Shadow’s Wrath (Demon Generals Book 1)

by Gia Tsiknas

  Skye gestured to a chair near Zafirah’s own. Victor sat, revealing nothing of his inner thoughts to Skye’s magical prodding.

  “So you are the true Queen.” He stated. His eyes never left Skye, they were once again a piercing gray.

  Skye smiled, amused by his brusque personality. “No, I am no queen.” She straightened from her decrepit crouch and pulled back her cowl. The firelight dyed her white hair orange and gold, but the flames only accented her red eyes. “Just a crusader, much like yourself.”

  Victor’s smile was tight. He recognized her.

  “I have called you to present a proposal.”

  “And what incentive do you think will persuade us to join you?”

  “Not Aguden. You.” Skye stepped aside, revealing her shadow, which did not follow her. She bowed as it spoke in its velvet-smooth voice.

  “I am a great deity trapped within another realm. I have chosen Skye as my servant and tasked her with the duty of breaking me free of my prison. Join me, O prideful one, and I shall grant your greatest desire.”

  Victor spoke up, his voice steady. “What is your name, deity, and who imprisoned you?”

  “Names have power, as you well know, and you shall have no power over me. You may call me as you wish.”

  “Then, Shadow,” Victor continued. “Why were you imprisoned?”

  “I once held great power and stood high above this world as overseer,” Shadow hissed. “Long ago I saw the folly in this world of yours and sought to correct it. My rival did not agree to my plans, and we fought. My numbers were few, and I lost. As punishment, they banished me to another plane. I have learned much in my captivity and have rallied my strength. I feel the shackles fading. Soon I will break free. Aid me, and I will consider you my own.”

  “What would you ask of me, Shadow, and by what power do you guarantee my reward?”

  “Cheeky, human!” Shadow roared. “A mere mortal will not question my power. Know that I will reward you your greatest desire once you free me. Your pride will serve me well, should you accept my offer.”

  Victor’s eyes narrowed, and she glared at Skye. “Anything I want?”

  His mind filled with ambition.

  Skye smiled. “It’s yours if you grasp it. We will not stand in your way.”

  A feral gleam lit in Victor’s eyes. “If you grant my wish, Shadow, you may have my very soul.”

  Skye smiled and Shadow split in two. Victor stared into the cold golden eyes of a hawk, half feathered and half scaled like a beast from a nightmare. He held out his arm and ordered.

  “Come.”

  The beast spread his wings and leapt, landing on his arm and sinking his claws into the man. Victor didn’t flinch.

  CHAPTER TWENTY-SIX

  BONDED

  “Go,” Icham croaked, “Before they find you.”

  She ran down the hallway to her room. What was that? Why had her bones shook? Where had that anguish come from? She came to her cell door and stepped inside. When she turned to shut it again she stared.

  There were no handles. She couldn’t pull the door shut. Machi slumped.

  She heard a scrape along her corridor and almost panicked.

  Machi slipped outside the door and cast an illusion. Once it was in place, she crossed her fingers and stepped back into the room. The illusion held, making the door appear closed.

  Please let it only be a dragon passing by!

  After another thirty long seconds Machi saw the form of a young red drake trying to tiptoe down the hall. He looked like an affronted cat as he tried to walk on his pads to hide the click of his claws. Machi caught herself just before she burst out laughing. The real door would have blocked her view.

  “Machi.” Anget made his way to the cell and looked around. He whispered. “Are you there?”

  Shoving her amusement aside Machi answered. “Yeah.”

  “I wanted to talk to you.” He admitted as he shifted from foot to foot. “Can I come in?”

  Machi’s mouth dried. He would try to open the door.

  “Um…” She racked her brain to try to stop him.

  Trust. Raboni’s voice was as soft as a spring breeze.

  Machi tensed, then let out a loud sigh. Anget jumped. With a moment’s thought she lowered the illusion so he could see the door cracked open.

  Anget gaped. “But how?”

  “Are you dumb? I pushed the door open. There was no lock.” Machi glared.

