Finally, he picked up a lingering trail.
Leia!
Sky held on to her scent and let out a stream of fire to alert his brothers. He saw Storm turn the truck around to follow him.
The scent led him to an old, rundown part of town. The buildings here were deserted, and most of the houses had been torn down to make way for new developments.
The old cinema was still standing, and Sky dropped to the road in front of it.
As he shifted to human form and ran towards the broken entrance of the cinema, he saw his truck rounding the corner on screeching tires.
The truck skidded to a stop and his brothers poured out, clutching knives, shears and a fork and trowel they had found in his truck.
They were going into battle fully armed with kitchen and garden tools.
“Is she in there?” Storm panted.
“Yeah.” Sky began to run. “I can smell blood. Lots of it.”
CHAPTER THIRTY-SEVEN
Leia lowered her shaking hands and forced herself to turn towards the blood-spattered cage.
She watched the impundulu tear into Cece’s neck. The creature made horrible slurping and gobbling sounds as it drank her blood.
Feathers began to cover its body and limbs. Its shape was changing from man to bird. Finally, its arms became wings and Cece’s limp body dropped to its feet.
The impundulu let out a cry and dipped its head. Using its golden beak, it tore into the witch’s torso and continued feeding.
She couldn’t watch any more. She was going to pass out.
Leia ran for the stairs and tried to open the small door at the top of the stairs but it wouldn’t budge. She pushed with all her might but the door was jammed tight.
There was a blinding flash of light and Leia had to grip the edge of the stairs to stop herself from tumbling down and breaking her neck.
She spun round and saw lightning zigzagging from the impundulu’s talons. The monster threw the lightning bolt at the door of the cage and the whole cage shuddered.
The impundulu let out a soft cooing sound. Leia whimpered when she saw that the door of the cage was open.
“Oh shit! Shit, shit, shit!”
The cage had been locked with Cece’s magic. But the witch was dead, and her magic was dissipating.
Leia scrambled away when the impundulu stepped out of the cage and stalked towards her.
The monster seemed to have grown in size after drinking Cece’s blood. The more blood it drank, the more powerful it became.
Tearing her terrified gaze away from those blood red eyes, Leia searched desperately for something that she could use as a weapon.
She caught sight of the pointed end of a metal stick lying under some torn cardboard boxes. Lurching forward, she snatched it up and gripped it tightly.
The impundulu cocked its head at her. Leia didn’t hesitate. She ran at it and drove the metal stick into the impundulu’s body.
Blood spurted out and stained the bird’s black and white feathers.
Leia flattened herself against the wall, staring at the monster. But the impundulu only shook itself and spread its wings. She watched in dismay and disbelief as the blood faded from the creature’s feathers. The bird clucked loudly and pushed the metal stick out of its body. With a sickening thud, the stick fell to the ground and the wound knitted shut.
“You can’t die,” Leia said as a hysterical laugh bubbled out of her. “You can’t be destroyed. That’s why you can outlive all your masters.”
She picked up the metal stick and gripped it with both hands. “I may not be able to kill you. But I’ll fight you. I’ll fight you till my last dying breath.”
The impundulu screeched and lunged at her. The door at the top of the stairs exploded and Leia staggered back with a scream.
“Leia!”
She released a sob at the sound of Sky’s voice. He was here. Sky had come for her.
Sky flew at the impundulu and wrestled it away from Leia. His claws raked down the monster’s body and shredded feathers fluttered to the ground.
Leia saw Storm and Seath vaulting over the stairs. They were holding an assortment of shiny tools.
“Die, you ugly bird!” Seath hollered and slammed the fork and trowel into the impundulu’s body.
Storm ran at the bird and buried a handful of knives in the impundulu’s belly.
The impundulu let out a piercing shriek and spread its wings. Puffing out its feathers, it pushed all those sharp tools and weapons out of its body.
“What the…!” Seath stared at the monster and grabbed his trowel. “How the fuck do we kill it?”
