The Shifter's Gift

by Haley Weir

  “You can’t promise anything,” Scyros growled.

  “You’re right, I can’t. But everyone here has been affected by this war. Some of us more than others.” He nodded to Ari who nodded to Sky. “Let it be over,” he urged.

  Sky looked at Belle and her eyes were wide. Sky couldn’t stay angry at her forever. He would take the same gamble if he were in her shoes. He had taken a lot of gambles lately, and he was glad those choices led to her.

  Scyros gave an almost imperceptible nod of his head, and the tension in the room eased, only marginally. There was still the flight and fight to endure.

  Sky hung back, waiting for Belle to be alone with him a moment. The Council was starting to file out and cross the street to the park.

  When they were alone together, Belle looked at him. “You hate me, don’t you?”

  He strode over to her and pulled her into a hug. “No. I don’t hate you. I hate this, all of this. The war, the plan. I just want it to be over.”

  “But you’re angry at me?”

  “A little, but I’ll get over it. Just promise me you’ll come back safely.”

  “I’ll try.”

  “I’ll take it.” He sighed and rested his chin on her head. “You better try your hardest though.”

  “Yeah?”

  “Yes,” he replied. “Because I think I’m falling in love with you, Belle.”

  Chapter 15

  Belle wasn’t sure she heard him correctly. He had just said he loved her. She blinked back the tears that instantly welled up in her eyes. No one had ever told her they loved her.

  “Say it again. This isn’t a joke, like payback for tricking you, is it?” she whispered.

  “No. I meant what I said. I love you, Belle.”

  The tears slipped down her cheeks and he brushed them away with his thumbs. “So, if you die I’m going to be really upset about it.” She appreciated he was trying to be okay with her choice, even though the plan was terrifying to him. “I understand,” she said. “I am falling for you too.”

  He stroked her cheek and whispered, “then come back to me.” She nodded, and they turned to the door.

  Belle waved to the women of the house on her way out, and they all waved back. Everyone refused to vocalize their worries. She walked out the door hand in hand with Sky and looked up. The weather was fair, and the breeze was enough to take them north in under an hour.

  When Belle and Sky reached the park they embraced once again and then Belle shifted and launched into the sky. Scyros was right behind her and then they were greeted by the rest of the warriors and the Council. Belle had never seen so many dragons before. They ranged from Scyros who was a deep, ebony black with just a hint of silver on the tops of his wings, scales and tale, to an almost entirely silver. Those were the older dragons of the Council. Belle felt out of place because she was such a vibrant green.

  She flew north with a purpose this time, not lolling and rolling in the sky at a leisurely pace like before. The winds on the way were favorable, and when she craned her neck, she noticed lines of defense beginning to peel off and hide along the Hudson River, starting about halfway up the river towards the Serpentina hideout.

  Scyros had insisted he and his brothers be on the front line of defense, and no one had argued, each putting themselves in jeopardy on her behalf. All too soon they rounded a bend on the river, and high on top of a ledge sat a stone house. Its windows remained empty, void of light and life. It sat like a lonely soul, waiting for its inhabitants to return. Belle knew without having to ask that this was Drake and his brothers home. It was three times the size of the brownstone in the city. Belle could understand why Scyros missed the freedom and openness here on the river. The wilds spoke to her as much as she was sure they called to him. Belle somehow knew that she had been here before as an infant. It was imprinted on her memory.

  Belle looked left and right and saw that it was only she, Scyros, and Drake who were still moving north. She felt the thud of her heart in her chest as she moved away from the safety of the house. It was as if an invisible barrier marked the boundary between the Serpentina territory and Drake’s home.

  Drake and Scyros dove down into the dense forests along the banks of the river, and were watching her somewhere in human form. They were ready to launch at any point and follow her once the Serpentina spotted her.

  It didn’t take long. Belle was spotted after a half an hour of circling, and the Serpentina came in fast and hard. She let herself falter in the sky, rather than continue her single-minded purpose of flying. She hoped it came across as a newly shifted dragon’s errors of flying in the sky, rather than a sense of vulnerability. The Serpentina, one blue and one red, circled her multiple times, hissing and snorting smoke and small tendrils of flame at her.

