by J. S. Wilder
He quickened his pace to the wooden building standing out among the brick.
At the door, he knocked, his stomach twisting again.
A young man opened the door. His skin the same dark shade as Ash’s. Was he related to her? Or was this her mate and love? Jealousy burned hot in his gut. His firebreath scorching the back of his throat.
“Whatever you're selling, we don't want none.”
“Ash... Ashley,” Xilon's throat tightened trying not to burn the place down. “She lives here with you?”
“Fuck! Are you a detective? Sorry man, I was expecting someone in a suit.” He opened the door wide. “Ash has been missing for almost two days and that ain't like her. She tells us when she's gonna be late. Grams isn’t well.” He shook his head. “She took it hard, thinking Ash was kidnapped or something.”
Xilon smiled. He'd found Ash's Grams. “Taken by whom?”
The man rubbed the back of his neck. “Well, demons, but Grams had always been eccentric.”
“So do you think she left of her own accord?” Xilon followed the man into a room with two couches covered with colorful shawls.
“I don't know. Grams said the front door was wide open and a rainstorm swept through. Oh, and the fridge was opened too and Ash's purse was laying on the table.”
“Is Grams awake?” Xilon asked. “I'd like to speak with her.”
“Sure, follow me.” Down a small hallway, they stopped in front of a painted red door. The man knocked. “Grams? A detective is here to speak with you.”
A muffled reply answered.
“Go on inside.” He pushed open the door.
Xilon entered the dark room. A woman with a rattling breath laid on the bed. Her eyes closed and he feared her asleep.
“Come in, dragon. I’ve been waiting for you.”
He froze. How did she know?
“From the moment you crossed my threshold, you set off my wards.” She opened her eyes and moved to sit.
Xilon rushed forward and tucked her pillows under her to help her.
“Don’t think helping me is going to save you.” She waggled a finger at him. “My great-granddaughter is missing and my instincts tell me she’s in danger.”
He cringed. “Sorry, but—”
“Call me, Grams.” She coughed. “Are you the match for my Ash? The one Taurian promised me?”
Xilon stiffened. “What do you mean?” Was the man not Ash’s lover? Had Taurian promised this woman that Ash would be bonded with someone else? Another Renjerian?
“I made him promise me a dragon prince for her and if he did not deliver, she would be sent to Renjer.” Grams shifted. “Is that where she is now? Are you her suitor come to ask my permission to marry her?”
“No. I’m sorry.” He swallowed the boulder pressing into this throat. “She-she died in a forest fire, one that my brothers caused to kill the Tryns.” His heart clenched. “I-I tried to stop them, to warn them that she was there, but I’d been injured and they didn’t listen to me. Whatever I can do to make it up to you, I will. I’d planned to bring her body back to you to say goodbye and you could mourn. I never wanted this to happen. I failed her…and you.”
The old woman closed her eyes, mumbling under her breath, rocking back and forth on the bed.
Xilon stood, his insides twisted into hardened knots. “I’ll return with her remains for you to bury.”
“Wait, dragon!” the old woman called out after him. “Go and find my Ashley. The spirits say she is not dead yet, but she will be once night falls in your world.”
Was the old woman right? Was Ash alive, but in trouble? The idea of Tryns hurting her made his heart freeze in his chest. He had to get to her. Had to help her and make her safe. He had a chance and he wasn’t going to below it.
Hope and unease fought inside him. He raced to the door and outside. The hint of a storm tasting like static on his tongue. Please don’t let me be too late a second time.
Chapter 14
Ash's ankle gave way, and she collapsed next to a cluster of what looked like Alice in Wonderland mushrooms. The caps were as big as her couch. Her stomach rumbled. Can't eat the food here. Can't.
Hunger clawed at her insides along with fatigue.
Water, she still needed to find water first. And shelter and a weapon to battle a huge demon. The blade had helped her for a moment, but now it was melted and useless. What could she use for demon-slashing?
