Chapter Seventeen
Sera groaned. She tried to suck in a deep breath, but the wind had been knocked out of her. She tamped down the rising panic, knowing her breathing would return to normal soon – she simply had to relax and breathe deeply. Focusing on making her stomach rise, she pulled in another breath. Keeping her eyes tightly shut, she wiggled her toes and fingers to see if anything vital had broken in her freefall. When they responded as normal, she relaxed a little. Fray cawed loudly in the darkness, forcing Sera to open her eyes. She couldn’t make out anything in the void that surrounded her. Twisting her hand around, she felt the handle of Firinne and grasped it tightly.
Lucky I didn’t land on that.
“Fray?” she wheezed as she forcibly drew another breath into her lungs and struggled to her feet.
“I’m here,” he replied and she felt his comforting weight land on her shoulder. He leaned his head against her cheek and crooned, “Are you all right? All right?”
“I will be.” She turned her head, eyes scanning the dark, but remained blind. She asked the bird, “Can you see anything?”
“Yes, yes, yes. We have company.”
“What? Why didn’t you say so earlier?” she cried and dropped into a fighting stance, raising Firinne to defend her front, even though she had no idea which side an attack would be coming from.
“Because I am a friend,” rumbled a gravelly voice from the darkness.
Sera’s eyebrows kissed and she lowered her weapon at the familiar tone. “Is that you, Alistair?”
A chuckle met her, then a flash of light blurred her vision as an LED torch was turned on. “Good to see you, Seraphina.”
“Oh, Alistair!” She flung herself at the tall gargoyle and hugged his mid-section, ignoring the uncomfortable sensation of cuddling cold stone. “It’s so good to see you, too! I was really worried when I saw your shop all boarded up!”
“I had to disappear for a while.”
She pulled back and frowned at him. “What do you mean?”
He waved his hand in the air, dismissing her question. “That’s not important right now. There’s something I need to ask you.”
“And what would that be?” She cocked an eyebrow.
“What happened to you during your time away?”
She cast her arms wide and said, “I don’t know! I’ve lost all my memories from the first day of my trip until a week and a half later when I woke up on the road to Grave’s Point.”
He nodded solemnly. “I had heard that much on the grapevine while I was in hiding, but hoped my source was wrong.” He strode over to his pack and rummaged inside for a time. Sera took the moment to study the cavern in the torchlight. Looking up, she could see the tunnel through which she’d fallen after her headlong flight into the unknown depths of the cave. Explosions echoed from the tunnel overhead, but Sera wasn’t sure if they came from the thunderstorm or the creature that hunted her. Dropping her eyes, she tracked Alistair’s movements and saw only his pack and a small collection of belongings strewn around the cave. It was strange to see him without the company of his carved creations. Another explosion rocked the earth above and a shower of dirt scuttled down the cave walls.
“What is that out there?”
Alistair froze for a beat, then turned to her with a grave expression and something small hidden in his large grey hands. “It’s a dragon.”
“Don’t be ridiculous. They’re extinct.”
Strange how last night I dreamt about being a dragon and today I’m being chased by what Alistair claims is one. I don’t usually believe in coincidences. This is… odd, at the very least. But it doesn’t change the fact that dragons died out in the Mythic War.
The fireball that had exploded from the sky and nearly stolen her life rose to the surface of her mind. That was hard to explain away.
Could they have survived without us knowing?
Doubt shadowed her thoughts as she considered the possibility. Sera shook her head vehemently, denying the potential existence of any other reality. The government would have found out about any dragons that survived and sent Trackers and Hunters after them. The dragons were gone. When she met the gaze of her gargoyle friend again, he stepped towards her and revealed the sculpture he cradled so carefully. It was the tiny dragon he had carved for her over a month ago.
He held it out and said, “I have my own theories about what happened while you were gone. But this carving will reveal the truth to you.”
“Wait, what? Are you saying that this dragon statue will somehow magically bring my memories back?” She eyed him sceptically.
