by Linsey Hall
“Holy fates!” I laughed, unable to keep the sound in.
The ground fell away below us, and I leaned over to watch the tiny village grow smaller and smaller. The dragon swooped through the cold air, carrying us over the first slate island. Tiny white houses dotted the small island, built in neat rows on patches of green grass that sat atop the black slate.
“There are people down there,” Tarron said. “But none are looking up. We must be hidden.”
I grinned, watching as the tiny figures walked up and down the street. No doubt they were touring the island, having no idea what was in the air above them.
“This is amazing!” Aeri said.
“Totally!” It was so different than flying with my own wings.
Hell, I was riding a dragon.
It was phenomenal. My heart raced like I was running a marathon, and joy surged through me. Despite the disastrous circumstances of our visit to the Dragon Bloods, it was impossible not to feel amazement when riding a dragon across the wavy gray ocean.
The enormous rock beast swept through the air, flying with power and grace. The farther we got from land, the colder and stronger the wind blew. I shivered and drew my jacket tighter around me.
“There’s a storm forming!” Declan shouted over the wind. “To the right!”
I looked right, spotting enormous black clouds swirling high in the sky. They moved toward us unnaturally fast, lightning striking within their depths.
“It’s coming right for us!” Aeri shouted.
The wind grew stronger, nearly forcing me off the dragon’s back. I crouched low, gripping the rocky spikes for support. Thunder boomed as lightning cracked, so close and loud that my ears rang.
The rain hadn’t even reached us yet, which was eerie as hell considering that the lightning struck hard and fast, illuminating the sky with an eerie white glow.
My heart thundered as it neared us.
A huge bolt cracked right at the dragon, striking the very tip of the dragon’s wing, blasting off a few dozen shards of slate. The creature faltered, twisting in the air, and gravity pulled at me. I clung harder, squeezing my legs as I tried desperately not to fall.
8
The massive stone dragon shuddered and righted itself, beating its wings faster to outrun the storm.
It was impossible, though. The lightning struck harder and faster, chasing us across the sky. Fear surged in my chest. I sat upright, about to slice my finger and call upon my Dragon Blood to create some kind of magic to drive the lightning away.
“I’ve got this!” Tarron shouted. His magic flared bright, and I looked back, spotting him throw out his arm and send a massive gust of air toward the clouds.
It drove them back, but the lightning continued to strike. An enormous white bolt shot right for us. From behind Aeri, Declan’s magic flared, and he shot a dagger of golden lightning right at the bolt that was about to hit our dragon.
The Fallen Angel’s lightning was more powerful, and it drove the other away. The dragon swept low on the air, its rock wings flapping powerfully.
Declan and Tarron held off the storm as the dragon powered its way through, struggling against the gale. I clung tight to the beast’s back, using all of my strength to stay on as the creature dipped and dived.
Finally, the sky cleared and the lightning faded.
I sagged against the dragon’s back. “Thank fates.”
“That was close,” Tarron said.
“No kidding.” I leaned over the dragon’s side and looked down, spotting a few black and green islands in the middle of the navy sea. Icy wind whipped my hair back from my face, making my eyes water as I shivered. “I hope we’re close.”
A screech sounded from the distance, and I looked up. The fluffy white clouds that surrounded us had begun to spin.
“That’s not a storm,” Aeri shouted.
“It’s definitely not natural,” Tarron added.
The clouds spun faster and faster, coalescing to form glinting white ice monsters. They were twice as big as a human. Their bodies were angular, more like living icicles than people, and huge crystal wings extended off their backs.
They shot toward us, glittering in the sun like diamonds.
“There are at least six!” Tarron shouted. “With more forming!”
His magic flared, and he shot another massive gust of air at them. The creatures plowed right through it.
I took my bow and arrow from the ether, gripping the dragon’s back with my thighs. The creatures shrieked as they flew toward us.
Carefully, I drew back on the string and got a monster in my sight. It was only fifty feet away. I released, watching the arrow fly straight and true.
It slammed into the icy face of the monster, and the head shattered. Shards of ice flew as the creature pinwheeled through the air, plummeting toward the ground.
Tarron hurled a dagger at a monster who was nearly upon us, hitting him right in the head. The icy skull shattered.
Aeri and Tarron joined in, throwing their own weapons at the creatures. I drew another arrow from the ether and sighted it on one of the beasts. It was nearly to me when I released the string. When the head exploded, the ice shards shot toward me. One sliced my cheek, leaving blazing pain in its wake.
The cut burned like fire, and I slapped a hand to my cheek. There was something extra terrible about it. Poison.
“Don’t let the ice cut you!” I shouted.
The pain pounded through my body, unnaturally fierce. I sagged, my strength draining out of me. It took everything I had to stay upright on the dragon.
Tarron took out another creature with a well-placed blast, then reached forward and grabbed me. “Don’t let go!”
I clung to the spikes on the dragon’s back, but my vision was going dark.
Tarron’s other hand gripped my shoulder, and a blast of his healing energy surged into my cheek. I gasped, straightening as strength flowed through my muscles.
“Thanks.” My vision cleared just in time to see another ice monster form in the clouds and hurtle toward us.
