by Susan Illene
Dragons did not handle low temperatures well. Once it became cold enough, they would have to hibernate through most of it. As shape-shifters, Aidan and Falcon could change into human form and withstand the winter weather better, but they wouldn’t cover nearly as much ground on foot. Their clan, or toriq in the dragon language, relied on the patrols to keep them safe. The primary advantage they had was that the green dragons on the other side—the Bogaran—were pure and could not shift or handle the cold as well as them. Aidan and Falcon had only seen one of them in the past week, and that one had flown sluggishly on its side of the border, paying little attention to the red shifters on the west side.
The recent calm had been a welcome respite from the tensions between his toriq—the Taugud—and the dragons in Arkansas. The Bogaran weren’t happy with the shifters confiscating a stretch of their territory and pushing them out of Oklahoma. They’d attempted several raids over the border in the past few months since they’d lost it, but they didn’t make it far before Aidan, Falcon, or some of the others patrolling the area had stopped them. With any luck, the arrival of winter would cease the Bogaran’s attempts altogether. They had more than enough territory for a toriq their size, perhaps five thousand dragons taking up half of Arkansas and part of Louisiana. They did not need the small section they lost. It was the main reason Aidan and his people had been able to take it without much difficulty last summer.
Do you smell that? Falcon asked telepathically. The red dragon flew a short distance ahead with his nose sniffing the air.
Aidan inhaled deeply and caught a faint whiff of Bogaran stench. There are two of them nearby—about three miles southeast of us.
The warm weather has brought them back out. Falcon let out a snarl and led the way closer to the border.
They flew over a forest of trees that rose and dipped with the rolling terrain. Most of the vegetation had withered and yellowed with the approaching winter, but there were still pine trees dotting the landscape to break the monotony of color. Aidan hadn’t seen many humans since he began his patrol duties in this area. Before his toriq took over, the pure dragons had laid waste to numerous towns. Some of them had been burned completely to the ground with only scorch marks remaining. Very few things could survive dragon fire, and human-made structures were not among them. They still found some houses and neighborhoods left alone, though. The Bogaran must have been saving them for future raids, but the Taugud would never allow that to happen now. The shifters preferred to live in harmony with humans whenever possible and protect them from the pure dragons.
Aidan had attempted to make contact with the clusters of humans he occasionally scented, but even in his human form they were too suspicious and fearful of him to talk. He’d grown tired of pulling bullets from his body—not that they could do much damage—and decided to let them be. Humans needed time to see the shifters meant them no harm, and Aidan could hardly blame them for their anxiety.
His gaze caught on two green dragons coming over the trees in the distance. They had slender necks and shoulders leading to large, round bellies. Their forearms were short without much of a reach, but they had sharp talons protruding from their feet and long tails that could whip around in the blink of an eye. Full grown pure dragons could be almost twice a shifter’s size or more. Their weight and strength made them difficult opponents, but not impossible to defeat.
The wind picked up, bringing with it the distinct stench of dragon urine. The Bogaran patrol was marking its territory on the other side of the border. It was a warning to those from any other toriq to stay away. The beast within Aidan growled, demanding he cover the scent with his own. His inner dragon had different priorities and did not care about politics or rules. He existed as a separate entity, almost always trapped within the recesses of Aidan’s mind, but he could be even more feral than the pure dragons. It was a constant battle to keep him contained.
As far as Aidan knew, most shifters did not have to live with their beasts constantly trying to claw their way to the surface, but he’d always been more in touch with his inner dragon—even more so in recent months. His relationship with Bailey had somehow brought that side of him out. Beast liked the slayer and wanted Aidan to form a stronger bond with her. Something about the slayer called to him, defying all reason.
One of the Bogaran roared and let out a billow of fire. The flames hung mid-air for a moment before extinguishing. Why don’t you come over and join us?
