Charlie didn’t make it back to the table. She was yanked by her upper arm and dragged behind a nearby tree. “What the –” she tried to free herself from the firm, painful grasp.
“Shut up!” Manu hissed at her. “Why do you keep getting in my way?”
He did nothing more than hold her up against the tree. He was frustrated and curious. Manu didn’t seem like the type to hurt a woman, but it didn’t matter to Charlie. Magnus’s face flashed before her eyes, then transformed into Reed’s disfigured visage, leering down at her. She remembered the things they had done to her, things she had let them do. Charlie closed her eyes and waited for a slap or a grope. Her breathing picked up. Panic squeezed her throat, and she gasped for air. All she could hear was her heart pounding in her ears. Manu’s hold on her eased and he gently shook her, but Charlie didn’t feel it. She didn’t hear his panicked voice trying to break through the memories assaulting her mind.
A breeze brushed past her, and Manu’s hold on her was forcibly broken. She slid down the tree. Hugging her knees to her chest, she gasped for air. She remembered the time Magnus had almost strangled her in front of everyone. Maybe Cassiel would save her again.
Someone grasped her head and gently prompted her to look up.
“Breathe,” a voice said. It was calming, unthreatening and most of all, female. “C’mon, Spark, breathe… you’re safe.”
Charlie closed her eyes and concentrated on inhaling, then exhaling. Once she got her breathing under control, she opened her eyes, expecting to see Olivia, but as her teary sight cleared, it was Bast holding her head up.
“Good girl.” When Bast was sure Charlie’s breathing was even, she let go and stood up.
Charlie pushed herself up on shaky legs, leaning back on the tree for support. She could see Manu laying on his back with Disa pinning him down. Her paws were on his shoulders, her snout close to his face. He had a very close-up view of the mountain lion’s fangs. Wide-eyed, he didn’t dare look away.
“Disa, come,” Bast said and the big cat obliged. She trotted over and sat down next to Bast. Bast patted Disa’s head.
“Now Manu, care to tell me what this was all about? Why did you have the poor girl pinned like that? And what did you do to her?” Bast’s commanding voice left no space for argument.
Manu picked himself up and dusted some dirt off his pants. “Well, I wanted to ask her why she kept interfering, but she…” he shot a glare at Charlie, but his voice softened when he saw her whimper press herself closer to the tree. “I just wanted to talk to her, find out why you are avoiding me. I always see her around you. I didn’t know she would react like that. I wouldn’t purposefully hurt her, you know I’m not like that.”
Bast sighed. “I know you’re not…” She rubbed the side of her head. “Listen, Manu, she has figured it out and I wonder why you haven’t picked up on my hints. I know you’ve been waiting for my answer and I was… a coward… afraid to say no to you. I didn’t want to hurt you; you’ve been my friend since I can remember. But my answer is no.”
Charlie watched in silence as Manu took a step towards Bast. She felt like she was intruding on a very private moment, but she was afraid to move or make a sound.
“Why not, Bast? You know we’d be good together…” He offered his hand to Bast. “I know you, you know me, we’re a perfect match.”
“No, Manu,” Bast said as she shook her head. “We’d be awful together… And I, I just don’t look at you that way.”
Dropping his hand Manu looked at Bast, heartbroken. “Why not? What’s wrong with me?” He spread his arms.
Bast exhaled. “Not now, Manu.” She glanced at Charlie and Manu was surprised to see her still there. “Something important is about to happen and I need to take Charlie back.” Bast stretched her hand toward Charlie and the redhead quickly scurried to her side. “We’ll talk later; I promise not to avoid you.”
Bast escorted Charlie back, Disa following without having to be told.
When Charlie got back to her friends, she saw them all standing and facing an elderly man who was flanked by shaman Ma’ad and Koda. The other shamans were standing behind them. The man was speaking and Kaden nodded, Olivia at his side, holding his hand. Cassiel stood behind them, protective of Olivia, while Pup looked back and forth between the humans, tail wagging. He loved the attention he was getting from these people, he was seeking more.