The impundulu turned around and fixed Seath with its beady red eyes.
“Look out!” Leia screamed.
A jagged shard of lightning flew from the monster’s talons right at Seath. Sky threw himself over his youngest brother and pushed him out of the way.
The lightning bolt hit the wall behind them. With a deafening crack, the wall crumbled.
Leia coughed as dust swirled around them. She heard another loud bang, and the ceiling collapsed.
The building was falling down all around them.
“We’ve got to get out!” Storm bellowed. “We’ll be buried alive!”
Sky ran to Leia. “Come on!”
But before he could reach her, the impundulu threw another bolt of lightning at Sky. Sky rolled away just in time as a smoking hole appeared in the ground.
The monster snatched Leia up in its talons and let out a horrible scream that sounded almost human.
Gripping her ankle with its talons, the impundulu shot up and flew away from the collapsing building. Leia screamed as debris rained down on her. She was dangling upside down, swaying precariously.
“Sky!” she screamed. “Sky!”
CHAPTER THIRTY-EIGHT
Sky ran after the impundulu and saw it fly away with Leia. Shifting as he ran, Sky spread his wings and gave chase.
“Sky!”
Sky started at the sound of Storm’s voice.
He turned and saw Storm hanging on to the end of his tail. His crazy brother had latched onto his dragon tail just as he shifted form and launched himself into the air.
Sky flicked his tail up and Storm landed on his back. Hold on!
Storm gripped the spikes around Sky’s neck tightly and hollered, “This reminds me of the time you piggybacked me up the stairs! Remember what I used to shout?”
Sky scowled. This wasn’t like a piggyback at all.
Storm chortled and yelled, “Go faster!”
Sky concentrated on the target in front of him. He closed in on the impundulu and let out a stream of fire. The monster shrieked and veered to the right.
Sky watched the monster fly higher with Leia. He wanted to hurl a ball of fire at the impundulu but he was afraid he would hurt Leia.
Streaks of lightning lit up the sky. The impundulu could summon lighting, and its power had increased after it drained its master’s blood.
The impundulu now had no master to control and restrain it. It would cause destruction and chaos, and its power would keep increasing with every kill.
Sky roared, feeling the fire rise in his throat. He would burn that monster to ashes, destroy it once and for all.
But he had to make it release Leia.
Sky dipped lower, ready to catch Leia once the bird let her go. He roared a warning and aimed a small ball of fire at the impundulu. The creature screamed and twisted violently in the air even though it had not been touched by the fire at all.
Sky took a deep breath. He could scent the impundulu’s mortal terror.
The impundulu was afraid of fire.
Nothing could kill the monster. His brothers had tried stabbing it, and he had slashed his claws down the monster’s neck and body. But they couldn’t really wound it. The wounds closed rapidly and no real damage was done.
But the impundulu was terrified of fire.
Because fire is the only thing that can destroy it.
And not just any fire. Dragon fire.
No wonder Cece wanted his dragon. She wanted his dragon fire to control the impundulu.
The impundulu finally dived into a cave. Sky folded his wings against his sides and flew in. He instinctively shifted form and dropped to the cave floor as a man.
“Leia!” he yelled.
Storm grunted and grumbled as he picked himself up from the ground. “You could have warned me,” he muttered.
Sky heard Leia yell back and he followed the sound of her voice. The impundulu had also shifted to human form. The monster held Leia to him, yanking her head to the side to expose her neck. Sharp golden fangs descended to plunge into Leia’s neck.
Sky ran forward. The impundulu pointed his taloned feet at Sky and screamed.
Lightning shot from the creature’s talons and slammed in front of him. Sky roared and charged again, but the impundulu kept up its attack.
More lightning bolts slammed down from the roof of the cave. The monster was using lightning to create a wall, a cage.
Fire burned in Sky’s throat. He was ready to hurl his dragon fire at the enemy.
But Leia was trapped in the lighting cage with the impundulu.
She would burn with the monster.