Aidan winced at the menacing voice inside his head. The dragon had spoken telepathically in a method any of their kind could hear within a short distance. Falcon growled, signaling he had heard the message as well.
Aidan and his patrol partner flew until they were no more than a handful of wingspans from the border and stopped. They wouldn’t cross the invisible line, but they did make it clear to the two Bogaran males that they would get a fight if they came much closer. The green dragons hovered approximately fifty feet away, and despite their taunting, they knew the odds were not in their favor. Their bodies might be larger and stronger than the shifters, but they were also slower and less agile. Would they risk it anyway? Aidan and the beast inside hadn’t gotten a good battle for a while. He half-hoped the dragons would give him a reason to let off some steam.
Think we’ll get a fight? Aidan asked Falcon, using a private line of communication.
The other shifter, who was a few hundred years older and more experienced, glanced at him. It is difficult to say. We have already killed several members of their toriq who made that mistake.
That much was true, but the last deadly battle they’d faced against a Bogaran patrol was nearly four weeks ago. Aidan doubted the peace could hold much longer. These dragons were young adults, judging by their shiny, unmarred scales. They couldn’t have been more than fifty or sixty years old. This could very well have been their first important assignment since leaving their mothers’ nests, and they’d be looking to prove themselves. It was rather surprising they’d been entrusted with such a task.
I believe they might risk it, Aidan said.
The green dragons inched closer. Falcon let out a warning growl, one that should have struck fear in the youths’ hearts. The Bogaran paused for only a moment, however, before continuing forward. Like two children, they were edging closer to forbidden fruit.
Falcon shot a look over his shoulder at Aidan. I think you may be right.
Are you too scared to meet us? one of them taunted.
Stay on your side, Aidan warned. As much as he wouldn’t have minded a good fight, battling these young ones would be too easy. He would get no joy from hurting or killing them.
The green dragon on the left let out a snort. And if we don’t?
You will not live to regret the decision, Falcon replied.
The youths let out enraged growls and surged forward. Aidan and Falcon prepared themselves for the moment their opponents reached them, each taking a battle stance with their claws out. They adjusted their altitude to about five-hundred feet off the ground, forcing their attackers to come up to them. That left enough room for maneuvering, but it wasn’t so high they couldn’t survive a fall.
Just as the four of them were about to clash, a loud roar sounded from behind the Bogaran youths. They spread their wings wide and jerked to a halt right before crossing the border. A moment later, a large green beast came into sight. Its body was so massive that it had to be almost three times Aidan’s size. They only grew to that proportion if they primarily dined on human flesh and lived to become ancients—rare dragons who survived well beyond the normal life expectancy. Bailey’s first kill had been an ancient, and it was a miracle she’d survived that battle without Aidan’s assistance. The slayer’s advantage had been that her opponent underestimated her.
Shifitt, Aidan cursed. That one will not be easy to take down.
It was coming toward them fast, eying Aidan and Falcon like it wanted them for its next meal. And with a dragon such as that one, it was entirely possible
. Had this been a setup to bring them closer? The gleam in the younger Bogarans’ eyes made him suspect as much. No wonder they’d been brave, though they were quickly backing away now.
I can handle the big one, Falcon said, if you take care of the other two. I do not want them attacking us from behind if we only concentrate on the ancient. That is likely what they are planning.
Aidan eyed his patrol partner. He was the strongest warrior in their toriq, but would that be enough against this raging beast?
Are you certain? Aidan asked.
Falcon kept his gaze on the incoming dragon. Yes.
Left with no other choice if he didn’t want to insult the warrior, he went after the two younger Bogaran. They’d moved a short distance away, but not far, and they were already gazing at Aidan with the confidence of two fighters who thought they had the advantage. From behind Aidan, he heard Falcon clash with the older dragon. Their roars and growls filled the air, and it was all he could do not to turn around. Instead, he kept his focus on the younger ones.