  Anget shifted. Machi almost pitied him. All his earlier beliefs were being challenged. However, she had never been patient with people who didn’t reason things out.

  “Just get in here before anyone walks by.”

  Anget nodded and crept into the cell, pulling the door closed behind him with his claws. Machi smiled. “What did you want to talk about?”

  “I haven’t been to the outside. I want to know what it’s like.” Anget’s claws tapped in a rhythmic sequence his gaze flicking between the floor, his claws and Machi’s face.

  “All right.”

  “Really?” Anget was bouncing.

  Machi glared, irritated, but also amused by the large lizard’s child-like reaction. “Are you sure you’re an adult?”

  Anget’s chest puffed up. “Of course I am.”

  “Then why are you acting like a child?”

  Anget paused and tilted his head. “What are you talking about?”

  “Never mind, what do you want to know?” Machi sighed.

  Anget flopped down on the ground with a loud thud, pulling his front legs underneath his head like a pillow. “Tell me everything. I want to know everything.”

  Spread out as he was Machi had to sit on the cot or stand. She sat. “Well, everything has to start with something.”

  Anget looked like he was about to snap back, but thought better of it. “Tell me about your parents.”

  Machi flinched. “I don’t have any.”

  Anget glared. “You have to have parents, otherwise you wouldn’t be here. I’m not that stupid.”

  Machi glared right back. “They were murdered, okay?”

  Anger rolled off of her, a fine trickle of red mist wound around her. Anget shrunk back, his wounded expression stabbed her. She closed her eyes and breathed deep.

  The waves of hurt from the young dragon swallowed her anger, pulling at her walls until she looked at him. Where was this agony coming from? Why did her words hurt him so much? With a shivering breath she broke the silence. “Hey.”

  Anget flinched.

  “That came out bad.”

  Anget said in a low voice. “It was the truth…”

  Machi was at a loss for words.

  “I should go.” Anget said in a reserved tone. He started shuffling toward the door.

  “Wait,” Machi blurted out. She couldn’t let him leave so hurt. She reached out her hand to touch the young dragon’s shoulder.

  “Leave me alone,” Anget snarled, flames licked from his mouth as he turned to Machi.

  When they hit Machi’s outstretched hand her sight blurred. A flood of her memories tumbled into Anget, not only the happy memories, but the painful, destructive ones that had swallowed her whole. Reciprocating memories from Anget filled her own vision. The awkward and sheltered growth of a dragon trapped in the caves of his people.

  It was too much, but she couldn’t break free.

  In one Anget stood at the side of a large emerald dragon. A second was Anget flying through a sheltered valley, mountains all around him, choking out the sky until he felt he could scream. And still another had him in a large room, stepping through a wall of fire named Mischief, and coming out the other side as Anget.

  Suddenly the exchange ended.

  Machi shivered.

  Anget was frozen; his eyes unfocused. After a long moment, he looked up at her. “What was that?”

  “I don’t know.”

  He paused, his eyes wide. “I-I need to go. I need to… I don’t know what I need to do but I need to do it.”
<
br />   He turned, pushed the door open, sped out, and closed it behind him.

  An overwhelming sense of sadness filled Machi. She slumped onto her bed and curled up. What is this feeling?

  Confused, Machi leaned against the wall on her cot and tried to empty her thoughts.

  ***

  Machi bolted upright as a wet tongue lapped her face.

  “Leave her alone, Anget. Stop acting like a youngling with a sick pet.” Growled a girl.

  “Leave him be.” Icham laughed.

  Machi jerked upright and stared at the silvery dragon. Her cell door was open, and Anget sprawled across the floor.

  “Dear young one.” Icham cooed and nuzzled her face. “I apologize that you had to leave in such an unruly way before.”

  Machi shook her head then quipped. “No problem.”

  “You’ve met?” Anget stopped shifting his feet and stared at Machi.

  Machi blushed.

  “Allow me.” Icham smiled again and turned to Anget. “Last night she stumbled upon me sleeping, as I often do, in front of a fireplace in the main rooms. I had a nice chat with her and found we have much in common.”