Charlie walked over and stood next to her friend. When Olivia saw the distressed look on Charlie’s face, her own turned to one of worry. Before she could ask anything, Charlie shook her head and mouthed 'later'. Olivia nodded as she reached for Charlie’s hand and gave it a comforting squeeze.
“...That’s why we are here. Our long, lost connection with the dragons and you, coming here… This is not a coincidence, but a sign that dragons will return.” Both Olivia and Charlie turned their attention back to the newcomer as he finished.
“Shaman Nahane, this is our friend Charlotte, she is also involved in our… predicament. Charlie, this is Shaman Nahane, chief shaman of all the tribes.” Olivia made the introduction.
Charlie gestured the traditional tribal greeting and added, “It’s a pleasure.”
Shaman Nahane reciprocated the greeting and reached out to touch a lock of Charlie’s red hair. Somewhat taken aback, she stood her ground, feeling safe, surrounded by her friends.
“Red… Good… wonderful indeed,” the shaman said.
Charlie looked at Olivia, confusion written on her face. But her friend only shrugged it off, knowing no more than she did.
“Maybe we should all sit down for a talk?” Olivia said, turning back to the shamans.
“Yes, of course, let us sit.” Ma’ad ushered people and several tables were brought closer, seating twenty people in a circle.
When Kaden sat down, he pulled Olivia with him, seating her between his knees and wrapping his arms around her waist. It didn’t take long for Olivia’s cheeks to blush and she squirmed a bit. She enjoyed being close to Kaden but at the same time, she had been taught not to show that much affection in front of others. Her parents had never held back in sharing an occasional kiss or hug in public, but her current position with Kaden was much more. She was both enjoying it and feeling very shy. However, when she realized that nobody was giving them judging looks, she relaxed against Kaden’s chest.
“Good… just relax, love. I need you close.” Kaden’s deep voice and sweet breath caressed her neck. Olivia shivered. She leaned deeper into his embrace, relaxing and enjoying Kaden’s little shows of affection; a kiss to the side of her head, a nuzzle in her hair. It didn’t take her long to place her hands on top of his, intertwining their fingers on her stomach.
Charlie sat next to them and winked at Olivia when she looked over. Olivia gave her a shy smile but when Charlie wiggled her brows, she almost burst out laughing.
Once everyone was settled, with the shamans sitting across from them, Nahane began, “A long time ago, my people coexisted peacefully with dragons. It was a time when there wasn’t much difference between the people of the forest and the outsiders. It was a time when everybody still worshiped all the Gods, not only one, as the outsiders do now. It was a time when dragons helped our people in their rites of passage as we did for them, and it was a time when the dragons helped us battle the forces of nature so we could prosper with ease. That time is gone now, the dragons lie in deep slumber, at least we hope. We are not sure why they left us, we would ask them, but… they are obviously not here to be asked.”
“You really don’t know where they are now? How many of them were there?” Olivia asked.
“They just left, one by one.” Nahane glanced at Ma’ad briefly before continuing. “There weren’t many of them. As the stories go, maybe twenty in their prime. The older ones usually kept to themselves, it was the younger ones that socialized more with us.”
Shaman Nahane paused to catch his breath and Olivia immediately jumped in with her next question. “How long did…
do... they live?”
He raised his eyebrows, amused. “We are not sure. We heard tales of dragons who were over 500 years old.”
“What abo –” Olivia started again but Kaden squeezed her gently.
“Liv, you know I love the way you’re curious about things, but how about we learn how they could help first and then you can ask all the questions your heart desires.”
Olivia looked up and realized that the others were waiting patiently to hear what shaman Nahane had to say. She quickly apologized.
“When we are done here, if you want to learn more about the dragons, just ask any of the shamans, we all know the stories.” Nahane turned his attention to Kaden. “So, I hear there is a dragon within you, boy…”
Kaden laughed, shaking Olivia with his mirth. She couldn’t help but smile at that.
“Oh, I’m hardly a boy… But yes, I have been told there is a dragon residing inside me.”