  “Who are you?” the blue one hissed. Belle opened her mouth and attempted to answer, but nothing came out but a smoky cough. “I said, who are you, she-dragon?” the blue Serpentina hissed once more. Belle attempted to answer her again, but all that came out was a low hiss.

  “She is newly shifted, Larissa,” the red one said to her friend. “She can’t speak and control her fire yet.”

  “Impossible,” Larissa snarled at her. Belle tried to convey through the desperation in her eyes that the red Serpentina was right. “We will take her to Saphera.”

  Whoever Saphera was, Belle was certain she was the leader. The two moved in at her sides and Larissa snarled, “follow us.”

  Belle didn’t try to struggle. She knew that by following, it would seem like she came in search of them, rather than appear combative. It wasn’t long before they rounded a bend in the river and dove into a rocky crag that turned into a system of caves. Belle was certain that she had been obvious enough in the sky for Scyros and Drake to send the signals of smoke through their nostrils down the so the rest of the warriors could come join them.

  Belle landed next to the two Serpentina, and noticed a few dozen other she-dragons perched in a semi-circle. In the center of the circle was a dragon she presumed to be Saphera. They all shifted into their human forms, and white robes were handed out. Belle calmed her mind and shifted as well, but was not offered a robe.

  “Who are you, she-dragon?” Saphera’s voice was low and commanding. Belle didn’t bother to hide her nerves when she answered.

  “I am a half breed,” she began. “I was born of a Serpentina and raised in a human orphanage. I have just recently learned of my identity and was set upon when I was out attempting to fly for the first time by large black dragons. I’ve been hiding along the banks of the river for a couple of weeks trying to avoid them.” Most of her confession was the truth, just slightly out of context. It wasn’t her hiding along the river, but the very dragons she accused of attacking her. The rest, like learning to fly, was true.

  “So, you say,” Saphera said. She began approaching, and Belle let her newly acquired nerves about being a dragon shine through again. Saphera was the most beautiful of all the Serpentina; she was unquestionably their queen. The other women all cast their eyes down as she walked by. Her viciousness practically oozed from her skin. Saphera stopped in front of her and Belle looked on with wide eyes. Her own were reptilian, a trait most likely acquired by age, and Belle watched as she sniffed at her. “You do smell part human. You say a Serpentina birthed you?”

  “Yes.”

  “Who?” Saphera asked softly.

  “I don’t know,” she shrugged. “There was little in the report except the woman who left me at the orphanage had fiery eyes. It wasn’t…it wasn’t until after I shifted that I began to research the truth of dragons. There isn’t a lot of literature that isn’t pure fiction though.” Belle let her voice waver.

  “No, there isn’t. And how is it that you first shifted? What was the catalyst?” Belle couldn’t tell if the purr in her voice was one of malice or genuine interest. It didn’t matter either way if she knew Belle was lying. All she had to do was buy time for the warriors to gather and adva
nce on the cave.

  “Ah…I um, I had…well, it was sex. I was a virgin and then, that night…” Belle trailed off. The heat in her cheeks from her blushing wasn’t anything she had to fake. Her embarrassment was met with light chuckles from the Serpentina.

  “I see. I suppose it is moot to point out the purpose of the Serpentina is to oppose the male dominated aspect of our race. Without the use of the male’s tool, you wouldn’t be joining us now then, would you?” Saphera looked at her with mild interest.

  “No. I suppose not.”

  “Well, we don’t turn away any females of our race. All Serpentina are encouraged,” she looked at a few of the women who ducked their heads. Belle had no doubt they had been blackmailed as Scyros’ mother had. She wished there was a way to warn them to stand down when the attack came, but she was afraid the warriors would show no mercy to any of these women. “...to shun the hold that males have over us, whether dragonborn or human.”

