“For what?” I managed to force out, my eyes not leaving hers.
“For not understanding how serious all of this is.” She leaned against the ledge of the roof beside me and sighed. “I think part of me still thinks this was all just some dream, you know? You wake up one day and find out you’re a witch? And there’s a whole magical society you never knew about?”
The breeze blew her hair around her face, and I caught a hint of oranges and vanilla that had my hands curling around the ledge.
“I, uh, didn’t let anything sink in until after I was attacked. Watching you almost die…” She shook her head as she turned to me, her eyes sad. “I, just, I’m sorry for putting you in this situation.”
I screwed my mouth to the side, some of my anger ebbing away. “You didn’t.”
“But I’m the Descendant walking around blindly.”
“Yeah, but this mess started before you, and I’m afraid it’s much worse than we first thought.”
“So, who are you, then, the three of you? Some secret group that runs around protecting the innocent?” She said it half-teasing until I nodded. “Really?”
“We’re the Light Guard,” I replied softly. “And for decades, centuries actually, we’ve been around protecting those the Black Diamonds deem as… desirable targets. Especially since the other clans refuse to admit they’re back.”
“Why don’t you guys just tell them?”
“You don’t think that’s been tried?” I growled. “The last leader who came out in the open was killed on sight for what he was. Now, we operate in the shadows, trying to fight a war that never ended, not really.”
A war that claimed far too many lives that they didn’t think mattered, the other clans. So many dead and so many more to come if we couldn’t put an end to this chaos they let spread.
“I’m not going to pretend that I understand any of this,” Everest told me, and her hand covered mine warmly. “But I’m sorry for who you’ve lost.”
I flinched at her words, but didn’t pull my hand back. “How did you know?”
I was going to kill Tank and Davis if they told her about Zara.
“Intuition? Your eyes, they’re so sad all the time, when you’re not pissed off that is,” she said with a chuckle. “I have a feeling you loved one of them, more than just family.”
I bit my tongue hard to stop the swell of sadness in my chest from flowing outward and making me cry. “It’s war, and there are casualties. It happens, and we have to accept it and move on, but I do not want to add your name to the list, Everest. Coming out on your own like this…”
“I know, and I’m sorry, again.” She pulled her hand back, but I wished she hadn’t. “But I’m tired of playing catch up with my own life.”
“Can’t say I blame you, but answering your questions, it’s not my call.”
“Your boss or whatever?”
Thinking of calling Preston my boss made me smirk. “Yeah, something like that.”
“Can you tell me at least some things? Or run it by him? What if I talked to him?”
“Slow down, psycho, you’re still healing from a fight, remember? Let’s take it slow before I throw you headfirst into this mess more than you already are.”
Her eyes lightened, and she bounced on the balls of her feet with excitement. “So that’s a yes you’re going to fill me in?”
I cursed, and she laughed. “On one condition.”
“Anything.”
“You are not to leave that campus alone again, got it? Not for anything.”
She frowned. “Then how are we going to meet up again? Don’t exactly have your number, you know.”
I held out my hand. “Your phone?” Without question, she pulled it from her pocket and set it in my palm. I set up a new contact, not my name, just the initial S and handed it back. “I’ll be watching over you a lot closer than I was before and if not me, then Tank or Davis.”
“But isn’t that dangerous?”
“We can take care of ourselves.”
But she was shaking her head. “Not against the Black Diamonds… against anyone at the school. Or the Hunters. I don’t want you guys getting caught because you have to keep an eye on me.”
“We’ll be fine, don’t worry. But,” I said, as I motioned for her to walk with me back to the stairs, “I would suggest in your combat classes to not forget to block the right hook.”
She gave me a playful shove as I laughed. “Maybe you should just train me instead if you’re so good at it.”
“Maybe I will.” I stopped her right before we disappeared back inside. “Promise me you’ll be more careful from now on? This isn’t a game, and it’s real. Deadly real. You’re a Descendant. They can’t—must not—get their hands on you.”
She took a deep breath and blew it out, tugging on a strand of hair. “Got it. Scout’s honor.”
I wasn’t sure I believed her since she didn’t meet my gaze, but we headed back inside, and I walked her back to campus, not wanting to ride the bike so close, and make so much noise.
She showed me to the place she’d climbed over, and I didn’t move from my spot until she was safely back over. I’d told her to text me once she was back in her room and paced in the shadows nearby until my cell finally vibrated in my hand.
The entire way back to the warehouse, I contemplated what door of crazy I’d just opened. On the one hand, letting Everest know everything was going on would give her a head’s up as far as looking out for the enemy. And on the other, if she did get captured, she could turn into a liability. I’d seen enough dragons tortured to know the toughest ones gave in eventually.
In the morning, after Tank left to go keep an eye on Everest, I’d call up Jenny and Preston and see what they thought on the matter.
Maybe after they got done yelling at me, I’d be able to convince them it was a good idea.
Doubtful, but it was worth a shot.
Eleven
Everest
Friday was torture sitting through my classes. I texted Slade once, the night before, impatiently waiting for him to say he was going to meet up with me again and let me in on what the hell was going on. At least I had that to look forward to and distract me.
