Glass and Ice (Elemental Dragons Book 3)

by Jessica Turnbull

  “Who is Fae?” Violet surprises Rocky by speaking up, her tiny voice somehow echoing in the tiny room.

  Ray shuts his eyes and sighs. “A Fairy Dragon. Her entire nest was burned.”

  “Why?”

  “Enough questions!” Thula booms, but Ray just ignores him.

  “She had no purpose,” he continues. “Her kind are considered vermin. I don’t want another dragon dying like that. Not when I can save them.”

  Violet smiles, approaching Ray steadily until Eryk yanks her back. “They whisper about you.”

  Rocky scrunches his face up. What the hell is happening?

  “You can hear them? What do they say? They don’t speak to me anymore!” Ray cries desperately, taking Violet’s hands.

  Violet shuts her eyes. “They want you to-”

  “Stop!” Thula hooks Violet’s torso with its tail and hurls her towards the group. She barrels into Melia, who hits the wall with a bang.

  “Thula!” Ray screeches, but the Wyrm easily towers over him.

  “You are being fooled! She cannot hear the whispers! Only you can. Don’t believe her deception!”

  Ray blinks slightly before his face goes stony again. “All of you, get out.”

  “With pleasure,” Mason snorts, sticking his tongue out and dragging Rocky behind him.

  As soon as Melia shuts the door behind them, Rocky sighs. “You almost had him there, Vi.”

  “Yeah, that was a good plan,” Eryk congratulates the younger girl by ruffling her hair.

  The ginger girl stares at him in confusion. “What do you mean?”

  “Saying you could hear the whispers; it almost got him.”’

  “But I can hear them.”

  13

  Chapter Thirteen

  Staring up at the empty grey ceiling, I let out a sigh. The guard outside shuffles towards me slightly but doesn’t enter the room. He just stands in front of the door so I can’t get out. The room is empty apart from a bed, which I’m currently lying on. It isn’t comfortable, but I guess you don’t expect comfort in prison. There isn’t even a window to look out of. At least then I’d have something to do other than dwell on my thoughts.

  I flip onto my side, sighing in irritation. Why can’t I sleep? Even a few hours would help. I’ve been out on the road so long without a proper bed, and now I have one I’m unable to sleep. Some kind of cruel joke on nature’s part; or maybe I’m just used to sleeping under the open sky.

  My mind drifts back to my companion. I hope he’s recovering okay; he seemed a little brighter when I saw him earlier, but the vets said he needs antibiotics and rest. Placing a hand on my chest, I listen to my own heartbeat, and imagine his heart beating at the same pace as my own. It gives me comfort; I can have him close to me in some weird form.

  Before I drift off again, light spills into my room as the door swings open. Melody steps in, smiling warmly. “Your dragon has woken up.”

  I jump to my feet. “Is he-”

  She cuts me off with a laugh. “He’s fine, very hungry. I’ve asked the guards to let you go and see him.”

  Ecstatic, I follow her down the corridor, ignoring the guard trailing behind us, a glowing green rock in one hand. If they think I’m going to try something now, they will be sorely disappointed. I’ve already surrendered; there’s no point in carrying on fighting. Melody flings open the door to the street, and the smell of sewage and rotting vegetables fills my nostrils. Via the back entrance, she takes me to the dragon hospital next door, careful to keep me shrouded in darkness thanks to the lack of light outside so I won’t be recognised. The hospital is like a maze, filled with people milling around and various medical instruments being carted from room to room. I’m glad my companion is being looked after here.

  “Aqueous!” I run into the room he’s in, and my dragon’s head snaps up into a grin.

  I wrap my arms around his neck, and he places his front foot on my back to bring me closer. His breathing quickens as we hug, and he starts licking my cheek. “I’m glad you’ve missed me.”

  My dragon turns his nose up into the air, but the cheeky glint in his eyes is still there. Act as tough as you want, I can see right through it.

  “They want to keep him in for another day or two,” Melody explains behind me. “Just to make sure he doesn’t relapse.”

  “Thank you.”