Aidan stretched his arms out, using his greater reach to advantage, and slashed at the closest Bogaran’s eyes before it could touch him. The dragon yelped and wrenched away, swiping at his bloodied eyes. A talon cut through the edge of Aidan’s right wing. He jerked as pain rippled through him, but it would take a lot more damage than that to bring him down. He turned to face his attacker. Because of the pure dragon’s shorter forearms, he’d had to come very close to make that slice. Aidan reached out and grabbed the youth’s head. Using all his strength, he dragged the Bogaran through the air and rammed him into his friend. Their wings collided and crumpled into each other. The blinded one clawed at the air, unable to keep himself aloft. He fell, heading for the sea of trees below.
The other dragon regained control of his wings and went after Aidan again. His jaws opened wide, spewing a stream of fire. It blinded Aidan but didn’t stop him. He reached through the flames and grabbed the youth’s upper and lower jaw, knowing exactly where they’d be. With a wrench, he pulled them far apart until a crack broke the air. The dragon let out a strangled scream, his flames dying down. Aidan grabbed one of his wings and spun him toward the trees where his friend had disappeared. He could only hope this served as a lesson to all the Bogaran that the Taugud were not to be taken lightly.
With one last glance to be certain the youths would not be coming back for more, he flew toward Falcon. The warrior was still locked in a deadly battle with the larger dragon. Blood and wounds covered his body. He was holding his own so far, but the weak flapping of his wings and his slowing strikes said he didn’t have much left to give.
Aidan altered his flight path. He could not help his friend from the front without getting in the way, but he could attack the green dragon from behind. As the ancient bit into Falcon’s arm, Aidan flew straight into the large beast’s back. He wrapped his arms around the dragon’s neck and with all his strength, he squeezed. It was a lot like trying to break the trunk of an old tree with one’s bare hands. This ancient was built sturdy and strong. Aidan failed to even cut off his air supply, and the dragon continued to gnaw on Falcon’s arm. This was going to require far more drastic measures.
He hooked his feet into the dragon’s belly, while still holding the neck, and spoke telepathically to Falcon. Fold your wings and force the ancient to take your weight.
You can’t be serious, the warrior snarled.
Aidan could hardly blame him. I know it will hurt, but you are going to have to trust me.
After a slew of curses, Falcon complied and folded his wings. As soon as Aidan saw it, he did the same. The ancient had to flap twice as hard now that he held the weight of two shifters. Still, he did not let go of Falcon’s arm. Aidan caught the top of the green dragon’s right wing and pulled it downward at an awkward angle. They began to plummet. The ancient growled and let go of Falcon, who spread his wings to take flight again.
Move away. I will take it from here, Aidan said.
He couldn’t see if the warrior did as he instructed. The ancient was twisting its head around, attempting to snap at Aidan with razor-sharp incisors. Shifters might have the greater reach in their arms, but their necks were short. Not so with the pure dragons. They could turn their heads behind them, though Aidan had always gotten the sense it was awkward for them. His grip loosened when one of the ancient’s furious snaps grazed his snout. With his feet, he dug his talons into the dragon’s back and legs to rip through the scales and into the softer tissue underneath. The dragon twisted and jerked, causing Aidan to lose hold of the beast’s right wing where he’d still been clutching it. He could barely hold on with his remaining arm now. His opponent was stronger than anything he’d ever fought before. They spiraled through the air as the ancient did everything he could to knock Aidan off of him.
Then he felt a jerk, and they were both being pulled downward. The dragon let out an angry roar.
Let go! Donar screamed into his head.
Where had his cousin come from? He was supposed to be down in Texas helping the Faegud with their masonry work as part of the new treaty agreement. Aidan had been so busy fighting the ancient he hadn’t kept track of where they were going, but surely the battle hadn’t gone that far south. The toriq lived a couple of hundred miles away, by human measurement.
