“Does all of this mean that the soul bond worked?” I asked.
“Yes, I’m sure of it.”
The door to the trailer flung open, and in leaped Farsky, sliding to a stop just before hitting the opposite wall. “It’s time!” Gliding over to our cage, he snapped a dark glass tube in his hand, wetting it with red. Reaching out, he pinched the center of the front wall, twisting it in his hand. The hexagonal construction folded in on itself a thousand times, retracting around us, until it condensed into a long shining rope.
Marcus and I shared a glance before shutting our eyes tightly. Immediately I found my fire, and I summoned it forth.
Farsky laughed as he cracked the rope of the spell like a whip, wrapping it around both my and Marcus’s necks. Jerked violently from the connection to my magic, I feel to my knees. Gasping, I fought for air as the spell constricted. Out of the corner of my eye I saw Marcus too was incapacitated.
Is there something we need to do to draw more power? A chill stabbed through my heart.
“I was hoping you’d try to run, it’s how I imagined this moment,” Farsky said as he appeared above me. “It would have been so much more dramatic.” He made a gesture with his bloody hand and the constriction around my throat ceased.
Standing on shaky legs, I looked to Marcus. Around both of our necks was a thick, golden collar.
We’re wearing the cage around our necks.
“Alright lovebirds, time to go.” Farsky pushed us out the door and into the darkness. I stumbled, trying to find my footing. The air smelled musty and dead, as if we were underground. As my eyes adjusted, I took note of the damp stone walls all around me. Maybe it just takes time, it has to have worked. I closed my eyes briefly, looking for my magic.
“Follow me.” Farsky ordered in a sing-song voice. He hummed a sickeningly cheerful tune as we walked.
How can a person derive so much pleasure from something as twisted as human sacrifice?
We emerged from the mouth of the tunnel into an immense cavern. I peered upwards at the gaping holes and cracks in the far ceiling. The pale light which filtered through gave me the strange feeling of standing in some dilapidated cathedral. White light emanated from the pit in front of us, and as Farsky pushed us further towards the edge, I realized what it was. Holy heck, it’s dracendium. He’s got a pit of dragon fire. The familiar flames made my blood turn to ice as they whipped and cracked.
“Just over here please, thank you.” Farsky led us around the corner.
“Rowan!” I called out. My friend was gagged, collared, and bound to a wooden post overlooking the lake of fire below. Her eyes were wide, fearful.
Pure hot hatred shot through my body, clouding my senses. I rounded on Farsky, and without shutting my eyes– I felt it. My fire burned and thrashed against the foreign barrier.
“What is it? You don’t like seeing your friends in danger?” Farsky smirked. “It’ll all be over soon.”
A wave of energy emanated from my center and pulsed through my bones, filling my body with crackling static. I stepped towards Farsky and noted the flicker of fear which had appeared on his face.
He’s afraid. I can do this, I can beat him. Pure molten energy enveloped me as my magic rose, washing over my body. Strength coursed through my muscles as my surroundings faded away from my vision. One goal, one purpose, end Farsky.
I lifted a hand to my neck, and the collar dissolved– drifting away in wafts of grey smoke.
“Wait one second please, Nyminia.” Farsky extended his hand.
I heard two guttural groans behind me, and I spun around. Marcus had collapsed on the ground next to Rowan, who gasped for breath.
If the soul bond worked, shouldn’t Marcus have enough magic now to overcome the spell? Fear flashed in my gut.
Farsky’s voice echoed in the cavern. “If anything happens to me before I fulfill my destiny, these lovely spells will take your friend’s heads off faster than you can blink.”
I froze, and looked from Rowan back to Marcus. His hands grasped at the gold ring around his neck, but he could not remove it. He looks just as confused as I feel, what went wrong?
“Now, Nyminia, for the fun part. This sacrifice won’t work unless you offer yourself willingly. A true sacrifice if you will. So–” he rubbed his hands together “–I think you know where I’m going with this.”
My life, for theirs. I gazed at my friends. Rowan still struggled for air, but at least she was breathing. Marcus tried to stand, but a gesture from Farsky put him heavily on his knees.
