by Blue Saffire
No, I protest as his words are the last thing I hear before I fall into complete blackness.
Radu
They’ve taken her. I arrive at her family’s home to find her mother and sisters unconscious. While Branem unties them I search the house for clues, but there’s nothing. It feels like someone has torn my heart out. Fear quickly consumes me.
“Deci,” her mother calls as she comes to her feet. She looks around frantically, stopping when her eyes land on me. “My daughter.”
I can only shake my head, feeling not only like failure as a Ratnik, but as her mate. “She isn’t here.”
She purses her lips together. I expect her to rail at me or even burst into tears. Instead, she says, “The men who attacked us, are they your enemies?”
“Yes, I’m ashamed that they managed to harm your family,” I say, lowering my head.
“There’s no need to feel shame, shit happens.”
I lift my head to look at her once again. She rolls her shoulders, her eyes holding only clear determination. I can see the resemblance between Decima and her mother.
“I have faith in my daughters. Especially Decima, she’s a fighter.” She starts to pace. “If I can find her, will you save her.”
“Yes,” I say my hope reigniting. If she can locate Decima, then I would do everything in my power to rescue her.
She weighs me with a stare then grins. “Good, I don’t want to waste my gift on pretty faces.”
Pretty?
Satisfied with my response, she cuts her thumb on her tooth and brushes it along her other hand. I watch in awe as a green orb rises out of her palm. Her skin changes color from where she touches the dark green sphere, the color spreads up her arm to her elbow as she leans closer to look at it.
“It looks like my pretty, pretty girl is in a ball of green.”
I move closer to see, but it’s all swirling mist to me. She squints as she taps the surface of the glowing ball. “Yes, there is land below it. I don’t recognize it… like a small village hidden within trees.”
Realization hits. “It’s the estate.”
“You know where this is?”
“Yes.”
Her lips turn up. “Good, because I’m sending you there now.”
Before I can fully grasp what she means, there’s a pull in my stomach and I find myself falling from the sky. I draw my brows as yelling comes from beside me. Branem has been sent along with me, in his arms I find a screaming female.
“Mom,” she screams as her arms and legs flail. “You sent me too.”
Luckily enough, being a Drakin makes this situation less shocking. With a mere thought my wings exploded out and soon I’m flying toward the ground. Branem follows my example, carrying Decima’s screaming sister. As soon as I land, I’m met by my brother, the elders and the other Ratnik warriors.
“Thank the gods,” Anaes, says in clear relief, clapping a hand on my shoulder before he turns to look up at the swirling mass in the air. “Now, what the fuck is that?”
I shake my head and turn to look at the elders. “Have you already evacuated everyone?”
Lerian nods, his face dark with worry. “We have, but there are barriers surrounding the estate. We could only guide our people to merely waiting in the bunkers.”
I tighten my jaw. This means we’re stuck here.
“We had the other Ratnik go below to assist,” Horik adds, his eyes focused on the sky above. “But that leaves only four of you to fight.”
“Whatever help we can provide, we will do so,” Disik offers as she watches the sight above us with a frown.
I sigh. Turning away from them in time to see Branem bring the female to our circle. The obstacles are piling up. Shifting my attention back to my brother and the elders, I part my lips to speak, but a loud groaning sound fills the air. A noise similar to the loud roar of a giant pierces the air as the swirling mass parts to reveal a black hole.
“Ratnik.”
Immediately my men surround the elders, Deci’s sister, and our leader as we brace to face what’s coming. The black hole expels three people. One, I immediately recognize as Kraken, his large form and golden hued wings leisurely flapping.
My gaze goes from him to the hooded figure beside him. My blood boils in anger. He’s Kraken’s mouthy minion from the brick city. Looking away from him, my dragon roars in fury when I see my mate. She’s slumped within an orb, unconsciously floating in the glass confines. Her hands seem to be tied behind her back.
