“What do you mean ‘our war’?”
“This journey we’re on, it only leads to one place I’m sure.”
“What’s that?” Stacey whispered.
“Pure, eternal happiness.”
“That sounds okay.”
“It’s not that simple. We’re not there yet.”
“We aren’t?”
“No.”
Stacey sat up. Looked at him.
“Why do you have to say that?” she asked. “I thought you would reassure me.”
“I’m sorry,” Zane said. “But we need face the truth if we to be together forever.”
“What truth?”
He hesitated. “The Dark Dragon. Quraal. He’s taken over the Island. He’s … planning an attack.”
“Does he know where we are?” Stacey said, alarmed. “Let’s get out of here!”
“No, not on us,” Zane said. “He’s going to attack your city. He’s going to wage war on humans.”
“But … But the dragon guards won’t –”
“Without Narses, there’s no one left for them to follow. He stood against us in battle … and it was we who were forced to retreat.”
“Why couldn’t you beat him?”
“He is far more powerful than I am. I am lucky I wasn’t killed.”
“What about Narses? He didn’t …”
“Narses is inside. He’s dying. Soon he’ll be no more.”
Stacey’s face had become a strained mess of panic. Zane saw this, and she could see her worries hurt him.
“Please,” he said. “You will be forever protected now, my love. I promise you.”
“How are we going to get through this?”
“I don’t know. I’ll need to talk to Master Narses.”
Stacey stood up. “Well, let’s do that.” She helped to pull Zane to his feet.
“I’m so grateful to have you, my sweet Blossom,” Zane purred at her.
“I’m so grateful to have you, Master,” Stacey said playfully back.
They helped dress each other, and made a pact that whatever happened, they would always stay together.
CHAPTER SEVENTEEN
Master Narses was upstairs, in Conrad’s old bedroom. His gold armor was set up against the wall, and his great mass filled the entire double bed.
As Stacey and Zane entered, he seemed aware of their presence, briefly adjusting himself.
“Master Narses,” Zane began. “I’ve brought my beloved here. I know you said not to, but –”
Narses waved his hand. He managed to open his mouth a fraction. “Shouldn’t.”
“I know I shouldn’t have, but here she is. I need you to tell us what to do. How can we defeat Narses? There must be a way. We can’t just do nothing.”
Narses straightened himself. He gave a sickening cough and leaned forward. “Horatio.”
“Horatio?” Zane stammered. “The real Horatio? Where is he?”
Narses cleared his throat again. “Mage.”
“The Mage knows?”
Narses nodded.
Then he shook his head. “You will fail.”
“Why?” Zane demanded. “Why will I fail?”
“Because…”
“Yes?”
“Because…”
Narses trailed off again. The candle on the desk behind him went out.
Zane moved away from the bed and approached Stacey.
“He’s dead.”
They stepped outside the room and closed the door behind them. Stacey noticed Zane looked deeply troubled.
“What happens now?” she asked.
“Well … I don’t know,” Zane said. “He said that the only way is to find Horatio. And to find him we have to somehow get our hands on the Mage.”
“But he said you’ll fail.”
Zane looked back at the door behind him. “He did.”
“So what does that mean?”
“That means that we can’t defeat him,” Zane said.
A chill ran Stacey’s spine.
“That means the only way we can be together is if we keep on running.”
CHAPTER EIGHTEEN
A life on the run. It wasn’t what either of them wanted. At the same time, it was better than being apart. Anything was better than that. Stacey let the grim reality of Narses’s dire prediction sink in, and it didn’t feel good at all. She wanted to challenge it. She wanted to be able to do something about it herself. They went downstairs and sat at the dining table to discuss their predicament.
“Is there any way out of this?” Stacey asked. “Can Quraal be reasoned with? Can you make some type of peace declaration with him?”
“That is extremely doubtful,” Zane said. “He is the Dark Dragon. He is simply evil.”
“But if we found Horatio, we might have a chance to defeat him?”
“Well … that would be very dangerous to undertake. But it would be worth it because it’s doable. It’s just that…”
“Narses said we’d fail.”
Zane shook his head. “He didn’t say all he wanted to say. It was fragmented. There is a chance that it isn’t a guaranteed failure. Maybe we just have to do something differently than we would otherwise.”
“It’s a pity he’s not here to answer you.”
Zane stroked his upper lip. “We need to make a decision.”
“I know that.”
“We run … Or we fight. Either way we could die.”
Stacey looked down. She searched herself for the answer.
“You mentioned that Master Quraal was just one of many Masters.”
“Yes.”
“Maybe it’s time to talk to the other Masters. Maybe they can tell us what to do. They’ll want Quraal defeated, won’t they?”
Zane inhaled deeply. His gaze drifted away from her.
“Master?”
“It’s true,” he said after a moment. “They might help us.”
“Why wouldn’t they? He killed Narses.”
“Dragons are strange creatures. Whilst the Masters themselves are not evil, they still respect Quraal’s power more than anything else. If he is to be the most powerful dragon on earth, they will not interfere with him.”
