Tharius removed the sword harnesses himself, surrendering them with promise of retribution in his glare. Two wyverns formed their escorts. Claudia recognised the wyvern she slighted, hate in his eyes. The orb entered the lair and followed, leaving the angular eyes outside to capture the opening of the hoard.
“I challenge you first,” he said to the wyvern who’d threatened Claudia. Let them bring their flying eyes to witness once and for all the supremacy of the dragon against the subordinate wyvern. If they had his brother Toren, then they would fight side by side and reclaim the honour of Clan Dra’Kathis.
“Accepted.” The wyvern shoved Claudia on ahead, sending her stumbling dangerously close to the top step. The wyvern looked back at the orb. “And I will kill him like I killed the other blue.”
He’s lying, Tharius. Don’t rise to the bait.
Tharius bit his tongue. Toren was a romantic who hid a heart of steel. Shaping up to be a fine warrior befitting his house, the last time they met. This creature could not take him.
Toren lived. He had to believe that.
Ten creatures filled the cellars when they emerged from the stairwell. Some he knew, some species he’d never encountered. The hovering orb provided light to augment the burning torches sending flickering shadows and smoke rising to the barrelled ceiling.
He took the measure of the ancient female clouded in glamour and painted runes to obscure her age. When Claudia’s heart clenched with dread, his squeezed in sympathy.
Serllia. With more hate in every fibre of her being than the wyvern. An eye closed in for their exchange. He could not stop Claudia stepping forward to the challenge and, even as he feared for her, he thanked her for honouring his house with her bravery.
She uttered words none of them understood. Serllia paused, registering the insult, and then flung out a hand to deliver a stinging slap to Claudia’s cheek. Without flinching, Claudia smiled at the eye and stepped back to stand beside him.
No, don’t react. This is how it works, Tharius. Play to that camera at all times. The viewers are already on our side. All we have to do is keep it that way.
Still in the dark, he realised. Feeling his way from stone to this life where he understood nothing. Claudia was not only his saviour, but his guide in this new order. As much a battle commander as he.
Watch out for the green-skinned male. That’s Veton, and he’s in league with Serllia.
As if privy to her thoughts, the male lifted his head, power-hungry and confident of victory. Dangerous.
Serllia’s in his head. She’ll be helping him, guiding his arm.
As you will guide mine, Claudia. To win this, he must let go of everything he knew and accept her help with an open mind. Claudia stood beside him, her eyes a little blank now, as if listening to the mental-chatter filling her mind, and to one voice in particular. Serllia, her eyes full of cold mirth, laying out the fate she planned for them. Claudia sent the images to him, and it didn’t look good.
How had he expected otherwise?
Chapter Twenty-Two
The Corporation will have their dragons, Claudia. And I will be their master.
Claudia rubbed her forehead, trying in vain to banish Serrlia’s insistent chatter.
Get lost, Serrlia. I’m not scared of you. Claudia braced for retribution, knowing the viewers liked a bit of action up front. Especially involving her cheeky disregard for the puffed-up mystic.
Tharius stood beside her, ready to spit fire in her defence. She warned him, no.
Give nothing away. Act the vanquished, and the wyverns will let down their guard.
“Move.” The two wyverns took the rear, the war-band made up the rest of the square, fencing them in. Serllia lifted a palm, halting their retreat. Veton, designated the leader of the war-band, lifted his chin as if he meant to challenge Serllia’s authority. The seer only smiled and waved him away. Veton’s eyes blanked, and then he shook his head and fell back.
“Position the female at the front, you fools.” Serllia motioned them with an impatient flick to bring her forward. “The cameras will be waiting when we emerge. Myself and this female first, and then, after a suitable pause, you will bring the dragon. Do I make myself clear?”
A muttering wave whispered around the cellar. Tharius glowed with rage. Wound so tight he might explode and take them all with him.
It’s a spectacle, Claudia reminded him. Play the game, Tharius.