Normally, she didn't run from a fight, but she wanted to live if she could. Besides, she still owed her Grams an apology and she needed to speak with her brother about losing his football scholarship and brainstorm some ideas on helping him stay in college. She blinked away tears thinking of how much she missed her family. How worried they had to be. Especially after her stay in the hospital so soon.
Cancer. Her Grams was getting chemo treatments and hadn’t told her or anyone. Why?
Ash had to get off this planet. Whatever she had to do, she would. First though, she needed water. Glancing around, she knew that the mountains would have a river or lake or at least the snow she might could make into water. But she’d never be able to hike them all in search of that with her ankle strained. Next best bet would be the edge of the forest. As much as she didn’t like the idea of going into another cluster of tree since that’s where the demons seemed to hang out and where she nearly got fried. But it was her best bet for finding water.
If she had her camping gear with her…even a plastic bag, she could use it to collect condensation by tying it onto the end of a bush or tree branch loaded with leaves and let the sunlight do its trick. She rose with a grunt and leaned heavier than she’d wanted onto her makeshift cane.
Slowly, she made her way to the edge of the forest on the other side of where the dragonfire had melted everything. She checked the trees for any signs of water. A blackened trunk, moisture on the leaves. Nothing.
The planet had to have water. Somewhere.
Her stomach hurt so bad and her vision was going dizzy. A shimmer of water deeper in the forest! She hobbled ahead, but each time she drew closer, the lake disappeared.
Terror sunk into her. A mirage. There was no water around and she was going to die of dehydration. She let out a cross between a chuckle and a sob. Well, at least she wouldn’t have to worry about the demon killing her tonight.
If she had another day and a damn plastic bag, she could tack it down with rocks and let it collect dew from the morning.
Wait. The high grass near the edge of the forest might still have moisture. Shaded by the trees the sun wouldn’t have burned it off so quickly. Except this planet had two suns. She shielded her eyes and noticed the edge of the clouds in the horizon colored in orange and purple. Fuck! The second sun rise.
She pushed her legs forward back to the forest edge. Had to make it before two suns singed any chance she had for finding water. Her heart hammered in her chest and her throat dried.
Reaching the edge of the woods, she collapsed onto her knees, her breaths panting. Please work, please.
Running her hand across the tall grass, she brought her palm to her mouth. Salty. But was there a trace of water too? She had to hurry. Get as much as she could before two suns evaporated it all.
She tore off her jacket, then her T-shirt. Quickly, she ran her clothing over the grass, hoping the cotton would absorb more than anything else she wore. After several minutes of rubbing the material back and forth across the grass, it felt damp. She squeezed the cloth out over her mouth. A few trickles of water hit her tongue and felt like the sweetest honey she’d ever tasted. She repeated the trick five more times before the extra sun bore down on her.
It wasn’t enough water, but it was enough to keep her sane until she could get more. Now was the hottest part of the day with two suns directly overhead. She coughed, choking as she forced herself to head deeper into the woods to shade. Couldn’t afford to let the sun bake her after she’d just gotten a few drops of water. This evening, she’d try again. For now, she had to rest
before she passed out. Later, she’d figure out what to do.
Against a bright yellow tree with a crooked trunk, Ash laid down. The forest floor was cool beneath her and she couldn’t keep her eyes open. Worry and fear pressed in on her, but she couldn’t move. Her limbs were heavy and she needed to rest. Just a few hours, then she’d figure out how to kill the demon after her and how to get back home off this planet.
Ash woke with a start from a dream that she’d eaten one of the giant mushrooms and turned into a dragon. Then the poison turned her into a demon and it was her hands that killed her parents.
The forest was dark and quiet. Shit! She’d slept too long. Overhead, trees hid the fading sun. Soon the giant demon would come after her and she’d done nothing to stop it.
Terror swelled in her chest, and she put on her jacket over her bra. Her T-shirt in a ball that she’d used as a pillow. She grasped her cane, maybe the blessing would work on the wood?
