***
We emerge through Remy's portal back into the chamber they pulled us out of last night. The room is empty at the moment but the openings through which the golems attacked wait dark and foreboding. Remy moves to stand between the two doors while Archer and I separate to his left and right swords at the ready.
My blade and Archer's glow with a soft blue light from the enhancements that Remy added to them. The spells will only last an hour so we have to move quickly. Silence. We look to each other then Remy nods towards the left door. Archer moves forward slowly in a crouch.
The moment he steps through the opening there's a resounding clanging and the golem rushes from the shadows with a cacophonous blast of noise. The ground rumbles and then the other appears.
I rush forward while Archer engages the closest one. Remy shouts and purple blasts shoot from both of his hands striking the iron creatures. I parry an incoming arm with my sword. The vibration of the blow flows up my arm killing all feeling. I barely move fast enough to block the next attack.
The purple blasts form into chains wrapping around the heads of the two creatures. They start to slow but I'm slowing as well. Both my arms are numb from the force of its blows. I dodge one, duck the next, then I'm forced to drop and roll narrowly missing a strike to my head.
"Remy!" I yell jumping to my feet behind the creature.
I thrust my weapon. The enhancements allow it to slice through the creature's back. I pull up along what would be the spine of any normal thing. It shudders and shakes then it whirls around on its waist so that the top half is now facing me while its legs still face front. My sword is jerked out of my hand, still stuck in its back, by the surprise move.
I look up into the empty indentations where its eyes should be and a cold chill runs down my spine. Then I smile at the thing and laugh. It raises both its hands up. As they smash down I drop and roll between its legs. I land in a crouch behind it in time to see Remy strain backwards on the magical chains hooked to both the creatures. I grab my sword from the golem's back freeing it.
The creatures start to topple forcing me to roll out of this one's path. They land on their backs with enough force that the ceiling rains down on us in shards. I leap onto the chest of the creature I was fighting thrusting my sword down into its skull. It shudders as sparks fly out of its joints and limbs then it's still. I smile at Remy before turning to check on Archer.
"Malatanitia!" Remy yells magic words thrusting his hands forward.
I look towards the opening in time to see purple bolts hitting empty air before the upraised hands of two white, scaly women. The same two I fought in Jennifer's apartment. Magical energy crackles through the air between them and Remy. Incantations fly from one side to the other.
I glance at Archer and nod, then we charge. Remy's magic hits their shields so Archer and I attack with our weapons. They bounce off but I see the sweat of effort on their brows, we're wearing them down. It energizes me and I attack with renewed fervor. Then my blow goes through, magical energy blasts out around us. I stop my sword less than an inch away from the center of her skull. Fear is in her eyes as she lowers to her knees holding her hands up above her head in surrender.
"Well," I say. "Looks like we have a prize to take home!"
Archer nods then Remy comes over and binds them with magic before opening a portal for home.
Chapter nine
Jennifer
"We need to distribute the blankets," I say.
The young woman curtsies before hurrying off. I look down the list on my clipboard then up at the next person. Everyone is busy sorting the shipment of supplies. I'm not strictly needed but my presence is helpful to morale if nothing else and I like to be hands on. I can't stand the idea of ordering others to do things I'm not doing myself.
"Lisa," I say.
The older woman looks up from the pile in front of her.
"Can you make sure we have plenty of bandages? With the King's return we need to be prepared to deliver first aid."
"Yes my Lady," she says dipping her head.
"Ladies, keep up the good work. Archer and I appreciate it. Soon we'll be able to return home and it'll be in large part due to your efforts. Every bit as much as the blood our men will spill to retake what's ours."
They smile and applaud at my words. My blood pulses with pride and something more as I look at them all working and preparing. I remember this. We've done the same before, preparing for war, though I don't recall the stakes ever being so high.
People rush up and down the halls as I make my way back to where Archer and Logan are questioning their captives. It's no longer a simple matter to walk somewhere as different people run up to me with questions or to report completions. I make it a point to take time with each of them, even just a moment. They need to know they're appreciated and that their work doesn't go unnoticed.
I hear Archer and Logan talking as I approach the door though I can't make out the words. It doesn't sound like things are going well. When I walk in my stomach ties into a knot as a cold chill runs up and down my limbs. Archer and Logan both have blood on their clothes, their knuckles are battered and bruised, not the condition I left them in.
"Remy it's not working, you'll have to use magic," Archer says.
"There are two of them, that will limit the risks," Remy says.
"Risks?" I ask cold fury burning in me.
The three of them turn and look at me. Logan at least has the decency to look ashamed, meeting my eyes for only a moment before he stares at the floor. Archer purses his lips and Remy, as always, is impassive and unreadable.
"Yes," Archer says. "Magic is dangerous. One mistake and we could lose the asset."
"The asset?"
Archer nods calmly. My cold fury erupts into hot flame. I want to strike him. Knock him out of this cold, calculated attitude.
"Yes," he says.
"Is that how you make it work?"
He looks confused. "Make what work?"
"De-humanizing them. Making it okay to do what you're doing!" I point at the blood on his shirt then at his hands. "You don't call them by name or even refer to them as people! They're an asset. Transition them into a number and a thing!"