“But they still might help you?”
“I believe so.”
“So what are we waiting for? Let’s figure out how to get to the otherworld.”
“Okay.” Zane stood up. “Are you warm enough wearing that?”
“I’m fine, Master,” Stacey said, standing.
“Good. Let’s go into town then, shall we?”
CHAPTER NINETEEN
Stacey and Zane never made it into town.
Dark clouds had gathered over their would be place in the sky, and now looking out to the courtyard there was barely any light at all.
They stood outside the house whilst Zane locked the front door, and then embracing Stacey underneath his arm they descended into the courtyard.
It was the sight they least wanted to see. In their courtyard, where they had possibly conceived their first child, only minutes ago, the appearance of others had made themselves known. Stacey immediately squeezed Zane’s hand in shock.
“Look,” she squealed.
Zane looked. He saw it just as she had.
Around the borders of the courtyard were the Dragon Guards of Firebound Island, dressed completely in black.
Zane did not slow down. He kept walking close to Stacey.
As they made their way further, a crack in the clouds opened up, and moonlight shone down on a group of figures standing in the centre of the garden.
Quraal. The Human Mage.
Jasmine.
Dennis.
Dennis was on his knees whilst the other three were standing. Jasmine looked absolutely terrified.
Stacey screamed as loud as she could.
Zane’s grip on her didn’t falter. Neither did his stride.
They moved into the centre of the courtyard where there was barely meters between
them and Quraal.
Whilst Stacey at first didn’t know why Zane was approaching so boldly this way, she knew one thing he refused to do in the face of evil.
Show it fear.
CHAPTER TWENTY
Stillness all around. No wind. No breeze. Barely any air to breathe at all…
“He’s dead, isn’t he?” Quraal said, breaking the silence. “Narses?”
Zane nodded.
“You have nothing now,” Quraal declared. “You have no power. No chance for victory. I was worried while he was still here. But now, I am not.”
“Just give him what he wants,” Dennis piped up. “Stop messing around.”
Quraal struck him across the head so hard he fell over. “DO NOT SPEAK OVER ME!”
“Sorry…” Dennis whimpered.
“Will you at least spare the girls’s from this?” Zane asked. “You want me, don’t you?”
“Don’t tell me what I want,” Quraal whispered.
Zane breathed heavily. Stacey wasn’t sure if either would suddenly bound into attack.
“You may have heard,” Quraal continued. “That it is time for war.”
“Against the humans?” Zane responded.
“Who else?”
“Why do you need this war? What is there to gain?”
Quraal grinned. “Everything.”
“And why have you come here? To kill us? To torment us?”
“I am here now,” Quraal said, “because I’m giving you a chance. You are still the best Dragon Warrior among us here, besides myself. I need you to submit to me.”
“How can I do that?” Zane gasped. “After all the carnage you’ve caused?”
“It is very simple,” Quraal said. “You have this moment here, to save these people. I will not harm them. Although, this beautiful one here is to become my bride.”
Jasmine broke into tears. Stacey was horrified as she watched Quraal attempt to comfort her. “There, there,” he said. “There, there.”
“How dare you lay claim on that woman?” Zane shouted. “She does not belong to you!”
“On the contrary,” Quraal countered, “she now has my seed inside of her. She will have my children. As your bride will have yours.”
Quraal stepped forward. Smirking, he circled Zane and Stacey.
“I will give you the Island,” Quraal said. “I don’t need it. I have the whole world now. It’s all mine. We’re going to take it from them.”
“How?”
“By force. How else?”
“Are you just going to kill everyone?”
“Oh, no. I’d rather enslave the majority. You could have all the slaves you ever wanted. And still have your bride, your guards, your Island. I’m offering you everything.”
“I could never trust you,” Zane declared. “You’re not trustworthy. You’ll stab me in the back whenever you feel like it.”
“But you would be my number two. Who is my number two now? The Human Mage? What good is he compared to you?”
The Human Mage swallowed. He seemed slightly uncomfortable.
Quraal was in Zane’s ear. “You submit to me, and it’s all yours. You will be free under my rule.”
Zane looked down. His eyes met with Stacey’s.
She knew she wanted an answer from her. But … this was something she could never answer…
“Well?” Quraal demanded. “Are you with me tonight, friend? Or shall you die tonight?”
Zane was no longer looking at Stacey. He couldn’t. The shame inside was overwhelming.
Stacey heard the red sword cutting the grass behind her. It swung round. Swooped through the air.
Stacey could feel the dragon that was inside her.
The dragon that bound Zane to her forever.
And she knew, within all her heart…
She and Zane would do anything…
For that precious baby…
PART SIX
CHAPTER ONE
“I am with you.”
No one had expected him to say it. While the guards remained silent, the Mage’s eyes widened and Jasmine’s lips curled with terror. Quraal, who was standing behind Stacey and Zane, moved slowly around them to meet Zane’s gaze. He had with him an expression of utter contempt. As if he was disappointed about not being able to use the red sword he was carrying to cut Zane down.