“I ask my ances—”
A clap of thunder sounded nearby. What was that? Her heart hammered in her chest. Adrenaline coursing through her to run. But where to? There was nowhere to hide on this planet. Nowhere to go and get home. She had to stay and fight or die.
She took a shaky breath. “I ask my ancestors of dragon and voodoo and—”
Behind her, a twig snapped.
Fuck! Was the monster sneaking up on her? She stood, clutching her wooden cane in a shaky hand. Carefully, she crept around the tree toward the sound. Nothing. Had it been just an animal?
She backed up a step, listening. Nothing. She shook her head, calming her nerves raging out of control. There was still time to figure out a way to kill the demon. She needed to keep her wits and work out something.
A trap.
She could use the thick vines on the trees to rig something that would slow down the enemy. Yes. At least it was better than doing nothing but jumping at every sound.
Thunder boomed closer and she jumped. God, she’d never look at another storm again. Pretty sure her luck wouldn’t hold out if she raced toward the storm that it would send her back home.
As the suns slowly dipped into the horizon, she wound the vines tightly against the trees, testing the spring-action. Sweat dripped down her face and she scrubbed it away with the back of her hand. She was out of time.
“Come and try to get me,” she whispered.
In order for the demon to come the way she wanted, she planted her feet in the middle of the forest, surrounded by traps. Lightning flashed with thunder booming in echo. Fat rain drops fell and she lifted her chin, sticking out her tongue to catch some of the drops. Damn, she was thirsty.
The ground beneath her quickly turned to mud. Would the traps work or would the sludge weigh them down? She needed to check them.
Carefully, she eased forward, brushing her hand across one of the vines. It didn’t budge. Son of a bitch! She tugged harder, the plant snapping in her hand. No, no, no! Gotta fix this now!
Her hands shook as she dashed to another tree nearby to get a fresh vine. This had to work, she had nothing else. Darkness pressed in on her and wiped her wet hair out of her eyes. Her body shaking from cold and fear. Hurry up!
The vine caught on something and she shuffled past the tree to untangle it.
When arms reached around and grabbed her from behind, she screamed. Instinct took over. She smashed her opponent’s chin with her elbow. He let out a howl, releasing her. She bolted as fast as her injured ankle would allow. Her breaths freezing in her lungs as the footsteps of her pursuer gained on her.
Chapter 15
With a stich piercing his side, Xilon chased after Ash. She was alive! But he’d flown overhead in his dragon form and spotted a cluster of Tryns nearby including one of the huge bastards that were harder to kill than a wart-mong. His feet slipped in the mud but he grabbed onto a tree branch to keep his footing.
“Ash! Wait!” he yelled after her. She was headed straight toward the demons. If he didn’t stop her soon, she’d crash right into them. Using all his strength and will, he burst forward. It was too soon to change back into his dragon form. His muscles already screaming from the recent change after he spotted her. None of the Tryns looked his way when he had flew over. And he hoped resting once Ash was safe would buy him some time to recoup before he faced the horde coming for them.
A few feet from her, Xilon launched himself into the air at her. He knocked her down. Both of them sliding into the mud.
She swung hard with her elbows, catching him in the throat. When she scrambled to get away, he held on tighter.
“Ash, stop, it’s me.”
Instantly, her struggles stopped. “Me who?”
Right, his voice must sound different as a human rather than the Renjerian mind-speak he’d used before. “Xilon.”
She turned, then clobbered him in the face. Her punch stung his cheekbone.
“Ow! What the hell was that for?”
“One,” she wiggled out of his grasp and stood, “how do I know this isn’t some demon trick. And two, why the fuck did you leave me in a forest fire?”
“Sorry.” He cringed, climbing to his feet. “I tried to get the others to stop, to look for you, but they didn’t believe me that a human was here.” With a grunt he rose, then pulled her into a hug, but she pushed her hands against his chest.
“How are you human? And I think you need some clothes on before you go around hugging people.”
Joy filled him and he smiled. She was alive. Just like her Grams had said. He’d never been happier for a human to be right and him wrong.
