Breathing heavily, her eyes finally met Heidrek’s.
This time, there was no tunnel vision but a more controllable connection. One she had created by fighting and releasing whatever had lurked within. She had somehow changed…had entered a new level of awareness.
“Now you know.” Equal parts pride, respect, and lust flared in Heidrek’s eyes. “Courage has always been yours, Cybil.”
Battle lust quickly turned to arousal. She wanted him more than ever. And she wanted to have him with as much aggression and passion as she had found when taking down her enemies.
His pupils flared.
He knew.
And he wanted the same.
“More come,” Kjar said. “We must travel quickly.”
Heidrek nodded, his eyes lingering on hers before he turned and strode toward the rocky outcrop. Bjorn crouched, flipped her last victim and nodded at her dagger. “It is yours to pull out if you wish.”
What she had done flickered through her mind. More so, the heart of the reason she had tapped into such rage. The hurt Heidrek and Matthew had suffered because of this man’s people. “I do.” Jaw tight, she yanked it free and eyed the blood dripping from the blade before she nodded her thanks to Bjorn and strode after the others.
Soon enough they were climbing a flume gorge with dozens of waterfalls. It reminded her of the Flume Gorge at Franconia Notch in New Hampshire except it was far larger and steeper. Not to mention there were no manmade walkways and railings only thin, muddy paths and long, dangerous drops.
Bjorn stayed in front and Matthew behind as they walked single file. Spray from the waterfalls blew on a chilly wind, but she barely felt it as her adrenaline continued to rush.
Though Heidrek didn’t speak into her mind again, on occasion she felt his thoughts swirl with hers. While desire was there, he was pushing more important things her way.
His absolute faith in her strength.
How certain he was that all would be well.
Yet somehow she knew they would be very lucky if it was. Because with the new changes she felt inside came something else.
A new sense of danger.
She no sooner thought it when thunder, as well as something far different, roared across the sky. Almost simultaneously she heard Matthew grunt behind her before a small dart hit the side of Bjorn’s neck and he staggered sideways against the rock.
“Oh shit, Bjorn?” she cried. He gave no response but slumped down as the smell of smoke filled the air. His skin sheened over then went back to normal again and again. He was trying to shift but couldn’t. “Bjorn!”
“Run, Cybil,” Matthew gasped from behind.
The hair on the back of her neck stood up, and tingles raced over her body. She had only felt this particular feeling once. When her sister Lauren had nearly shifted. She turned, and her blood grew sluggish with fear when her eyes locked with Matthew’s. Like Bjorn, his skin was sheening on and off as he tried to shift.
But that wasn’t what froze her in place.
No, that would be the huge black talon beside him. Better yet, the claw that had caught his tunic and was dragging him slowly toward the edge.
Breath caught in her throat, Cybil’s eyes traveled up until they met the piercing gaze of a dragon. Braced on the mountainous sides of the gorge walls above, its wide wings blocked out the trees and sky. A single blood red eye narrowed on her.
“Well, hello,” purred through her mind before its great head lowered and they came face to face. The smell of sulfur wafted over her as it bared its long, deadly incisors. “I have been eager to meet you.”
Cybil clenched her teeth and locked her knees so she wouldn’t fall when stark terror washed over her. She had never feared what her sisters would become. She didn’t fear what she knew Heidrek’s family were. But this…this beast facing her now was far different.
Pure evil.
The dragon’s nostrils came alongside her head, and it inhaled deeply. Or should she say he. Because she knew it was masculine.
“You smell of untapped desire, demi-god. New beginnings. And you think you have found yourself,” he whispered into her mind as a single red eye met hers. “But you have not.” She heard the smile in his voice. “Take what you think you need from the Dragon Seer then I will come for you and show you how much better it can be.” Her jaw quivered when a talon brushed her cheek. “Because I do not mind that you are part Celt.”
She might be terrified and barely able to think straight, but one thing stood out. Just how much danger Matthew was in. Focusing on that, she ground out, “Let him go. Take me instead.”
