Page 39 of Devastation
Piercing red eyes stare at us with black slits in the middle of the large orbs, similar to a cat's, but heavily hooded by scaled lids.
My breath catches in my throat, and I slowly reach out to push Hale and Zedd behind me, which they both refuse, standing their ground like boulders.
Stubborn men.
Taking a step forward with my hands held out placatingly, I attempt to communicate. "We are here to see Fiona. Where can I find her?"
A flash of rage and pain crosses the dragon's eyes and it opens its mouth, bellowing a roar so loud I fear my eardrums will burst. Hundreds of teeth in multiple rows are on display, and I swear I see chunks of meat stuck between the sharp chompers.
Fiona is dead.
The gravelly male voice in my head scares the shit out of me at first, but then the full weight of his words hits me.
"No...how?" I ask him out loud, causing my mates to glance at me in question.
“I’m speaking with the shifter,” I answer them quietly, while waiting for said shifter to answer me.
Who are you, and how did you get here?
"My name is Lana. Who I am is a very complicated tale, but to keep it short, I'm Gaia's daughter, and now Mother Nature."
His eyes narrow as a chuff comes from his large frame—his version of what I'm assuming is a laugh.
Let's say I believe you and don't kill you...tell me: Why are you here, Gaia's daughter?
Straightening up, I drop my hands to my side and roll my shoulder back. Tilting my head up with confidence, I stare back threateningly. "First off, do not threaten me. It will not end well for you. Secondly, I am here to warn you of a dark god's schemes and to discuss a plan of attack for all of the realms for the war that is approaching us."
His response is lightning fast and imbued with disgust.
You're too late with that warning. Fiona died yesterday, defending us from a surprise attack led by the god you speak of. He boasted of being the one true god to all of the realms and threatened that if we didn't submit to him and join his army, he'd destroy us all.
"That motherfucker," I growl, simmering with rage at Erebus—and slightly at myself. “Please be aware that he could have conned people you would never expect into fighting for him and doing his dirty work. We must stay on guard.”
Immense guilt at not having come here a day earlier slams into me, but I remember Mar's words and try not to doubt myself and my actions.
Indeed. On guard we shall remain. We are all gathered in a vigil right now for Fiona. Would you like to join us?
His words have an edge of apprehension, as if he wants to believe my words and story of being an ally but is scared.
I can't say I blame him after being attacked just yesterday and losing his queen.
"I met Fiona when I was just a child. She was nothing but gracious, kind, and accepting. Also had a great sense of humor..." I trail off with a sad smile. "We would be honored to join your vigil, if we would be welcomed. We do not wish to intrude on such an intimate moment for your clan."
My words seem to ease his suspicion.
I am sure Fiona would love to feel your presence alongside ours. Come.
With that, the large dragon propels himself back and to the side with his right wing expanded onto the cave entrance like an invitation to walk onto his back. His left wing flaps a bit harder to sustain his body weight in the air with his other immobile and resting for us to climb up.
Zedd must be thinking the same thing as he rushes us, "Come on. That has to be exhausting for him. Let's go."
Zedd walks quickly and efficiently up the long wing and settles behind a spike close to the back of the dragon's neck. The twins scamper up behind him, surprisingly quiet, while Hale and Ash gesture for me to go first.
As I walk up his wing nimbly, I speak loudly to the shifter to be heard over the wind, "What's your name?"
Cadmus.
Zedd reaches for me and pulls me down to sit snugly in front of him and the large black spike protruding from Cadmus' rough hide. His arms come around me to hold the spike firmly above my own hands, and he whispers into my ear, eliciting a shiver from me, "All of my dreams have come true. I found the love of my life and dragons are real."