  “Can she have a minute?” she turns to the guard, whose face is hard as stone.

  “No. I’m not allowed to leave her alone.”

  “Not even with her own dragon?”

  “She’s dangerous. Commoners are the worst offenders when it comes to attacking people.”

  “Oh, fuck off,” I mutter. Aqueous also sticks his tongue out at him.

  “Discrimination is against the law,” Melody informs him sharply.

  “Unfortunately for you, I don’t care. She is always to stay in someone’s sight. No exceptions.”

  “What about if I need a wee?” I joke.

  He looks at me sternly. “No exceptions.”

  Okay, creepy. I snuggle up to my companion’s chest, listening to the small chirps vibrating in his throat. At least he’s better now. It means I made the right choice, no matter how hard it was. My anxiety around his health wasn’t going to go away; it needed action. Although it’s a selfish action, I’ve saved him. I hope Marco and Braith can continue without me. Deep down I know that Marco won’t. Now that Isaac knows where he is, Marco will probably devise some stupid plan to save me. At least he hasn’t turned himself in.

  Yet.

  The officer’s radio buzzes. He steps aside to mutter into it, glancing at me every second. “Affirmative.” He turns back to Melody. “I’ve had news from Aria. She will be collected tomorrow afternoon.”

  “Tomorrow?” Melody shakes her head sharply. “No, no, her companion cannot travel-”

  “They’re sending an ambulance to pick them both up. Aria can deal with them then.”

  Melody curses under her breath, biting her nails furiously. “Transfer usually takes a few days; what’s the rush?”

  “She’s wanted back immediately.” The officer shrugs. “Someone wants to talk to her himself.”

  Ray.

  Fuck’s sake.

  Aqueous looks at me quizzically, as if he’s just realised that we aren’t with the others. He scans the room, his face contorted in confusion.

  “It was the only way to save you,” I explain. “I had to turn myself in.”

  Aqueous growls and flattens his ears, his eyes blazing.

  “I had no other choice; don’t be nasty to me.”

  The black dragon growls again, his head swinging from left to right to look for an exit. The officer notices this and conjures a rock in his hand once more. He raises it, but Melody blasts it out of his hand with a splash of water. The officer fumes, his teeth grinding.

  “You cannot assault an officer, ma’am.”

  “And you can’t assault a sick dragon. You have no right.”

  The officer backs down, his eyes blazing. “No-one would care.”

  “That’s not true. If there were enough backlash, your superiors would care. Attacking a sick and confused dragon wouldn’t look good on your record, would it?”

  The man looks stunned and disgusted at the same time. “How dare you-”

  “How dare I what? Do my job?” Melody hisses, pointing a finger with a long red nail in his face. “I could report you for corruption.”

  “No-one would care,” the officer sneers. “It’s just a common dragon.”

  Melody chuckles and crosses her arms. “We’ll see about that. Isn’t the chief of police a former commoner? I’m sure he’d love to hear what his employees think of him.”

  The officer scowls and says nothing, just drops his arm and steps back a few paces. Melody sends me a smile, which I return gratefully. I’m glad someone is on my side for once. Not many people would stand up for a commoner like me.

  Aqueous nudges my arm, his eyes dul
l and sad. He doesn’t want to go back to Aria either, but we don’t have much choice.

  * * *

  “Hazel, wake up. A representative from Aria wants to speak to you.” Melody gently rouses me from my sleep.

  I hadn’t realised that I’d fallen asleep next to Aqueous in the night. I guess exhaustion must have hit me.

  “Who?”

  She furrows her eyebrows. “A kid. Raymond, I think? I don’t know why they would send someone who hasn’t left Aria yet to collect you.”

  “I have an inkling,” I sigh, stretching as I rise to my feet.

  As we make our way back to the police station, I notice how quiet it is. No medical staff are bustling around; even the dragons have fallen silent. My skin prickles at the thought. The Wyrms must be here.

  “Melody?”

  “Yes?” She turns to look at me with a worried smile.

  “Is he alone?”

  Her calm demeanour turns to discomfort. “No: there are dragons and Wyrms with him. I warned the officers not to use them.”