The catlike eye staring at her expanded then narrowed as the dragon dragged Matthew to the edge. “And so brave…”
She was about to respond when a roar ripped across the sky, and something slammed into the dragon. Cybil cried out as the claw was ripped away but still dragged Matthew with it. Before she could lunge after him, Heidrek dove past her and leapt over the edge after his brother.
“Oh, no!” She scrambled to the side only to find him hanging by a root as he held Matthew by the wrist.
Kjar thumped down on his stomach beside her, grabbed Heidrek’s wrist and pulled them to safety. Meanwhile, a golden dragon half the size of the black one was battling ferociously.
“No, Svala!” Heidrek roared. The dragon tattoo on the side of his neck glowed as he leapt to his feet.
Another huge black dragon came out of nowhere and slammed the evil one in its side, sending it spiraling into the rock wall overhead. Heidrek shoved Cybil against the mountain and covered her head as rocks rained down.
Enraged, Kjar slammed his hand against the rock. Cybil’s ears popped as the air shifted and warped. She could see Kjar’s lips moving, but she couldn’t make out what he was saying. The evil dragon took off. His chuckle drifted on the wind as he whispered into her mind, “I look forward to seeing you again, Celt.”
Heidrek kept her close until the dragon vanished. A breath later the other two dragons appeared, the air shimmered, and Svala and Tait dropped down beside them. A tear rolled down Svala’s cheek as she looked at Matthew then fell to her knees beside Bjorn and cupped his cheeks, whimpering, “Brother?”
Silent fury made his body tremble as Heidrek turned fiery, enraged eyes on first Svala then Tait. “What are you doing here?”
Before they could answer, he shook his head, his eyes going between Bjorn, who remained slumped against the wall and Matthew, who was in equally bad shape.
“Remove the dart from Matthew’s neck, Kjar,” Heidrek barked then crouched beside Bjorn and carefully removed the dart from his neck. He brought it to his nose and inhaled, his frown only deepening as his eyes went to the demi-god. “I have lost connection with them. Their dragons are out of my reach. I can barely hear them. What is this?”
“I do not know.” Kjar’s frown was just as heavy as he shook his head. “We need to get up the gorge and into safer territory. Now.”
Heidrek nodded. “You carry Bjorn. I have Matthew.” His eyes narrowed on Tait and Svala. “You two stay close to Cybil.”
“I’m fine,” Cybil started but trailed off when Heidrek’s enraged eyes turned her way. Gone were pride, respect, and even lust. He had been introduced to something he knew nothing about and was rip-roaring mad. More than that, she sensed the sharp fear he felt not only for his family but for her as well.
“All’s well,” she said softly. “Do what you need to do.”
Heidrek’s eyes went to the men behind them and then the ones ahead. “We move fast. Keep your eyes to the sky.”
He crouched, flung Matthew over his shoulder and started walking. Kjar did the same with Bjorn. Tait’s eyes met hers and he gestured for her to follow him. Unbelievably enough, Svala said nothing but fell into step behind her. Cybil sheathed her blade and moved right along.
While tempted to speculate on all that had happened and her numbing fear, she pushed it aside, kept her eyes on the sky and her mind clear. If for no oth
er reason than if Heidrek’s mind brushed hers, he didn’t need the extra stress.
The climb became more and more arduous until she was grabbing rocks to continue. Good thing she was an adventurer, or this would have been way too much. They were halfway up a super steep incline when those in front of her started vanishing. Soon enough she realized why as Tait ducked into a cave and pulled her after him.
“It will get very dark, Cybil.” He squeezed her hand. “Stay close to me.”
It was the most serious he had been since she met him. As far as she could tell, Tait was the polar opposite of his cousins. Fun, flirtatious and not one to take things too seriously. So for him to seem so dire meant that things must be as bad as they could get.
She was still trying to relate the golden dragon to Svala and the black dragon to Tait. Their bodies mimicked their hair color, and she wondered if it worked that way with all dragons.
Would Samantha be flaming red like her hair?