He nodded silently and thrust it closer. She instinctively cringed back from the forbidden mythic but, with gritted teeth, forced herself to stretch her hand towards it. Clasping it firmly around the body, she brought it up to her eyes. Once again, she admired the detail of each scale, tooth and claw. Somehow, Alistair had managed to make the wings appear almost translucent. The sapphire eyes captured and held her attention. The blue stones shimmered in the bright light of the torch with something bordering on sentience. Warmth radiated from the core of the statue and it began to glow, softly at first, until the blue light solidified into a bright aura around the carving.
The tiny stone dragon came to life in her palm and flapped its wings before weaving tenderly around her arm. It climbed onto her shoulders, curling around her neck briefly in a loving embrace before descending down her other arm to her bruised elbow. Lines of light coiled around her body in the wake of the tiny dragon’s path, but unlike the mist from earlier, it offered a wonderful sense of comfort. Sera couldn’t help but grin at the animated statue. It shot her an apologetic smile before returning its attention to the blue-green patch of skin in the crook of her elbow, opened its mouth and struck.
Sera cried out as her skin was torn open and blood poured from the gaping wound. Before she could fling her attacker away, the blue glow that still poured from the dragon’s body plunged into her arm through the site of the injury. Her body involuntarily stiffened as beams pulsed through her veins, cleansing the darkness that had dogged her steps ever since she’d woken up on the road into Mandar City without her memories. Everything came flooding back as the poison the President had injected her with was flushed out.
The awe of the first night when she had joined minds with her dragon.
The wondering whether he would devour her before she could escape.
The anxiety when Arius met with the other dragons to discuss her future.
The relief when he’d returned in time to save her from the night scamps.
The joy of soaring through the sky with him.
The love she felt for him, even before they bound their souls together.
Memories flashed through her mind as she recalled meeting Tor, Idris, Aliah, Desamor, Talegar and the harpy. The night when she and Arius crashed from the sky and were separated at the lake hit her like a physical blow. Her knees buckled and she dropped to the ground as all the events that had led her to this moment overwhelmed her senses. It left her gasping for air as she tried to assimilate her new truth. She stopped resisting and allowed the onslaught of memories to wash over her, leaning into them as they consumed her like fire. They raced through her mind over and over as the truth sank into her skin. She shook and retched, the power of her story sinking deep into her soul and expelling the mental barrier that had haunted her for too long. Eyes as wide as the moon, Sera’s jaw hung open as she returned to herself. She stared at Alistair.
“I remember,” she whispered. “I remember… everything.”
Alistair nodded sagely. “Good. Your aura has shifted and the block has lifted.”
Lurching back to her feet, she leant down and collected the carving of the dragon from where it lay. It had returned to its original state, though its sapphire eyes had dulled.
Rubbing her arms, she took a shaking breath. “Alistair… the dragons aren’t extinct! President Kaesus—” she bit back a hiss as his betrayal r
eared its ugly head. “He knows they’re still alive! He injected me with some sort of serum and removed my memories of my time with the dragons.”
I suppose I should be grateful he only wiped my memory. At least he didn’t kill me to keep me quiet. I wonder how many others have found the truth and had their memories wiped?
Alistair straightened and met her gaze with shining eyes. “I had my suspicions but no proof. This is good news!” He clapped his hands together before hurrying around his cave, throwing his sparse belongings into a pack. “I have many things to do, and little time to do it in. I won’t ask for the whole story, but tell me, have you heard of the Little Birds?”
She hesitated a moment, unsure if she should admit her knowledge out loud, but decided to put her trust in her friend. She nodded mutely and tensed, waiting to see his reaction.
“Thank Ghaia.” He continued packing as he spoke, the tips of his stone wings grating against the cave floor. “Go to them. Tell them Greykin sent you and that I’ve had to flee. I can’t say where, but I will send word when I can.” He stopped his hurry and joined her in the centre of the cave. Placing his fingertips under her chin, he forced her gaze up to look him in the eye. “You have a bigger role to play than you realise. The Gods sent me a dream months ago that I had to make that dragon for you. I was told it had to be imbued with the magic of a moon crystal. The next day Tormund happened to bring me a moon crystal that he’d discovered on his last expedition. I don’t usually dream, so I knew this meant something. I have played my part in the Gods’ plan, now you must play yours. There is much change coming. Be ready for it.”