I will be right behind you. Another female’s thoughts slithered into his mind, listening to the exchange. Claudia struggled to hold the connection. Way too unstable with all this dark energy swirling. Smug and mocking, Serllia taunted him.
You’ll be my creature, dragon, before this is over.
I look forward to snuffing out your miserable life, he replied in her head. Slowly, and with much relish.
Try it and I will kill your little female. She turned to Claudia
“You think your dragon would get within touching distance of me?” Does he know I sent you to release him for my purposes? That you acted at my bidding?
It’s not true, Tharius. Don’t listen to her.
They were in the kitchen, marching to the corridor leading through the reception rooms to the grand entrance where cameras and thousands of viewers waited for the live feed to begin.
She lies, I know this.
Claudia heard the words, the doubt, too. Their footsteps clattered over the painted floor tile. At the front door, Serllia called a halt and took time smoothing out her flowing gown of fine-woven calth-hair. The hanging door had been straightened, and Claudia sensed the rapid breath and heartbeats of four more beings standing outside ready to throw it back at a pre-ordained signal.
“They’re making quite a production of this. Have we made prime time at last?”
“You think I’d negotiate for anything less?” Serllia huffed. “Given what we have here?”
“Good, so when I ask for your head on a silver platter, the audience will be happy to vote me an axe?”
“You will never be a killer, Claudia. The gods sent you to mend bodies, not break them.”
“You think?” They were murmuring, loud enough for the escort camera to pick up. Too quiet for the others - their attention rested on the dragon, the imminent opening of the door and the roar of the watching viewers. Tharius tried in vain to join the conversation, demanding she speak in his mind not in this incomprehensible speech.
Give me space, Tharius. You’ll be fighting the wyverns, and all comers. I’ll be fighting her.
She touches you, she’s dead.
Serllia’s lips twitched; the smallest of movements. Make a move, dragon, and you will learn the meaning of regret. You think Claudia brought you back to play happy family? Fear not, she will not die. Not when she carries a treasure beyond imagining.
Claudia froze, the truth of Serllia’s words turning her veins to ice. The great doors groaned and moved, revealing a growing sliver of light, letting in the smell of dust kicked up by the hammering rain.
That ember inside of you would not be denied. The dragon served his purpose, and now you have something I want, Claudia. So your miserable life is quite safe, for now.
The ember burned and flared in a defensive move. Claudia’s palm strayed without thought to her stomach. Shit, no. All doubt fell away, as a knowing older than time said, yes, it had definitely happened. And Serllia meant to play the evil fairy godmother—with honours.
Claudia walked on, making her grand entrance for the two waiting cameras. Trying to ignore the miracle growing inside her at the most inappropriate time possible.
She smiled and waved. They’d be waiting for one of her witty come-backs, but all she could think of was the ember taking root and starting its perilous journey to life.
With a jolt, Tharius picked up on the thoughts and shoved growling at his nearest jailer. He wanted only to get to her, hold her and protect what was his.
No, Tharius. Please, stay calm. Don’t lose it now.
&nbs
p; “Give me an excuse to pound you to a pulp, dragon. I’m ready for you.” A wyvern growled back at him, speaking the Draegon tongue.
Tharius swung his fist, catching the wyvern on the chin. The wyvern kicked out, slamming a heel into Tharius’s stomach. His counterpart laced his fingers and brought both hands down onto Tharius’s neck, dropping him to his knees. He staggered upright, sighting the wyvern, a balled fist ready to swing again.
Not now, Tharius. I’m all right, really I am.
“I must defend you.” Our child. I… the wyverns hauled him upright. Tharius shook them off.
“I can walk.”
“Not for long.” The wyverns eyed each other, grinning through sharpened teeth. They’d shifted from male to hybrid during the scuffle, taking strength from their beasts. The war-band formed a loose circle, but Claudia sensed their reluctance to tangle with this captive creature of legend. None but Serllia knew of the drama raging in their minds.