And what of Shannon and Erica? Shannon, black? Erica…her thought paused. Her baby sister had unusual hair. Every shade. So what color would she be if she shifted?
And what about Lauren? Would she be pale gold? Because she had never fully shifted.
When the ground rumbled, Tait turned and pulled her against him. When it stopped, he pulled her after him.
Cybil followed carefully and tried to pretend that none of this had anything to do with her sisters, but she knew better. She had just seen a dragon. A huge creature with wings and talons. A beast in the sky that shouldn’t exist. A creature to be feared.
“And what do you think of that?” her father’s voice whispered through her mind as he pointed to a dragon in a book when she was barely ten years old. “Could you imagine one of these being real?”
Her breath caught as the memory slammed into her. A memory that she long ago repressed. One that she was determined to override when her sisters started to change. When she began to realize that all those bedtime stories were meant to prepare her.
Tait gripped her hand tighter when she missed her step and stumbled into his back. “Watch your step,” he said on a sharp inhale.
She knew she affected him as intensely as she did the other dragon-shifters. They wanted her but knew better than to press it. Nothing about her made sense. All anybody seemed to know was that she was off limits. Either she was meant for Matthew or Heidrek or nobody at all.
Now she wondered considering what had just happened, did they think she was meant for the enemy? They may not have heard the dragon’s voice in her head, but they couldn’t miss his interest in her.
The roar of a waterfall grew louder as they started to climb again. It was so dark that she could only depend on Tait to lead her in the right direction. Slick rock wet her hand as she kept it braced against the wall. The ground grew more slippery, but he never let go. Eventually, the distant sound of water became louder and light finally seeped from overhead.
Thunder crashed.
“Wow,” she whispered as she stared down.
Heidrek had just reached the bottom of a cavernous cave with a waterfall pouring into a pool. As they made their way down, Matthew and Bjorn were laid on furs. There was nothing more daunting than seeing such strong men placed so carefully because they were limp and lifeless. Her throat thickened. If she didn’t know better, they almost seemed dead.
A fire flared to life at the heart of the cave as Heidrek waited, arms crossed over his chest, expression grim. Some sat while others stood, every eye trained on him.
He didn’t speak right away but stared at the fire. Tait sat on a rock and pulled her down beside him, then Svala plunked down on her other side. She sensed more than saw that they were prepared for Heidrek’s potential wrath.
“You fought well,” he finally said, his deep voice resonating as he met the eyes of many. “And you have my thanks.” He unsheathed his bloodied sword and held it in such a way that firelight glinted off of it. “As you saw, we face a new threat. A new enemy.” His eyes again met his men’s as a dangerous octave laced his voice. “Mark my words, as we have in the past, we will defeat whatever comes our way.”
The men nodded, some muttering, “To Hel with them all,” while others said, “With the power of Odin and might of Thor’s hammer.”
“All will fall beneath our blade.” A dark grin ghosted Heidrek’s lips as he ran a finger through the blood on his sword and flames sizzled in its wake. “Until we meet in Valhalla and dine at Odin’s table.”
They gave a low roar of approval.
She knew Heidrek was giving a Viking-type pep talk, but she was a little surprised by his intensity. It didn’t quite seem to fit what she knew of him. Rather, she sensed something darker lurking inside. Something trying to make its way to the surface.
Based on Kjar’s narrowed eyes, he sensed it as well.
Yet it was Cybil’s concern that seemed to reach Heidrek because his eyes snapped to hers, though he continued to speak to his men. “You know this area well, friends. Hunt and take some time for yourselves while I speak with my kin, yes?”
Eyes never leaving hers, Heidrek sheathed his blade as they left. Why was he looking at her so intently? But deep down she knew. He had recognized that he wasn’t quite himself and that she somehow caused it while at the same time pulled him free.
“Just say it then, Heidrek,” Svala blurted. “Tell me how mad you are and get it over with.”
Heidrek crossed his arms over his chest and finally dragged his eyes from Cybil only to narrow them on Svala. “You will die very young if you keep disobeying not only your father but me.” His eyes narrowed even further. “You are running from things you will not acknowledge and need to grow up now rather than later, little cousin.”