Before I know it, I’m moving. My stomach tightens as I launch my body into the air. I reach out for Decima, but my goal is blocked by Kraken. Without warning, he slams into me. Wind cuts across my cheeks as I return the attack.
I grunt, bringing my hands together above his head. I draw them down on his back hard enough to break his spine. He lurches, but doesn’t release me. Emitting a growl of frustration, I wrap my arms around his waist and squeeze. My teeth grit as rage rumbles in my chest. Our bodies spin in the air as I spiral as fast as possible.
His hold loosens with the growth of my strength. My only concern is my mate. Getting to her charges every fiber of my being.
I flip upside down and dive, still holding onto Kraken. The earth rushes up at a bewildering speed. He struggles to break my hold, but I tighten it.
We hit the ground, the earth cracking under the force of our fall. The trees blow and sway as dirt flies. My breathing is harsh. As I stand a wave of dizziness hits me, but I force myself to remain standing as I stare down at Kraken’s body. His head is stuck within the ground.
I spit out the blood that fills my mouth. My attention turns to the figure who hasn’t moved an inch from the portal.
“Your master is dead. Give yourself up now.”
“I think not.” His voice sounds as if he’s right beside me.
A bright blue light surrounds Kraken. I quickly fly back, landing near my brother. We watch as Kraken’s body is lifted as if by unseen hands. His body heals at a rapid rate that’s too fast even for a Drakin. He opens his eyes, his attention immediately focused on us.
“Now.” The word draws our gazes back to the Magik User. “Let me explain what will be happening next. I will destroy you and your entire race and there’s nothing you can do.”
“Who are you?” Anaes demands angrily, his hands fisted at his side. “I have no memory of you as an enemy.”
The Magik User laughs. “Memory. Of course, you wouldn’t remember me.” The Magik User pushes his hood back, revealing his pale features and hate-filled blue eyes. “You Drakins have long lives, but empty heads. At least that’s what my father said until your father killed him. The Cernlock family ended that night all those years ago. Your father killed mine and destroyed my clan. And I’m finally able to return the favor, but first, let’s even the odds.”
“Cernlock?” Both my brother and I share a look of astonishment.
The Cernlock family had been spoken about only once before. When our father had spoken of the night he decided to claim our freedom and return the Drakin back to our noble ways. We knew them as the monsters who’d been the first to enslave our kind.
“Now, let’s see what this cursed blood can do.” My attention is drawn to the orb as he lifts it higher. He maneuvers the ball so that it hovers right over the Ratnik dorms. “Hmph, this should be interesting.”
Once more I launch myself in the air, but this time a barrier prevents me from reaching her.
“Tsk, tsk, stay down, rat.”
Kraken slams into me so hard, I can only brace myself when I hit the ground.
“Radu,” my brother calls.
“Don’t,” I warn as I push myself up and come to my feet.
I take off and hover a few feet away from Kraken as I keep my eyes on him. He floats before the orb that holds Decima. He moves to attack, but Cernlock raise a hand to stop him.
“Stay.” Cernlock then turns his attention to Decima. “Now, show me your true form, cursed one.”
To
punctuate his words the inside of the translucent green bubble suddenly fills with needles. All long and deadly looking. They hover a few inches from Decima’s skin. He lifts his other hand and with a grin he snaps his fingers.
In horror, I watch them pierce her body. The orb quickly becomes red with her blood, the sphere begins to the tremble and shake before it completely shatters. A magical wave blows forward, causing Kraken and the Magik User to retreat. Another wave of power forces us all to the ground. Before we can fully land, the ground beneath our feet shakes and drops. A spinning cyclone pulls trees from their roots.
A bright purple light shoots into the sky. The gust of air roars up surrounding Decima’s unconscious body. Her hair whips back and forth as it grows. Her hands are released from their restraints. Her clothes change as her body straightens. If possible, her face alters into something more beautiful. She appears like a painting.
“Decima,” I scream, but it’s quickly cut off by the force of the slashing wind.
