by ML Guida
He cleared his throat. “You might want to look at your breast?”
She cocked her eyebrow. “Why?”
He pulled out of her and moved to the side. She frowned, then looked down at her breast. Her eyes widened. A tattoo of blue dragon was on her breast.
She jerked her head up. “What is this?”
He cleared his throat. “It’s a mark. It means we’re mated.”
She put her hand on her beating heart. “So, you’re mine?”
“And you’re mine.”
She grinned. “I like the sound of that.”
Fergus smiled. “I do, too.” But his smile faded. He sniffed. Fierceness flashed in his eyes. “Someone’s coming.” He jumped to his feet. “Get behind me.”
She shook her head and stood next to him. Her thighs were sleek from their love making. “I wonna let them take ye.”
He glared. “Elspeth, now. I’m stronger. My powers have grown thanks to you.”
She wasn’t sure believed him. He’d say or do anything to protect her.
The sound of trashing outside drew her gaze toward the opening of the cave.
“They went this way,” Marduk growled. “Their tracks lead to that cave.”
Fear froze her.
“Do you actually think they would be dumb enough to hide in there?”
She looked down at their discarded clothes. She quickly dug a hole as fast as she could and buried their clothes in a pile of dirt.
“Turn invisible now,” Fergus growled. “Before it’s too late.”
She drew on her power. Tingles swept over her, but this time, they felt stronger. She clasped Fergus’s hand.
She bit back a cry of fear when Marduk entered the cave. He nearly blocked out the entrance of his cave. Her knees knocked together and she could feel the blood drain from her face.
“They’ve been here.”
She frowned. Fergus had disappeared as if by magic. She squeezed his hand and he rubbed his thumb over her hand.
OhmygodOhmygodOhmygod
Fergus was invisible! Had his powers changed?
Ian came alongside him. He was definitely shorter than the tall alien, but he wasn’t a slouch either. “Yes,” he drawled out. “Unfortunately, they’ve mated.”
They entered the cave slowly. Elspeth edged closer to Fergus who hadn’t moved an inch.
Ian sniffed again. “The mating scent is strong. They must have just mated. I suspect they’ve gone deeper into the cave.”
Fergus tugged on her hand, leading her against the wall. Elspeth pressed her back against the wall, sucking in her tummy.
Goawaygoawaygoaway
Marduk hurried toward the back of the cave. “We need to follow them.”
Ian put up his hand. “Wait.”
Marduk whirled around. “What?”
“We don’t know what powers they may have developed.”
“Are you afraid, Zalarian?”
Ian stood taller. “No.”
“Then I suggest you follow me, before those two find another way to outwit you.”
Elspeth’s eyes widened at the disgust in his voice.
Ian followed him. “They outwitted both of us.”
“So, you say.”
Fergus released her hand. He was immediately visible again. She hurried over and touched his arm. He vanished again. Her jaw dropped. Had she done that? Had her power become stronger?
Dirt moved by itself where she had buried the clothes.
“Get dressed,” Fergus whispered. “Before they return.”
She could barely pull on her jeans because her fingers were shaking so bad. Fergus quietly put on his clothes without a hitch. He helped her put on her shirt. He grabbed his shirt that had blood stains from her losing her virginity.
“Give me your hand,” he whispered.
She did as he ask, and once again, he turned invisible. They quietly crept out of the cave. No one was out there.
He released her hand, turning visible once again.
“Ian, Fergus is outside the cave.” Madame Mthunzi’s sharp excited voice made Elspeth wince.
Thundering footsteps pounded inside the cave. The outline of Marduk shot fear inside Elspeth’s heart.
Elspeth froze. “Fergus!”
Fergus stretched out his arms. The structure of his handsome face contorted, his nose lengthening and his eyes grew larger. Blue scales skimmed over his skin. His muscles and bones shifted and grew. Wings sprouted on his back. He shifted into a green dragon within seconds.
He tilted his head toward his back. She had no idea to ride a dragon and hesitated.
“Get him!” Marduk burst out of the cave. He shot a laser. A red beam tore through
Elspeth hopped onto Fergus. “Just donna drop me.”
