'brother' but I think he really meant 'lover' and he…wants to get his hands on me." He clenched his fists but there was a definite hint of fear in his voice.

"Hiccup…are you?" I asked him and he shook his head.

"The Heather we knew would never betray Eret-but she just dismissed him out of hand," he groaned. "She was loyal and a good soldier, at least. She wasn't especially warm or particularly kind but she loved Ozzie. There was just a brief flash there…of the person I knew. There must be some hope there for her. We must be able to get her back."

"Hiccup?" There was something in his voice. He turned away from me and his voice was ashamed.

"She…made a pass at me, early on," he admitted quietly. "Um, I-I turned her down because I-I really don't know why she came onto a scrawny High School kid but I guessed it was some cruel joke. And because she blanked me after and she kinda laughed at me before and since I-I think I was right. I-I think it m-may have been because of D-Dagur…he-he probably asked her to…to see if I…and I saw them and Ozzie arguing…" His voice was shaking. "I knew there was-was a chance she would act like that but I-I knew I needed to talk to her…and while she was-was concentrating on me she was at least talking…" He took a shuddering breath. "I'm sorry, Astrid…"

"Hiccup…"

"Ozzie loved her and always wanted to protect her," he said shakily. "I-I have to try to get through to her and get her back. I-I owe him that! No-no matter what I have to do to save her!" He was still trembling and I finally understood. He was willing to risk everything-even being abused and humiliated-if he could repay his debt to Ozzie. I quietly walked to his side and rested a hand on his shoulder, feeling him shaking. He flinched.

"I think you got more out of her than anyone else," I said, trying to reassure him and he groaned. "I know you had to keep her talking, Hiccup. I just wished…I hadn't been here. Watching her and you…"

"I-I didn't want you hearing anything and thinking I…I…" His voice was pained. "I'm sorry, Astrid, but Ozzie…"

I squeezed a hug around his shoulders, feeling him still trembling. "I get it," I assured him. "Now go and sort yourself out, Dragon Boy-and then you have an appointment in the infirmary." He gave a weary nod.

"Guess my record on dates is now zero for two?" he sighed. I pressed a very quick kiss onto his cheek and gave a small smile.

"Next time, I'm the one in charge of the date!" I told him.

oOo

"Yer little sister failed!" Alvin's creaking voice was accusing and mildly amused, as if he expected the disappointment. "She was outflanked and 'as missed 'er scheduled com. And she's captured. Maybe she's betrayed us." Dagur paced back and forth, then kicked a chair over.

"But my plan was perfect!" he raged.

"Until the others ruined all our calculations," Alvin growled. "Yer gal performed as expected but they nearly killed 'er and our Nadder."

"My beloved sister is completely loyal to us!" Dagur protested.

"Until the depo runs out," the Arms Dealer reminded him.

"I think she'll choose her brother anyway," Dagur said quietly. "I have opened her eyes to what we can do-together, as a family. As true Berserkers! And…after all, I am the only one she has left." Alvin took a sip of his brandy and sat back in his huge chair. Dagur was more twitchy than usual, his eyes rolling and fists clenching. Alvin refilled his glass and sloshed the decanter thoughtfully, watching the deep amber liquid flow back and forth.

"Yer don't regret it?" he asked. Dagger looked up and gave an unsettling smile.

"My brother was becoming a nuisance and sticking his nose where it wasn't wanted," he said. "He was the only one who could have broken my hold on Heather. He had to die. I never liked being a twin anyway." He gave a small laugh. "I only regret not being the one to pull the trigger and see his lifeless body fall."

Alvin stared at the man and put the decanter down, silently reminding himself never to turn his back on the crazed Rider. Any man who would order the death of his closest family was not to be trusted. He had his uses-and a very powerful dragon-but Dagur's insanity was going to prove a liability one day. His console beeped and he thumbed the screen on, grateful to pull his dark gaze away from the pacing, carrot-haired shape. The huge dark silhouette appeared, the circular crowned dragon symbol visible on the wall-sized screen behind him.

"Yer tried to break our deal, Bludvist," Alvin growled. The dark shape shifted slightly.

"I arranged the attack, Treacherous," his deep voice growled. "My men were conducting the raid. I was hardly going to allow an opportunity to acquire my own beasts pass me by!"

"And yet, we 'ad a deal," Alvin repeated. "I was going her supply yer beasts. Do I need to remind yer what 'appens to those who try ter double-cross me?" The shape began to laugh, a dark, scornful sound.

"You may frighten little street thugs and petty gangsters but you don't scare ME!" the man growled. "You never mentioned there was a Night Fury!" Alvin stared at the man.

"That dragon is not for sale," he said darkly. The shape leaned forward.

"And if I were to make a generous offer?" he snarled.

"Such as?"