I moved to the edge of the pit, looking down into the flames.
“Nyminia, no.” Marcus’s voice rasped.
“He’s right you know, you don’t have to do this. But of course, then your friends will die.” Farsky walked up beside me. “And then you’ll be all alone again. Perhaps I need to show you how serious I am?” Clenching his fist, the golden ring around Marcus’s neck tightened at an alarming rate.
Marcus clawed at the spell, helpless.
“Stop!” I shouted, my eyes wet. “Stop, please.”
Farsky smiled, and relaxed his hand.
The ring around Marcus’s neck returned to a normal size, and he glared at the doctor.
You sick monster. “If you kill them, what makes you think I’ll jump?”
“Do you really want to find out, Nyminia?” Farsky smirked. “Besides, I’ll wager all I have to do is kill the vampire and you’ll be begging me to let you die.” He whispered in my ear, “You don’t think I know about your little soul bond trick? To be honest, I’m extremely pleased. I’ve always been curious to witness a vampire lose their bond partner…”
I shoved Farsky away, and he teetered on the edge, laughing like a madman. “Just get on with it, Nyminia.”
Marcus held my gaze, his eyes pleaded with me.
I’m sorry, Marcus. Maybe this really was my destiny all along, my sole part to play. I took a step back towards the ledge.
“No!” The word burst from Marcus’s lips.
“Silence!” Farsky swept his hands in front of him, clenching both fists. Marcus and Rowan’s collars tightened. “Get on with it. I’m anxious to get back to my old self.”
I peered down into the ghostly white flames, and my birthmark throbbed. Placing my hand over my heart, the heat from the mark was sweltering against my palm.
It’s my life, or theirs.
Taking one last look at Marcus and Ro, I turned and dove into the flame.
CHAPTER 29
NYMINIA
MARCUS SAARINEN
“Nyminia!” I screamed into the empty air.
There was no answer, save for the maniacal laughter of the deranged doctor. I shuffled towards the edge and clawed at the collar around my neck. She has to be alive, she has to be.
Farsky walked through the dust and planted a solid kick on my shoulder, throwing me onto my back.
This suppression magic he’s using, it’s too powerful for him to have dreamt it up on his own. I can’t even sense the magic in my blood, let alone reach my fire.
“Not so high and mighty without your magic, are you, General?” Farsky looped his arm around my neck and dragged me back towards Rowan. Even his strength is unusual for a human.
“Now be good, and just stay here. The change should happen any moment now, and I’d hate for you to miss it.”
The change is not going to happen because Nyminia isn’t dead. The soul bond worked, I felt our souls link even if our powers didn’t pool properly– If she was gone, I’d feel it.
“You said you’d release us.” I forced the words past the constriction of the spell collar.
“And maybe I will, just not yet.” Farsky grinned. “We’ll see how I feel after the awakening. Perhaps I’ll be a benevolent ruler?”
Can he truly be a dragon? The thought made my veins ache. Perhaps the endless reincarnations have sent him mad.
The doctor turned to the pit of fire and spread his arms. “I can feel it!”
&n
bsp; I stood and worked to undo the gag from Rowan’s mouth. A strange electricity filled the air, making my hair stand on end.
“Marcus!” Rowan spoke. “Nyminia, she…” Her face became dark and she turned her eyes towards Farsky. “If we push him in, will it kill him?”
“Rowan, I think Nyminia’s alive.”
Her eyes became the size of saucers. “What? How?”
“I don’t know how, but we bound souls last night. I should be nearly catatonic with pain right now.”
Rowan looked me up and down, surprise and fear splashed across her face.
Quickly, I set about undoing the ropes which tied her to the stake. Halfway through however, my hands shook violently.
“Marcus,” Rowan whispered. “Are you okay?”
I opened my mouth to answer, but no words came out. Instead, a howl escaped my lips as pain struck my body like lightning. It was as if all my bones had been shattered at once, and were now being pulled from my flesh. However the physical pain paled in comparison to the mental anguish as I realized what this meant.
Nyminia… No, this can’t be happening. This can’t be real, she has to live, she can’t die.