  “I understand.” Belle ducked her head to try to convey her obedience. Saphera chuckled and turned away. Only as she was walking towards a dais in the plateau where an ornate chair sat, almost like a throne, was Belle offered a robe. She gratefully took it and was being bumped along with the others toward the dais when she heard the first whoosh of wings as the warriors advanced the attack on the cave.

  “Traitor!” Saphera screamed, pointing at her.

  Belle felt the sting of pain as someone next to her clawed along her side. She didn’t waste any time shifting and launching herself into the dome-like space of the cave. She crashed into the body of another dragon. All Belle saw before being jostled into the fray was the crimson fire in Saphera’s eyes as she looked at her and pointed, screaming into the sky.

  Chapter 16

  Scyros searched the bodies and prayed the Council and his brothers remembered that Belle was the emerald Serpentina, and she was not to be touched. Bodies and blood were flying everywhere as the battle of the species began.

  Sky caught a rake of talons to his side as he continued to search for her. He caught sight of Drake engaged with a nasty looking red Serpentina. When he dug his talons into her, it was difficult to discern if the red was from her scales or her blood. Sky assessed the damage on his side, and found it was superficial.

  He spread his wing span out as he flew past a golden Serpentina and knocked her from her flight path. She was making a beeline for Ari, who was already engaged with two other Serpentina. The more Sky couldn’t find Belle, the more worried he became.

  A whirlpool of color and bodies littered the floor. Sky’s heart jerked wondering which of his brothers had been slain, and had to shake his head to refocus on the task at hand. He clawed violently into the side of the golden Serpentina, and was able to attack her heart directly. Moments later, her viscera fell to the floor, along with her carcass.

  Scyros spotted Belle’s greens scales at last. She was engaged with a Serpentina every warrior was familiar with: Saphera. She was the oldest and deadliest, and was now credited for causing the uprising. Saphera was chasing Belle in circles, and Belle was attempting to out maneuver her through the bodies. But Belle was a new dragon, and she did not have any battle maneuvers or tactics under her belt. She was flying blind in the hopes that all the other Serpentina were too busy to notice her while she made her escape out of the cave to wait for the warriors.

  But Saphera had singled her out as the traitor amidst their group and was intent upon revenge until Scyros slammed his whole body into the side of her. Her body fell from the sky, hard and fast. He fell from the sky with her and landed on the freshly slain body of one of the warrior males. Despite his detest for the warrior, he recognized Kylar’s almost pure silver scales along his body, and his ancient eyes staring back at him in death. Sky felt the rage pour through him and motivate him to move again.

  He righted himself and lashed out at Saphera, who whipped her own tail back at him. The pain that lanced up his spine was almost crippling. But Sky didn’t waste a moment. He ripped his tail back and lashed out with a front paw, opting to remain standing on the ground and fight rather than try to rejoin the fray above his head. He caught her in the side of the face, causing a long gash to open up and enrage her further.

  Saphera’s attention was solely focused on him now. Sky caught a flash of emerald behind Saphera, and he prayed Belle would stay out of it. The distraction could be potentially fatal for them both.

  He ducked just as Saphera’s tail came back around and tried to catch him in the head. Somewhere above him, he heard a roar of rage and knew Drake had caught sight of his and Saphera’s battle. Sky had to end this before Drake got involved.

  He felt Saphera’s claws dig into his side where the other Serpentina had gotten the shot in. It opened up the wounds even more, but he sidestepped, causing her to lose her grip with her talons. Sky was about to pounce toward her heart and risk the chance of her hitting his already open wound once again when she turned, snarling at someone behind her. He knew without looking that Belle had grabbed hold of her tail in a juvenile attempt to distract her. He prayed she let go before Saphera caught Belle with her spikes. Belle dropped her tail just in time, and as Saphera turned to advance on her, Scyros took his shot. He dove into her side and began ripping and clawing with every ounce of strength he had.

  Belle backed away when Drake landed and took over for Scyros. Scyros’ rage subsided when Saphera fell in death and based on the sounds of the battles ceasing overhead, he knew the war was won. Scyros lumbered around, his side aching, but found Belle huddled in the back corner of the cave. She only had a few scratches. Apart from the terror on her face, he knew that she was going to be alright.