“I’ve been told your story, but could I hear it from you?” Nahane’s dark brown, crinkly eyes sparkled with curiosity and excitement. He clasped his hands on the table in front of him.
“Very well…”
Kaden explained in detail how he had been cursed, how it felt to be a dragon and how the curse was broken. Ma’ad suggested that the curse could actually be a meld.
“Interesting… just like her hair…” Nahane concluded, pointing at Charlie. While they were discussing Kaden’s story, he often mentioned Charlie’s hair. Nobody in the tribe found it strange, being used to the unusual shaman.
“Give me your hand,” the head shaman said and Kaden obliged. He leaned forward, still holding Olivia. He felt less agitated with her around.
The shaman clasped Kaden’s hand and the other shamans touched his shoulder, his back, his arm. Ma’ad and Koda joined in as well. When they all closed their eyes, Kaden felt the urge to do the same.
He felt them, like a shiver flowing through his body, prickling, tickling. It was strange and odd, as they observed the flow of his life force, his energy. One presence within stepped toward his mind, as if trying to get inside. He opened his eyes to glance at the group and noticed young Koda. Kaden watched him concentrate and in return he focused on the boy. Soon, he realized that Koda was indeed the one trying to explore his mind. Kaden smiled and let the boy in.
Koda’s eyes snapped open, his pupils dilated. Sharp pain pierced them both.
Kaden snatched his hand back. He convulsed with pain, holding onto his head. Koda squeaked and before anyone could react, lost consciousness
“What’s wrong? Kaden!?” Olivia swiftly turned, her palms on his thighs.
She glanced back and saw Ma’ad and Nahane tending to Koda. Everyone was moving, whispering, and Olivia saw Kamil rush over to Koda as well. It took her a second to realize what the others were up to. Cassiel had jumped to his feet, his eyes darting around, looking for danger. Charlie huddled closer to him.
“Kaden? Please tell me what’s wrong?” Olivia tilted Kaden’s face up, so she could check him for any sign of injury.
Hearing the distress in her voice, he obliged, wincing slightly as he looked at her. He could barely hold back the tears that flooded his eyes as the pain pierced his head.
“I’m alright.” He placed Olivia’s hands on his cheeks, covering them with his own. “I’m alright,” Kaden said with more conviction in his voice.
Olivia sighed in relief and pressed her forehead against his. “I worry so much about you.”
“I’m alright, the pain surprised me. It was only for a bit, but very sharp. Probably why the boy passed out.” Kaden kissed Olivia’s forehead. “Everything else, we’ll figure out. Don’t worry.”
Olivia scoffed but smiled. “Highly unlikely that I will not worry.” She pulled Kaden forward, kissing him gently.
A groan sounded behind them. Olivia turned around, and saw Koda coming back to his senses. It was a good sign, for him to wake up that swiftly.
“Is Koda alright?” she asked as she snuggled next to Kaden and gave Charlie a reassuring smile. Cassiel sat back down when he was sure they were safe.
The boy nodded, but flinched as the movement sent another wave of pain coursing through his head. His worried mother wanted to usher him away, but Ma’ad assured her that he was safe and should stay. It took some convincing, but Kamil reluctantly agreed to let her son stay, sitting down next to him.
“What did you see?” Kaden asked when Koda was once again sitting, taking a sip of his drink.
Koda didn’t answer but turned toward Nahane. “He should have it.”
Nahane frowned in confusion. “Have what?”
“The amulet, we’ve kept it safe for him.”
“Koda!” Chief Marok warned his son.
“If we don’t, they will both go mad.”
“He is right…” Ma’ad added. “No one wanted to voice what we all thought, but he is the one.”
“The one what?” Olivia asked as she wrapped her arm around Kaden’s waist, as if trying to keep him safe.
Nahane sighed, and that one action drew everyone’s eyes to the chief of shamans. Somehow, he managed to command their attention without speaking. The people of the tribe knew what Koda was talking about, so they now held their breaths and looked at the shaman.
“Koda is right,” Nahane said to his people and there was a mix of different expressions on their faces. By now, all of the tribespeople in the village were gathered around, sitting or standing and listening.
