Dragon's Vow

by J. D. Monroe

  Ohrena buried her face in her hands, shaking her head. When she lifted it, her eyes were welling with tears. “You have to know that I didn’t have anything to do with this. I thought she was loyal to me. I would never—”

  Zayir grasped her cheeks gently, tilting her face up. “I believe you. You’re a clever girl. Why would you support a plan that involved killing you?”

  Kaldir glared. “Unless you knew the poison wouldn’t kill you.”

  Zayir winced. Not helping.

  “No,” Ohrena said. She shook her head. “I mean, it didn’t, but it was quite strong. Pamin didn’t know that I’m…” She sighed. “Only Inrada knows of my nature. Pamin would have no way to know that poisons are less effective on me.”

  “Why are they less effective?” Zayir said. “Please, speak plainly.”

  She raised her eyebrows. “It doesn’t matter. They just are. She didn’t know that, though.”

  Zayir eased her back, and she sat down slowly, staring up at him. “I believe you.” He glanced back at Kaldir. “We have to act now. If the rumors are spreading already, then they must have a plan in place. Given the timing, the Thorn had to have known Pamin would do this. They likely began planting rumors before she even came here.” He turned back to Ohrena. “Get some rest. I’ll be back soon.”

  “No. I’m helping you,” she said. “This is partly my fault. I brought Pamin with me because I trusted her, and she has made a liar and a fool of me.” Her eyes lifted from Zayir to Kaldir, and for a moment, he saw the same deadly gaze he often saw in Kaldir’s eyes. It was a look he had never seen on her face. He was glad he wasn’t on the receiving end of it. “I was ready to hurt both of you for what I thought you did to her. She has done far worse to me, and she will pay for it. Send messengers into the city. Tell them that I live. Invite her to finish the job she started.”

  By midnight, the worst of the poison was gone. Another hour of rest with the healers and her subsequent transformation saw to it. She’d asked Zayir to leave the room while she shifted, only allowing her bodyguard Teviri inside out of necessity. The woman had immediately volunteered to help and had changed into loose clothing and let down her dark hair, lying in Ohrena’s bed as a decoy. Without batting an eye, she’d let Ohrena hide in her clothing, coiled in wait on the warm skin of her chest. The doors to Ohrena’s balcony stood open, an invitation to that treacherous little bird.

  At Ohrena’s request, Kaldir had sent his messengers with word that she was recovering and resting. If the rumor mill worked as quickly as it had earlier, Pamin would hear. She suspected that Pamin would be lingering close to the palace.

  Even more than the attempt on her life, Pamin’s treachery infuriated Ohrena because she’d argued for her. She had sworn over and over that her Flock were loyal, that they were only there to bring her information. Ohrena knew she could be sneaky and depending on certain definitions, deceptive. But this was different. Pamin had made a liar of her.

  Transformed as she was, her hearing was incredibly sensitive, even with Teviri’s heart thumping against her ribs. Zayir and Kaldir lurked in the shadows, another pair of remarkably slow heartbeats. Amid the rhythmic pulse, she heard the faint flutter of bird wings. Ohrena moved silently, letting her head emerge slightly from Teviri’s nightgown.

  A small brown bird fluttered into the room and landed on the soft cushion of the chair where she’d sat and let Pamin braid her hair, chattering away as if she wasn’t hatching some terrible plan. Anger burned in her chest at the sight.

  The bird’s wings folded against its body, and in a burst of earthy-smelling air, her form expanded into that of a nude woman, wavy blonde hair streaming wild over her shoulders. She was nearly silent as she crossed the room to the gaudy gold sculpture in the corner, then knelt to run her fingers under its base. Metal scraped quietly as she pulled out a short blade that gleamed in the light.

  That sneaky bitch. How long had she been planning this? And how stupid was Ohrena for not noticing?

  She coiled, ready to attack as soon as Pamin was close. The woman’s face was grim as she approached the large bed and pulled back the veiled curtain. Her brow was furrowed, her jaw clenched tight. “I’m sorry,” she whispered, her voice barely audible. Then her head tilted in confusion as her blue eyes swept over Teviri’s larger form.

  Ohrena struck. In a sinuous motion, she coiled her scaled body around Pamin’s arm and buried razor-sharp fangs into her upper arm. Blood filled her mouth as she withdrew her fangs, leaving behind a kiss of death. The bitter taste of venom mixed with the metallic taste of blood as she raised her head.