"Jennifer, I don't expect you to understand-"
"Understand! Understand? Are you serious. Tell me Archer, tell me any of you, how are we any better than Marathe? This is what SHE does! WE are not her!"
"We're at war!" Archer yells back at me his face flushing with anger. "In war you do what you have to do!"
"Not at the price of your humanity!"
"At any price!"
"No. We're better than this and if we're not then we've already lost."
"Bah," Archer says waving his hand dismissively. "What do you know of war? We've already lost. We cannot ride the moral high ground and expect to win. They will not tell us what we need to know. What, would you just ask them nicely?"
His tone is dismissive and he turns his back towards me. My skin feels like it's on fire. A tingling sensation runs around my head, my limbs shake, and then something snaps like a lock clicking into place.
Memories flood through me. Millions of moments all return.
I stagger back, my stomach lurches, and I think I'm going to be sick as my mind opens to all that has come before.
I remember. I remember everything. Every moment, every touch, every kiss, every fight, and every death. Every time I've been killed.
Through it all we've maintained our high ground. In all of our time together I've never seen him stoop to this. Torture. She has. Our enemies have but not us. We've always been better.
My heart rate increases until it's pounding and it feels like my chest might explode. Power floods through me, coursing down my veins making new pathways as it burns out until I feel like my fingertips crackle with energy. Logan's looking at me with his mouth hanging open, Remy stares, but Archer still has his back to me heading back towards the door to the prisoners.
"Yo
u will listen to me," my voice echoes in my own ears, maybe in the entire room, it booms out of me.
Archer stops in his tracks turning slowly towards me. His eyes widen and I know he sees something new.
"Jennifer-"
"No! You will not Jennifer me. We're better. I'm the Queen of the Gold. Their heart is my heart. I am the Heart and will of the people and our people don't do this."
His mouth works as he chews the inside of his lip. I stare at him waiting to see if he will disagree with me. When he says nothing I storm past.
"I'll handle this."
He steps out of my way as I go through. The two women are bound to chairs with their backs to each other. The signs of torture are clear, blood runs from their noses and mouths, their faces are bruised and swelling. I walk across the room to a small sink where I moisten a cloth then I go to each and tend their wounds. Once I've finished I throw the door open.
"Logan go to Lisa. She's working the supplies. Have her bring me aspirin, ibuprofen, and bandages. Also a splint, one of them has a broken arm."
Logan moves away fast without a word. I glare at Archer before I slam the door shut and return to my patients. When the supplies arrive I dismiss Lisa and finish my ministrations. The women look at me grateful but haven't said a word. I turn their chairs so they're both facing me. Standing in front of them I stare for a long moment gauging them.
"I'm sorry for what you've been through," I say at last. "This isn't our way. My King is desperate. You have made us so but there's no excuse for this behavior. None."
They glance at each other then stare at me. My heart swells and aches. Almost I feel as if I can feel their pain, their mistrust, and even their fear. Instinctively I reach out with this feeling then it's like I touch them both. I see it in their eyes that this is more than my imagination. Their faces change, fear fades, ease is followed by what I would judge to be respect.
"Thank you Queen," one of them says.
I nod. "We need to know things from you. We're aware of your Clan's plan to awaken the Ancients."
I see an island and a massive stone in the ground with symbols etched into it. Rising from the edges of that stone is a massive arch also engraved with symbols. Circling that island is a dragon then I glance down and see I'm riding a dragon.
"Yes," they say as one. "It is time for the Cycle to be turned. We are the Prophets, the first female shifters. The signs are complete."
I cock my head listening to them. It's odd to hear two people speak in such unison but when they speak there's a hollowness to their thoughts. I don't know exactly how I know but it's in their words and it's in the images that form in my mind as they talk. My chest aches with sadness well beyond what I felt at what had been done to them.
I reach out with my heart, I feel for them and as women we connect. I don't understand it but I don't have to. As I reach, I feel their hollowness and look into it. There, beyond, I see more, something. It comes clear to me and as I see their memories tears stream down their faces.
They're strapped down to tables. Magics play across them causing excruciating pain. I hear them screaming, writhing, they're being changed. The torture that Archer and Logan did was nothing in comparison to what was done by their own people. My cheeks are wet as my mind clears. I rush forward and wrap my arms around them, pulling them close. Their tears soak my shoulders and they shudder.
"No more. There will be no more pain," I say rising.
I try to untie their knots but I have no knife and they're too tight.
"Archer!"
He opens the door standing stiff staring at me. "Your knife. Untie these women. They will tell us what we need to know."
Shock is apparent on his face. Surprise wars with relief. He's a smart man though and says nothing. Drawing a knife from his side he rushes forward and cuts their bonds. The two women rise rubbing blood back into their limbs. They look at each other then at me. The two of them kneel with their heads bowed.
"Queen," they say.
Gently I touch the back of their heads. "Rise. You are among family and friends. You are welcome among the Gold. Renounce those who have done this to you."