I drew a dagger from the ether and threw it at the beast. It slammed into its chest, and the creature exploded.
The dragon dived low, zipping below the clouds. I looked up. No icy creatures followed us, thank fates.
“We’re nearly there!” Aeri shouted.
I leaned over and looked down, spotting a large island made of black slate interspersed with patches of green grass. Pools of deep blue water gleamed within the island, looking like the slate had been dug out and they’d filled with rainwater.
The dragon flew right for the beach, landing with a clatter on the rounded black pebbles.
I climbed off, my legs still shaky from the adrenaline, and turned to face him. “Thank you.”
My friends followed me off. Once they’d disembarked, he bowed his head, then launched himself in the air and returned to the sky.
“This place is amazing,” Aeri murmured.
I spun in a circle, taking in the stunning sight. Early morning sun shot across the gray waves, lighting the tips like diamonds. The island itself was a massive mountain of loose slate that spilled down toward the sea. Millions of pieces of angular black rock tumbled down the slopes. At the top, patches of green grass gleamed. Tiny purple flowers clung to wherever they could find a bit of dirt.
A sense of belonging tugged me upward, toward the top of the loose slate mountain.
“Do you feel that?” Aeri asked.
“Totally. We need to go upward.”
Together, we set off up the rocky slope. The rubble shifted underfoot, making it hard to climb. Partway up, the only walkable path became a series of steps, and I veered toward those.
“This is convenient.” There was a frown in Tarron’s voice as he spoke.
Too convenient.
As soon as he’d spoken, rain began to pour. I ducked my head and continued upward. Tarron tapped me on the shoulder, and I turned back. He handed me a rain slicker
that he’d conjured.
“Thanks.” I put it on.
From behind, I heard Aeri and Declan thank him as well.
I bowed my head and trudged upward. When the stair in front of me disappeared, I nearly missed it, plunging into a deep ravine.
“Watch out!” Tarron grabbed me, yanking me back against his chest.
“That step was just there!” I looked up, spotting the rest of the stairs disappearing. A gaping crevasse was left in their wake.
You’re going to have to prove yourself.
My father’s words echoed in my head.
I sliced my hand and dripped my blood onto the ground in front of me.
The stairs reappeared, and I began to climb. As I went, I made sure that the wound continued to drip steadily. Every time a droplet hit the ground, a new stair appeared.
“Let me take over,” Aeri said.
“No, I’ve got it.”
“Seriously.” She sounded annoyed.
“No, I mean it. I need to prove myself. You’ve already completed your final transition, but I haven’t.” She’d faced down a seriously powerful enemy earlier this year, and it’d taken nearly everything she had. Aeri was definitely in her final form.
Me?
Not quite.
But I would be soon.
The rain continued to pour as we climbed. I kept my head down and my senses alert. Exhaustion dragged at my muscles, and cold chilled my skin. By the time we reached the top, my head was woozy from blood loss.
I stepped on the squishy grass at the top, nearly stumbling. The green expanse stretched hundreds of yards in front of us, a flat top to a mountain carved out by the dragons. Huge black buildings perched here and there, each built from the slate that had been quarried right out of the slope that we’d just climbed.
Tarron joined me, wrapping an arm around my waist for support.
“The rain is stopping,” Aeri said.
Gray clouds parted to reveal the sun. Overhead, enormous figures swooped through the air.
I craned my neck, squinting. A gasp escaped me.
Dragons.
Real dragons.
They flew with a grace that our stone dragon had lacked. There had to be a dozen of them, swooping between the clouds. The ones that flew lowest were close enough that I could see the colors of their scales.
Red, green, blue, gold. They were all the colors of the rainbow, with differently shaped wings and heads. Magic radiated from them, so powerful that it nearly bowled me over.
“Holy fates,” Aeri breathed. “I’ve never seen anything like it.”
“They’re amazing.” Tarron squeezed me tight. His magic flowed into me, a healing touch that refueled some of my strength.
A gleaming red one swooped toward us, landing with a powerful thud about fifty yards away. Slowly, it folded its glittering red wings against its body, staring at us with eyes that gleamed like black fire.
It walked toward us, graceful despite its size. The long neck tilted down as the creature moved to smell us. I stood stock-still, fear and wonder racing across my skin as the dragon pressed its nose almost to my chest.
The majestic creature inhaled deeply, and I prayed that I passed whatever test this was. One by one, it smelled us.
Aeri caught my eye and gave me a slightly crazed smile.
I nodded.
Yep, this was both the coolest and the most terrifying thing I’d ever done.
Finally, the dragon sat back on its haunches. Since it hadn’t barbecued us on the spot, I assumed we’d at least partially passed.
What should I say now?
Before I could open my mouth, magic swirled around the dragon. Crimson streaks formed a tornado, and the creature shrank down to the size of a human. Then it transformed into one, becoming a woman of impressive stature.
She towered over me, eight feet tall at least. Her skin gleamed brilliant red, almost like she were made of rubies. When she moved, light flickered across it, highlighting the fine scales that appeared there. Her eyes continued to burn with black flame, set deep within a face that was only partially human. Black hair waved down her back, and a midnight sheath gown of sleek silk completed the effect.
