“I melded with Singlar. I hope you don’t mind me letting him know.” Erob said.
“No, the sooner I’m rid of him, the better. “
“I’ve let Linaia know as well,” Erob said. “I thought it only fair that Adelina should see her father.”
Adelina. Roberto swallowed. He’d sheltered his sister from this monster for years, and now he was bringing him to her.
Lars greeted Roberto, face grim.
“He’s injured,” Roberto said. “The burns on his back need treating.”
Lars gave a brisk nod. Within moments, blue guards were swarming onto the ledge. Two of them hoisted Amato between them.
Amato hung his head, his back raw and weeping as he was dragged through Lars’ cavern.
Roberto followed. “Careful of his ba—” He stopped himself. What did he care?
The door burst open. Adelina ran in. When she saw Amato, she gaped.
Roberto sprang to her side, putting an arm around her as the blue guards traipsed out, taking their father.
Adelina shoved Roberto away. “I was hoping it wasn’t true,” she yelled. “How dare you bring that monster back here?” She bolted out the door.
§
Roberto was about to run after Adelina, but Lars put a hand on his arm. “Give her time, Roberto. It’s a huge shock and she needs to adjust.”
“But I don’t have time, Lars. Ezaara and Marlies are in Lush Valley helping the wounded. More dark dragons could attack them at any time.”
Lars’ eyebrows shot up. “Dark dragons have attacked Lush Valley?”
Roberto ran a hand through his hair. “The blue guards are dead and half the village is burned. Dead dragons, tharuks and villagers are strewn over the square.”
Lars shook his head. “Then you’d best get back with the ring. Don’t worry about Adelina. I’ll talk to her when she’s had time to cool down. And I’ll send more blue guards to Lush Valley immediately.”
“Yes, Master Lars.” Roberto strode toward the ledge where Erob was waiting.
“And, Roberto...”
“Yes?” He turned at the door.
“Only stay in Lush Valley long enough to get people organized. We need you and Ezaara back at Dragons’ Hold immediately.”
Roberto nodded, strode outside, and pulled on his gloves. “Erob, take me to Adelina’s cavern.”
“Good decision,” Erob said, leaping off the ledge.
§
“Why did you bring him back?” Adelina was hunched on her bed, fists balled, shoulders tight. “I’ve been trying my whole life to forget him.”
Roberto clenched his jaw. “Haven’t we all?” His world had crumbled the moment he’d seen Amato in that cave. Even though Amato had helped when Bruno and Simeon had attacked, and again in Lush Valley, it was nothing compared to what he’d done to so many.
“I wish you’d just kill him and be done with it.” Adelina turned her back and curled in on herself, like a tightly-furled bud. He sat by her, stroking her back, the way he had when they were littlings. Her eyes brimmed with tears. “When we wanted love, he gave us hate. Pain. Sadness. Why should we give him any less?”
“I know.” He nodded. “Ezaara said we should be forgiving. That Zaarusha wants—”
“And who is Ezaara to expect that of us? She’s lived her whole life cloistered in Lush Valley, safe from the outside world. We had Death Valley in our home. What makes you think I want that again?” Adelina dashed away a tear with the back of her hand. “These are the last tears I’ll ever cry for him. I swear it. And guess what? They’re not even for him, they’re for us. I’m sad that shrotty old man didn’t die when he hit Crystal Lake. The world would be better off without him.”
Roberto hugged his sister, nodding against her hair, darkness roiling in his belly. “I know, Adelina. I know.”
She sobbed. “Why did you bring him back?”
“Zaarusha commanded it.” Roberto’s breath whooshed out of him. “After what he did to our family, do you believe for one moment that if I had a choice I wouldn’t have killed him?”
She sat up. “It must’ve been hard for you to stay your knife, knowing what he’s done. How many lives he’s destroyed.”
Roberto swallowed. “Harder than you’ll ever know. But I’ve sworn allegiance to my queen.” He ran a hand through his hair. “Someone attacked him in Naobia. The hardest thing I’ve ever done was leap between him and that blade.”
Dark eyes wide, Adelina nodded.