Serllia had picked her moment well, unnerving her opponents when they needed all concentration for the contest ahead. Claudia faced the camera, hands casually on her hips, a hint of amusement in her upturned lips. The viewers wanted sassy, witty Claudia who feared no one. Not the terrified mother-to-be who should not have been able to conceive any child, let alone a dragon child.
Why didn’t the ember consume the human egg with its fiery heat?
They held Tharius back. Quiet for now, Claudia prayed he’d stay that way until called on to fight. She didn’t have to point out his single working arm, his lack of conditioning and knowledge of how this new world worked. Snatches of her thoughts filtered into his mind, muddied now with worry for her, the child.
The camera blasted out a fanfare. That was new. But this was prime time. The big league with the big rewards. Others had won periods of freedom from their victories in the Arena and the hunts, and they would, too.
Claudia…fight for you.
I know. Watch the camera, Tharius. Listen and learn.
The fanfare died away and Claudia swallowed down the pulse beating in her throat. Serllia dismissed all her challenges in one, disdainful sneer.
You ask why the ember did not consume your puny human egg? You really are a stupid child, Claudia.
Get out of my head, Serrlia. I want nothing from you. Claudia let out a steady breath. Who was she kidding? She did want to know.
The answer is staring you in the face, little Claudia.
What the hell does you mean?
Your hands. Your gift.
Oh, Dio. In a flash of insight, Claudia lifted her palms, feeling the familiar prickle of healing energy. Was that how she stopped the ember from burning her contribution to this miracle child? Spontaneous self-healing?
But it never works on me.
There is no never for such as us, Claudia. Serllia sounded almost tired, resigned. She hardened immediately, sensing Claudia heard her slip. I will admit to being impressed you were able to release this beast and get him to fill your belly so soon. A breeding pair will be of great value to the Corporation.
Dream on, Serllia. You think Tharius will let you anywhere near this child?
The fanfare died away, replaced by the camera controller reading out the latest viewer stats. “Points for the gown, Claudia. Serllia, you didn’t do so well. The viewers want more of the wicked seer, and less of the old hag.”
Before Claudia could formulate a suitably witty comeback, a burst of deep laughter exploded from behind them. Claudia swung around, Serllia too, glaring daggers at the dragon-man smiling insolently back at her. The wyverns in the war-band had all stepped back, weapons raised, their expressions filled with suspicion, rather than alarm, at their laughing captive.
But Tharius wasn’t laughing at Serllia and the audience reaction as everyone suspected. He caught Claudia’s eye and sent her an overwhelming wave of pure joy.
A child, Claudia. A reason to fight and win. New hope. He heaved in a breath, momentarily overwhelmed. Serllia’s disdain cut into his thoughts.
You think to keep this child? She will birth it in the dirt of the pit, and I will sell it to the Corporation to raise and fight in their games.
You will be dead long before that happens, hag. Not you, not anyone, will take this joy from me.
“I lay down a challenge now to anyone who dares take me on.” Tharius raised his face to the camera. “I will fight, and in return I demand safe passage for myself and the female named Claudia. Name my opponent. Name a place. Let it be done.”
“And I challenge this Earth woman to a contest of our own.” Serllia leaped in, screaming at the camera.
Claudia took in a steadying breath, still reeling from seeing Tharius so happy it made him feel invincible. Invincible was good. But it seemed that Serllia wanted her moment, too.
They waited for the camera to protest the barrage of challenges. Claudia sensed Mario and the other controllers programming options into their supercomputers, throwing together hasty polls for the viewers.
Buoyed by Tharius’s confidence, she stood ready to take on anything Serllia threw at her. The camera spoke at last.
“Tell us what you have in mind, Serllia.”
“I can return this dragon his ability to full shift. Something this female is too weak to achieve. I will do this in full view of the audience. But in return, I retain the right to be his mistress. I will control the beast for the Corporation’s pleasure.”
I’ll have you, Dragon. Once in thrall to me, you’ll never break free.