“Do it,” she wheezed, holding his gaze unflinchingly. “Burn it!”
Leia wasn’t scared. She was prepared to burn. “Destroy it now, so it can’t destroy anyone else! I love you, Sky. I love you so much.”
CHAPTER THIRTY-NINE
Sky stared at Leia. “No.”
“You have to burn it,” Leia begged. “If it takes my blood, it will be even stronger. Burn it before it takes my blood. Do it, Sky!”
Sky was aware that Storm was now standing beside him. His younger brother nodded at him and said, “I’ll get her out. Do what you have to do.”
Before Sky could stop him, Storm sprinted towards the lightning cage. “Now!” Storm shouted.
Storm slammed against the lighting bolts and roared. The lightning bolts fell away upon contact with Storm.
The impundulu jerked and released Leia with a shriek. Immediately, Storm shoved Leia away from the monster.
Screaming, the impundulu tried to run but Sky hurled a ball of fire straight at the monster.
The instant the fire hit the impundulu, it shifted back into a large bird. It screeched and screamed as its feathers began to burn.
Sky continued aiming his fire at the creature. The screams escalated but Sky didn’t stop. He intensified his fire, making his flames brighter and hotter.
The impundulu ran at Sky, its deadly beak opened. The monster snapped at Sky’s neck, trying to decapitate him.
Sky dodged and breathed more fire at the monster. The impundulu was completely engulfed in flames, and its red eyes were wild and crazed with pain and terror.
With a cry that sounded eerily human, the impundulu spun in a circle, doing a macabre dance of death.
Faster and faster it spun, until finally it collapsed in a flaming heap on the ground. The blaze died leaving only a large pool of dark red blood.
The blood of its victims.
The blood spread and seeped into the cracks on the ground.
Sky rushed to Leia. “Leia! Are you okay?”
She threw her arms around him and sobbed. “I thought...oh, Sky!”
As he hugged Leia tightly, Sky looked at his brother and asked grimly, “You okay?”
When Storm nodded, Sky exploded. He was so relieved and angry with Storm for putting himself in danger. He wanted to throttle him and hug him at the same time. “What were you thinking? You ran headlong into that lightning cage. You could have died! Or hurt yourself real bad! You...you crazy son of a gun!”
Storm started laughing. “I know, right? It’s crazy!” He stared down his arms and patted his body. “Funny,” Storm mumbled at last.
“What’s so funny?” Sky glared at him. “You could have gotten yourself killed.”
“No burn marks, no pain. Nothing,” Storm said, pointing at himself. “I really didn’t feel any pain when I touched the lightning. It’s like...I’m impervious to lightning!”
The two brothers stared at each other, their eyes widening. Leia saw their faces light up with realization and awe.
“What?” she asked earnestly. “What is it? Tell me.”
“Storm...” Sky let out a hearty laugh and grabbed his brother in a bear hug. “My brother is a hero!”
“Yeah.” Storm grinned. “I remember those heroic stories Dad used to tell us.”
“He told us about a very special breed of dragons,” Sky explained to Leia. “Those dragons were brave, heroic, protectors of the realm. They always flew toward—not away from—danger. They were tough, courageous and they couldn’t be scorched by lightning.”
Leia’s eyes were as big and round as saucers.
“So Storm...” she began.
“Yes! He certainly lives up to his name,” Sky said, punching his brother in the arm. “Wait till Seath hears about this!”
“So what is he?” Leia asked excitedly.
“A stormfire dragon!” the brothers answered together.
CHAPTER FORTY
Leia and Storm held on tight as Sky flew through the clouds. Leia stroked Sky’s scales lovingly, marveling at his beauty and majesty.
“A dragon,” she breathed.
She turned around to see Storm staring into the distance behind her. Storm met her quizzical gaze and smiled.
“I can feel my dragon,” he said. “When I touched those lightning bolts, I felt something powerful awaken in me. I can feel my dragon, but I can’t shift into dragon form, yet.”