“Are you sure?” Marok couldn’t help but ask. He was worried about his people.
“We have nothing to lose if we try. It will either work, or it will not. If it doesn’t, we will count on their dignity and honor not to tell our secret.” When he said that, Nahane looked pointedly at each of them, from Kaden to Olivia, Charlie and then settling on Cassiel. He could tell that after everything they’d been through, and with the warm welcome they had received from chief Marok’s tribe, they were trustworthy. They all nodded in agreement.
“Will somebody tell us what this is about?” Kaden snapped, finally impatient.
Receiving a nod from Nahane, Ma’ad said, “There is a story passed from generation to generation, you might even call it a prophecy. Some of the meaning has been lost over the years, but its purpose is the same. The story says that a dragon will come back to us one day and that we, the people of the forest, will help him get his wings back. That part now makes sense. He would be a dragon born from blood and fire. It also says that the dragon would be able to bridge the gap between the dragons and humankind, for he would be both. When the time comes and humans need defending against a tyrant, this dragon would awaken the other dragons from their slumber, so they could once more protect those in need.” Ma’ad took a few moments to gather his thoughts before he continued, also giving time to Kaden, Olivia, Charlie and Cassiel to mull his words over.
“We believe that you, Kaden, are that dragon. It all makes sense now. The prophecy originated with the last dragon shaman himself. Before he left for what we now call No-Man’s-Land, where he would enter the everlasting slumber, he left an amulet. It is filled with magic which is supposed to give the dragon back its wings. It is the only magical artifact that we know exists today, so you understand our reluctance to say anything about it to anyone. The chaos it would cause, bringing the greedy to our doorstep.
We would like to give it to you. We think it could help you with the dragon within, either releasing him or… we are not sure what it will actually do but we believe it will help you.”
Ma’ad finished and silence settled as everyone waited for Kaden’s answer.
“Could it hurt him? What will it do? If it turns him into a dragon, will he stay that way? Or will he be able to… ermm… change forms? Do you know what Kaden is risking if he agrees to this?” Olivia’s questions broke the silence.
This time, Kaden didn’t stop her asking questions. The same ones were on his mind. He was grateful for Olivia’s ever inquisitive mind as he look
ed at the gathered shamans, waiting for their answers.
“We... don’t know. The magic inside is very powerful, beyond our comprehension, but what we gathered from the story is that it will help him fly again. My guess is that he will turn into a dragon. I also don’t believe it will hurt him, I’m as sure of that just as this one’s hair is red,” Nahane said and pointed at Charlie again before continuing, “I think he will be able to change forms, since the prophecy says that he will bridge the gap between man and dragon and that he will be both. The one thing that is uncertain is... who will be in control…”
“What if he stays the way he is, without using the amulet?” Olivia was afraid for Kaden, but most of all, afraid of losing him. Admittedly, she had fallen in love with him in his dragon form, and the way she felt about him would never change, but having him human, tasting his kisses, being wrapped in his embrace… she didn’t want to lose that. As if sensing Olivia’s fears, Kaden drew her closer, kissing her head, gently caressing her waist with his thumb.
“No good will come of it. The dragon will consume him from inside, and destroy his mind with its anger. It will only get worse, and not even you, my dear, will be enough to calm him. Imagine having another soul, another entity, inside your mind, one who is lost and furious and doesn’t know what’s going on. It’s trying to break free. It feels trapped inside his head. If it is not subdued or given a form of release, imagine what it will do in its most desperate moments…”
Olivia sighed and turned to look up at Kaden. “What do you think?”
Bringing his other hand up, Kaden cupped her cheek. “I think they’re right… at least about me being consumed with anger. I feel it getting worse. It subsided when I found you again, but it’s stirring once more.” He sighed, resting his forehead against Olivia’s. “Maybe we should give this amulet a try before it’s too late? Either way, I’m not leaving you and in either form I’ll be able to keep you safe.”
Dragon's Prize (Dragons Awaken Book 2) Page 15