That was the most she had ever heard the gargoyle speak. Unsure where to start, Sera stammered over her words. “What do you mean, the Gods’ plan? You mean they’re real? And no matter what I want, there is a predetermined design for my life? You’ve got to be joking.”
Alistair smiled sadly and murmured, “You always have a choice.”
A wave of déjà vu washed over her as she recalled a similar conversation with Arius after they had become Soulbound. Another tremor rocked the ground as the dragon hunting her flung another fireball at the cave’s entrance.
“I assume that’s Desamor out there. He’s Arius’ brother and wants me dead,” she explained to Alistair. “He can control the weather, which explains the mist.” Sera fingered Firinne’s blade lovingly, thankful the gluxxor had recharged its magical properties.
It certainly came in handy today.
“Well,” announced Alistair, “I think that’s our cue to leave.”
Sera shot him a puzzled look. “And how exactly do you propose we do that?”
“I can create a tunnel.”
“That will take weeks!” she exclaimed.
“You forget my affinity with the earth. You don’t think my ability to make my art so lifelike comes purely from practise, do you? I am a mythic made of stone, and it does my bidding.”
Fray piped up from where he’d perched on a rocky outcrop, “Don’t forget about me in your plans to get out of here! I don’t want to have to deal with an angry dragon alone!”
They both chuckled at the bird’s offended tone. Fray fluffed his feathers indignantly.
“Hang on,” interrupted Sera before Alistair could perform any magic with the earth. “Fray, weren’t you leading me to my nanna before we were attacked? Where is she? I can’t leave her to fend for herself with Desamor hanging around.”
He bobbed his head energetically then flew to the gargoyle’s shoulder. “If I tell you where Del is, can you use your magic to get Sera there?”
Alistair nodded solemnly. Fray paused and his eyes rolled back once more as Del’s deep blue eyes took their place. “I’m near a waterfall to the north of my cottage. There’s a rowan tree on the east side of the creek. There’s a large clump of boulders at the top of the waterfall that resembles a dragon’s head.”
The stony skin around Alistair’s eyes crinkled when he smiled and said, “I know that place.”
Fray’s eyes turned black again and he hacked out a few hoarse caws. He flew back to Sera’s shoulder and sniffed, disgruntled. “I hate it when she does that,” he grumbled.
Chapter Eighteen
A thundering bellow split the air from aboveground followed by a loud crash as something enormous landed on the earth.
“He’s here,” Sera hissed, fear electrifying her skin.
Without wasting any time, Alistair laid his granite hand against the cave and closed his eyes. His normally dull body lit up with flecks of blue light as he called upon his magic. The rock warped around his hand and a small crack fractured down the wall. The stone almost appeared liquid where Alistair’s magic coaxed it into reshaping itself. The crack widened slowly, creating a passageway out of the cave. Being a gargoyle, Alistair didn’t sweat, but his wings drooped from the effort.
“Go,” he commanded.
“What about you? You’re not staying here to fight Desamor are you?” she cried.
“That would be very foolish, not to mention suicidal. No.” He shook his head. “I will follow you for a time and then collapse my tunnel behind us. When my energy has returned, I will create another path for my own journey.” He broke off and passed the torch to Sera. “You need this more than I do.” She thanked him, then he added, “Don’t forget to tell the Little Birds about Greykin.”
“I won’t forget.”
“Good. Now go!”