Fergus lunged into the air and flapped his wings. Elspeth pressed her thighs against his ribs, praying he wouldn’t drop her. She wound her arms around his neck, hanging on for dear life. Wind rushed over her and her hair whipped her face.
Marduk rode a black dragon and trailed them and hissed fire, nearly missing them. Fergus flew higher, hiding in the clouds. Marduk and the black dragon whizzed past them.
She exhaled with relief. As long as she touched Fergus, he was invisible. For once, she was able to save him, but what if she wasn’t here? Was he strong enough to withstand Marduk and Ian?
Chapter 10
Fergus chased Ian and Marduk. He wanted to burn them alive, but Elspeth was on his back. If he made a false move, invisible or not, her life would be in danger. Something he wouldn’t risk. For now, he trailed them like a thief.
Mating had her invisibility powers stronger. She could make not only herself invisible, but himself. Had any of his powers changed? He didn’t feel any different except he didn’t feel weak.
Dread rolled down the back of his neck. Based on the mountains and greenery, he knew where they were going: Stormholme.
Damn, he had no way to contact them. He gnashed his teeth. Drawing on his inner power, he flapped his wings harder and harder and harder. He sped past Ian and Marduk. He had to get Stormholme first or all his family would be lost.
His only advantage was that Ian and Marduk couldn’t see him. He had to keep it that way.
Up ahead, the turrets of Stormholme welcomed him home. Hope and fear flared through him. The flags flapped in the wind. He had to get there and save his family.
He stretched out his talons and glided toward the courtyard with Elspeth clinging to his neck.
He landed and shifted into a man. Elspeth clung to his neck, nearly choking him.
“Elspeth, release me.” He grabbed her shaking arms.
She slid off him.
Chat-Choom
A laser blast into one of the turrets.
Chash chash
The turret exploded. Fire burst into the air. Black smoke rose into the sky.
Brick and mortar rained onto the courtyard. A huge stone whizzed toward Elspeth.
She screamed and covered her head.
“Elspeth, stay down!”
He stepped in front of her and put his hands up as if he could destroy the hurling stones. Tingles broke out on his arms than rushed to his fingers. His hands trembled. He never felt anything like it.
The rocks hurled toward them faster and faster. Fear rose up his throat. There was no time for him to get Elspeth out of here. He’d die protecting her.
Another turret ruptured. Stones zig zagged through the air.
He drew on his power.
Fazzzz Fazzzz Fazzzz
Suddenly, a white light burst from his trembling fingers and formed a half circle around the courtyard and practice field. It was like a giant moon beam.
Boom bam boom bam
Rocks, bricks, and stones slammed into it, but bounced off, flying into the air, landing outside the castle walls.
His brothers and Faye ran outside. They skidded to a stop, looking at him then up at the force field.
Ian flew toward the white moon
beam shield. He rebounded off it like a rubber band.
Fergus dropped his arms and fell on his knees.
Elspeth wrapped her arms around him and planted kisses all over his face. “Thank you. Thank you.”
Rory ran over to him. “How did you do that?”
Elspeth stopped kissing him and gripped his hand.
Fergus shook his head. “I don’t know.” He squeezed Elspeth’s hand. “I wanted to protect her. The rocks…they were falling. She would have been killed. I lifted my hands…and…”
Rory gripped Fergus’s shoulder. “Good job, little brother.”
Fergus’s mouth dropped open. He rarely got a compliment from Rory who has considered his powers and Lauchlan’s superior to Fergus.
He looked up at the two crumpled turrets. “Was anyone inside those?”
Rory released his shoulder. “No, thank the Fates.”
Faye walked over to them with a huge grin on her face. She pointed two fingers at them. “You mated, didna ye?”
Elspeth’s face turned beat red. “Faye.”
Fergus frowned. “Don’t embarrass her.” He didn’t care if she was Elspeth’s sister.
“I’m na,” Faye said. “I was praying you two would get together. Elspeth deserved some happiness.”