At least this answered the question of how humans had ended up with Dragon Blood—they could transform.
It must be a carefully guarded secret.
“Mordaca. Aerdeca.” Her voice vibrated with power, far deeper than I’d have expected. “Two of our most impressive Dragon Bloods.”
“Thank you.” Aeri and I spoke the words at the same time.
I gestured to Tarron. “This is Tarron, King of the Seelie Fae.” I moved my hand to indicate Declan. “And Declan O’Shea. Fallen Angel.”
She inclined her head. “I am Perisea, one of the dragons here.”
“A shifter?” Tarron asked.
“No. Not quite. I do not maintain this form for long. But it allows me to speak with you. When I am in dragon form, I do not have the appropriate vocal cords for speaking.”
“Thank you for meeting with us,” I said. “I know we came uninvited.”
“It was your time.” Her eyes flicked to Aerdeca. “Though you followed a different path.”
“I did.”
“Well done.” Perisea smiled at both of us. “Come.”
She turned and strode across the grass, her midnight gown trailing in the wind. Her crimson skin gleamed as she walked, and I glanced at Aeri, mouthing, “Wow.”
Aeri nodded, eyes wide.
The four of us followed her toward the massive black stone building that loomed in the distance. As we walked, I kept stealing glances at the dragons above. Over the years, I’d grown used to my power. But I’d also dissociated it from the dragons that had once given it to my ancestors. I’d never seen any of them, so it was easy to forget.
This would not be easy to forget.
We reached the towering stone building, and Perisea led us under a stone archway and into huge courtyard paved in black slate. A massive fountain burbled in the middle, water sparkling under the sunlight. Flowering trees dotted the space, their roots sunk into the ground between the slate. It was a stark place, harshly beautiful in a way that would stick with me forever.
The strangest sense of homecoming flowed over me, along with a heavy sense of fate.
This is meant to be.
Perisea turned and swept her hand out in front of her. Beautiful wooden benches appeared.
“Please, sit.” Though low and soft, her voice rang with authority.
We sat, and she took a seat on her own bench. Her gaze met mine. “Why are you here?”
“I need more magic.”
“You are a Dragon Blood. You have the ability to make any magic you so desire.”
“I tried.” I gestured to Tarron. “He is cursed by my mother. She used a type of magic that has no permanent antidote. We have found one that will temporarily hold off the effects, but it is wearing thin. So I attempted to make the magic to cure an incurable curse.” My shoulders deflated. “And it didn’t work.”
“So you want more magic to heal him.”
“Yes. And to defeat my mother, the false queen of the Unseelie Fae. She has plans that will cause massive loss of life, and she’s insanely powerful. Growing more so by the day. I have many of her magical gifts, but not the strongest ones. I need to learn those so that I can beat her.”
Perisea’s brow wrinkled. “You wish to become like her.”
“Not like her, exactly.” I shook my head. “She’s cruel. Evil. But her magic… I need power like that to defeat her, and I cannot make it as I am right now.”
Perisea frowned. “I’m not sure you are approaching this the right way.”
My heart thundered. I needed this. “My Dragon Blood gives power. It is a source of magic. If I need more, this is the place to come, is it not?”
She nodded, though shadows still gleamed in her eyes. “It is. But you must be worthy.”
“I’ll do whatever it takes.
” I looked at Tarron. “I have to heal him.”
Tarron frowned. “It’s more important that we defeat your mother.”
“I know you’re worried about your people. But we can do both.” I looked at Perisea. “Right? He can be cured? If there’s any place that could happen, it is here.”
My heart raced, desperation fueling it.
“It is.” She searched my face, her gaze intense. “You’re willing to take the risk? To try to prove yourself worthy?”
“I am.”
Her gaze flicked between my three companions. “It will be risky for you as well.”
“I accept that,” Aeri said.
Tarron and Declan repeated the sentiment.
“Well then.” Perisea stood and swept out her arms.
Magic sparked in the air. Anticipation surged through me.
I was dragged into the ether, away from my friends.
A moment later, I appeared on a windswept hillside. The grass under my feet was bright green, and the black, gaping maw of a slate cave rose up in front of me.
I spun in a circle, facing the sky at the edge of the cliff. “Tarron? Aeri?”
They were nowhere to be found. Instead, there was only the sound of whipping wind and the crashing waves, which slammed into the pebble beach about two hundred yards below.
From behind, the cave called to me.
Perisea wasted no time, it seemed.
Skin prickling, I turned.
I could see nothing within—just a faint bit of light that illuminated the black walls.
You must prove yourself worthy.
Perisea’s words echoed in my head. Yep—the challenge was definitely in there. The creepy darkness that led deep into the mountain had Dragon Blood written all over it.
I can do this.
Shivering, I drew in a deep breath and stepped into the cave. Immediately, the air warmed. I inhaled deeply, letting it fill my lungs.
The warmth wasn’t comforting so much as threatening—as if it came from fire. The light that illuminated the space was faintly orange, as well.
I forged ahead, shoving aside any fear. If there was fire in here, I’d deal with it. I’d deal with anything to fix what was broken.