A beat of hope leaped in Tharius’s chest, followed by a thud of rage at her insolent demand. Claudia clawed her fingers, wanting to rip Serllia’s eyes right out of her head. She would counter, she would fight.
“And what do you offer in return, Claudia? The other blue in full dragon shift went down a storm. The viewers are already clamouring for more.”
“They can clamour all they like. This dragon-man is stuck in half-shift, and no seer has the ability to change that.”
Tharius’s thoughts crashed, roaring into Claudia’s head. Let her do it. I will kill her before she strikes a single blow. She will never control me.
We can’t take that risk. She’s weakening us, setting us against each other. Can’t you see that? I can help you with the shift. It will take time, but I’ll help you.
“Accept my offer, dragon and you will know again the glory of your full beast and the pleasures of a real female. Wouldn’t you like to walk and breathe, fight as your beast again? Doesn’t the honour of house Dra’Kathis demand that?”
Serllia was speaking aloud for the benefit of the cameras while Tharius stood by, watching her features for clues to the words.
What did she say? Tharius demanded. Translate for me.
The camera did it for her. “She believes she can control a dragon. We will listen to Claudia’s offer, and there will be a contest. What do you ask from this, Claudia?”
She was nowhere near as strong as Serllia. Too depleted from bringing Tharius back from the dead, the long trek, and lack of food. She searched Tharius’s mind and found only a yearning in him to reclaim his full dragon. The half-shift state, the battle between his two halves, pained him more than she realised.
Claudia pushed sopping hair from her face. The heavy gown grew sodden in the rain, weighed down with each thunderous explosion from the sky.
I can fight Serllia if she tries to transform you. Keep you like this. You’re stronger in half-shift, right?
Not if they make me fight full wyverns, Claudia.
You want her to do it? She’ll kill you. As soon as she loses control, and she will, she’ll kill you.
Have more faith, little one. Tharius looked deliberately at the smug-faced Serllia, moving his head slowly from her wildly flapping hair to the hem of her full skirts. I will take this from her, but she will not collect payment.
“I accept.” Tharius bounced out of Claudia’s mind. “But I have conditions of my own. I will fight, but the watchers will choose if I have d
one justice to my name. They will decide, not this hag, which of us lives or dies. I pitch my life against hers.”
Everyone on the ground understood. They all had translation modules and more than one bore a grudge against Serllia. Some nodded their approval. Whoever died today, they cared not.
The operators interpreted for the viewers. Claudia groaned inside, overwhelmed with crushing sadness. No retracting the challenge now, and who knew what cheating advantage Serllia was already planning?
“I would have you with me, Claudia. Come stand by me now and declare your allegiance.”
“You have it.” No one stopped her moving to his side. The war-band let her pass. The wyverns glowered and threatened with their eyes, but did nothing to halt her.
This isn’t how I would have played it. You’ve no idea what will happen with your first shift. What kind of thrall she might use on you. At least tell me your dragon will blind the viewers with its beauty and magnificence. Nothing short of that will get us out of this now.
Claudia pressed her arm to his, seeking his warmth. He was already preparing for battle, the dragon raring to be let loose from its bonds.
If they saw Toren, then they already know the grandeur of Clan Dra’Kathis. They will naturally crave more. Let the hag release my dragon so it may send her to oblivion.
It is you who will die, if you thwart me, dragon. Serllia crowed in his head. Just as the other blue died, shrouded by such humiliation. He was your brother, wasn’t he? Pathetic coward that he was.
“Knowing this only strengthens my resolve to kill you, hag.” The words spoken with pride, weighed down with a great sorrow Tharius refused to show. Claudia honed in on Serllia’s thoughts, seeking the truth behind the seer’s bragging. She could give Tharius that.
He didn’t die, Tharius. I don’t think he died.
You know this? His long, dark hair clung to his shoulders. Sunlight peeking through the roiling clouds glimmered off the silvery-blue scales patching one side of his cheek. More human than dragon now, but she’d never seen him different, other than in her mind. This was Tharius, and when he regained his shift, she’d have to learn him all over again.
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