Archer's face reveals nothing but I know him. There will be words. I lead the women out the door. Remy stands with Logan at his side and they don't bother to hide their surprise.
"Take these two women to Lisa. Ask her to find them beds and make sure they're issued supplies."
The two men take off as ordered. I turn back to Archer.
"My Queen?"
"Archer, they're not shifters. They were magicked. Tortured, brainwashed to believe they were. White used them as justification, to prove that the time to awaken the Ancients is here. They're twisting the prophecy to their own end."
"I see," he says. "How did you..."
"I am Queen of the Gold. And yes I am your Queen. As such it falls to me to remind you of your own heart. Of the heart of our people. No man can be expected to not go too far without his heart. I am that."
"Your memories?"
"Restored. Fully."
Unshed tears rest in the corner of his eyes. "Welcome home, love of my life."
I barely have time to smile before he's taking me in his arms and spinning me around laughing and kissing me.
Chapter ten
Logan
"I know the location, I saw it in their memories." Jennifer says.
We stand around the massive oak table in Archer's office. Maps are laid out and she digs through them until she pulls out one of South America. She points to a small speck off the coast of Peru in the South Pacific ocean.
I lean in close to see it. Barely of note, which makes perfect sense as a place for an artifact from the dawn of time. Even shielded by magic, you still wouldn't want to park it on the crossroads of humanity.
"Good," Archer says resting his hand on hers.
For the first time in, well ever, I don't feel a stab of jealousy alongside my happiness. I feel content. Jennifer looks at me and I see the love in her eyes as well as Archer's. I feel a part of a trio, not a third wheel. It's like a massive weight is lifted off me and I'm filled with a sudden urge to sing so I laugh. The two of them look at me confused but I'm laughing so hard I can't stop. In moments they're laughing too. I'm laughing so hard my eyes are watering.
"Well, we'll need to go explore that," I say. "So off to the jungle with us!"
"Jennifer," Archer starts to say but she shakes her head.
"I know, I'll have to stay behind. It's fine. I don't like it, but it's my duty."
Love overwhelms my heart. I admire her as well as love her. Running my eyes over her full curves my body starts to respond so I decide to move things forward before I pull the three of us to the waiting bedroom.
"Remy's ready and waiting," I say. "Let's do this."
Archer kisses her then I do. The three of us stand a moment, Archer and I to either side of Jennifer as she holds our heads close to hers.
"Come home soon, my hearts," she says softly then we're off.
***
Remy shifts to dragon form as soon as we hit the island and does some grand magic that I don't understand but purple beams shoot out and around then right there in front of us is the massive etched stone with the arch we came here expecting to find. It's just the three of us investigating the site, we're too short handed to risk a bigger mission.
Remy walks over to it, the island shakes under the weight of his dragon form. I wonder for a moment if he might crack the earth and send us all into the ocean but it seems to hold. The arch is large enough that he could pass through it in full dragon form. Remy shifts back to human to examine the etchings.
"I thought there'd be some resistance," I say.
"So did I," Archer replies warily looking around with his sword still drawn.
"What resistance is necessary when only the most powerful of magics can reveal it?" Remy asks.
"Well I don't know, seems everything else we've been dealing with has had resistance wh
ether it needed it or not," I say.
Remy snorts and shakes his head. I grin knowing I get on his nerves. Screw it, Archer loves me and he can deal.
"Can you determine where it goes Remy?" Archer asks.
"Of course I can."
"Well that's grand. Care to share?" I ask.
"The moon," Remy says running his hands over the symbols on the arch.
"Huh, well, I'm pretty sure I didn't hear that right. Did you say the moon? As in the massive satellite orbiting the earth?" I ask.
"Yes," Remy says.
I look at Archer and shrug. "Well, that happened."
"Why would there be a portal to there?" Archer asks.
"The Ancients often traveled there, or so records I've read say," Remy says without taking his attention off the etchings. "It was of no import to them. Any of us have mastered the ability to bend space when in our true form so we can travel faster. It is merely a matter of scale."
"Scale he says," I snort. "Well Archer, I knew we'd been thinking entirely too small this entire time. Taking over the world? Why not the entire flipping universe."
"It would be feasible," Remy says.
I throw my hands up. Sarcasm is absolutely lost on the man. Archer grins at me then turns back to Remy. Remy does something, I'm not sure what, but there's a deep rumble through the island then the arch shakes, and suddenly a glowing field pops into existence filling its opening.
"You'll want to shift," Remy says over his shoulder as he begins to shimmer. We shift forms and then follow. I take a deep breath before stepping through the portal.
The moon. Seriously.
I step out onto gray dirt that puffs up under my feet. It assaults my nostrils and an urge to sneeze overcomes me. Before I can stop, it happens and I'm inhaling cool, fresh air. I look around confused having fully expected no atmosphere. The sky is mostly dark and there above us hangs the earth so we're definitely not in Kansas anymore. Archer is following Remy towards a large building that was obviously designed for dragons. Just behind it I notice a shimmer that must be some kind of magical dome sealing air into this space.
Loving Two Dragons (Awakening Cycle Part 4) (BBW Dragon Shifter Paranormal Romance) Page 4