“You’ll need to repeat that,” Quraal said. “So everyone can hear you.”
“I AM WITH YOU,” Zane shouted at the top of his lungs.
Stacey didn’t know what to make of it.
Zane surely wouldn’t side with this evil dragon…
Quraal put his arms around Zane and pulled him close to his chest. Stacey heard Quraal whisper something in his ear, but couldn’t make out what was said.
Quraal eventually pulled away and then grabbed Zane’s left hand and held it into the air.
“Zane Hunter, by my own authority as the King of all Dragons, I reinstate you as the Dragon Guard Commander of Firebound Island. Let’s have three cheers for Zane.”
Hear, hear!
Hear, hear!
Hear, hear!
“Louder!” Quraal shouted.
HEAR, HEAR!
HEAR, HEAR!
HEAR, HEAR!
Quraal clapped Zane on the back and laughed heartily. “So it is done.”
Zane motioned to Dennis and Jasmine. “What becomes of them now? Need they be kept captive?”
“I already told you the girl has my spawn in her belly. In time her resistance to me shall be broken. She will be my Queen.”
“And of her brother?”
Quraal stroked his chin. “Is he a friend of yours?”
Zane locked eyes with Dennis. They both seemed equally perturbed.
Zane’s gaze shifted to Stacey. She gave a small nod.
“Yes,” Zane said finally.
“Well then, what would you have me do with him?” Quraal asked. “Shall he be my servant? Yours? Should we allow him to go free only to be burnt the same as the rest of the humans?”
“I’ll take him,” the Mage spoke up.
Quraal tuned sharply. “Pardon?”
“If you don’t want him, but want him to live, I’ll take him.”
“Very well,” Quraal said. “Unless Zane has any objection?”
Zane thought for a moment. Then shook his head.
“Good,” Quraal said.
“What happens now?” Zane asked.
“I think you know what happens. The question is are you ready to lead? Or are you ready to die after all?”
Zane cleared his throat. Looked to either side of him.
Quraal seemed puzzled. “What is it?”
“I’m not comfortable with your battle strategy.”
“Why not?”
“You want us to fly into the city tonight, at ten, eleven o’clock? And start burning random buildings?”
“The city must burn, Zane. It’s the first to go.”
“It would be better to gather human leaders into one place first. Request a meeting with them next week, and then we can assassinate them in one go. It will lower their defenses catastrophically.”
Quraal stepped forward. “You can have one hour. Make your phone calls. Organize a Dragon-Human meeting in the city somewhere. But then we fly out. And we burn everything. Agreed?”
Zane nodded. “Agreed.”
“Well, we’ll all be here when you return.”
Zane grabbed Stacey’s hand and turned back in the direction of the house.
“Not so fast,” Quraal said. “She stays here.”
Zane turned. “Why?”
“You know why.”
Quraal took Stacey from his clutches and as Zane was forced to turn once more, Stacey realized their pact, their promise, their vow to stay together forever –
Had been destroyed before it even began.
CHAPTER TWO
Now Zane really was gone. Just walked up the courtyard and disappeared into the manor without
further incident. Stacey could hardly believe it. She almost felt betrayed. Now this monster could do whatever he liked with her, and Zane wouldn’t be able to stop it.
Would he…?
Quraal was looking her up and down. Checking her out.
Stacey felt sick.
The Mage stepped forward to join his master’s side. “You don’t really believe he’s organizing a meeting with the human leaders, do you?”
Quraal turned to him. “What would you otherwise suggest he’s doing? Plotting some type of escape? No. Zane knows he’s been defeated. His only way to continue to live with his pride is to side with me. As long as he has his bride here, I doubt he cares very much what happens to the other humans.”
“What if he attempts to go to the otherworld? And seeks the help of the remaining Dragon Masters?”
“If you think they would help him, you’re even stupider than I thought,” Quraal scoffed.
“I’m just being cautious, Master.”
“Hmm. Well…”
Quraal slapped a palm to Stacey’s back. “Take her and the others with you back to the island. He won’t see her again until we can be completely sure he is on our side. Do you think you can handle that, Mage?”
“Yes, Master,” the Mage said gruffly.
Quraal pushed Stacey into the Mage and then kicked his feet into the grass, spraying Dennis and Jasmine. “Out of here, the lot of you.”
The Mage grabbed hold of both Stacey and Dennis leading them a short distance from their space in the centre of the garden. He stopped after a moment and looked back to make sure Jasmine was following. Then he took a piece of glowing chalk from his pocket and began to draw a door in the earth below.
CHAPTER THREE
Zane stood in Conrad’s study, looking through the window out to the courtyard. He watched as The Mage’s drawing in the ground emitted a pulsating, colorful light around its borders. Stacey and her friends were one by one escorted into the portal. Before Stacey herself disappeared she looked back out to the manor, and seemed to make eye contact with him. Her face was distraught.
Shared By The Dragon Clan: The Complete Set Page 19