  “I’m guessing they suggested everyone should be quiet?”

  When we step out into the alley I’m hit by a blast of cold air. Stars are still glittering in the night sky, still pitch black from the lack of lights. Why would Ray come at this time? Can Winter fly that fast from Aria?

  As soon as the police station door flies open a Wyrm pokes its grey head out, its black tongue dragging hungrily over its lips. Melody gasps in shock, but I keep my composure. Fear spurs these horrible creatures. The Wyrm steps aside so we can enter. We don’t have to go into another room before a familiar blond boy steps out of the darkness. I’m unable to hide my disgust at his appearance. Black, throbbing veins cover his entire body, pulsing towards his eyelids. His hair is dirty and stuck up in weird angles, as if he hasn’t washed it in weeks. It’s a lot longer than it used to be, falling just above his cheeks. The smile is the worst thing, though. It’s a large, insane grin that shows off a row of yellowed teeth.

  “Hazel,” he bows his head in greeting.

  “Ray,” I reply. “Wish I could say that it’s nice to see you again.”

  “Someone’s gotten confident,” Ray smirks, carefully walking around Melody and me, his insane grin not faltering. “You have been dearly missed back at camp, you know.”

  “Not by you, I presume.”

  He chuckles, biting his lip hard enough to draw a drop of blood. “Of course I have. The Wyrms need you, after all.”

  “I don’t want to be their dinner.”

  Melody steps forward, shielding me with one arm. “Enough of this. Stop threatening her!”

  “I can do whatever I please.” Ray’s expression turns stony and unreadable.

  “Melody, it’s okay-” I try to pull her back, but she ignores me.

  “Aria shouldn’t have sent a child to deal with this,” she scolds. “Who sent you? I need to have a word with them before Hazel goes back to Aria.”

  The Wyrms around us laugh, their grey bodies slithering closer to the two of us. I don’t like the look in their eyes, as if they’re about to start a hunt.

  “I was sent by the prime minister.” Ray rolls his eyes, as if he’s tired of having to explain it.

  “The prime minister wouldn’t send a child!”

  “Well, he did. You want to know why?”

  “Oh yes, I do,” Melody looks almost amused, but I know what he’s capable of.

  He gestures to the Wyrms gathered around him. “My Wyrm friends have managed to convince him that Aria needs new leadership.”

  “You?” Melody snorts. “The prime minister wouldn’t hire children to work for him. You’re lying.”

  “I’m not lying,” Ray chuckles. “I now run Aria thanks to the Wyrms. I will govern it using Cindaraan rules.”

  “Cindaraan?” Melody shakes her head in confusion. “What’s that?”

  This makes his face drop, which is satisfying to see. “The governing party of the country. I’ve ousted the Krystalans.”

  “Wait, camps are still doing that?”

  Now I’m confused as well. If the Krystalans ran the country, how did Melody not know about them? Or the Cindaraans?

  “What are you talking about?” Ray demands, the veins pulsing even more on his face.

  “Cindaraans and Krystalans aren’t real,” Melody shrugs. “Camps just wanted to get kids interested in politics, so they created those factions. Have you been following it religiously?”

  The blond boy looks crestfallen. Everything he’s been fighting for, everything he’s done up to this point, has been for a fake party. I would feel bad for him if he hadn’t been such an asshole.

  “Well, the Cindaraans are real now,” he grins. “And without Krystalan interference, we can run this country properly.” He jerks his head to the nearest Wyrm. “Looks like we will have to educate the prime minister in Cindaraan ways to ensure that everyone follows them.”

  “You’re crazy,” Melody shakes her head.

  “Please don’t goad him,” I whisper, but she just gives me a stern look.

  “I’m going to report you to your parents. I’m sure they’d love to see what their son has become,” Melody continues, plucking a mobile phone from her pocket and dialling a number.

  Before I can move, a glowing green rock is thrown at her head. She stands there for a few seconds, blood trickling down her face, before collapsing onto the floor. The Wyrms push me out of the way and dive onto her, tearing her flesh from her bones.

