Page 26 of Randall
“So you can.”
“I’m… I’m a healer. I might be able…” He gestured feebly toward the wound, biting his lower lip. “Or my mates…”
The dragon lifted his head, studying Flynn, who flushed under the scrutiny. He was naked and wasn’t used to others seeing him. He rarely shifted with his clan, preferring to step away and shift on his own rather than suffer their harassment. For a male Fisher, he was small, and the others liked to “play” with the “runt.” The dragon was, however, a heck of a lot bigger than his bullies.
“Please,” the dragon murmured, lowering his head again and moving his claw away from the wound.
Flynn inched closer, afraid the dragon might change his mind at any moment and take a swipe at him. “I’m going to touch you now,” he warned, lifting his hands to feel the torn skin. A sickening dread filled him the moment he touched the torn slash of flesh. His stomach curdled, and he jumped up and ran to the bushes, throwing up and heaving through the aftermath.
“Demons.”
The dragon’s flat tone about who had done this didn’t surprise Flynn. He wiped his mouth and straightened, turning slowly. “They decimated my people. I only escaped because I was away from my village when they attacked. When I saw the flames, I ran. I… I might be the last.”
“My heart grieves with you,” the dragon offered in sympathy. “Our scales offer excellent protection, and I believe that is the only reason my clan survived to escape. This wound… We only have a few unprotected areas.”
“Where are the other dragons now?” Flynn asked, returning to the dragon’s side, kneeling, and carefully touching the scaled forearm. The scales weren’t smooth like he’d imagined. When he dragged his fingertips across one, he discovered a gritty, roughened texture.
“I sent them on to the palace in Wintervale, but there was a sorcerer, and I decided to take matters into my own hands. Foolishly, I was injured. In pain, I flew. Somehow, I kept myself aloft to make it this far.”
Flynn nodded. “I took refuge in the river… Visions led me here, to my mates. They wait for me. It seems you scared some humans, and they are keeping an eye on them until I return.” He snickered, realizing how ridiculous their fear was now that he’d met the dragon, who didn’t seem fearsome at all.
“Mates…? But you said your people…?”
Flynn sobered. “Yes, but they aren’t Fisher cat shifters like me. They’re a mage and a Fae, who I’m sure will want to help you. I should go get them.”
The dragon’s eyes narrowed. “Why would they want to help me?”
Flynn chuckled at the dragon’s skepticism. “Because they’re good people, at least I think they are. I’ve known them for less than a day, but I have to believe that Fate wouldn’t give me mates that were unkind. I’m certain their magick can heal you. I’ll go—”
“Wait… please.” The dragon lifted his head when Flynn moved but settled again when he stopped.
“What is it?” Flynn shuffled closer. He really wanted to shift, hating how all his bits were showing, and there were some annoying sticks and rocks under his knees. “You’ll be safe here, and…” Flynn looked around until he spotted Randall’s raven. “See there, that raven. He belongs to my mate. He’ll keep watch over you.”
“No. Please. Stay. Talking to you distracts me from the pain. Can’t you send the raven back and stay with me?”
While that was certainly an option, Flynn wasn’t willing to commit to that course just yet. Another thought popped into his head. “Why haven’t you shifted? I thought all shifters were like me. Our wounds heal when we shift.”
The dragon grunted. “I tried and tried and tried. I think whatever poison the demon used is keeping me from shifting.”
Flynn fell onto his butt in shock. “Oh shit. That’s not good. Okay… I’ll try.” He hurried to the tree and stood beneath the branch the raven perched on. “Will you carry a message to Randall for me?”
The raven gave a low, throaty caw, flapped its wings, and flew off the branch. Flynn was just about to curse the bird for leaving when it returned and landed closer to him. The raven hoppedalong the tree limb and then hopped onto Flynn’s shoulder, its talons digging into his skin.
Flynn ignored the raven’s clawed pinch as he looked into the bird’s black eyes. “Dragon is injured by demon poison. Come quickly. Now go and tell your master.” He offered his hand to the raven, who moved there and took flight with an outward toss of Flynn’s arm. “Fly fast, my friend.”
Message sent, Flynn returned to the dragon’s side. If talking to him was helpful, Flynn would do it, but he had an important question to ask first. “My name’s Flynn. What’s yours?”
Chapter 18
Randall
Waiting on the raven I’d sent after Flynn grated on my nerves. What was taking so long? Pacing the road only served to drive the anxiety of those around me, yet I couldn’t stop.
Darvon had led the men and their horses to the river and, after a few moments, left them to walk silently beside me. That silence didn’t last long.
“You should rest,” he whispered.
“I can’t.”
