She had to fool everyone into thinking that the attack was coming from the other direction.
Her tablet! The ravine down that slope had pale-beige rocks that acted like an echo chamber, and she had some of her favorite movies downloaded on the tablet. If she cued it to a battle scene and cranked the volume, set in a dip of the rocks, the echoing effects could create a temporary illusion of an attack. It wouldn't buy much time, but hopefully enough to get Josiah and Alita out.
Amelia made her way around the peak slowly and carefully, never leaving the cover of the trees and brush. The farther to the north she went, the thinner it became on this side. The river chuckled over the grey and white rocks, churning with froth and carrying bits of rock in its wake. Valne's Peak dropped off sharply into a steep ravine about twenty feet behind her before cutting into the main swathe that connected the peak to the grassland. If she placed this right, it would sound like the battle was taking place in the lower ravine.
Taking care not to disturb any of the loose gravel, she slipped her tablet into a dip in the rocks and balanced it against a bleached and mangled root. Then she chose a fight scene with a loud medieval battle and set the timer. Good. Now she just had to get back into position on Valne's Peak.
Tension built within her, her nerves tingling and warning her of the danger. Still no sign of Naatos or AaQar. Assuming, of course, she could see them. Technically, they could be anywhere, a fact that tightened her fear even more. WroOth, if that was him up there, seemed to be enjoying the powerful wind currents at the moment and nothing else. From this angle, she glimpsed eight guards hidden behind more shrubs and near the cages. Alita continued to call out. Her voice shook, tears streaming down her cheeks.
As Amelia crept to her place on the other side, she had to steel her heart and block out the cries. It was too bad she couldn't make Naatos suffer more for this. What anger she had felt before was nothing compared to this.
The welcoming shade of the northeast forest crook provided her some comfort. Now she could see Josiah's boot. She pulled her dagger free. Almost time.
Josiah jerked forward, writhing in the bonds. The small-boned boy was no match for the thick ropes. The branches rustled over him. As he rolled, his gaze met hers. His dark-brown eyes widened.
Amelia placed her finger to her lips. Josiah fell silent.
There was one thing she hadn't had time to uncover, and that was what was in the cages. Heavy breathing and the occasional growl were her only clues. And who knew what horrors Naatos had brought. So long as they weren't hook-fanged spiders, she would be at least a little grateful.
Josiah made a muffled cry.
Lifting her finger again to shush him, Amelia crept closer. Any moment now.
There!
The sound of battle blared out, startlingly loud, ringing up and echoing from down in the ravine. Everything sprang to life.
Someone shouted, "Ayamin!"
Up in the sky, the eagle transformed into a crimson dragon. A large blue crocodile leaped through the air and then vanished from sight.
Amelia prepared to take on the two mercenaries who were sure to stay behind. Except they all ran toward the ravine, weapons drawn.
Well…that was helpful. Too good to be true and likely to be a trap all its own. Doesn’t matter, I’m taking it, Amelia thought. She tore Josiah back from the cage and cut through the ropes. The monsters in the cages bellowed and roared, their voices deep and horrifying.
Amelia pulled off the ropes. "Be qui—"
"Who are you?" Josiah exclaimed.
Amelia clapped her hand over his mouth.
"Hello Amelia. Did you remember to bring Inale?”
Amelia would have recognized Naatos's voice anywhere. Fear and rage pounded in her heart. Of course it was a trap. What else could it be? But it was his mistake, not hers. Amelia lifted her gaze slowly.
Naatos stood several feet in front of her, directly between her and Alita.
16
Change of Plan
Naatos's presence jolted through Amelia. Standing, she snapped the gun out of its holster and pointed it at his head. He was every bit as terrifying as she remembered. The same jagged hunting knife hung at his side. He wore darker clothes this time. All black in a similar style to WroOth's. The etchings in his doublet were of chimeras and dragons as well as lions, serpents, and other strange creatures.
Naatos appeared relaxed. His arms folded, his eyes focused intently on her, he studied her. "Apparently not. It seems you aren't lying merely about your race. Though I am curious…why would you pretend to be a Machat when you are a Neyeb? I would have gladly spoken with you if you had admitted to that. You see, I deal with all matters involving the Neyeb."