“Listen, Tryns aren’t that far from here. Come, I will lead you to safety.” He held out his hand to her, but she merely stared at it. “Hurry. We need to leave now before they pick up our scent.”
“Why not fly us out of here? Or better yet, use your dragon-fire-breath trick.”
He ran his hand through his hair. Thunder boomed in the distance, the storm was subsiding. “I can’t. Not yet, it’s too soon to switch back.”
“Fine.” She limped closer, pain marring her brow. “Let’s go then.”
Carefully, he helped her walk by placing a hand around her waist and taking some of the weight off her injured leg. He’d breathe a little easier once they were away from danger.
“Let me carry you.” He could run with her in his arms.
She bit her lip, her gaze weary.
What was she worried about? “Tryns are going to catch up to us at this pace and I’d rather we be somewhere safe at least for the night. Okay?”
“It’s not that. I just… I’ve never had to depend on anyone else since my parents died.” She shrugged. “Guess I’m used to being the one rescuing someone not the other way around.”
Her honesty struck a chord in his heart. He wasn’t used to depending on anyone either. Yet, he couldn’t get her out of his mind, even when he thought she was dead. In the short time since he met her, he wanted to know more about her. Who had trained her to fight? Why had she turned to the life of a warrior rather than a wife and mother? Did she have any regrets?
“I won’t tell anyone if you won’t.” He winked.
In answer, she leaped into his arms. “You breathe a word of this and I’ll have your dragon head mounted on my trophy wall.”
“I don’t doubt it.” Clutching her to him, he raced into the darkness. Thankfully his human form retained some of his dragon strength and speed. But he’d have felt a whole lot better if he could’ve swept them both into the air and to the mountain’s cave labyrinth.
But he had a few sanctuaries sprinkled around the land. One nearby would help hide their scents from the Tryns because of the year-long blooming Yurtra bushes blocking the hidden entrance. They’d be safe there until morning. By then, his dragon form should be accessible and they could leave.
Against his flesh, her body was cold. And he detected her slight tremors even though he was pretty sure she tried to hide them from him. What had she gone through while he was awa
y from her? His blood boiled. Had one of the Tryns touched her? The desire to hoist her into his sanctuary and race back to the demons pressed on his soul. He wanted her safe. And Renjer was the worst place she could be right now. It was too soon for him to travel the lightning back to Earth though. Already, he felt achy all over and his skin hot and clammy.
He slushed forward in the mud, Ash in his arms and relief that he’d found her untouched and alive radiated though his soul. Never again would he allow anything to come between them. Having her with him fed his core, like a piece of him he hadn’t realized was missing now fit perfectly into place. Like it wasn’t him against everything anymore, but the two of them together against all odds.
Once he reached the Yurtra bushes, his body relaxed. The blooming buds crowding the area would help hide their scent from the Tryns. He pushed them past the white flowers into the cave behind.
“We’ll be safe and dry here for the night.” He set Ash down on a flat rock inside the cave. “I keep wood in the back of the cave, give me a second to stack it up for you.”
“T-Than-k-s-s.” Her teeth chatted.
Loading up his arms with logs and sticks, he dashed back to her shaking form. He piled the wood in the small fire pit and forced a sliver of fire-breath out onto the wood. Fire popped to life and she sighed, scooting closer.
“Don’t suppose you’ve got a water bottle and a cheeseburger on you, do you?” she asked, her body still trembling.
“Wait here.” He dashed out into the rain. The droplets shifted to sprinkles now, but most of the leaves on the Hazer tree here would hold water for days. He tugged off a mass of Whinster berries, then tugged down two Hazer leaves the size of his arm, keeping their funnel shape intact.
The rain had stopped when he returned to the cave. Ash’s face was pale, but at least she wasn’t shaking as much anymore.
“I’ll bring more water and food once I know the Tryns have moved far enough away.”
“Thanks.” She clasped one of the leaves and their hands brushed.