Looking at him, she demanded, “What was that?”
The man looked at her. “Death. The Onyx Dragon is almost born.”
Fear filled her. “Shana.”
Jumping off him, she ran for the door. Waving her hand, she cleared the people out of her way. She ignored the screams of fury as they were blown down the hall away from them. Jaynat fell in step behind her. Suddenly, she was swept off her feet and the man ran without breaking stride carrying her.
He looked at her. “We’ll never make it. They will die. My son will die.”
“Who is your son?”
“Sanjay.”
Zaila’s eyes widened and she looked over at Jaynat who was also being carried. Waving her hand, she opened a portal and they speed through, racing against time.
* * * *
Tashana could feel her strength fading. Slashing out, she took out more Deathwalkers. A Deathwalker rushed her. It got pass past her guard and hit her in the chest. Her one remaining sword she held flew out of her hand. Quickly she called her whip then raised her hand. She hit it back and slashed down with her whip. It disintegrated. Flicking her whip, she took out a few more. Taking a step back, she stumbled over Sanjay and fell on her back. Groaning, she rolled to her side and got to her knees. The Deathwalkers watched her and stalked forward. The Onyx Moon became hot against her skin. Sure in their victory, they closed in. Putting her hand on Sanjay's chest, Tashana felt his labored breathing.
Looking at him, she felt sorrow well in her. "I'm sorry, Sanjay."
The Deathwalkers laughed as the man continued to read the scroll. The Deathwalkers reached her, then she saw ice form covering the ones closest to her. A sound whistled in the air and the Deathwalkers shattered. Looking up, Tashana blinked, unsure if she was seeing things. Hundreds of dragons, in every color of the rainbow, came silent on the wind over the treetops. The sight of the massive dragon leading them captured all her attention. It was golden, the tips of its scales and tail were burnt orange. The dragon raised its head and screeched. Then lowered its head and breathed frost. Ice coated the Deathwalkers freezing them in place .
Suddenly, fire rained from the sky. A figure was throwing fire from the dragon's back. As they got closer, Tashana saw it was Zaila. She had a fierce look on her face throwing fire and light at various intervals. Tashana heard a whistling sound and it took her a moment to realize that it was a whip. Turning her head, her breath caught as she watched Jaynat hanging from the bottom of a purple dragon as she used one of her two whips. Jaynat lashed with her other whip shattering the frozen Deathwalkers. Reaching them, the dragons shifted into men and women, cutting through the Deathwalkers. Covering Sanjay with her body, Tashana listened as the sounds of battle waged around her. After a while, all was silent.
Cautiously she glanced up and saw the area was clear. The Deathwalkers were gone. A golden dragon landed with Zaila still on its back. It shifted into a man and he ran toward them, carrying Zaila. Jerking up, Tashana felt something tugging at her.
"Freitious!" a voice screamed.
The Onyx Moon pulled her across the clearing toward the man who held the scroll. Tashana took her dagger and flung it at him. His eyes widened as it hit him in the chest. He crumpled. She continued to be pulled to him. Reaching him, she collapsed on the ground. A fiery red sensation filled her then the Onyx Moon pulsed. Screaming, she scrambled to her knees and grabbed at her neck. Ripping it off, she stumbled back as it hit the ground. Black light burst from the ground below the necklace and the earth split and a shape poured out. Rolling out of the way Tashana came up on her knees.
A shape shot into the sky and blocked out the sun. The backwash of power knocked everyone in the clearing off their feet. The dragons in the sky plummeted to Earth. When they hit, the earth shook. Tashana took in the vision of death. The Onyx Dragon. It was true black with no color at all. It raised it head and screeched. The Onyx Moon hung from its neck. Trees lit on fire and the earth stood still. It lowered its head and looked at her. She saw herself reflected in its black gaze. In them, she saw her death and read the truth. When the Onyx Moon pendent was stripped of its power, the power had taken corporeal form before it was put to sleep. It had waited for centuries to be awakened to get its opportunity for vengeance. The power had been created to be used to protect and not harm. Yet according to the wearer of the Onyx Moon, the power was enslaved by their desires. It had been corrupted with each destructive use. Now it was tired of the world and wanted all to die.