Amelia frowned slightly. It was strange to see him. Her elmis prickled, and an odd sensation passed through her. A familiarity. But on a deeper level. The aggression should kick in at any moment, she thought. The curse itself had to be coming. Alita and Josiah would hopefully know to run if she went monstrous so long as her first target was Naatos. And she couldn’t imagine attacking anyone else. "Who says I'm a Neyeb?"
Josiah got to his feet.
Naatos laughed. When he smiled, the family resemblance to WroOth appeared far stronger. "I'll presume you were raised by Awdawms."
Alita gave a panicked cry. "Josiah!"
Josiah started toward his mother with a strangled cry, the rest of the ropes falling away. Amelia grabbed him by the arm and pulled him back. "Don't run in front of Naatos."
"Yes." Naatos's attention briefly returned to Josiah. "She's right, young prince. Cross me, and you won't be running to your mother with all your limbs. And as for you, woman, end this charade. There's nothing to be gained from denying what you are or who you are."
If only he knew how false that was. Amelia pointed the gun at his head. "As long as we're talking, understand that if you take one step toward either Josiah or Alita, and I will shoot you."
"That weapon doesn't even contain lasers or energy beams. If you were going to attack me with a device from another world, I would think you would choose one with a little more strength than mere metal and powder. Besides." Naatos smiled, the smugness apparent. "There is only one who can stop me, and apparently you forgot to bring her."
"I didn't. And even so, I'm willing to bet that something like this would at the very least sting." How did he even know what a gun was? That unsettled her more than the calm way he watched her. She pushed Josiah back and stepped in front of him. Her elmis weren't kicking in and bringing her rage at all. They weren’t even stirring. "Don't worry, Josiah. It's going to be fine. I'm going to save you and your mother."
"Oh, are you now?" Naatos removed a cylinder from his side. It had been hanging from his thick belt directly opposite the hunting knife. Silver-white runes adorned the sides. Naatos twisted it. It telescoped out into what appeared to be an ornately carved spear, at least eight feet in length. Silver-blue energy briefly arced along its length. "It is possible we may come to an agreement. But if you think you are going to keep Inale from me, then you are very much mistaken. Where is she?"
"Alita," Amelia called. "Get ready. Run to the forest when I say. I know where Inale is, Naatos. They don't."
"Ready?" Naatos smirked. "WroOth is right. You are brazen." He pressed his hand across the silver runes at the top of the spear. The spear head vanished, replaced by a triple-pointed blade with curved edges. "But even a woman so delusional to believe she could pass as a Machat cannot think she can escape me. You don't have to make this difficult."
"All right. Let Alita and Josiah go."
"Where is Inale?" Naatos asked. "The longer you keep her from me, the more unpleasant this becomes for you."
"Inale is safe. Let Alita and Josiah go."
"No," Naatos said.
It was time. Her elmis hadn't changed her yet, and there was no suggestion whatsoever that any change was happening unless she had to draw blood for the curse to take effect. To delay further was to risk AaQar
and WroOth and the mercenaries returning.
There was only one way to find out. Bracing herself, Amelia squeezed the trigger, released, and squeezed again. One, two, three times.
Josiah dropped to the ground, covering his ears. Alita pressed her hands over her mouth.
Naatos's expression changed as if in slow motion from shock to anger. Each time the gun cracked, he lurched back. But he didn't fall.
He stabbed his spear into the ground and caught his balance as he staggered back another step. Blood trickled down his face and chest, disappearing into his clothing. He rubbed his hand over his face, his expression disoriented. Blinking several times, he shook his head as if struggling to focus.
Amelia's grip tightened on the gun. Her elmis hadn't taken over. The gun hadn't killed him, but it could slow him. "Alita, run now!" she shouted. She shot Naatos again, this time in his supporting leg. With a groan, he fell to the ground. Amelia shoved Josiah toward the forest, but he reeled to a halt.
"Josiah!" Alita screamed.