Cursing, I stand using my strength to move against the growing pressure. Each step takes great effort. I grit my teeth and push off the ground once more.
“Decima,” I yell her name again as I draw closer, but she doesn’t wake.
I throw my hands up to block the debris that flies at me. I’m tossed back, but I push harder. I rise higher to avoid a stone pillar that comes my way. Desperate, I try to move faster.
“Decima. Wake up.”
She opens her eyes, but the one who meets my gaze isn’t my kitten. Her eyes glow purple. Lifting a hand, she points at me.
“You are not worthy.” Her words pierce through the raging wind. “Only those who prove themselves can win the princess who lies within.”
I barely acknowledge her words before a beam of light hits me. I growl as my back slams into the ground. The pressure so great, I’m pushed down deep into the earth.
It’s followed swiftly by another blast of light, hitting me square in the chest. The onslaught is relentless until it suddenly ceases. In a daze of pain, I stare up at this stranger wearing Decima’s face.
“The trial begins now. If no one challenges, the princess dies. If no one succeeds, the princess dies.” Her body rises as a castle descends from the heavens cradled in the arms of moving, pulsing, growing briar. “Come one, come all who believe themselves worthy.”
She turns her back and enters the arms of the shrubbery, disappearing within the castle as I lose consciousness.
Chapter 13
A Ratnik’s Honor
Radu
Suddenly, I open my eyes and lash out with my arms to attack.
“Calm, calm, Radu.”
I look around to find I’m now seated outside of the crater that had been created by my body as I’d been hammered down into the ground.
“Brother, I have bad news,” Anaes says as he assists me to stand. “I don’t think we’re winning. Ouch.” He glares at me, rubbing his arm where I punched him. “Did you forget I’m your lord?”
Rolling my eyes, I press a hand against my side as it twinges. “No, I just wanted to ensure myself that this isn’t a dream.” I glare up at Cernlock, who’s apparently regained his senses enough to open a portal to the Magik world.
“So, I’m thinking we need to change our battle strategy.”
“What fucking strategy?” I mutter, looking at the castle that now hangs in the sky like a monolith. “I’ve been getting my ass handed to me over and over.”
“You sure have.” I barely keep myself from hitting him again. He moves forward to observe the entirety of the chaos around us. “Especially because you’ve been doing it alone.” He places his hands on his hips.
“I know you take protecting me and everyone else seriously.” He looks over his shoulder at me, a wicked grin coming to his face. “But the protection of your lord ends today, it’s time that I do my part.”
Confused, I look at him. I mean, really look at him. The aura of bloodlust surrounding him flickers like a violent fire. “Ah, you’re saying you’ll fight?”
His grin broadens. “Civic, Branem, and Ghin.”
The three Ratnik straighten at attention from his tone. Their eyes show their eagerness for battle. “You can keep that Magik User busy and kill any who come through that portal, right?”
“Of course, we can,” Ghin says cockily, flexing his muscles. “I feel insulted you would even ask.” His green wings burst from his back with flourish. “We’ve been waiting for the cue to spill blood.”
“Our lord commands it and as Ratnik we will follow his command,” Branem answers seriously.
“Kill all enemies of our lord, got it,” Civic says easily and pulls his two swords from their scabbards. His black wings slipping out. His brow quirks, “What will you do?”
Anaes cracks his knuckles his eyes on Kraken. “I’m going to teach my little brother a lesson he’ll never forget.” His wings tear his shirt as their bright turquoise color become the beacon of hope for us, brilliant against the gray background of the scene of our battle. “I’ve become the next Lord, it’s time I truly perform that duty, and Radu.” He looks at me. “Don’t you have a mate to go about saving?”
“Umm.” Both of us turn our attention to Decima’s sister. “You forgot me, didn’t you?”
I glance at my brother who gives a shake of his head in denial. She sighs and brushes the dirt off her shoulder. “Whatever, just be careful. I only know of two people who’s curses went haywire likes this before,” she looks up at the castle, her expression troubled. “The first one died because no one challenged it and the other died because whatever her prince faced, he couldn’t overcome.” She turns her eyes on me, her features becoming hard. “If you’re not willing to fight for my sister, then don’t bother. Let her sleep to the end.”