Sera wrapped the gargoyle up in a brief hug, his eyes widening slightly at her unexpected touch, then slipped into the newly-made tunnel with Fray on her shoulder and the torch in her hand. Alistair followed with his pack of supplies. As they exited the cavern a shower of rocks fell from above as Desamor groped inside the top cave, seeking her. Once they were safely ensconced within the channel, Alistair stopped and summoned his magic to close off the entrance. His glowing blue body cast enchanting flecks of light over the uneven walls, reminding Sera of glow worms. She shook her head and turned away; there was no time to admire the magical display.
“Goodbye,” she whispered before hurrying down the passage. She moved swiftly, her Tracker training ensuring she remained sure-footed, even on the uneven ground. The torch’s bright light cast bizarre patterns on the earthen walls as she jogged. Occasionally, roots of trees broke through the ceiling of the tunnel and Sera had to duck her head to avoid them. They left the frustrated roars of Desamor behind eventually and the silence became deep and heavy. Sera sensed the pressure of the tonnes of dirt above them and a tightness closed around her chest. It reminded her of the last time she was scrambling in a narrow tunnel away from the sounds of Arius and Desamor fighting. She pushed the feeling away and focused on the steady rhythm of her feet pounding against the ground. It was different this time. This time she wasn’t crawling forward blindly, hoping she wasn’t going to get stuck at a dead end, plus she had company.
“So, Fray,” she panted, “I’ve been going to Nanna’s for years and I’ve never seen you move. Tell me about yourself.”
“Why should I?” he harrumphed, irritated by the dirt that periodically trickled from above their heads onto his sleek feathers.
“Because,” she wheezed, “I’m trying not to focus on the crushing weight of earth above our heads that is being held in place only by magic. And I’m too puffed to talk about myself.”
Fray’s chilly demeanour relaxed and he squeezed her shoulder gently with his talons. “Fair enough, fair enough.” He bobbed his head a few times as he pondered his next words. “Many years ago, before you were born, Del saved my life. I was one heartbeat away from death and she used a different type of magic to save me. I’ve been her Guardian since then and have acted as a watcher on her gate when I’m in stasis. I have enough energy left in my body to alert her to an intruder. But, as you learnt today, I need blood to waken properly. Speaking of,” he cocked his head, “I will need more blood soon or I will return to my stuffed appearance. Stuffed!” He guffawed loudly, finding some amusement
in his predicament, his screeches reverberating down the tunnel.
“Is there any chance you could hold out a while longer? I think we’re getting close and I don’t really feel like bleeding again today.” She huffed out her question as she felt the path gradually rise beneath her feet.
“I can give you an hour.”
“I hope that’s enough,” she muttered. She cursed aloud as she remembered her backpack was still at the cottage.
I guess Nanna will have to go without her groceries this time. And I’ll need a new backpack if Desamor keeps hanging around her home.
“Seraphina?” A female voice floated to them from ahead.
“Nanna? Is that you?” Sera called back.
“Thank goodness! Is Fray with you?” Del yelled.
In response, Fray cawed and flapped urgently towards the voice. Sera chuckled softly and jogged a little faster, her breathing coming easier as she felt the ominous weight of the earthen ceiling lift.
“Not far now,” her grandmother’s Guardian squawked back to her.
Sera burst out of the tunnel into the bright light of the early afternoon sun.
Strange. It feels later than it actually is. Probably hasn’t helped that I’ve been in the dark for the last couple of hours.
She had a brief moment where she noticed the charming sight of the waterfall tumbling into a deep pool and a makeshift hut made of branches and bark sitting beneath a rowan tree, before Del enveloped her in a tight embrace. Sera clutched her desperately and buried her face in her shoulder. Unexpectedly, a wave of sobs wracked her body and she sank into her nanna’s arms. She cried for the time she’d lost, for the hostility she’d unfairly flung at Arius and for all the pain and confusion she’d felt since returning to Mandar City. Allowing herself to lean into the emotion, her cries gradually softened and turned into tears of relief at finally remembering everything that had happened to her. The gloom that had stained all her recent thoughts bled away and a newfound peace draped itself over her like a cloak.
A Dragon's Body: A New Adult Fantasy Dragon Series (The MINATH Chronicles Book 2) Page 9