  Scyros searched the sea of bodies for his brothers. He snorted, relieved to see Ari and Laine land next to Drake who was standing over Kylar. Lucien landed next, and although Sky was loathe to have lost any of his brethren, he was grateful his family and friends made it through the battle.

  Serpentina were being led into a corner of the cave that offered no escape. The plan was to question the remaining Serpentina who had surrendered. It would be determined through a jury whether or not they had been acting of their own volition, or if they had been blackmailed like Sky’s mother. The Serpentina who had been coerced would be monitored for a time before being released again, but those who remained faithful to Saphera would be executed swiftly.

  Sadly, there were only about a dozen Serpentina that remained alive. Sky wondered if one of them was Belle’s mother, and she must have had the same thought, because as some of the warriors began shifting, Belle approached them.

  “Does anyone know of my mother?” she called to them. Most avoided her gaze, but an older woman with silver in her hair smiled sadly.

  “I knew her.”

  “Be quiet!”

  “Saphera is dead, Larissa,” The older woman said. Sky was concerned by the hopeful look on Belle’s face.

  “I’m sorry. Your mother, Sauvage, is dead as well. When Saphera learned of her betrayal, she was executed. Saphera had us searching for years for you. But Sauvage hid you well.” Sky approached Belle from behind, holding his side. The gash was deep, but he knew he would heal.

  “I want that one spared,” Scyros commanded, pointing to the older woman.

  The procession back to the Hudson House was a long one. A few Council members were building a pyre for their fallen brethren. It was the only way to dispose of the evidence that dragons existed in case humans ever came upon this cave.

  The injured were carried on the backs of the non-injured. Prisoners were escorted one to one by the warriors. After they were fed and clothed, they were imprisoned in one of the stone rooms in the basement of the Hudson House until they could be questioned and tried for their crimes.

  Scyros guided Belle to his room where Corey met them and stitched Sky’s wounds. Once dressed, he pulled Belle into a hug where she cried softly into his chest.

  “It’s over. It’s all over, love,” he crooned into h
er ear. He knew they couldn’t stay in their private moment for too long, but he was grateful for every second.

  “There was so much death,” she cried.

  “I know. It has been this way for far too long. But it’s over,” he reassured her. Once she was done crying, he kissed her lips and cheeks. “You were so brave. You did so well.”

  “She was so awful,” Belle whispered. “I could just sense it. She was pure evil.”

  “It’s sad how the bitterness of one can sway the minds of so many,” Scyros replied. “But now the race starts new.”

  Belle nodded and he pulled her into another hug, wincing as her arms rubbed against his bandages. “Sorry,” she mumbled. She dried her eyes and he smiled at her.

  “So, are we even?” he asked. She nodded and smiled.

  “Yes. We are beyond even. I don’t know what I was thinking,” she chuckled.

  Scyros grinned as Corey popped his head into his room and nodded.

  “We are being summoned. Come on Emmy-Belle.” Belle grinned at her nickname. Together they made their way to the living room where a large glass window overlooked the river. Sky sighed wistfully at the sight he had missed so much. He caught his reflection next to Belle’s in the glass and knew there wasn’t a more perfect sight in the entire world than being home next to the mate he loved.

  “I love you, Belle,” he whispered to her reflection. The fire in her eyes ignited immediately as she responded to him.

  “I love you too, My Sky.” Sky kissed the top of her head as Drake cleared his throat.

  “Lord Drakkain, King of the Dragons!” Lucien called. The group had gathered to pass the torch of king from Kylar to Drake. By dragon law, anyone wishing to challenge his status was to speak now. Not a sound was made as Drake assumed the mantle passed on by the legacy of the fallen Kylar.

  “I’d like to take a moment and acknowledge the loss of our fallen brothers.” The silence continued. Scyros thought of his parents, Cairne, and of Ari’s mate. He thought of Belle’s mother and the warriors who had lost their lives. Despite all of this loss, he considered how blessed he was to have his family, friends, and mate surrounding him. Belle’s joy was radiant as well.