Page 60 of Fire's Storm
The ancient doors swing open with a low, resonant hum. Centuries of magic vibrate through the air. The guard straightens, announcing our presence with formal precision.
I place my hand at the small of Phoenix's back, needing the contact. Needing to mark her with my scent before facing the council. Her muscles tense momentarily under my palm, then relax. She doesn't pull away.
Together we enter the chamber. Vaulted ceiling arches overhead, carved with intricate storm symbols that seem to move in the shifting light. Curved walls display elemental configurations—ancient scripts recording the history of dragon magic. Crystal sconces burn with enchanted fire, casting dancing shadows across the polished obsidian floor.
Our reflections ripple across the dark surface as we approach the elevated platform where Clan leader Blaze awaits. Six council members flank him, their expressions carefully neutral. Only Raak, standing slightly behind Blaze's right shoulder, offers a subtle nod of acknowledgment.
Blaze studies us as we approach. His scales shimmer at his temples when he spots us, catching the light with each small movement of his head. Not anger in his eyes, then. Something else. Calculation, perhaps. Or resignation.
"Vulcan Aetherion. Phoenix Ward." He speaks our names with formal precision, the traditional acknowledgment of those summoned for official assignment. "The council appreciates your prompt response to this summons."
Political bullshit. The formal greeting does nothing to disguise the tension crackling through the chamber. Several council members shift in their seats, discomfort evident in their posture. Metu doesn't bother hiding his disgust, yellow eyes narrowing as he takes in my hand still resting possessively at Phoenix's back.
Blaze continues without acknowledging the undercurrent of hostility. "The northern border ward requires immediate stabilization." His formal tone conveys an official assignment rather than a personal request. "Dangerous fluctuationsthreaten sanctuary security despite multiple conventional intervention attempts."
Northern ward. Remote. Isolated. Perfect place for an ambush.
I feel Phoenix's muscles tense beneath my palm. Her tactical mind immediately processing the implications.
"Standard teams have failed?" Phoenix questions, her voice cutting through the formal bullshit. Direct. To the point. Her firefighter captain's authority evident despite standing before creatures centuries older than herself.
Several council members bristle at her tone. The elder with yellow eyes makes a sound of disapproval, muttering something about "human presumption." I step slightly closer to Phoenix, my temperature rising enough that the nearest council member leans away from the heat.
Blaze ignores the reactions, his focus remaining on Phoenix. His scales ripple with what appears to be frustration—whether at the situation or the council's obvious disdain, I can't tell.
"Naturally chaotic storm patterns prevent conventional stabilization despite repeated elite team deployment," he explains, fingers tapping against the carved arm of his ceremonial chair. "The location experiences unusual atmospheric phenomena that interfere with standard ward maintenance protocols."
Bullshit. The timing stinks worse than a rotting carcass. Assignment arriving immediately following my public rehabilitation. Mission appearing after political recovery. Task emerging precisely when traditional elements are gaining council influence.
I scan the faces of the council members, noting which ones avoid my gaze. Councilman Khorne stares back defiantly, challenging. Metu's faction, then. The pieces click into place.This isn't merely a test—it's a trap designed by those who want me to fail again.
I catch Phoenix's eye. Her slight nod confirms she smells the same stench. Her gaze flicks briefly toward Khorne, then back to me. She's identified the same threat.
Trap or not, we have no choice but to accept. Refusing would only confirm their accusations of my instability, my unfitness for reintegration into clan society.
The transport speeds toward the northern border, its engines humming with the strain of fighting against the increasingly hostile weather. I stand at the observation window, watching the transformation of the landscape below. What began as rolling forested hills has given way to jagged mountain peaks shrouded in unnatural storm clouds.
Clear skies yield to gathering darkness. Calm surrenders to howling winds. Occasional lightning illuminates the transport cabin, casting stark shadows across Phoenix's face as she studies the tactical display.
"The storm's building too quickly," she observes, her firefighter's instinct for weather patterns evident in her furrowed brow. "This isn't natural progression."
I analyze the developing storm front with centuries of knowledge. The swirling patterns contain artificial enhancement signatures. The cloud formations display manipulated characteristics. The lightning strikes follow orchestrated sequences despite appearing random to untrained eyes.
"Someone's amplifying natural conditions," I mutter, leaning closer to the observation glass. My breath fogs the transparent surface, briefly obscuring the view. "See how the cloud formations spiral in mathematical precision? That requires directed energy."
Phoenix abandons the tactical display and moves beside me. The confined space of the observation deck means her armbrushes against mine. Even that simple contact sends electricity racing across my skin, my scales rippling beneath the surface in response to her proximity.
She studies the patterns below, those amber-blue eyes tracking weather systems with the same precision she would use to analyze a wildfire's progression. Her scent spikes with determination—that distinctive sharpening of her natural honey-ozone aroma that indicates her tactical mind is fully engaged.
My dragon half rumbles in approval. A worthy mate—strong, intelligent, capable.
"Creating perfect cover for ambush," she says, tapping a finger against the glass to indicate a particular cloud formation. "Reducing visibility." Her finger slides to another area. "Increasing electrical noise." She gestures broadly at the lightning pattern. "Providing operational concealment."
Her analytical precision makes my chest tighten with something beyond mere appreciation. Pride, perhaps. Or the growing realization that she complements me in ways I never anticipated needing.
My fingers find her wrist, sliding up to capture her hand. Her pulse beats strong and steady against my palm. Heat radiates from her skin into mine. My thumb traces circles on the back of her hand, a motion both possessive and soothing.
"We'll be ready for whatever's waiting." My voice drops lower, rougher. The rumble of my dragon half evident in the vibration of my chest.