  Pamin cried out again as Ohrena lunged for her neck and bit again, sinking her teeth deep into her slender throat. Still wrapped around Pamin’s arm, she went for a dizzying ride as the Edra woman tried to shake off the massive black and red scaled snake.

  Ohrena dislodged her fangs and twisted her body violently to get away from Pamin’s stamping feet. As she slithered away, Kaldir sprang out of the shadows with a blade drawn. Pamin saw him and instantly started changing back into her bird form. But as she folded her arms tight like wings, she screamed in pain and doubled over, grasping at the punctures in her throat.

  Zayir darted from the hallway that connected their rooms. His amber eyes widened as he took in Ohrena’s serpentine form. She wasn’t sure if it was horror or surprise, but he gave her a wide berth as she rose from the ground, the translucent hood spreading around her head in a silent threat.

  Zayir and Kaldir grabbed Pamin, one on each arm, and forced her back into the chair. Teviri slammed the balcony doors shut and backed into them, drawing her own blade from under the gown. In the chair, Pamin was gasping for air. Dark bruises spread around the swollen bite marks on her throat.

  Slithering closer so that Pamin could see her, Ohrena hissed and snapped her jaws, prompting a scream of fright. Then she released her form, gritting her teeth through the cramped, squeezing sense of emerging from the snake’s skin, and rose to her feet. Without speaking, Teviri placed a robe on her shoulders. Ohrena glared down at Pamin. “Now you know. Trying to kill me was your first mistake, but using poison was your most foolish.”

  Pamin gasped, clutching at her throat. “Please help me. I can’t breathe.”

  “I don’t want to hear your voice unless you tell me where the Thorn are hiding in the city,” Ohrena said. She held out her hand, and Teviri placed her sketchbook into it. She opened the book to show a small glass vial pressed between the pages. “This will neutralize the venom. Tell me what I want, and you can have it. I’ll even let you go.”

  Pamin’s eyes gleamed with a greedy glint as she leaned forward. Then she shook her head. “I can’t,” Pamin said. “They’ll kill—”

  “I’ve already killed you,” Ohrena said. “You have about an hour, in case you’re wondering. Right now, the pain probably makes it feel like less, but it’s just starting. The venom hasn’t reached your brain or your heart yet. In about fifteen minutes, you’ll lose control of your body. You’ll keep breathing for a while though, so you’ll be awake as your organs start melting.” This was theoretical, as Ohrena had never actually killed someone. Her research, however, had been quite clear on the grisly effects of her venom. Edra serpents produced venom far nastier than anything in the natural world.

  A ghost of a smile flitted across Kaldir’s face. “A soldier of mine shit himself to death after being poisoned. It’s not a good way to go.” She didn’t know if he was making it up, but the look of horror on Pamin’s face said it worked either way.

  Pamin whimpered. “I didn’t want to hurt you, I swear. I’m sorry. They forced me.”

  “I don’t want your apology. I want your information.”

  “They have my sister,” she blurted. “She was seeing one of them and didn’t know he was involved with the Thorn. When he found out I worked for you, they decided to use her against me.”

  Ohrena’s stomach plunged. “If you’re lying to me, Pamin…”

  Pamin s
hook her head. “I swear to you. I never wanted to hurt you. But they were going to…” She wailed, doubling over in pain. Her breathing was ragged and broken by sharp whimpers. Even in her anger, Ohrena felt guilty at seeing Pamin in so much pain. She looked up at Zayir. He shrugged, then tilted his head toward her as if to say it’s your decision.

  “Tell me where they are,” Ohrena said. “Is your sister with them?”

  Pamin breathed heavily, gasping as she spoke. Tears welled up in her eyes, though she didn’t cry, clearly trying to keep her composure. “They brought her here in case I refused to go through with it. They’ll kill her. I have to get back.”

  “No, they won’t,” Kaldir said. He gripped her shoulder, prompting Pamin to look up at him. “Tell us where they are. You have my word that we will help her. But the longer we wait, the more time they have to hurt her.”

  Her red-rimmed eyes were downturned. “They’re at the distillery near Halikan Plaza.”

  “I know where it is,” Kaldir said. “It’s been shut down for a while.”