  “That wasn’t necessary!” I cry, trying to ignore the slurps and wet tearing sounds of the Wyrms devouring her body.

  “Neither was you running away.” Ray grabs my arm, squeezing it so hard it leaves red marks on my skin. “Time to come home.”

  “You’re an asshole. I hate you!”

  “Good, because I hate you too. Now, shall we head home?”

  I manage to tear his hand away. “I’m not leaving Aqueous.”

  “Do not worry, the Wyrms will take care of him,” he replies, an evil glint in his eye.

  “Fuck off, they aren’t hurting him.” I try to create water but the Wyrms are so close by my hands remain dry.

  “You do not need to make this difficult. Just come with me.”

  Time seems to slow down as I can feel my back burning. Something is wrong: no water comes to my hands. The Wyrms notice too: they turn their bloody faces towards the window, hissing in fury. I soon see why. Walking up the street with a giant burn mark on its chest is the Anthropomorphic Dragon. It must be following my beacon again, and it does not look happy.

  “What is that?” Ray steps away from the window, confusion marring his face.

  “Vermin,” a Wyrm replies. “Coming for the girl. It’s attracted to her markings, like Draca is.”

  “Why is that?” he asks.

  “Primordial Dragons instinctively track their food. The beacon is just a giant ‘I’m here’,” I reply matter-of-factly.

  The large dragon bends down to look through the window, its white eyes landing on me. With a roar, it thrusts one arm through the window, sending shattered glass in all directions. Ray throws up a rocky wall to protect us both from the shower, before backing up, dragging me with him. The bulky dragon pushes through the broken window, dragging pieces of concrete and plaster with it. Now on all fours, it hisses as the Wyrms approach it.

  “This way.” Ray leads me further down the empty hallway as the Wyrms attack. Glancing behind me, I watch as one is plucked off the floor and thrown into a glass cabinet.

  I don’t think the Wyrms will last long.

  “It will find me again,” I hiss.

  “The Wyrms should hold it off long enough for us to escape.”

  “‘Us’? You want to help me?”

  The blond boy glares at me. “Only because the Wyrms need you; do not get used to it.”

  “I’m not planning to.”

  We both jump as a Wyrm is thrown against a wall behind us, its limp body landing on the
floor with a thump. Even Ray looks worried now; this thing won’t stop until it has me. I don’t know why when it has nine beacons to follow it constantly picks mine, but that doesn’t matter right now. We need to get away from it.

  “Is there an exit around here?”

  Ray kicks open a door, but it leads to another interrogation room. “I have not been here before.”

  “As Aria’s leader, shouldn’t you know the ins and outs of a police station?”

  “I only took the position a few hours ago.” He kicks open another door, which leads to a hallway filled with photos of uniformed officers. “Plus, I only control Aria, not Arimouth.”

  “Arimouth?”

  He gives me a dumb look. “Are you telling me that all this time you have been avoiding me you did not even know the name of the city you were sheltering in?”

  I wrinkle my nose. “I had more important things on my mind.”

  “So do I. I need to get public approval. How am I supposed to get them to trust me if that thing threatens their children?”

  “You really think they’ll accept you?”

  “That is what the Wyrms are for. What better way to convince everyone that I am going to be looking after their children than with a broadcast?”

  I roll my eyes. “Of course. Parents would kick off if the Wyrms didn’t convince them.”

  “You seem to be a lot…sharper than I remember,” Ray muses, ducking as the ceiling shakes.

  “Maybe if you hadn’t beaten me so much I would have been sharper before.”

  This makes him stop. “I am sorry about that. I let the power get to my head.”

  This makes me pull a face. “You’re sorry? Are you ill?”

  He rolls his eyes and leads me further down the hallway, which bends into another hallway with a large door at the end. It must be the exit. “No; I just know when I have done something wrong.”

  “You never showed any remorse before.”

  “I let the power get to my head sometimes. As much as you hate me, I know that I am doing the right thing.”

  Slowly we peek out of the door, which leads to an empty street. “Yeah, because feeding me to the Wyrms is the right thing.”