"Go!" Why were neither of them moving? Amelia grabbed Josiah by the arm and dragged him into the forest. If she had to go back and get Alita, she would.
The sounds of the fake battle had disappeared. AaQar, WroOth, and their mercenaries would return in minutes, particularly after those gunshots. Dread and panic set into Amelia as she rewrote her plan. No great force had taken over her to give her power and ferocity? Naatos wasn't dead. Who knew how long he would be down?
Alita ran straight toward the forest. Amelia raced with Josiah to the left, taking him into the forest by a different route. Fallen leaves kicked up around their feet, rustling, crackling, and crunching.
"Josiah!" Alita appeared at the crest of the second hill point. She ran toward them and swept Josiah into her arms. "Where is Inale?"
"We don't have time." Amelia grabbed Alita's hands and pulled her up. "Straight down and to the left of the embankment. There's a bruin down there. Halig. Use him to get to Plaohi. Go now! I'll bring Inale when it's safe." She shoved her Alita and Josiah ahead of her and then doubled back.
Naatos struggled to his feet as she emerged from the clearing. He held his wounded leg, blood running down his face, his neck, and his chest. But the entry wounds had already vanished. Rage burned in his light blue eyes, an icy fire as horrifying as her nightmares. "You vicious—"
"Save it." Amelia met his gaze. Anger merged with fear, but she would only let him see the anger. "You will leave them alone, and let me tell you why. I know exactly where Inale is. I'm the only one, all right? And she will only come to me. You figured out I'm a Neyeb. Well, good for you. I've got a mental lock on her. If I tell her to go, she'll go. If you want her, you go through me. So leave that family alone. You want to terrify someone, terrify me!"
She shot him again three times, once in each leg and once in the heart. The gun shook in her hand. Nausea built within her. This didn't feel as good as she expected. And his exclamation of pain was not so pleasant either.
Amelia bolted down the hill. This new plan was not particularly good. But it was the only one she could think of. It would take Alita and Josiah ten minutes or so to find Halig and escape. Then every added minute she could buy would help them. Hopefully, if given the choice between capturing Inale or capturing Alita and Josiah, Naatos would opt for Inale.
She had already reached the bottom of the third hill leading up to the peak. No sign of the mercenaries or AaQar or…
A dragon roar bellowed out. WroOth soared up behind her, wings spread wide.
Amelia ground her teeth and banked toward the forest. But the wind was with WroOth. His massive black shadow passed over her and shot ahead. With a loud crash, he landed in front of her, the ground shaking under him. He was now directly between her and the closest patch of forest.
Amelia stopped short. Her boots dug into the steep hill, and for a moment, she almost fell.
"Surely you weren't planning on leaving," WroOth said. He returned to his state of rest.
"Oh…I couldn't possibly stay." Amelia stepped back, looking toward the ridge above the ravine. From the shouts and bellows, they were on their way. She couldn't see Naatos anymore either. He might still be laying in the dip of the peak. At most, she had minutes. "I'm just going to be on my way."
"If by on your way you mean back to my brother, then by all means." WroOth gave her a half bow with mock respect. "If not…well, I'm sure you can figure out the rest."
"If you ever want to see Inale again, you'd better not threaten me." Amelia forced herself to laugh. "See, I know where she is, and if I don't cooperate, you'll never find her again."
"I'm sure that's not true. She is the Third Nalenth and more. She can't help but come back to us. If not now, then soon. And as you have pointed out, you know where she is." WroOth's tone was almost playful. He cupped his hand over his chin. "Of course, you only need your tongue and your mouth to tell us where she is. Your legs may not be your greatest asset, but I'll assume you'd prefer to keep them."
Amelia aimed the gun at him. "Try it, and I'll shoot you."
"Shoot me?" WroOth's eyes widened, and his smile broadened for half a second. "Did you miss the part where I arrived as a dragon? That gun doesn't even fire lasers or energy beams. It's only a few steps better than a crossbow. What traveler's pack did you raid to find it?"
Amelia glanced around. There was no way she could make it to the forest without getting caught. Even if she did shoot him. It was just too far. "Maybe not, but I can still take you. Sure. Why couldn't I?"
