Page 83 of The Heart of the Dragon

"Where?" I said, twisting and turning to see who he was talking about.

"You're not likely to see them unless they decide to reveal themselves. Which they won't, as long as I'm here. They hate dragons."

"Why? What did you do to them?" I looked down in the almost knee-high water to see it was more murky mud than water. "This is gross." I scrunched up my nose. "And it stinks."

"Yeah, I'd definitely recommend getting out of there. That sludge is hiding all kinds of nasty things."

My heart lurched. "What?" I screeched as I started flailing my way towards the bank where he stood. "Why did you let me stand there."

"I was more focused on the fact that we're currently alive, and trying to see if there are any other imminent threats I need to be worried about. I figured you'd let me know if something tried to snatch you."

Panic seized my chest as I grabbed at the hand he offered and scrambled up the bank at the same time he pulled me out. "What. The. Hell. Magnus? Is that how this is going to go?"

I was trying to make a point here, and it was difficult with the thick, wet strands of my hair falling into my face. I grabbed them and began twisting it into a messy bun on top of my head.

"Uhhh—"

"What?" I screamed at the widening of his eyes as he stared at me and the tone of his voice. "Is something on me?" I started swatting at my neck and shaking my arms.

"Your ears. You might not want to put your hair up."

"What are you talking about?" I reached for the side of my head and began tracing my ears for whatever might be clinging to them. My pulse beat so hard it nearly drowned out all sound.

They definitely didn't feel right. Something must have stuck to them because all I could feel was a long, pointed column that ended in a sharp point. "What is it? Get it off!" My panic thickened as I twisted and turned, pulling at the edges of my ears.

"Rose. Stop! It's okay. Be still." He grabbed my hands and forced them between us as he hauled me against his body.

"It's not. It's not," I continued screaming. "What is it?"

His hand came down over my mouth and I fought harder, snapping my teeth as I tried to bite my way free.

"Calm down and be quiet. The last thing we need is your shrieking to wake any of the dark spirits."

My eyes blinked as my cries died instantly at his words. Tears burned at the backs of my eyes as fear seized my thrashing. "What's wrong with me?" I tried to speak behind his hand, but the words were muffled.

"Shhh," he whispered in a more soothing tone. It wasn't enough to calm my racing heart, but it got my attention.

After a minute of me not moving or screaming behind his hand, he whispered at my ear. "If you can keep quiet I'll let you go."

I nodded against his hand, and he loosened his fingers.

"Seriously, though. I'm not sure where we are because I wasn't one to venture far into the dark forest. So the less noise we makethe better, as we figure out where we are and how we're going to get out of here."

"What about flying?" I asked, looking up at the dense tree cover above. "Can you get through that?"

"I could, but it would wake every creature within miles. Not to mention the target I would make for the sprites. Little bastards."

"Seriously? What is with you and them? I thought sprites were small and mischievous. Not deadly."

"You've listened to too many fairy tales. Sprites come in all shapes and sizes here because they are shapeshifting demons who are overly fond of poisonous darts."

"What?" I whisper shrieked. "Isn't that information I should have had before we got here?"

"There was no time. Although we did warn you. Unfortunately, it would have taken weeks to teach you everything you need to know about the dangers of living here."

"Then maybe the highlight reel. After you tell me what's wrong with my ears." I pointed upward. I could still feel something attached to them.

"There's nothing wrong with them," he said harshly. "You just need to hide them."

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