Opening its large mouth, the Onyx Dragon turned its head and blew fire, cutting her off from everyone around her. It looked at her again and dove. The wind whispered to her and Tashana heard it. Dropping down, she touched the earth. Power raced through the earth then fire licked up her arms circling her. Standing she looked down at the chains of Terra circling each arm. The earth had given them one of its greatest weapons of protection. The chains were bright white light. Pure and unbreakable.
Looking back up at the Onyx Dragon, she smiled and took off in a run. Using the man as a springboard, she flew up and met the Onyx Dragon. Swinging, Tashana latched the chains of Terra around its neck and used them to pull herself up. It screamed, twisting its head to shake her off. She held on. Reaching its back, she swung herself up and stood. Twirling one of the chains around her fist, she punched down. The Onyx Dragon dipped but didn’t go down. She raised her fist again, then hesitated, tilting her head to hear a whisper on the wind.
"Death."
Following through, Tashana punched down hard and felt the skin and bone give. The Onyx Dragon plummeted from the sky. Holding on with the other chain, Tashana rode it. Hitting the ground, she jarred as they skidded across the clearing. It shuddered and took its last breath. Suddenly, it shifted beneath her. Standing, legs widespread, Tashana looked down at the woman below her. Her skin was the color of dark oak and the Onyx Moon rested between her naked breasts. Her white hair was spread around her body partially covering her. The woman’s eyes flew open and she gasped. Tashana did not move, just watched her.
The woman looked at her and said, "Finish it."
Tashana raised her fist and brought it down.
Chapter Nine
Stopping just above her chest, Tashana said, "No. You're free. You can control the Onyx Moon now if you choose."
The woman looked at her. "I want to die."
"Dying is an easy way out. Redemption builds the soul."
Stepping over her, Tashana ran to Sanjay. Zaila ran up to them.
"Please help him, Zaila."
Zaila hook her head. "I can't. I'm too weak."
Looking at Zaila, Tashana saw her sway. The man who had been holding Zaila when he landed walked up to her and took some of her weight.
"Let me." The same man said.
Looking up, Tashana saw the reserved look on the woman's face. "How can I trust you not to hurt him, Onyx Dragon?"
The woman laughed a bitter sound. "My name is Indigo, and you can't."
Tashana made a quick decision and motioned for her to help. Indigo looked surprised but kneeled and put her hand over his chest. Closing her eyes, Tashana watched as black fire came from her hand and hit Sanjay in the chest. It turned green. Indigo pulled back and lifting her hand, sucked it in. She shuddered once, then opened her eyes and licked her lips. She ducked her head, seeming embarrassed that Tashana was watching her. Sanjay gasped and sat up. He looked normal again. He grinned at her.
"Sanjay, report to me immediately," a male voice demanded.
“Y-“ Sanjay started
Turning, Tashana frowned as she saw a man dragging Indigo away.
Standing, she interrupted him asking the man, "Where are you going?"
The man didn’t stop, just continued on replying over his shoulder. "She will be judged and contained."
Indigo raised her chin and said nothing, walking with quiet dignity.
Tashana watched after them and spoke. "Sanctuary."
The man stopped and stared at her. "What did
you say?"
"Sanctuary."
Fury filled the man’s face. "You cannot offer that in this case,"
She smiled. "The Nefer Investigation Force offers Sanctuary to Indigo, the Onyx Dragon."
The man’s neck muscles bulged. "A place cannot offer Sanctuary."
"Ah, but you didn't let me finish. I, Tashana Rennix, offer Sanctuary to Indigo the Onyx Dragon."
The man dropped Indigo’s arm and stepped back. It was the one thing he could not go up against. The laws of the Sanctuary were abided by in all supernatural communities.
He turned and glared at Indigo. "Use your time wisely, if you fail you are mine." He looked back at Tashana. "I allow you to offer Sanctuary." He turned and strode away. He paused as he passed Zaila. "Sekmet, I will be coming soon to offer my thanks, Gruisles."
Sensual warrior. Tashana recognized the term from Sanjay calling her that a few times. The man ran his hand under Zalia’s chin. Zaila jerked away. The man laughed and walked on.
"Who is that joker?" Tashana shook her head at the man’s arrogance.
Sanjay, who now stood beside her, took her hand. "My father, the General."