Roberto hugged her. “I have to go back to Lush Valley. There’s been a terrible battle. The streets are strewn with dead and wounded. I must go to help Ezaara.”
Adelina clung to him. “Don’t leave me,” she whispered.
“I’m sorry, ’Lina. So sorry.” He kissed her hair and held her tight. Tears sprang to his eyes and he blinked them back.
There was a thud on the ledge outside her cavern. Erob melded. “Roberto, we need to leave. Lars wants us back here as soon as possible.”
He stood. “I’ll come as soon as I can.”
Adelina whispered, “Don’t go.”
“Roberto.” Erob harrumphed impatiently. “We’ve been gone too long. Anything could be happening in Lush Valley. We need to get back to Zaarusha.”
He walked to the door, turning back to Adelina’s haunted eyes. Tears glimmered on her cheeks. “Good bye, Roberto.”
“I’ll be back soon.” Roberto climbed into the saddle. Eyes burning, he rubbed the ring, and called, “Kisha,” abandoning his sister.
§
Zens cocked his head, taking his eyes from the tanks of mages he was cloning. There it was again—a ripple in the sathir—the life force of Dragons’ Realm, the energy that mages could tap into. The energy that he could corrupt with methimium.
He probed with his mind, seeking out the source of the power. There, faintly, on the periphery of his mind, he sensed a ripple. He’d sensed a similar one not half an hour ago. And more of these ripples over the past moons, starting about the time that orange dragon had escaped.
Ripples similar to those he’d sensed when Giddi opened the world gate all those years ago.
Zens rubbed his hands, grinning. Had someone opened a portal? If so, who? And to where? Perhaps this was the chance he’d been waiting for.
§
Adelina punched her pillow and rolled over. Memories crowded in on her. It was as if the lid had been lifted on a trunk of terrible secrets, letting every dark demon from her past slither out to haunt her. The whip, striking Roberto’s cheek. The screams of her mother. The agony Ma had lived through after Amato had injured her. Her dying breaths.
And worse—the choking fear that had engulfed her as a littling, despite her brother’s attempts to protect her. That was the worst. The fear. Not knowing when Amato would strike next.
Memories poured from the trunk of secrets, wrapping themselves around Adelina’s chest and squeezing. Her breath came in short rasps. The whip. The knife. His boots.
Her forehead broke out in sweat. Her hands shook.
She had to pull herself together. This wasn’t real. Her fears were only memories. Amato was contained in the dungeons below.
But what if he escaped?
What if he—
It was no good. Without Roberto, she couldn’t control it. The fear hidden in her dark past was driving her into a deep pit of horror—her littling years.
“Adelina, you’re distressed,” Linaia mind-melded. “Why does this man’s presence trouble you? Lars has him contained.”
That was it. Linaia was her answer. Adelina threw on a warm winter cloak, grabbed some extra clothing, fruit and a waterskin. She rushed out to the ledge and shoved her things into Linaia’s saddlebags.
“Linaia, I can’t stay here. Not with this man here.”
Her dragon nuzzled her hand. “Is it that bad?”
“It is. Every dark terrible thing in my life is because of him. He killed my mother.” Pulse pounding and her throat choked, she sobbed.
“We have to get out of here.”
Linaia snuffled her face. “Do you have coin?”
“Coin?”
“Yes, you need coin if we’re to travel to Montanara.”
“Montanara?” Gods, she was repeating everything like an idiot, incapable of thought or speech, her whole mind consumed with Amato’s face—then and now.
“Yes,” said Linaia. “We’re going to Montanara to find Kierion.”
§
Tonio burst through Lars’ door without waiting for an invitation. “This is an outrage. I can’t believe it. I won’t sanction that venomous traitor staying in our dungeon.”
Lars raised an eyebrow. “Where else did you expect him to stay? In a guest cavern?”
“A pile of dragon dung would be a better choice. Or the bottom of the Naobian Sea.” Tonio battled to control his rage, holding his clenched fists at his sides.
Lars’ blue gaze was steely. “If one hair of Amato’s head is harmed before he’s put on trial, I will personally hold you responsible for finding out who did it. And if you’re under suspicion…”
“Are you questioning my integrity?” Tonio’s hand caressed the pommel at his waist.
