Page 93 of Dragon Blood

“We were both there.” She held Launia’s gaze, no longer so cool and remote.

“No.” Launia croaked, clearing her throat with a shake of her head. “No.”

Kolina waited, her turn to maintain silence as Launia worked through these new implications.

“That was a very long time ago. There’s no proof. No incentive to revive old wounds.”

“Isn’t there?” Kolina growled. “You heard Marli’s report. You read her words—the traitor’s words incriminating herself by that alone.”

“That doesn’t mean—,”

“By Marli’s sworn testimony, she recounted word for word all that she heard in her witness statement. And before that incident, we’ve always trusted and relied on her stalwart ability. Relay exactly what she sees and what she hears, and what she feels.”

Launia finally glanced away. “She didn’t relay her senses in that report.”

“No, she didn’t.” Kolina’s voice was soft in the cramped cell. “I think she was struggling with that one. Who would want to entertain to the notion that their elders would betray them like this?”

Launia turned her gaze back to Kolina.

“But you and I both know otherwise, even if she doesn’t.”

Launia straightened at that. “And who is to say that this time, you’re not the one seeking to take control, by example of what your mother did the last time? For all I know, you weren’t looking for Kai at all. You could easily have gone back for the stone yourself.”

“At the same time that I was fighting a Consortium agent on an Aeleftherian beach?”

Launia grunted. Finally, she sighed, rubbing a hand over her tired eyes. “Kolina, we spent an entire generation suppressing what happened. To bury it, let it fall to legend and move on. We can’t dig it all up now. Not when Regina is vulnerable and Astred is missing.”

“Astred isn’t missing. She’s following a vision from Regina. And now is especially the time to rip off the scab of that wound that never truly healed. Did it?”

“A vision? I—”

The unmistakable tenor of the alarm reverberated along the stones of the chamber, even this deep underground.

Launia immediately turned to go.

“Let me out. You can’t afford not to have all warriors fighting.”

Launia’s expression registered regret as she searched Kolina’s face. “I can’t afford to let you out, in case you’re the one leading the enemy to conquer us.”

“You don’t believe that,” Kolina breathed, incredulous. “It doesn’t make any sense.”

Launia shook her head. “No, I don’t. But the Council does, and I can’t take the chance that I’m wrong and they’re right.” She turned her back on Kolina, but paused before opening the door. “If the attackers are anyone other than who the Council fears them to be, I will send for you.”

The cell door screeched open and then closed with a clang of finality. Launia disappeared into the darkness, leaving it locked and spelled behind her as the alarm continued to reverberate through the cell.

Kolina’s pulse beat erratically through her body, her dragon straining against the need to be at her sovereign’s side, to defend her to the death.

Launiamountedthetowersteps two at a time. The dragonesses from the Crimson Claw had delivered their warning and were already back in the air to aid in the defense of the island. Scouts were imperative, as there was no confirmation as to which direction the enemy would attack.

Non-combative or flightless paranormals and human villagers streamed back and forth from their homes. Waiting fishing boats filled the small harbor and every dock and quay surrounding the island, loading what few valuables they cherished amid stacks of supplies. Without wind, escape would be painfully slow. For now, they would at least head away from the main island toward the trailing end of the archipelago, where the attack was less likely to occur. Thick jungle and hidden caves would provide some protection.

She hoped.

In times of war and conflict, the vulnerable were easy targets for the enemy to strike. The defending dragons would be hard pressed to shield both the citadel as well as the people spread out along the shore.

Overhead, guardians swooped out in all directions, the force of the wind from their wings buffeting her human form.

She grit her teeth, longing to go out and join them, but she needed to command things from here.

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