I was still getting looks from the other students as rumors continued to spread about me ranting and raving about being attacked by Black Diamond dragons.
Honestly, I was too occupied with understanding what I’d just done, hunting down Slade and finding him with his friends. All of them Shadowguard dragons.
What would Jared do if he knew that was who saved me twice now? I might not have gotten all the answers I wanted, but one thing was made perfectly clear to me, all the other clans were dead wrong about the Shadowguard dragons. Completely and horribly wrong.
I hardly spoke to Amelie or Jared, too worried I’d let something slip about what I’d done last night. Alone, after just being attacked. I smiled and waved, but was much quieter than normal.
And it did not go unnoticed.
“Maybe you should go back to the infirmary,” Jared suggested by Friday afternoon. “You don’t look yourself yet. How’s your side?”
“Sore, but I’ll live, promise,” I said with a smile.
He didn’t believe me and shifted closer. “Did something else happen?”
My steps faltered, and he reached out to catch my arm.
“Huh? What do you mean?”
“Ever since, you’ve been acting weird. Wanted to make sure those Shadowguards didn’t do anything else to you? Poison you or something.”
I nearly confessed everything right then and there, but bit the words back just in time and shrugged. Jared’s frown deepened, and he pulled me to the side of the hall out of the way. He didn’t let go of my hand when we’d stopped walking. I liked it, but at the same time, a nagging voice in my head was annoyed at him.
“Everest, what’s going on? Really?”
“Well, it’d be nice if everyone would believe me for starters,” I muttered
, not trying to hide my aggravation. “I know what I saw. I know it, and everyone thinks I’m crazy now!”
Two students walking by eyed me cautiously and I glared at them.
“See? Like that!”
“You have to admit, everything you’re saying is a little crazy,” he said softly.
I turned my glare on him and pulled my hand free. “You don’t believe me either? About any of it?”
He sucked in a deep breath, but didn’t answer.
“You know what, that’s fine. I guess hoped my friends would’ve believed me, even a little bit, but that’s fine. I’m used to being on my own.” I was hurt as I turned and walked away from him, but ignored him when he called my name out a few times.
Jared was so blinded—just like the rest of them—to what was happening outside of their clear view. Slade hadn’t told me everything yet, but he didn’t have to. Whatever they were trying to fight against was bad, very bad, and it was going to affect all of us.
I just made it back to my dorm when my cell vibrated in my pocket, and I hurried to free it from my pocket. When I saw Slade’s initial and him asking if I could meet up with him tomorrow morning, I was ecstatic.
I immediately told him I would and asked what time he was going to be there.
One more night, I just had to get through one more night, and I’d get to see Slade again, and his friends. I’d get to be around people who believed me, because they were apparently fighting a war no one else wanted to see.
Amelie came in a few minutes behind me, and I could tell from the sympathetic and worried look on her face she’d bumped into Jared.
Before she could ask me how I was doing for the umpteenth time today, I darted upstairs and locked myself in my room.
I just had to get through tonight and then I could see Slade again and figure out more about this craziness I’d fallen into.
Twelve
Everest
I hopped off the back of the bike and removed the helmet, laughing.
“I think I want one,” I told Slade as he put the stand down.
“Not so sure I trust you with one of these.” He set our helmets on the bike, giving me a curious look. “And no one’s going to be suspicious of you missing from campus today? Come looking for you?”
“Nope, they think I’m out with my uncle and little brother.”
He still didn’t seem convinced, but dropped it. “Come on. My boss should be checking in soon enough, but until then, we’re going to work on that right hook.”
“And you’re going to tell me more about this underground war, right?”
His eyes darkened. “Baby steps, remember? First, I’d like to make sure you can actually defend yourself in case those dragons show up again, and I’m not around,” he said as he led the way inside the warehouse.
Tank and Davis were there, both waved at me, but their faces looked tense.
“Something happen since I saw you Thursday?” I asked quietly while we moved to the other end of the warehouse to where some punching bags were set up as well as a large mat. “Slade?”
He shrugged out of his leather jacket and tossed it aside, rolling up the sleeves of his long-sleeve black shirt.
“We were checking into a possible lead, and it didn’t pan out as we hoped,” he said, but he wasn’t telling me everything.
I crossed my arms, waiting, but he stepped up onto the mat.
“You’re not getting any more out of me until I talk to my bosses. Get up here.”
I thought of arguing more, but the intensity of his blue gaze stopped my protests, and I slipped out of my jacket and tossed it over by his.
“You going to go easy on me? Still wounded.”
“And I’m not?” he asked, but he offered a small smile as he said it. “Show me your defensive stance.”
I stepped onto the mat and braced my feet, right a bit in front of my left, lifted my hands into fists and bent my knees slightly.
Slade watched with a calculating gaze as he moved around me slowly. “This is what they’re teaching you? Seriously?”
“What’s wrong with it?” I asked, glancing over myself.
“It’s not practical,” he growled. “No wonder you almost got yourself killed.”
