by Cassia Briar
“True, but Sebastian is not just a dragon. He’s part witch and has magic of his own. Besides, I need you to keep an eye out for Isabella. She’s more of a threat to us than Sebastian. She’s powerful and ruthless. I hate to turn my back on her.”
“She’s right,” Angel said, though he didn’t look happy about admitting it. “None of us are a match for Sebastian, except Caprice. We need to watch her back by making sure she can completely focus on that bastard and kill him.”
Jaxon swore under his breath. “Fine. I’ll help however I can and keep a watch out for Isabella.”
“Angel and I will be on the ground tearing apart as many Tromara as possible.” Montrell glanced at the wolf, who nodded.
“I hate splitting up like this, too,” I said. “But it’s what we need to do. Between this plan, and a large dose of dumb luck, we can win this battle.”
At least I hoped so.
I drove the rented car up the long, winding road to Academy Obscura’s massive front gate. My headlights shone through the iron, revealing Tromara guards on the other side. The hinges squeaked and groaned as they opened up and let me pass through the protective ward.
I parked, my heart in my throat as I stepped into the cool night air. This was it. Tonight we’d all either be free or dead. By dawn the world would know the outcome.
Tromara guards surrounded me. One stepped forward and clasped those magic and shift cancelling cuffs on my wrists. The bond I felt to my mates disappeared. It was like an entire sense was taken away. Liam had to be wearing these too, that explained why none of us could feel him through the link. Either that, or they’d already killed him, but I couldn’t focus on that.
With the muting of all my supernatural abilities came a sense of panic. If my plan failed, I’d be at the Tromara’s complete mercy. And they didn’t have any mercy.
Another guard patted me down. He found the ruby necklace and turned it over a few times in his glowing hand. He’d either take it off me or not. It was a risk I was willing to take. The thing had so much witch and dragon magic on it, to conceal that it was magical at all, I was surprised it wasn’t setting off any alarms.
“Pretty bauble,” he finally said, letting it drop against my chest.
Though I cut off my sigh of relief, I sent a silent thank-you to Jaxon, Elena and, of all people, Kyle Aimes.
I was escorted across campus to Sorrentino Hall. The assembly hall had been converted into a throne room. Sebastian and Isabella lounged in ornate chairs on the stage, looking as though they didn’t have a care in the world. Cyril and Demarcus were seated on either side of them. This was all that remained of the old rulers. Mia Chang was still imprisoned. The rest were dead.
“Was she followed?” Sebastian asked.
“No, Your Grace,” one guard said. “She came alone. We’ve swept the forest and it is also clear. No one is within a mile of the campus walls.”
“Very good. You may go.” Sebastian shooed them all away. I was magically debilitated, alone, and absolutely no threat to anyone. All part of the plan. Just as I wanted it—for now.
Isabella smiled. “You’re a smart girl, doing as you’re told. I must admit I’m surprised. I expected another round of your temper tantrums.”
I ignored her words, noticing how youthful she appeared. Her skin was smooth, her hair darker. She’d used the Codex and eaten other witch’s souls. Isabella was now like the Tromara. Soul-eater, practically immortal, savage.
By the look of it, so was Demarcus. They’d fully turned to the other side. The side of corruption and decay.
“I think you overestimate her,” Sebastian said. “I’ve always known she was an empty-headed fool. Never has there been a more incompetent rebellion leader.” He laughed. “Now let’s get to the formal terms of your surrender because I’ve had enough of this farce. You killed four members of my council, and numerous Tromara throughout the country, and you’ll pay dearly for each and every one of those.”
I waited, knowing I didn’t need to say anything for him to continue. Besides, I knew myself, and it was best if I didn’t open my mouth until the time was right. Let them surround themselves in a false sense of security. Let them think they’ve broken me.
Isabella stroked her fingers down Sebastian’s sleeve as she handed him a parchment scroll. The paper unrolled itself, hovering in the air near his lap.