"Two hundred million dollars," Bludvist said calmly. Alvin's eyes popped wide open: even an Arms Dealer could be impressed.

"For the dragon," he clarified. "The Rider stays with us." Bludvist's coal-dark eyes narrowed.

"What is the Rider without the dragon?" he sneered. Dagur glared at the screen and opened his mouth but Alvin raised a warning finger.

"He is…talented," he said quietly. "He has an understanding of the beasts that defies all reason."

"A Dragon Whisperer!" Bludvist growled, his eyes narrowing. Alvin watched him closely and leaned back in his chair, outwardly all relaxation and poise though he was concerned at the sudden acquisitive tone in the other man's voice.

"I presume yer didn't call me fer an exchange of pleasantries, Bludvist. Yer 'ave a plan-and yer need me 'elp!" Alvin watched the other straighten up.

"I believe you have agents within the base," Bludvist told him. Alvin nodded once. "I want to use them to get that dragon!" Alvin gave a nasty grin.

"Make yer proposition," he said. "Let's talk…"

oOo

Hiccup had reported to the infirmary as ordered about twenty minutes later, only marginally less flustered but resigned. It was clear he hated the place because he had spent time here for some appalling and traumatic injuries: I made sure I met him there and stayed with him throughout. He didn't say much, his answers subdued and almost monosyllabic and he could barely meet my eye.

I took his hand when he stripped off his shirt and Ragnar removed the dressing. I peered at the gashes-far worse than I had realised and I felt a surge of guilt for not insisting he had them treated the previous night: they must have been agonising. I felt his fingers tighten fiercely round mine as my colleague injected the local anaesthetic into the horrible jagged slashes from Windshear's claws and then cleaned the wound before putting the stitches in. Hiccup's grip tightened and I could hear the low moan he bit his teeth against. His eyes were screwed shut. Ragnar frowned as he finished the job and dressed the wound again.

"Why did you wait so long?" he asked and Hiccup stared at the floor.

"Wouldn't have come at all if Astrid hadn't made me," he said in a low voice. "It would've healed." Ragnar rolled his eyes and handed him a couple of painkillers. He didn't protest and took them as ordered.

"It will ache," he advised him. "Try not to strain it…" Hiccup shrugged and struggled back into his deep rust red shirt.

"Like when has that ever happened?" he shot back and then I squeezed his hand again. I guessed he was a terrible patient and never followed instructions.

"Let's go," I suggested and he rose abruptly, thanked Ragnar briefly and stalked out rapidly, leaving me behind. I walked after him and scowled. "Hey! Wait up!" I called at him. He paused and looked back at me: he was blushing and looked ashamed.

"Why do you even bother with me?" he asked pointedly. There was anger in his voice and I realised he was feeling very defensive. I stopped and remembered he had just lost his friend: his emotions would be all over the place.

"Because I like you," I told him honestly.

"But I saw your face as he was doing my stitches!" he told me bitterly. "It was the look I've come to know and enjoy: disappointment and disgust. With a side of pity. I don't need that, Astrid-I've had enough practice at being pitied." I stared at him, exasperated.

"Actually, you idiot, I was concentrating on Ragnar's suturing technique," I admitted. "I kinda zoned out. He does this weird double-mattress with two-oh polyglycolate that I haven't seen before and I'm really keen to see how it heals because it looks like it should give good apposition and anatomical restitution…" He frowned and narrowed his eyes. It clearly wasn't the answer he had been expecting.

"You weren't disgusted by all…this…?" He gestured to himself. I blinked at his misreading of my expression and realised his total lack of self-confidence meant he expected rejection-especially when he felt he had committed an unpardonable sin with Heather.

"What? Of course not! Seen it all before, remember?" I told him quickly and stared into his ashamed green eyes. He expected me to scorn him. "And you are pretty cute, Dragon Boy-even if you can't see it! I don't dig those muscle-bound beefcake types! I prefer those lanky, dorky, slightly clumsy, one-legged, self-effacing, auburn Dragon Rider guys…" His lips moved into a very slight smile and the anxiety in his green eyes eased.

"Not at all picky," he murmured.

"Hiccup," I said, taking his hand and sliding my fingers between his, "I know you are feeling really awkward and embarrassed about the Heather…thing…but I can honestly say all I am seeing is a boy I really fancy, my best friend here and I want to make him smile because he looks desperately down right now." He raised my hand to his lips and ghosted a soft kiss.

"I'm not sure what I would do without you," he admitted.

"Not go to the hospital," I told him honestly. He grimaced.

"Not my favourite place," he admitted.

"Better move up the list 'coz I'm there now," I reminded him and checked my watch. It was already past three and despite the General's orders, the debriefing would wait until morning because we would never round up all the Riders now. "I need to check in with Gothi but I want you to meet me at five in the garage." I winked at him. "I have planned a date and you better not mess this one up!"