My first reaction is to yell at her for being so callous about her sister’s life, but as I take in her figure, I spot her hands that shake at her sides. Seeing this, my anger quails.
“My father fought once, and my mother thought he’d won.” She scoffs. “Only to get a call that a house had fallen on him.” She looks away from me to the castle and swallows. “So, don’t go if you’re not determined to win.”
“I will promise this, if I don’t return, know that I have decided to die with her.”
She flinches, keeping her eyes firmly on the castle above. “Good.”
I turn away from her and face the castle. “Brother, I…” I trail off, unsure of how to share my affection for him.
“I know,” Anaes says. “And, ew.”
Enough said, we launch ourselves into the air together. My body is tossed back and forth due to the rough winds created by the roaring cyclone that spins above the castle. My wings are barely able to fight against the current. As I slowly draw closer, I feel something I haven’t since I was child, facing my first Ratnik in training. Fear. I’m afraid of failing in saving my mate and my people.
The large vines of thorns shift as I come closer. Like a snake they draw back and wriggle, rising to make an opening. I look over my shoulder one more time to see my brother slam his body into Kraken. The two spin through the air.
The roar of Kraken fills the night as Anaes grabs his wing and pulls. With a snarl, Kraken lurches, causing my brother to lose his hold. Anaes doesn’t retreat, but switches his tactic. He barrels into Kraken’s waist taking him higher.
The vines groan pulling my attention back to the castle. I have my own battle to fight. Swallowing, I lift my chin and enter the unknown.
Once I reach the other side, I find myself facing a barren courtyard. The wind here isn’t nearly as harsh as it is outside. I lower myself, landing lightly. I search for a threat. However, I see nothing other than rotted vines.
Inhaling, I seek my mate’s scent. When a hint of honey hits my nose, I immediately follow it. I make my way toward the steps that wind up the side of the tall tower. I rush to the top. Reaching the landing, I’m faced with an open door.
I hesitate for
only a moment before entering. The dark halls radiate with magic. There is a low glow of red like mist along the floor. The sound of clicking fills the halls. The paintings hanging on the walls depict people dancing to music that no longer plays. The sound of their laughter is soft and haunting.
I force my focus away from them. My heart is in my throat as I worry that I could be too late to save my mate. “Decima.”
No answer returns to me. Picking up speed, I begin to run through the halls. The tick of an unseen clock drives me to move faster. I come to the end of the hall.
Before me is a large door covered in ivy and thick thorns. I lift my hand to touch the first patch of oak surface I can reach. A flash of pain sears my palm.
Immediately, the ivy shudders before the vines retreat from the door. Grabbing the handle, while shutting out all thoughts of the pain in my right hand, I push. The door is heavy and seems to fight my attempt before—with a loud groan—the entrance opens revealing a ballroom and my greatest desire.
“Decima.”
Her body is unmoving, resting on a high platform. She’s completely wrapped by rose vines. Her figure dressed in a gown of pink. Her features are soft and glowing. A beautifully etched crown rests in the thick curls of her black hair.
She is perfection. However, while I should find her beautiful, this stillness is unnatural for my mate. My love is movement and action. Life is her beauty and this… is the opposite.
“Decima,” I say her name again like a prayer to the gods.
Running over to her, I find my path impeded by a wall of glass. Slamming my fist against it, my rage builds. “Decima, wake up. It’s me. Wake up.”
No matter how I shout, she doesn’t respond. She doesn’t even twitch. I take a step back looking over the see through barrier. “I will not lose to you,” I declare to this monstrosity and the world.
I grab my necklace and jerk it off. My palm lights up with my fire as the charm transforms into a full sized sword. With every bit of strength, I have, I bring my sword down on the glass. It sings as it vibrates against the still unbroken glass.