"Well, let me think…I'm taller, stronger, have more weapons, and oh, did I mention I can turn into a dragon."
"I've got a gun."
"And I can turn into a dragon."
Amelia lifted her chin. "I've also got a dagger."
"Dragon." Chuckling, WroOth pointed toward himself.
"Do you think that scares me? I think the real reason you keep pointing that out is because you're afraid to face me like a man." Amelia aimed at his leg. Her mind twisted through the possibilities. WroOth didn't seem to be in a hurry. Time favored him, but it doomed her. "So if you're going to fight me as a dragon, do it. But if you do…I'll know you're a coward."
WroOth laughed openly at her now. "Am I? And who are you to say this? You are barely more than a child. You don't have a prayer against me even in my human form."
"I don't need your prayers." Amelia shot him in the knee once, then twice. She tore the Machat sashes from around her shoulders and leaped onto his back. Twisting the sashes around his neck, she tightened them. If she could cut off his air flow, he couldn't shift shapes or fight.
WroOth pushed up from the ground. "Well, aren't you the little bundle of fire and brimstone?"
Amelia knotted the sash around her hand and jerked it tight. "I'm not going to kill you. You're my hostage. Now stay down." She shoved him between the shoulders, but he barely moved. The nausea that twisted in her stomach worsened. Something was wrong.
"Amelia, if you were hoping to escape, you went the wrong way." WroOth grabbed the tunic around his neck. He wasn't even struggling to breathe. Then he stood.
Amelia pulled back. But his throat wasn't buckling under pressure.
"All right," WroOth said when she remained stuck to his back. "That's enough. Be a good girl and climb down. I'm not in the habit of giving people rides."
"Get back down." Amelia wound the fabric around her wrist. "I will shoot you again if you don't cooperate."
Spear tips crested from the ravine. The others were coming.
"You said you wanted me to face you like a man. In case you thought otherwise, no man has ever jumped on my back and then clung there like a baby waspet monkey."
"You are my hostage. Don't make me shoot you." She pressed the gun to his neck.
"This is no longer amusing, Amelia. Get off, or I will help you understand why one doesn't jump on a Vawtrian's back without permission."
"I said get down!" Amelia tensed. "I don't want to hurt you any
more, WroOth, but I will."
"I'll certainly remember that." WroOth strained his neck back. Amelia shot him in the shoulder, but the bullet deflected. His shoulders and back had already become scaled as he returned to the crimson dragon form.
Amelia gasped, her grip still tight on the now-straining sash. Letting go put her in danger, but hanging on wasn't—
WroOth leaped up, punching the air down with his massive wings as he soared upward.
The blast of wind against Amelia's face almost knocked her off. Hanging on was even harder when he suddenly flipped upside down. The sash pulled tight against her wrist. But before it tore or her bones broke, he spun around again.
The world passed in a blur, the wind whipping at her face. It was hard to comprehend. And WroOth kept changing forms. He transformed from the massive crimson dragon into a slim blue-feathered dragon, then into a golden four-headed dragon. The transformations were smooth and effortless, happening so quickly, she could barely comprehend them. With each transformation, Amelia thought she wouldn't be able to hold on any longer. Surely the sash would snap. But WroOth never made his neck thick enough to snap the often-taut fabric.
WroOth soared into the sky, throwing his head back and roaring. The sound deafened Amelia. She ducked her head down against his neck, no longer thinking, only clinging. She needed to stop him. Somehow. But all she could do was hold on.
17
Interrogation
WroOth could have killed her at any moment. Amelia knew this. Despite all the twists, turns, banks, and transformations, he never did. Yet the ride seemed to carry on for an eternity.
The fabric cut into her hand, the wind blasted her face, and only terror and adrenaline gave her the strength to hold on. Then, all at once, WroOth stopped short, drop landing on Valne's Peak.
Amelia rocked forward, almost slamming her chin into the back of his head. She gasped in a deep breath, her heart racing. Her hair hung over her face, wild and unkempt, covering her mouth.
Identity Revealed: The Tue-Rah Chronicles Page 15