“Let’s see. Oh yes, it’s quite simple. And best of all, magically binding.” The Tromara king turned a wicked grin on me. “You will tell us where your forces are hiding. Your coup council will step down and be dealt traitors’ deaths. You will denounce your role as Council Queen to the nation. That’s it. Easy.”
“I assume I’ll be given a traitor’s death too.” I was relieved my voice came out steady and clear.
“Oh, no. You’re much too valuable for that end. Your grandmother has finally agreed that I may take your for myself. You see, you’ve been a key piece in a little game we’ve been playing for the past six months or so now. A game that I won.” His gaze raked over me. “You’re going to give me children. Dragon children. Lots of them.”
Over my dead body.
Sebastian continued, “Do you agree to the terms, Caprice?”
“I have terms of my own,” I said, holding my head high. “You can have me, and only me. My army and council members will be free to flee the country and live out their lives abroad.”
Isabella guffawed. “You really are dense.” She spread her arms wide. “You’re cuffed. We’ve won. This campus is impenetrable. You have nothing to bargain with, child. This is all a formality. It doesn’t matter if you agree to our terms or not, we will capture and eat every last one of your followers. In fact, I can’t wait to take Jaxon’s power. He’ll be delicious.” She settled back in her throne with a wispy laugh. “You’re unbelievable.”
“Obviously, we haven’t made ourselves clear to you.” Sebastian frowned, scrutinizing me.
“No. You have,” I said. “I just think you should consider my terms. The country won’t follow you once I’m gone. You’ve lost their trust.”
“They will follow.” Isabella flourished her hand through the air. “Once you are out of the way—their precious, invincible dragon queen—they will fall into line. Or else. One way or another, we’re putting an end to this charade. What were you thinking? How could you be so naive as to think you could best us?”
Her words bit deeper than I would have liked. They may still be proven true. I could go down in history as the naive, reckless dragon who was queen for a season. The one who led half the nation to slaughter. Sebastian had promised to enslave the supernaturals if there was another uprising, and I had no doubt he’d follow through on his word.
Sebastian waved away Isabella’s questions. “None of that matters. I want her to sign this parchment. In blood. She will be bound to me.” He snapped his fingers at Cyril.
The scar-faced fae, who was also part witch, took the roll of paper and descended from the stage. He approached me with hard blue-grey eyes. From his sleeve he produced a slim knife.
No matter what he’d said at Montrell’s house in Greenwich, this man was evil. Pure evil. No matter which side he chose, that fact remained the same.
Cyril grabbed my wrist. I tried to wrench away but his fingers dug into my flesh. Realizing that wasn’t going to work, I stepped in close and aimed a knee at his balls. He trapped my leg between his muscular thighs and tsked. The sound pissed me off.
From the stage Sebastian said, “One way or another, Caprice, you will sign that document.”
I landed a solid punch in Cyril’s abdomen. Destiny would have been proud. Unfortunately, the Tromara only grunted, unfazed by the impact. Shit, this guy was next level hardcore. I doubted even Zed could take him and live to tell about it.
Cyril spun me around so that my back was to his chest, and turned us away from the stage. He used a massive arm to pin my body against him and hold my wrists immobile in one hand. The knife appeared, slicing pa
infully along my thumb. I managed to swallow my whimper.
The knife disappeared, replaced by the parchment. Cyril pressed my dripping thumb to the paper which sparked a deep red and curled itself up.
His words were no more than a breath in my ear. “I set a delayed binding on this contract. The only way to stop it from solidifying is to kill its creator. You—”
A series of thunderous booms shook the earth beneath Sorrentino Hall. Screams and crashing sounds came through the thick stone walls. The night lit up with streaks of magic. My army had arrived.
“You have one half hour.”
Cyril discreetly waved a hand over my restraints. The cuffs around my wrists loosened but didn’t fall off. I turned away from him and faced the stage. Shit. I only had thirty minutes to kill Sebastian.