Lauchlan clasped Faye’s hand. “She wasn’t trying to embarrass Elspeth. You two were destined to be together, but I still don’t understand how you created that force beam.”
“That’s not all that happened,” Fergus said.
Lauchlan lifted an eyebrow. “You’ve got something else hiding up your sleeve?”
Fergus tilted his head. “No, Elspeth does. When she touched me, she can make me turn invisible.”
Faye’s eyes widened. “That’s impressive. Can ye only do that with Fergus or can ye do that with anyone?”
Elspeth shrugged. “I donna know.”
Faye released Lauchlan’s hand. “See if ye can make me turn invisible?”
Elspeth let go of Fergus. Fergus wasn’t sure this was a good idea. He didn’t have a good feeling on what Ian and Marduk were up to. They weren’t the put the tail in between their legs and run. He kept scanning the skies for another attack, but so far, he only so the clouds and no shadows.
Elspeth held out her hand. Her sister clasped it. Elspeth closed her eyes and both her and Faye disappeared.
Panic flared in Lauchlan’s eyes. He whirled around. “Faye! Where are you?”
She and Elspeth reappeared.
“I’m right here.” She smiled. “Worried, were ye?”
Rory rubbed his chin. “So, she can make others disappear if she touches them.”
“Yes,” Fergus said. “But if she’s not touching you––”
“Ye reappear,” Faye answered.
“Elspeth’s the reason why we escaped.” Fergus rubbed his forehead. “If it wasn’t for her, I’d be dead.”
Rory clasped Elspeth’s shoulder. “Thank you for saving my brother.”
She smiled. “Yer welcome.”
“But not everything is good news.” Fergus still scanned the skies. He couldn’t shake the dreaded feeling pooling inside him. “Ian and Marduk have recaptured Jon and Hunter.”
“That’s why we haven’t heard from them,” Lauchlan mumbled.
“We need to rescue them,” Rory said, as he looked between Elspeth and Fergus.
“Why?” Fergus met his determined gaze. “Because Elspeth can turn us invisible?”
Rory gritted his teeth. “Obviously.”
Elspeth rolled her eyes. “I canna touch all of them at the same time, Rory.”
The hair on the back of Fergus’s neck stood straight up. Something was coming. Something evil. He could feel it in his bones.
Fergus grabbed Elspeth’s hand. “We need to get inside.”
She frowned. “Why?”
A chilly wind blew the old oak tree, banging the branches together. White clouds churned into a spiraling cyclone. “Something’s coming.”
“But ye can use yer force field.”
He grabbed her shoulders. His heart raced around in his chest. “What if I can’t do it again? This could have been a fluke.”
She rested her hand on his chest. “Ye need to believe in yer abilities. I know I do.”
Her reassuring touch didn’t relieve the fear gnawing at his gut.
Three dragons burst out of the sky, exhaling fire. Marduk rode the black dragon again. He held his same terrible laser in one hand and a long silver stick in another.
Streams of fire lit up the sky and hit the large oak tree. Flames mushroomed on its branches. A line of fire sizzled on the grass. Heat swelled in the courtyard.
Fergus motioned with his arm. “Faye and Elspeth, get inside. Now.” Faye and Elspeth sprinted toward the castle.
Rory and Lauchlan shifted into dragons.
Fergus drew on his power. The same tingles erupted inside him, then the white light crackled out of his fingers. Another force field stretched over the castle, blocking the dragon’s flames. Heat rose inside the field like a sauna.
Rory and Lauchlan swatted the line of fire with their tails, smothering the fire. Smoke swirled inside the doom, making Fergus’s eyes water.
Faye and Elspeth coughed and shielded their eyes.
The shrieking dragons circled the castle, sending anger pumping through Fergus. Damn, them. They were even more determined to kill all of them. He wished his power was stronger. What if the force field wouldn’t hold?
The black dragon skimmed over the field and Marduk jumped. He landed on top of field and peered down at him.
Fergus’s gut tightened. Marduk jabbed the silver stick into the field, making it ripple.
Faye pointed. “He’s trying to break through.” She went into coughing fit.
Fear flickered in Elspeth’s eyes. “He canna get through, can he?”