Lars’ eyes flicked down to Tonio’s fingers. “No, just your hotheadedness about this situation. You’ve been exemplary since I appointed you. Apart from the matter of banishing Roberto unjustly because he was Amato’s son.”
“I seem to recall you supported that decision.”
Lars shrugged. “I may have been unduly influenced by your opinion, but I won’t be again. Every citizen of Dragons’ Realm deserves a fair trial.”
Tonio’s blood pounded through his temples at the thought of that murderer being at Dragons’ Hold. At his being alive.
“I’m giving you one chance, Tonio. As spymaster, you’ll head up Amato’s interrogation. You will not be allowed alone with him. Two other riders will always be present. If you fail to keep him alive and well, you’ll lose your position and standing and be banished to the Wastelands or hung.” Lars continued, “I know this is about Rosita—”
“Of course it’s about Rosita. He murdered her, and hundreds of others. How you can let this go unchecked? He’s a monster who deserves to be shredded by dragons.” Tonio snapped his jaw shut, spun, and stalked to the door. “I’ll fulfill my duties, so you can bring him to trial and end his life,” he snarled, slamming the door.
A Lovely Find
000 entered the laboratory, stalking up to Zens with a beatific smile on his snout.
“Go on, out with it,” Zens mind-melded.
The affection in the tharuk’s thoughts warmed Zens, as it always did. 000 was his finest creation, his first prototype, imbued with his own intelligence, but the strong body of a killing machine. He’d ensured all his subsequent tharuks were not as perfect as this one, his first loving creation.
Triple’s smile grew wider. He opened his furry hand and passed Zens a curious ring. Made of jade and engraved with whorls, it emanated a strange power.
Without being asked, 000 explained, “It’s from Bruno, sir. He passed it to a Naobian troop leader who had it delivered via one of your mage clones riding one of our new dark lovelies.” He grinned. “Your mages are proving quite useful, even though they age quickly.”
Zens turned the ring over and over in his fingers. “As do our dragons. We have to find some way of making them live longer than a week or so. The accelerated growth gene means we can produce them quickly, but also causes their quick demise.” He held the ring up to the light, gazing at the patterns on it. “Did Bruno say what this is for?”
“Yes, sir. He said it used to be Anakisha’s. Something about traveling quickly within the realm.”
Zens rubbed it and commanded, “Take me to Dragons’ Hold.”
Nothing happened
Tossing it in the air and catching it, he smiled. “We’ll figure this out later. I’m sure it will come in very useful.” He scratched 000’s forehead, his darling practically purring. “Now, let’s get back to these clones.” He waved his hand toward the antechamber to his main laboratory. “We need more mages. And dragons. Let’s work around the clock to double production and see what we can do to halt the aging process. Soon, Dragons’ Realm will be on its knees.”
§
Zens turned on the methimium ray, its golden beam springing to life and making a spot on the cavern wall.
000 scratched his tusked snout. “So, this thing takes us through that wall?”
His dear tharuk had misunderstood. “No. I just need a solid spot to aim the ray when I stand in its beam and use Anakisha’s talisman.”
He held the engraved jade ring in his palm, stroking it with his finger. “I’ll open a portal with this ring. The methimium ray will hold that portal open, allowing you to follow me. It can’t open a portal on its own, or I’d already be back in our world, wreaking havoc with my new methimium weapons and building more of them.
Zens rubbed the ring again. “We just have to figure out how to activate this ring’s power, then we’ll pay the Queen’s Rider a little visit.”
Black Heart
Bruno stalked before the hearth, flames casting his shadow up the cavern wall so it towered over Simeon. “In all our years at Dragons’ Hold, you didn’t even imprint with a dragon despite the many opportunities you had.”
“Father, I—”
“Shuddup.” His father rounded on him, raising a fist. “And on that raft, you couldn’t save your mother. You guzzled the last of the water yourself. It’s your fault she died.”
Simeon hung his head in shame. It was true—all of it was true. He’d only left her a drop or two.
Bruno jabbed a finger at Simeon’s face. “In Naobia, I had that flaming chit paralyzed, and you couldn’t even take her. You useless heap of shrot.” His father snorted. “I should’ve shown you how it’s done. Should’ve jammed the Queen’s Rider full of my own seed to make baby dragon riders.”