She heard the suppressed laughter in his voice. Looking after the General, Tashana eyes widened. She looked at Sanjay, then back at the man. They looked to be the same age.
Her eyes narrowed and she turned to Sanjay and poked him in the chest with her finger. "You're the dragon prince."
He winced. "I'm still recovering."
She snorted. He pulled her into his arms and kissed her thoroughly. Going limp, Tashana moaned. He let her go. Locking her knees, she tried to not fall. His eyes twinkling, he turned and walked away. Watching after him, Tashana saw him stop and a woman jumped in his arms. Tashana started to head across the clearing.
Zaila stopped her. "It's his sister."
Grinning sheepishly, she looked at him as he joined his father. They looked at each other, then embraced fiercely. The man looked at Sanjay and cuffed him over his head playfully. They turned as one, sprang straight up in the sky and shifted. The gold dragon sped away along with the rest of them. Sanjay looked back at her and dipped his head then flew after them.
* * * *
The sun burst from the sky, washing the world with its beauty. Staring at it through the window of her bedroom, Tashana closed her eyes and let it warm her.
“It is a useless emotion to mourn.” A throaty purr came from behind her.
She opened her eyes and, without turning, replied, “I’ve told you about sneaking up behind me.”
Out of the corner of her eye, she saw a splash of silver. Turning her head, she looked into black eyes.
Indigo’s look was solemn. “It is one of my small pleasures.”
Tashana stifled a snort. Indigo had a smart mouth.
“I thank you for the eighteen days of my life that you have offered me Sanctuary, Tashana Rennix.”
With a sigh, Tashana asked, as she had for the past two weeks, “How many time are you going to repeat that?”
Indigo’s eyes were twinkling as she replied, “It is one of my small pleasures.”
Indigo stepped forward and walked through the glass. She hovered then turned and looked at Tashana. Slowly floating to the ground, she looked up at Tashana, bowed her head, then turned, and went around the side of the house to her new home. Watching her, Tashana knew she was right. It was useless to mourn. Turning away from the window, she stopped and her breath caught, as she locked eyes with stormy grey. Sanjay strode into the room and straight for her. Reaching her, he pulled her to him. Slapping her hand on his bare chest, she shuddered. He pulled on her hand. Holding firm, she didn’t let him pull her in against him. She had missed him these past weeks.
“Oh no, you’re not going to walk up in my house like you own it.”
Sanjay’s lips twitched and then he grinned. “I missed that smart mouth of yours, Tashana.”
“Humph, not enough to call.”
He threw his head back and laughed. “Always giving me a hard time. It’s no wonder I love you.”
Tashana’s breath caught and she looked at him. His smile was pleased.
“I love you, Sanjay.” Grinning at him, she let him pull her to him.
He looked down at her and rubbed his finger over the little winged dragon mark. She shuddered.
“This means we’re engaged. Hell, by dragon’s order, we are practically married.” Sanjay looked at her, a smug smile on his face.
Running her hand up his chest, she touched her own mark. “This means I’m thinking about it. By Nefer standards, you have to court me properly.”
Sanjay threw back his head and laughed. Dropping his head, he kissed her. Pushing him back, she jumped up and he caught her. Wrapping her legs around him, she moaned and fitted her mouth to his. Something made her draw back. Looking out the window, she saw Indigo floating there with a solemn look on her face. She watched them silently. Sanjay looked at her and nodded. She acknowledged him, then turning, shifted into the Onyx Dragon and flew away.
Watching her go, Tashana knew she would be back. Turning back to Sanjay, she saw him watching after Indigo.
“She’ll be back before night fall.”
Sanjay looked at her and his eyes heated. Crushing her to him, he kissed her and took her to bed.
The End
About the Author:
Taige Crenshaw has been enthralled with the written word from time she picked up her first book. It wasn’t long before she started to make up her own tales of romance.
Her novels are set in today between people who know what they want and how to get it. As well as in the future of vast universes between beautiful, strange and unique beings with lots of spice and sensuality added to her work.
Always hard at work creating new and exciting places Taige can be found curled up with a hot novel with exciting characters when she is not creating her own. Join her in the fun, frolic, interesting people and far reaches of the world in her novels.
Onyx Moon Rising Page 7