30
Caprice
I didn’t know what kind of binding magic was in that contract I’d just been forced to sign, and I didn’t want to find out. I edged closer to the stage, but Sebastian, Isabella, and Demarcus were focused on what was happening outside. Cyril, parchment in hand, climbed the stairs to the dais.
Isabella pinned me with a chilling glare. “You little… How dare you attack us! Our protective wards are impenetrable. This is suicide, you know. You’ll regret this.” She snapped her fingers. “Prepare the prisoners for sacrifice.”
“I’ll take care of it.” Cyril disappeared in a haze of purple teleportation smoke. Hopefully to release the prisoners beneath the Dean’s Hall. Yesterday I called the number he’d left and we’d made a deal. Reckless? Yes. Worth it? So far so good.
I sent up a silent plea that he wouldn’t betray us. Not now. Not when we were so close. It had been my idea to contact him. To trust him. He was integral to my plan.
Sebastian’s dark eyes were livid. “Demarcus, deal with this! I want them all dead.” The shapeshifter darted from the hall, and Sebastian turned his gaze on me. “How did you do this? You can’t get past our defenses. No one breached the walls—I would have known. I would have felt it. Yet, your people are inside.”
“You’re right, we didn’t breach them. We went under them.” I let the loose cuffs clank to the floor and shifted to my half form. The mate link immediately opened. Three strong, determined energies swarmed in my chest. The fourth was finally there too, Liam, but it was weak, muted, and fogged with agony. I staggered. What had they done to him?
Sebastian’s face contorted through confusion, disbelief, and realization. He hissed through his fangs.
“Let’s take this outside,” I said on a growl.
Isabella flung a spell at me. White light burst from my chest and caged her magic. The putrid energy, of what I could only assume was a curse, dissipated in the open space. I pulled the chain up from around my neck, showing her the ruby of protection. The one she’d given me specifically to defend against curses. Thanks, grandma.
With a cry of outrage she too vanished in a cloud of purple, leaving me alone with Sebastian.
He crooked a finger. “I’ve bested you the last two times. What makes you think this time will be any different?” Red scales traveled over his skin, his pupils became glowing slits. He grew larger as he shifted to full form. I did the same.
Not wanting to get stuck in a space that wasn’t large enough for both of us to maneuver, I charged the entrance, taking the double doors and part of the wall out on my way. On the lawn outside, the battle raged. Our army had made it through the secret underground passage we’d found deep in the woods, a couple of miles from campus. The one Josh had found weeks ago when fortifying the school. The one Angel and Montrell were supposed to have entered through when they returned from Washington.
I’d almost forgotten about it, until Josh had mentioned it when we needed a way into Academy Obscura that would go undetected. The Tromara had used this school for reaping their sacrifices each year, but they didn’t know the campus. They didn’t know all of Academy Obscura’s secrets. But we knew plenty of them, and used them to launch a stealth attack within the walls.
I roared into the night. This was my school and I was taking it back.
Letting the fire build in my throat, I pushed it out toward the shield that surrounded campus. The dragon fire vanished into it, having no affect. We’d have to work around it. Fae, witches, and shifters swarmed the air in battle, staying under the high domed ward. We were in, but now we couldn’t get out.
Sebastian’s mighty red form appeared through the hall’s opening. He focused on me and growled. Then he launched himself forward.
I darted into the sky. Those fighting above me scurried out of the way, leaving empty space for me and Sebastian. Except the Tromara king didn’t follow like I thought he would. He took flight, circling the campus, but I couldn’t tell what he was looking for. Then he dove, flame scorching a path of destruction. He was killing both Tromara and my people. What the fuck?
I swooped down, forced to attack him. To make him stop. He rolled as my body was about to collide with his. Sharp talons scraped the length of my stomach. I pulled away from the searing pain. That had been a nasty trick.
Retreating, I circled high above. The campus was not only lit by the lamps, but also fire and magic. My mates and friends were down there fighting for all our lives. I needed to end this with Sebastian. How much time did I have left?