Trusting his cousin, Aidan let go and backed away. He looked down to discover Donar and another shifter tearing at the bottom of the ancient’s wings as he attempted to stay in the air. Falcon returned to the fight and bit into the green dragon’s neck, crunching it with his powerful jaws. The ancient’s struggles weakened, and within a few seconds his body went slack. Donar led a countdown, and they each let go of the dragon at the same time, allowing the body plummet to the earth in a crumpled heap. Aidan soared to the ground, landing next to the ancient to check its breath. The dragon showed no sign of life. With the gaping wound in its neck, exposing the insides of its throat, Aidan didn’t doubt it was dead.
Donar landed next to him, folding his red wings. Dear Zorya. That was a big beast. I don’t think I’ve ever seen one that large.
Neither have I, Aidan said. What are you doing here? I thought you would still be in Texas.
My time there ended yesterday, so I returned to the fortress. Donar paused to nod at Falcon and the other shifter who landed nearby. I thought I would be able to relax for a few days, but this evening the pendragon sent me to fetch you.
Why? Aidan asked.
The pendragon had made it very clear he wanted Aidan to stay far away from the fortress and the human town of Norman, which was why he’d been on border duty for the last two months. Nanoq didn’t want him anywhere near Bailey and didn’t trust that Aidan would stay away from the slayer on his own. It was ridiculous since he had no intention of breaking his promise, but the pendragon was still solidifying his place as the toriq’s new leader and would not take any chances. Nanoq was already uncomfortable with the idea of a slayer in his territory, and that Aidan had allied with her in secret. It would take time to earn his trust again.
Then a grim thought occurred to him. Does this have anything to do with the mating festival?
He did not say, Donar replied, shaking his head. Only that you must come at once, and I had to bring your replacement with me.
I assume that is him. Aidan glanced toward the shifter who had arrived with his cousin. He didn’t know him, other than he was one of the toriq’s stronger warriors. If Falcon must be left with someone else, especially now that he was wounded, that male would do.
Donar followed his gaze. It is.
Then let us go. I would like to be back in time for the midnight meal. Aidan didn’t want to think too hard yet on what could have caused the pendragon to call him back. Whatever it was, it had to be important, but he truly hoped it had nothing to do with the mating festival. Now that Aidan had been intimate with Bailey, he wanted no other female. She might be a slayer, but he’d decided once the time was right he would claim her as his own.
He was confident she would return his feelings and give their relationship a chance.
Chapter 3
Aidan
Aidan and Donar flew for several hours to reach the Taugud fortress. The sun set during their journey, but clear skies and a full moon made their travel easy enough. Occasionally, they caught the scent of wood burning. With the nights turning cooler, some humans were risking using their fireplaces. They had no idea dragons could scent the smoke from miles away—not that shifters would bother them over it.
The fortress came into view ahead. Moonlight reflected off the walls, rendering the dark gray stone almost luminescent. Shifters in human form paced the ramparts and stood in the guard towers rising from each corner. There hadn’t been any direct attacks on their home in a long time, but they remained vigilant. It was only a matter of time before the pure dragons tried again. Long ago, the fortress had been designed so that no one could enter in their beast form. Every rooftop and wall had sharp spikes protruding from them. There were also tall obelisks with pointed ends rising from the wider walkways to discourage landing in the open areas.
No dragon could fly into the keep without severely damaging its wings. Shifters had learned thousands of years ago that this was the safest way for them to live, but it didn’t mean they were completely safe in their homes. There had been attacks in the past. If enough of the pure dragons came, they could eventually break down the fire-proof walls with brute force. Aidan knew of this happening once after the fortress was built—long before he was born. His toriq suffered many losses in that battle, but they did manage to prevent the invaders from gaining entrance. The one damaged section was subsequently rebuilt and reinforced. The pure dragons had long since learned they would have to engage in a protracted battle and be prepared for many of their brethren to die if they wished to destroy the fortress and its inhabitants. They seemed to have given up on the idea for now, but shifters knew better than to take their safety for granted.