  “He’s my mom’s bonded.” Machi shrugged.

  Anget gasped. “Then that means…”

  “She’s a Drakian?”

  Machi looked toward the sarcastic female voice.

  A proud, black dragon lay outside the door. Glossy black scales circled her head instead of horns. Her back was smooth of spikes and the tip of her tail was lacquered scales that made it look like a sheaf of wheat. Her wings almost blended with her back, apart from the dark purple sheen that gave their position away. She had an air of royalty that Machi found obnoxious.

  “Shut up, Drina.” Anget growled. His shoulders hunched as if he would pounce at her, but Drina ignored him.

  “Children,” Icham had a firm, but gentle, voice. “Please allow us some privacy while I fill Machi in on the situation. Dear, come this way.”

  Drina stiffened at the ‘child’ remark. Anget wouldn’t budge.

  “But she’s okay, right?”

  “I’m fine.” Machi sighed.

  “But you were sleeping so long!”

  Machi sighed and Icham laughed. “Do not worry, Anget, humans always sleep this way. Especially after a long trip.”

  “Then why can’t I stay?” Anget grumbled.

  “Anget,” Machi sighed. “I just want to catch up. It won’t take long.”

  Anget grumbled more, but she exited the room. Icham’s bulk shifted from the doorway. Machi stood, leaving Anget shuffling as she followed Icham from the cell. Off of the main path, a tunnel opened to a large, open space. Three large fireplaces spanned the far wall, giving the room a cozy feel. Machi glanced around. Enormous tables lined the sides in two rows, but there were no chairs. Icham led them to one fireplace, where the dragon could stretch out in relative comfort.

  He grinned and sniffed Machi’s hair. The dye she used to hide its true snowy-white color was almost gone. She groaned and leaned against the wall.

  “Don’t be too hard on him. It’s not every day that you find your…”

  “Bonded. Yes, I know.” Machi finished.

  “Figure it out yourself?” Icham smiled.

  “It would make the most sense.” Machi shrugged.

  “I see.” Icham shifted. “Now I will tell you a bit about your predicament.”

  Icham’s hot breath flowed over Machi.

  “Do you know of the Betrayal?”

  “No.” Machi frowned.

  “Then I believe that would be the best place to start.” Icham cleared his throat. “During the reign of our last king, there was a rift of sorts. We refer to it as the Betrayal.”

  “A rift?” Machi rolled her eyes. “That’s not very helpful.”

  Icham shifted, looking uncomfortable. “The king demanded something of his people, and of their bonded that we would not tolerate. He demanded a betrayal of our vows and our people. Many dragons left.”

  Machi nodded and grimaced. It was hard to remember that Icham was blind.

  “So?”

  “When the dragons retreated to their caves, we left the Drakians defenseless, and the military revolted, led by a half-blood woman. Many died, and the remaining dragons came to us for shelter, alone. This event was a betrayal of the trust and bond we held with the Drakians, thus named the Betrayal by our people.”

  “And this is important because…”

  “I believe the Betrayal is much more significant than history would like us to think.” Icham shifted his head to look at Machi.

  “What do you mean?”

  “When we left our human bonded, we turned our back not only on them, but on Raboni.”

  Machi shrugged. “So?”

  “When we did this, we lost sight of the truth, and most of us can no longer hear His voice. Until now, all the human bonded have been closed off to us. The last I communicated with Yue was during the coup. I tried to call to her over the years, but there was only silence.”

  “So because you all left, you’ve been abandoned?”

  “Yes, the elders believe that we were abandoned and betrayed by both the humans and by Raboni.” Icham’s voice dropped. “There are only a few of us left who believe we were wrong.”

  “So what does that have to do with my predicament?”

  “Everything.” Machi was about to open her mouth to give a sarcastic remark but Icham cut her off. “Anget, Drina, come closer. I know you’re listening.”

  Anget shuffled into the room, grinning. Drina marched in with her head held high. When Anget saw Machi an unexpected burst of joy spilled through him into her. She blinked, she was happy to see him too, but Anget was ecstatic.