“Ah! Of course, the soul bond dissolution.” Farsky turned. “I’ve so badly wanted to witness this.” He approached with his hands on his hips.
I barely heard the doctor’s laughter as I fell to the ground. Rolling on my back, I saw the tears streaming down Rowan’s grief stricken face.
My organs clawed at each other as if each were a caged, wild beast. The bones of my body flexed and cracked as the death throes of raw energy rippled through my physical form.
Nyminia, I love you. Anger and grief stung through the pain. I never said it out loud.
Farsky frowned. “I was hoping for more fireworks. But anyway, back to the main attraction.” He turned, and strode to the edge. The white flames of the dracendium reflected off his slick hair and illuminated his body as it shook with laughter.
My eyes shut, I lay still on the hot stone of the ledge. My sternum cracked one last time before– Nothing. The pain disappeared. Tentatively I rolled to my side, and my body which was broken only moments before was now whole.
A blaze of power flooded my veins. It filled me from head to toe, flushing my cold flesh with warmth from the inside. I could see it without having to use my inner eye– my magic, my fire, burned fiercely through every part of my physical self.
What? How…
I bit my wrist, mixing the magic of my blood with the magic of my fire in the palm of my hand. Bringing it to my neck, the spell collar dissolved like smoke.
Standing, I caught Rowan’s wide eyed stare.
“Marcus, what’s happening?” she whispered.
Magic pulsed within my core, sending hot pin pricks cascading down the back of my neck. I extended my hand and waved away the glowing collar around Rowan’s neck.
“It’s my bond with Nyminia,” I answered as I untethered her bonds. “Something’s happening.”
The flames from the pit doubled, shooting into the air. Farsky screamed with delight, clapping his hands like a spoiled child as the fire roared before him.
“This is it!” He called out. “This is my moment!”
I stood hand in hand with Rowan, ready to run. The flames died down and a deep rumbling shook the cavern, mixing with the sound of Farsky’s glee.
From below the boiling white fire, a primal screech pierced the air.
What?
The curve of a long, serpentine neck appeared. As it twisted, the massive head of the white dragon rose from the flames, nostrils flared. Glinting in the writhing light, her sabre like teeth appeared as she opened and shut her giant maw. The fire in her gullet illuminating her mouth as it flickered from within.
“Nyminia,” I whispered. She’s alive. She’s–
The monolithic dragon drew in a breath, and the air around us whipped past like a torrential wind. With it, she drew in the dracendium, filling herself with the white flames. When it was done, the space was illuminated only by Nyminia herself.
She’s still as beautiful as the last day I saw her. Guilt, wonder, happiness, and fear swirled in my mind.
The dragon lowered her great head to stare at the shaking Farsky with violet, unblinking eyes.
“I made a mistake.” He squeaked. “But I freed you, didn’t I? Surely that counts for something?”
Nyminia continued to stare silently.
“I...I can be of use to you, you know.” Farsky stuttered. “Get you caught up on modern times, even point you in the direction of a certain someone I’m sure you’re keen to find.”
Her gaze narrowed to glowing slits. “Human, you stand accused of treason, conspiracy, kidnapping, and many other terrible acts. How do you plead?”
Both Rowan and I flinched. The voice reverberated inside my mind, so loud it was almost painful.
“What? I–” Farsky dropped to his knees.
“I, Nyminia Atradius, can smell your guilt– and shall deliver your punishment.”
Before he had a chance to cry out, the doctor was reduced to no more than a pile of drifting ash.
Slowly, Rowan and I stepped forward.
“Nyminia?” Rowan spoke first.
The white dragon tilted her head in something like a nod. “Wolf, I sense the bond of friendship between us. I thank you for your service.”
“Um, yeah, of course.” Rowan knitted her brow.
Nyminia’s giant eyes turned to me, and I stopped breathing.
“General, the last time I saw you was at my end, and now here you are at my beginning.” Her voice had become soft in my mind.
I glanced at Rowan, she looked between Nyminia and me with a quizzical expression on her face. She can’t hear anything.