“As I recall, I jumped onto that back of that one guy to give you a chance,” I pointed out, and he scoffed. “What?”
“A move I am thankful for, however, it wasn’t very smart on your part.”
“Not all of us grew up training how to fight, you know,” I muttered, and his feet paused.
Emotions I couldn’t catch flickered through his eyes, and he turned his back to me.
“Slade?”
He shook his head and turned back to me with a smile, but it was fake. “Defend yourself,” he said, and the next second, he attacked.
Within seconds, I landed on my backside, sucking in a breath of air as he hoisted me back up again.
“That is not defending yourself.”
“Seriously?” I grumbled and fell back into my stance again.
He smirked, but said nothing and came at me again.
I managed to block his first hit, ducked under the second, but his leg swiped out, and I landed on my hip with a grunt of pain. He chuckled, and I fumed as I scrambled back to my feet and went after him this time.
We moved around the mat, me attacking blindly and him easily slipping out of my reach and landing a few solid hits, though a voice in my head said they could be a hell of a lot harder. He was holding back, a lot.
Tank and Davis wandered over at some point to help give me pointers and then Slade finally gave me a break.
I sat beside Davis and watched Tank full out tackled Slade as the two went at each other.
“Mind if I ask you something?” Davis handed over a bottle of water, and I thanked him.
He was older than Slade, probably older than Tank, too, but had the same hard look in his eyes as they. “Sure, what’s up?”
“How is it you’re not freaking out about all of this?”
“About almost being killed twice or being around you three, or finding out that I’m a witch, or…” I trailed off, and we both laughed. “I dunno, honestly. I think I’m still working at getting over it all and taking it in stride. Not the first time my life’s been thrown for a loop.”
“I wasn’t so sure about you being here and all, but I think it’ll be good for him.”
“Slade? What happened to him?”
Davis sighed as he leaned back in his chair, and I realized that was not an easy question to answer. “He didn’t have a great childhood, and things just steadily got worse,” he told me quietly. “He’s lost quite a few people along the way, and he wasn’t always with us.”
“He was with those other dragons, the Black Diamonds?”
“How did you know that?”
I shrugged. “Not that hard to figure out really, and I’m guessing he wasn’t their guest.”
I watched as Slade leapt onto Tank’s back and then managed to take him hard to the mat.
I hated to think of what he suffered through to make him so sad all the time, and angry at the same time. And instead of letting it destroy him, he put his life on the line every day watching over me and countless others who didn’t even know this Light Dragon Guard existed.
I wanted so badly to find a way to make the others see, to make Jared and Amelie understand that not all Shadowguard dragons were bad. But their hatred was embedded so deep, I doubted I’d be able to convince them. They would have to see for themselves, somehow.
“No,” Davis finally replied. “No, he was far from that. He learned to fight to survive. We trained him up a bit after we got him out.”
“Out?”
“Yeah, we’ve been leading rescue missions against the Black Diamonds for centuries, trying to get our people out,” he said quietly, eyes fixed straight ahead. “They think the Shadowguards are doing all this on their own, but we’re not. We’re slaves to them, have been since the war
finally ended, for the other clans.”
Clearly, there was more history than just what they were teaching in class that I needed to catch up on. I felt like I was going to play catch up forever, and by the time I finally knew everything going on, it would all change again anyway.
A ding sounded behind us and Tank, and Slade stopped wrestling.
Davis got up and hustled over to the gathering of chairs and the computer set up on a table.
“Is that your boss?” I asked as Tank followed him, and Slade plopped down in the chair beside me.
“Yeah, probably. We’ll get to see what he says about all of this.”
“Wait, you haven’t told him yet?”
He shrugged. “Didn’t see a point in dropping that bombshell just yet.”
I smacked his shoulder. “What exactly is your plan for telling him that I found the three of you?”
He opened his mouth to say something, but Davis was talking to someone on the computer, and I craned my neck, trying to see.
I couldn’t hear much, but then the man was yelling, and Davis was tapping on the laptop.
“What’s going on?”
Slade was on his feet and had put himself in front of me, eyes narrowed and growling. “Don’t move.”
I swallowed hard, but did as he said. The hair on the back of my neck stood on end, and the air changed drastically around us. I didn’t need to hear who Davis was talking to, something was wrong, terribly wrong.
“Get out!” the man yelled and then there was a scream.
Slade grabbed my arm the same time I heard a roar overhead before the ceiling of the warehouse came crashing down around us.
I tried to see, but Slade hunched his body over mine, covering my head as debris crashed to the floor. I felt it hit him, but he barely grunted in annoyance at it.
The ground trembled beneath us, and when we finally straightened, Tank and Davis were already shifted, but since I’d never seen what a Shadowguard dragon looked like, I couldn’t tell who was who.
Four massive dragons filled the space, knocking into the supports of the warehouse, as well as the walls as they swung their heads around and their claws fought to grab hold. But two of had beautiful scales, and for a split second, I was transfixed at the sight of their deadly beauty. Along the edges of their wings was a vibrant blue that matched the coloring around their eyes that ran down their snouts.
Dragon Feared Page 8