  Pamin nodded. “They’re pretending to rebuild it. The cellar has access to the tunnels under the city. Please, just don’t let them hurt her. I’ll accept the punishment if you just get her somewhere safe.”

  Ohrena sighed and stepped forward. So much for her righteous anger. She grabbed Pamin’s jaw and pried open her lips. The woman gasped as Ohrena dumped the vial into her mouth. “Swallow it.”

  Pamin’s bloodshot eyes searched Ohrena as she cleared her throat. “How long?”

  “It’ll take a few minutes,” Ohrena said. “And you’re going to feel like a corpse for a few days.” She settled back onto the edge of her bed, folding her arms over her chest. A sick sensation washed through her. “Did Inrada or Zahila know about this?”

  Pamin shook her head. “Only me. I told them I was off running errands or shopping when I needed to meet with the Thorn. They don’t know anything.”

  The men released her, turning to each other as they planned. “We should strike tonight,” Kaldir said.

  Zayir nodded, then tilted his head toward Ohrena. “You could catch them off guard if you report that she died. See what they do next.”

  Kaldir shook his head. “I do not like games, my friend. I would not risk damaging your reputation that way.”

  “My reputation is already questionable,” Zayir said.

  “People think you’re a dumb playboy,” Ohrena blurted. “Not a murderer.”

  He raised an eyebrow at her, and her cheeks burned with embarrassment. He shrugged. “That’s fair enough. Let’s move tonight.

  Kaldir squeezed her shoulder. “Tell us about your sister, so we can identify her.”

  “She’s a little younger than me. Same hair, brown eyes. Her name is Yfeda,” she said. “They’re keeping her locked up but if she shifts, she’s a bluebird.”

  “Anything else that will help us?”

  “I don’t know all their names,” Pamin said. “But the leader’s name is Dholgas. That’s all I know.”

  Kaldir nodded. “Thank you. Teviri, get her to a cell.”

  “But I—” Pamin protested, twisting in the seat to stare up at him in disbelief.

  “I’d be quiet if I were you,” Zayir said. “Regardless of your reasons, you still attempted to murder my wife. Sheer luck is the only reason you failed. If we find the Thorn, I’ll consider releasing you, but not until then.”

  Pamin swallowed, wincing. “I suppose that’s fair.”

  Ohrena rifled in her wardrobe for a loose tunic and offered it to Pamin. She rose, legs still trembling, and pulled it over her head. Her eyes were downcast as Teviri took her arm and led her toward the door. Just before leaving, she paused and look back. “I know you have no reason to forgive me, but I am truly sorry.”

  Ohrena nodded but didn’t speak. Once the door closed behind them, Zayir grasped her shoulder lightly. “Now, would you please lie down and rest? You did quite well, but Kaldir and I can handle it from here.”

  “Definitely not,” Ohrena said. “I’ll be escorting you.”

  “Are you going to hide in my clothing this time?” Zayir asked, raising an eyebrow.

  She drew a sharp breath. Her carefully crafted image of the meek, quiet wife was gone. He would never forget that image, she was certain. “Actually, I wish to be there as myself,” Ohrena replied. “I want them to know they failed, and I want them to hear from one of their kind that this will not be tolerated.”

  “Very well then,” Zayir said. His agreement surprised her. He glanced back at Kaldir. “Prepare your men and let me know when you’re ready to move.”

  “I would prefer if you didn’t come,” Kaldir said.

  “These bastards attempted to murder my wife and to blame me for it,” Zayir said. “If they are to answer for those crimes, they will answer directly to me. You know I normally accept your judgment, friend, but this time I insist.”

  “Very well,” Kaldir said. “Meet me at the barracks in one hour.”

  “Don’t tell my sister,” Zayir said as he and Kaldir led the formation of Kadirai down the narrow side street to Halikan Plaza. He felt like a boy again with the pleasant anticipation of battle percolating in his blood.

  “I will not make that promise,” Kaldir replied with an arched brow. “When we are finished here, I will tell her that the problem has been dealt with. If she does not ask who aided me, then I will not tell her.”

  He sighed. “Your stubborn loyalty can be most infuriating.”

  “My apologies, my friend,” Kaldir said. “I’ll attempt to be less reliable in the future.” He glanced back at Ohrena, who was flanked on either side by heavily-armed Ironblade guards. “You’re sure this isn’t an elaborate gambit to entrap you?”

