Page 91 of Dragon Blood

“Warning shot!” She shouted.

A single cannon roared with a billow of smoke, it’s shot crashed into the ocean, crossing the advancing mass’s path, forcing it to slow.

“I wouldn’t fire another.”

Tundi’s head whipped toward the port side. A woman climbed over the rail, naked and dripping with sea water. “Lirikai? Are you all right? Who is out there?” She signaled a crew woman to grab her a towel or robe, concerned that she was being pursued.

“It’s Carson.” Lirikai nodded her thanks as she wrapped herself in the offered covering. “Kane sent us ahead to help Aeleftheria, but the Sea Goddess diverted us to your ship. He’s going to pull you along so you can get the refugees out before the Consortium arrives.”

“Sakunthala!” Tundi shouted for her crewmate to release her magic. Sakunthala relinquished her hold, sagging against the rail.

Relieved, Tundi wasted no time ordering the cannons put away, and the rigging and sails bundled before ropes dropped into the sea.

Astred had told Tundi on the journey to Carson’s island before the wedding, that while he was a dragon, he wasn’t like the others. He was created by the Sea Goddess, as Lirikai of the Barra’kidai, a barracuda shifter, had been, centuries before him.

So, she—theSea—had decided to help. Just not with the desired winds to fill their sails. Instead, Carson Perenga would tow them, like an oversized tugboat.

“Where are they?”

“We’re not sure which direction they’ll attack from or what their numbers are, but we’re sure they’re coming.”

“If they haven’t struck already,” Sakunthala said, looking forward as the Crimson Claw groaned, lurching forward as if it suddenly had jet propulsion in the form of an ageless water dragon.

Crew members still in the rigging secured themselves.

Tundi’s heart caught in her throat as one of the younger human crew women misstepped and lost her footing on the deck, rolling toward the rail, until Lirikai caught her with supernatural strength and speed, pulling her to safety.

With a final glare, Tundi ensured everyone else was secure as they sped toward Aeleftheria to evacuate the vulnerable.

We just might have a chance to get them to safety.

Despite her realist nature, Tundi allowed herself that slim glimmer of hope.

Chapter 29

Kolinapacedthecramped,dark cell to keep her limbs busy as her mind worked. She didn’t focus on the feeling of entrapment; instead, she focused on the reasons for her imprisonment.

She’d helped Kai escape.

The Council blamed him for Regina’s illness.

The guards had been ordered not to talk to her as they brought food and an empty bucket while clearing away the empty bowl and used bucket.

Launia, Supreme Commander of the Guardians and Kolina’s long-time friend, was the only one allowed access to her.

Every time she appeared for a friendly visit, the topic was the same. Kolina never deviated from her story. Her report.

She’d recounted every detail of the events at Perenga’s island where Kymri and Jori had united in marriage. She relayed every detail of the political discussions with their allies and where their focus lay.

There was minimal discussion about the traitor who’d met with the Consortium agent who was still at large. The GPSA were focused on the rogue male dragons and locating the Consortium menagerie that Sam Egan had been attached to. Kane was determined to find and apprehend the agent’s master, determined to cut off the head of another branch of the ever-evolving Consortium organization.

Aeleftherian politics was Aeleftheria’s own business within her border. Their only concern was when it ignited problems outside her territory.

What the queen had to say on such matters while Kolina wasn’t around, was up to the queen to recount to the council at her discretion.

Footsteps echoing along the narrow pass heralded her daily visitor.

Kolina was surprised when Launia arrived with a new list of questions.

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