The thought of his father with Ezaara made Simeon want to spit. Since he was young, his father had always mocked him, beaten him and bullied him. And now, this lousy bully wanted to take what Simeon most desired.
Last Stop
After leaving Ezaara in Lush Valley to tend the wounded, Marlies, Leah and Liesar pressed on to Last Stop. Liesar landed on the outskirts of town near a fountain—a bronze dragon with outspread wings, perched upon its rear legs, its maw spraying diamond droplets that sparkled in the last rays of sunset.
They dismounted. Marlies bent to hold Leah’s face in her hands. “You’re now my daughter and we’re seeking a healing remedy for your belly gripe. Here, cover yourself with this.” She fished peasant tunics from Liesar’s saddlebags, and they donned them and put their cloaks back on over the top. “If we get separated, meet me back here. Try to avoid tharuks, but if one questions you, avoid its gaze. Especially if its a black-eyed mind-bender.”
Leah’s eyes were grave. “I have my sword. It’s tasted tharuks already. I’m sure it would like another bite.”
So much bravery in such a young soul. “I’m hoping we won’t need to fight,” Marlies said. She took Leah’s hand, leading her through a back road into town. “Remember, we’re here for piaua juice. Nothing else. We mustn’t get distracted.”
Sure enough, tharuks were milling on the next street and every street after that, as the two women made their way to the town square. The night market was in progress, much subdued from when Marlies had last been here. There was no singing, dancing or revelry. Only tight-faced stall owners, cautiously selling their wares. As they strode through the market at a rapid clip, a tharuk grabbed a stall keeper by the scruff of the neck, bellowing in his face. Hands shaking, the man shoved baskets of produce at the monster.
Leah’s hand tightened in hers. Marlies’ other hand drifted to her sword, but she stopped herself. Piaua juice. That’s all. Although it was hard to ignore the beasts, when they’d just been fighting them half a day ago. Threading their way through the market,
the aroma of spiced cheese and ale lingering in the air, they came to The Lost King, the tavern that Anakisha’s granddaughter, Kisha, kept. Kisha had once seen a vision of Marlies and kept Anakisha’s jade ring safe for her for years. One of a pair of rings that were keys to the realm gates.
Marlies leaned into Leah. “Keep your head down and don’t talk to anyone. Don’t even look at anyone.” She pushed the door open to the clamor of ringing swords, snarls and bellows.
Oh flame it, they’d walked straight into a brawl between tharuks and patrons.
They ducked inside, quickly closing the door behind them so none of the tharuks in the square would notice. There were only five beasts in here—the chances were not so bad. Marlies thrust Leah into a seat at a tiny table in an alcove near the door. “Stay here and don’t move.”
She drew her sword and leaped into the fray.
§
Leah’s heart pounded. She was a sitting duck. Marlies had said she should stay down and remain unnoticed, but here she was, sitting at a table, waiting to be slaughtered.
Marlies dashed over to a tharuk who had a man pinned against a wall and drove a dagger through its back. When she pulled it out, the blade dripped dark blood, and the tharuk crumbled to the floor howling.
Leah scrambled under the table. Not a moment too soon. A chair whizzed overhead and splintered against the wall. Her eyes darted around the tavern. It was complete chaos. Roars split her ears as a tharuk gutted a man. Marlies smote off its head, and its body sprawled across a table, cracking dinner plates. Tankards slid off the table and smashed on the floor, sending glass skittering across the floorboards.
A cry rang out. A tharuk ripped a man’s throat out, blood pumping over his body, then ran for the girl behind the bar.
This was awful—watching and sitting here, doing nothing. She had to avoid detection. Or fight.
Leah drew her sword.
§
Three down and two to go. Marlies scanned the tavern. Where had the other tharuk gone? And where was Kisha? Usually behind the bar, Anakisha’s granddaughter was nowhere to be seen. Marlies dashed behind the bar and through a door to the kitchen.
Riders of Fire Complete Series Box Set books 1-6: YA Epic Fantasy Dragon Rider Adventures Page 118