  “It’s not an elaborate gambit, Kaldir,” Ohrena said mildly. She had changed clothing into the slim trousers and long, flowing coat in the fashion of Firlanyn. With her hair braided and dark kohl on her eyes, she looked like a fierce warrior, instead of the elegant wife on his arm. Her determined gaze made his heart race with both lust and a hint of fear. He rather liked this version of her. “I dislike this as much as you do, if not more.”

  Kaldir’s jaw tensed. Zayir suspected it would take much more than this for Ohrena to earn Kaldir’s trust.

  The stone edifice of the distillery was at the end of the alley, looming over the smaller shops surrounding it. Kaldir raised his fist to signal a halt, then gestured for his scouts to move ahead. At his command, one of them shrugged off a light tunic, took three loping strides, and transformed into a dark blue-scaled dragon. In a burst of balmy air, the dragon launched into the sky, circling over the building. As he began his patrol, two more of Kaldir’s men split off, heading to the west to enter the Veins from another access point. If the Thorn wanted to flee through the tunnels, their only options would be cut off.

  “You’ll wait up here,” Zayir said to Ohrena. “When it’s safe, we’ll send for you.”

  “I’d like to help you.”

  He tensed in anticipation of another argument. “It will be helpful to me if you stay here,” he replied. “I don’t doubt your capability, but these people were willing to kill you once. I’ll be distracted if I have to worry about your safety. I promise that I will send for you when it’s safe.”

  To his surprise, she simply nodded. “I will trust your judgment.”

  Kaldir glanced at him. “I don’t suppose I could convince you to follow the same logic.”

  “You are a skilled and persistent warrior, old friend,” Zayir said “But even you would fail at that task.”

  “If you get killed, I will certainly tell your sister it was your own fault.”’

  “I’ll vouch for it,” Ohrena piped up. Kaldir’s lips curved into a smile, though he didn’t look back to acknowledge her. Perhaps she would win him over yet.

  “I agree to your terms,” Zayir said. He glanced back at Ohrena. “Be safe.”

  Zayir had left the trappings of his title
in the palace, trading an ornate crown and silken clothing for dark leather armor and a well-tended sword. Like most of the Ironblade, his armor was fitted with clever buckles along his sides that broke away easily if he needed to shift.

  The Thorn had been clever to use the old distillery as their base of operations, keeping themselves underground and out of sight. Not only were they hidden from the view of the sky patrols, but being underground forced Kadirai patrols to remain in their human form as the tunnels were mostly too narrow for a dragon’s body.

  Two guards remained in the alley with Ohrena, tucking themselves into a tight nook in the alley with her secured safely in the shadows behind them. Six elite Ironblade followed Zayir and Kaldir toward the distillery. The building had stood empty for close to a year after the proprietors packed up and moved east to Theszand. Rotted crates and debris were stacked against the walls, making it an eyesore.

  Two humanoid figures stood amidst the rubble, half-heartedly sweeping ash into a dustpan by the light of a flickering lantern. Sentinels, clearly. At the first sight of motion, Kaldir leaped forward, covering twenty feet in a single bound. In one graceful motion, he rose and grabbed one of the sentinels, slamming her back into the stone wall. The other tried to run, but Kaldir hurled a tight, blindingly bright orb of flame into his chest. The sheer force of it threw the man into the side of the building, and he doubled over clutching his chest.

  Zayir bounded toward Kaldir, grabbing the man before he could run again. “How many are there?”

  “More than you can imagine,” he said, his voice strained by pain. The man smelled musty and unwashed.

  Zayir sighed and palmed the man’s face, then shoved his head into the stone wall, just hard enough to make his point. As he spoke, he let his hands grow molten hot. “How many?”

  “Six,” the man groaned, writhing under his iron grasp. “We were just—” Zayir shoved his head into the wall again with a meaty smack. The man went limp, and Zayir let him fall to the ground in a crumpled heap.

  “Oh no you don’t,” Kaldir muttered. Zayir turned to see his friend grasping a half-changed Edra woman, her upper body still human while her lower body had turned into the small, furry legs of a cat. Zayir drew the silver stiletto from his belt and swiped at the woman in Kaldir’s grasp, opening a shallow cut along her belly. The woman bellowed in pain, and the furry legs expanded once more into a human form. Kaldir glanced back at one of the other soldiers. “Take her inside for leverage.”