Svala crossed her arms over her chest as well. She jutted her chin out but remained silent when Heidrek’s tattoo flared to life, and repressed fury simmered in his eyes. Cybil was beginning to realize why he loved war so much. Not only because he was Viking but because he worked so hard to keep his anger at bay. Battling was a means to release it.
His eyes met Tait’s and hardened even further. “You could have stopped her, but you didn’t because you wanted to see Cybil again.” A muscle ticked in his jaw, and he clenched his fists. “If you do not learn to control your urges, you will see your worst fear come to pass, and your kin die because of your actions.”
“It seemed to me his actions saved,” Svala started but clamped her mouth shut when Heidrek’s eyes widened. “Nobody was saved but spared,” Heidrek roared “That dragon could have easily killed you both, you fools.”
He clenched and unclenched his fists, struggling to lower his voice. “It even mocked what Kjar threw at it so trust me when I say all of us still live because the enemy decided as much. He is playing a game.” His angry, pained eyes met Cybil’s before they went to Bjorn and Matthew. “One that is a greater threat than any we have faced in the past.”
Before anybody could respond, he continued.
“Kjar and Cybil, please stay.” Heidrek crouched beside the fallen men and braced his head in hands, his voice far softer but between clenched teeth. “Tait and Svala leave but do not go far.”
Moisture came to Cybil’s eyes when she felt Heidrek struggle with heartache. A feeling of helplessness because he couldn’t help his brother or cousin. When she started to go to him, Kjar touched her arm and shook his head. She nodded and sat back down.
Heidrek kept his head bent for several minutes before he sighed and stood. When he turned their way, all emotion had vanished from his eyes. “Kjar, I need to know exactly what you sensed from that dragon.”
“The same thing you did,” Kjar said and took a deep breath. “He is affiliated with those who killed your sister and he wants Cybil.”
Heidrek crossed his arms over his chest and stared at the fire. “What else?” His eyes never wavered from the flames. “Thor’s powers are starting to surface in me but not fast enough in light of…” He trailed off and shook
his head. “What are you not telling me, Uncle?”
Kjar inhaled deeply and watched Heidrek closely, measuring his response. “Nothing you did not already know was coming, Nephew. Only now you begin to realize that the gods are utilizing the power of dragons to rival your kin.”
“Rival my kin? Is that what that was?” Heidrek murmured. “When we both know he could have slaughtered Tait and Svala in an instant.” He scowled. “That was no average dragon.”
When Kjar said nothing, Heidrek’s eyes finally turned his way. “What was he, Uncle?”
Kjar walked to him and gripped his shoulders. “Embrace what you have long denied and find out, otherwise…”
When he trailed off, Heidrek clenched his jaw. “So it was of the gods.”
“You know it was.” Kjar shook his head. “And now you must fight it.” The demi-god stepped back but kept his eyes on Heidrek’s. “You need to embrace what you’ve always denied.”
Heidrek’s expression hardened even further. “Thor.”
“Yes.”
“What if I have already tried?”
“You haven’t.”
Heidrek didn’t bother denying it but turned his eyes her way. “Why does this dragon god want Cybil?”
“You already know that too.”
“He means to lure me,” Heidrek said softly. “How did he know about Cybil?”
Kjar shook his head. “I will not be your puppet and give you answers when you already know them.” His eyes turned to Bjorn and Matthew. “When you are trying to deny that something more powerful is trying to steal your kin from you.”
Heidrek frowned. “And your thoughts on what was in the darts that have brought my kin down?”
“I would say it is of the gods as well.” Kjar shook his head. “Something that rips away our connection with them.”
“Do you sense they are safe?”
“I answered this several times already.” Kjar’s eyes met his. “Whatever flows through their veins makes it impossible for me to understand what is happening…but…”
When Kjar’s words lingered, hope leapt into Heidrek’s eyes. “But what?”
Rise of a Viking (The MacLomain Series: Viking Ancestors' Kin Book 1) Page 11