“The fates certainly have an odd sense of humor.” Nyminia’s voice sounded sad. “At last I have a bond mate, yet there can be no heirs.” She closed her eyes.
Emotional pain shot through my heart as I took a step back. No, there can be no children.
Overhead, a deafening roar cut through the silence of our subterranean enclosure. Nyminia’s eyes snapped open, and her vast wings unfurled. Pushing off the ground with her powerful hind legs, the glistening white dragon sailed through the crumbling roof of the cave and into the sky.
Rowan and I dodged falling debri as we raced towards the tunnel, searching for an exit. We found a small carved staircase and shot up it with supernatural speed.
“Rowan!” I called over my shoulder. “That woman you were talking to, Nyminia’s relative, who was it?”
“She said her name was Selene or something!” She yelled back.
We emerged into the light of day, eyes fixed on the sky. The sight there, hanging in the air, turned my blood to ice. Two giant dragons, one white, one red, circled each other in a deadly dance of fire and teeth.
“Rowan,” my voice cracked. “Could she have said Syrine?”
“Ah, you’re familiar with my bond mate.” A cold voice drifted out from behind us. “How excellent.”
I whirled around, coming face to face with a young, well dressed man. Instantly I recognized the narrow face, high cheekbones, and pointed chin.
I shoved Rowan. “Run,” I said to her, my eyes never leaving the blonde intruder.
“What?” Rowan glared at me.
“Do as he says, little wolf, I’ll even give you a head start.” He inspected his nails, flicking away invisible dirt.
Rowan gave me a sideways glance and hesitated before tearing off towards campus, shifting into her red wolf as she disappeared through the trees. Thank the gods, hopefully she has enough sense not to come back.
“Shouldn’t you be bowing, Marcus? Have the times really changed so much? ”
“You’re not my king, Karackis, you’re no one’s king anymore.”
The clash of talons and roar of flame sounded overhead as Syrine and Nyminia fought. White scale on crimson, sister on sister.
“Syrine dug me out
long ago.” Karackis strutted towards me, smiling. “That pesky spell her sister cast was a problem, Syrine couldn’t wake her dragon–” he circled me “–and in turn, she couldn’t wake me. However, it appears that’s not where my story ends.”
I gritted my teeth and reached for my magic. Of all the times for my blood magic to be dry… Fear grew in my bones. If I want to reach my fire, I’m going to need fresh blood.
“Tell me, Marcus, you’ve been living amongst these filthy creatures for a thousand or so years– does this outfit make me look powerful?” Karackis loosened his emerald tie. “I find it stifling.”
“I’m not the person to ask,” I answered through my teeth.
“You never did care much for appearance.” He flashed a toothy grin. “I would have thought that being king would have made you more conscious of it.”
I narrowed my eyes. I see all this time asleep hasn’t changed him at all.
“Ah, wait, forgive me. You’re not the king at all are you? You’re the weakling who sacrificed his most valuable asset to win the war, just to give all that power away.” Karackis stopped his circling and faced me. “Pitiful. Tell me, have you found solace? Redemption?” He licked his lips. “No? Well allow me to put you out of your misery.” Karackis struck my face with his fist, sending me hurtling to the ground.
“Strange. Your head was supposed to come off,” he mused.
I sprang up, bracing myself as I planted my feet in the dry grass.
In Karackis’s hand a clouded red orb grew and pulsated. He smirked and hurled the deadly magic towards my chest. I stepped to the side at a speed which surprised even me. Glancing behind, I saw the orb hit the hillside and burst in an explosion of crimson light.
“Your agility has increased as well, more than what is typical for the years you have lived.” Karackis stroked his stubble and amusement played across his eyes. “Don’t tell me that sorry fool allowed you to bond with the white dragon.”
I clenched my jaw.
“It’s true, isn’t it. You were never very good at hiding your emotions, I could always read your face.” Karackis grinned. “I’m glad to see that hasn’t changed.”
Dracendium scorched the tops of the trees around us, setting the forest on fire. Nyminia and Syrine tumbled through the air, the white dragon’s hide now stained with streaks of red.
Of Flesh and Fire - Book I: Everything Will Burn Page 25