His red scaled body darted after me, jaw open wide, and I spun out of the way. Coming back round, I body slammed him. We tangled in the air, teeth snapping, talons scraping against scales. I ducked away, then swung my tail around and hit him in the head, which resulted in a satisfying thunk.
Sebastian roared a column of fire over me. It did nothing but warm my scales. He charged and I danced out of reach, biding time I didn’t have. If only I knew how a dragon could kill another dragon. The records Iria gave me didn’t mention anything about killing our own kind. The only vulnerability dragons had was magic—and silver.
I hurled myself at him, drawing on the magic stored within me, and let the red fog escape my mouth. In dragon form I couldn’t speak any words, but I could think them and hope they worked. Die. I exhaled over his face.
He snorted and shook his head. His gaping maw found my wing and clamped down. Pain radiated through me. The only way to hurt each other seemed to be with our teeth and claws. I bit down on the back of his long neck. He released me with a roar and we broke apart.
Well, fuck. Magic didn’t work on him. Was it because he was part witch and fae? It was the only explanation, unless he’d somehow prepared for a magical attack from me.
Then I remembered Mia Chang had told us about Sebastian working on blending witch magic with his dragon abilities. I’d assumed it was a kind of weapon he was developing, but it wasn’t. It was protection against me. The campus was protected, and so was Sebastian. My magic was useless against him.
I launched another assault. If I had to tear him to bits with my teeth to kill him, then that’s what I would do. I nipped and clawed, taking chunks out of his scales. He bit back then whirled, smacking me in the snout with one of his wings.
While I was disoriented, he climbed higher in the night sky, close to the ward bubble. I darted after him, so fucking done with playing games. I drew closer to him and positioned myself for another attack.
Look out! Lana’s voice echoed in my mind through the beast shifter telepathy.
Agony zapped up my tail. I snapped my head back to find a red dragon latched onto me.
Impossible.
Up ahead, Sebastian was flying at me. I knew it was him because my senses told me he was vampire, witch, fae, and shifter. The other red dragon, dragging me by the tail, was only a shapeshifter. My guess: Demarcus.
There are two of them, Lana pointed out the obvious.
I see that. Thanks for the heads up.
Now I was totally screwed.
Using the tether he had on me, I reeled myself toward him and gouged at his eyes. Demarcus shrieked and let go. I immediately went invisible. They couldn
’t attack what they couldn’t see.
My target was still Sebastian, so I aimed for his long neck and let my teeth sink past his scales. An anguished sound escaped his throat. I shook him like a dog with prey. Claws dug into my invisible back when Demarcus landed on me, making me let go of Sebastian. With a cry, I let myself free fall out of danger.
We were doomed. There was no way I could take on both of them. Frustration surged through my chest. I was running out of time!
I did a double take as a black dragon appeared below me. What the hell was going on around here? This one was a replica of me. Scars and all.
I let go of my invisibility and turned toward it. It was another shapeshifter. The mate link told me it was Montrell. The bastard. Why hadn’t be told me? Of course he had my DNA. We’d had sex. I’d been injured and bled all over him multiple times in the past couple of months. When had he realized he could take my dragon form without killing me as a result?
With a huff, and knowing I radiated relief and gratitude through our bond, I charged Sebastian. Montrell went after Demarcus with a determination and fury that made me shiver.
31
Jaxon
The blue protective bubble around me wavered as another spell hit it. I found the source and bombarded him with a series of harsh magic until the Tromara fell to the ground. The gap between us filled in with a crush of bodies. I ducked in time for a wolf to leap over my head. No idea if it had been aiming at me or not. The grounds were complete chaos.
Near one of the dorms, a Tromara shapeshifter had morphed into a gigantic, hellish tentacled monster and was wreaking havoc on a group of vampires led by Olin. Fae and flying shifters hovered just over our heads, raining down magic and swooping with claws. My broom materialized in my hand and I joined a band of witches fighting the Tromara that had taken up a position on the roof of Academy Hall.