  With a bouncing trot he came up to her and sat, his tail curling around Machi’s side.

  Icham seemed amused, and Drina looked at Anget with cat-like disdain.

  “Now, I’m sure Machi would like some of her questions answered before we start.” Icham addressed the two younger dragons.

  “One thing,” Anget blurted. “If you’re Machi’s mom’s bonded and I’m Machi’s bonded, does that make you my dad?”

  “Um,” Icham looked confused. “No, we do not hold any family relationship.”

  Anget’s ears drooped, “Oh, okay.”

  Icham heard the disappointment in Anget’s voice and continued. “However, I will not object if you call me uncle.”

  Anget perked up. “Kay.”

  Confused, Machi felt a tug in her mind. She let her walls fall and one of Anget’s memories flowed to the forefront of her thoughts. Her eyes widened as she saw Anget’s mother crying over a large blue dragon, Anget keening as a drake a few years old. Her eyes flicked to Icham, but she said nothing.

  “So what are your questions?” Icham asked, interrupting Machi’s musings.

  After a few moments of deliberation Machi asked. “What is a council?”

  Anget gasped, but Icham only nodded.

  “I assumed that would be the first. A council is a court of sorts. Each party, the offender and the offended, talk to a host of dragons and we decide in consensus what has to be done.”

  “Okay,” Machi shrugged. “So I’m the offender, and that emerald dragon from before is the offended?”

  “Nope,” Drina said nastily. “You’re against the dragon population.”

  Machi wanted to punch her but resisted with monumental self-control.

  “You don’t have to be so mean, Drina.” Anget growled, his weight shifting to balance himself.

  Icham stomped his foot before Drina could snap back. The room shook with the action.

  “Enough. There is no need to quarrel. We will win; we have lineage on our side, and there is no defense to that.”

  Machi sighed. What have I gotten myself into? “One more question.”

  “Ask away.” Icham smiled.

  “Now that you seem to think we have this council beat, what about your vision?”

 
Icham frowned. “Do you mean the second chained man?”

  Machi nodded. Anget kept quiet, curious. Drina jumped. “Chained man?”

  Machi and the other two dragons looked over at Drina. Icham responded first.

  “This outburst is unlike you.”

  Drina fell quiet, putting on a face of total calm. She mulled over the problem as if it was a puzzle. Her twitching tail the only window into her agitated emotions.

  “For many years I have dreamt of a man clad in chains. Every night he stands before me and beckons me to come closer.”

  “And what is your response?” Icham prodded.

  “I act differently every night. Some days I draw close only to have him chain me too. Other nights I tear him into pieces. Still other nights I can only stare and others I cry. These past couple nights He doesn’t beckon, he chases, and before he reaches me, I wake.” Drina shifted.

  A dark wine-colored dragon came to the hall to announce that the Council will require them soon, startling Icham out of his reverie. He sighed with gusto.

  “We can puzzle over these dreams later, first we solidify our case.”

  CHAPTER TWENTY-SEVEN

  HUNT

  Aidrian seethed, grinding his teeth in frustration as he walked toward the stone door. Wasted time; wasted energy!

  His greed was the only thing keeping him going. For three days he was in a wild goose chase around Aguden. Not only had Machi disappeared, she dropped off the map. No one knew where she was; no one remembered her; nothing. Even his one solid lead had bled dry. A Den rat had tipped him off but when he arrived she was ranting on and on about Machi’s disappearance from a dead end room.

  Rage filled Aidrian like fire in his veins. He finally found some trace of her existence. A kid said he saw an angel flying across the night sky, but further digging revealed the kid was being treated for delusions. Ulokhu had finally been useful. He always guided Aidrian on where to go or what to do to fulfill his obsessions, but for days all Ulokhu would do was mope and about like a sack.

  Finally, he was closing in on his target; finally, he’d get the answers he needed.

  Aidrian placed his palms on the door and pushed but they didn’t move. He felt like screaming. Leaping back he battered at the door with his magic, throwing everything he could at the stone. With one final rage-induced shove of will the door burst.