“Your dragon will emerge when it is time. I can’t wait to see your dragon! Sky said your dragon will be even bigger and more powerful than his,” Leia replied with a smile.
Sky snorted and puffed out a plume of smoke.
Leia laughed and conveyed Sky’s retort. “Sky said maybe your dragon will be bigger than his.” Her eyes rounded and she blinked. “How did I do that?” she sputtered. “I...I can hear Sky talking to me! And he’s in dragon form!”
“You’re his mate,” Storm answered simply. “Dragon mates share a profound bond and connection.”
Leia gasped. “Dragon mate,” she repeated.
Yes, Leia, you are my mate. My one true mate.
Leia wrapped her arms tightly around her dragon. She could hear Sky clearly, and he sounded so proud and happy. “But I couldn’t hear you before,” she whispered. “So when…?”
When you said you loved me. The pure, true love of a dragon’s mate crystallizes the connection. My dragon, my heart and life belong to you, Leia.
Leia leaned her cheek against his cool, shimmering scales. “I do love you,” she whispered. “I love you, Sky.”
I love you, Leia.
Sky blew out a puff of smoke in the shape of a heart. Storm slapped his brother’s tail and chuckled, “And that’s how you get the girl!”
When Sky chuffed at his brother, Storm said laughingly, “Yeah, yeah. I’ll shut up now.”
“You can hear him?” Leia asked.
“No I can’t. But I know that’s what he said.”
Leia looked down and saw that they were flying over Sky’s house. A truck was roaring down the street at top speed and she saw Seath jump out of the truck. The young man looked up and waved his arms vigorously.
Sky glided lower and began a smooth descent. When they were nearing the ground, Storm jumped off and ran to Seath.
Leia slid off Sky’s back and when she turned around, Sky had already shifted to human form.
Storm was yabbering at breakneck speed to Seath. He was trying to tell him everything at once. He described the fight with the impundulu, the lightning, the fire and blood and he yelled out that he could feel his dragon at last and it was a stormfire dragon!
Leia didn’t know how Seath could catch everything, but he did. Seath grinned and hollered, punching the air and hugging his br
others excitedly. He hesitated for a beat before pulling Leia into a fierce hug as well.
“My brother’s mate!” Seath exclaimed. “You are my sister-in-law!” He gave her a toothy grin and said cheekily, “I look forward to our next family dinner! Your pies are the best, Leia!”
CHAPTER FORTY-ONE
Leia waved to Storm and Seath as they went back to their own houses. She laughed when she saw them doing a happy dance in the middle of the street.
Sky rolled his eyes at his two younger brothers as he led Leia into his house. “Do you think Seath’s dragon will emerge soon?” she asked as he closed the door.
“Seath is still young,” Sky said. “He’s only twenty. He has lots of time, so he shouldn’t pressure himself.”
Leia nodded and peered out the window. “They’re still dancing outside.”
Sky shook his head with a chuckle. “They can do this all night. I think they’ll go back to Storm’s place and continue the celebration.”
“Well, they have good reason to celebrate,” Leia answered, smiling.
“Come here,” Sky said gruffly.
Leia went willingly into his arms. For a long while, they just stood there holding each other. This was where she belonged. They belonged to each other, forever.
Sky held her face and gazed deeply into her eyes. “My mate,” he said softly.
Leia pushed herself up on her toes and kissed him. She loved him so much. She didn’t want to hold anything back. She didn’t want to wait another second.
The kiss became deep, urgent and fiery. Their tongues tangled as their hands greedily clawed at each other’s clothes. Their want and hunger for each other burned hot and fierce like an inferno, consuming all their senses.
“Leia,” Sky growled.
He had shredded her clothes with his claws, and as the remnants of her clothes fluttered to the ground, Leia stepped close to him. She stood tall and proud before him, completely naked and utterly beautiful.
Sky pressed her to his bare chest. He was still wearing his jeans but Leia had yanked his t-shirt up over his head and thrown it over her shoulder.
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