Fergus’s arms shook uncontrollably. Weariness settled onto him again. What was it with his power? Why couldn’t he sustain it like his brothers? He wasn’t sure how much longer he could keep up the force field. His brothers were ready to launch into the air to do battle. wanted to lie, to reassure her, but she was his mate. He met her fearful gaze. “I don’t know.” He tilted his head. “Get to the castle.”
She studied him. “Yer weakening, arena ye?”
“Elspeth, you need to get inside before it’s too late. You’ve seen what Marduk can do with his weapons. Now go.” His voice was stronger than he felt.
She stepped toward him.
He glared. “Elspeth, there’s no time for anything. Get your sister and yourself in that castle before it’s too late.”
“I donna want to lose ye.” She clasped his arm.
A spark of strength went through him, but he knew it wasn’t enough.
Both his brothers hissed.
His eyes widened. The silver stick pierced the dome. Smoke leaked out of a crack. A tremor of fear ran down Fergus’s back. Sweat seeped into his eyes, blinding him. Shit, Marduk had found a way to break through the force field. The evil bastard was a genius when it came to technology.
Fa-Whump Fa-Whump Fa-whump
The dragons slammed into the dome, but it still held.
Fergus gritted his teeth. He refused to dropped his arms.
Don’t fail Don’t fail Don’t fail
The crack spread, big enough for Marduk to get his laser through it.
“No!!!!” Fergus screamed. “Elspeth, run!”
She grabbed her sister’s hand and they both ran to the castle, their arms and legs pumping.
Fzzzzz Fzzzz Fzzzz
A red beam hit them both in the back just as Elspeth grabbed the doorknob. They crumpled where they were still holding hands. Smoke slithered over their still bodies.
He screamed and arched his back. “Elspeth!”
But she didn’t answer.
Anger and hate surged through him. No matter what happened, he’d kill Marduk. Rip the bastard to pieces.
Blood r
oared between his ears, and his body shook with rage. Power rushed through him, strengthening his arms. He wanted to rush over to them, but if he did, the force field would disappear and all would be lost.
Rory’s eyes turned red, and he fired at Marduk. A red beam smashed where Marduk sat on the doom.
“Rory, no!”
The dome caved and Marduk crashed through, firing his laser and laughing like a lunatic. Triumphant rather than fear filled his single eye. Lauchlan leaped, exhaling fire, but the laser hit him square in the chest.
He shrieked and crashed onto the practice field with a heavy plop. Fergus held his breath. He wasn’t sure whether his brother was alive or dead.
Marduk landed flat on his back. If he’d been a human, he’d been dead. But Marduk wasn’t human. He was a Kamtrinian, made from calcite––a stone stronger than marble.
Rory rushed over toward him, snarling and exhaling fire. Marduk rolled to his side, then he aimed his damn laser and fired.
Rory flew into the air, the laser nearly missing him. He fired at Marduk who had jumped to his feet and zig zagged across the practice field.
Wamp Wamp Wamp
The dragons smashed into the dome, but it held. They were too big to get through the crack.
Marduk aimed his laser and this time, a blue ray hit Rory. Rory flew backward and smashed into the bailey wall. Brick and mortal burst into the air. He lay motionless. His wings were twisted and his head tilted back.
Marduk laughed. “You’re next healer.”
Something swelled in Fergus. He didn’t care about the dragons overhead. All he wanted was Marduk. He pointed at Marduk. The rays coming out of fingers smashed into Marduk, sending him flying across the field. His laser flew into the air, landing near Fergus.
The dome opened up. The three dragons immediately flew inside. Fergus rushed over to the laser and rolled onto his back. He fired, not caring who he hit. The dragons screeched, and retreated into the skies.
Marduk stirred. He got up and headed toward Fergus with a sinister smile on his ugly face. The sunlight beamed off his white porcelain skin. He looked like a statue, but he was more deadly than anything on Earth.
Fergus raced over to him. He didn’t care if Marduk killed him. He swiped up the silver stick Marduk had used to break through the dome. With all of his strength, he threw it. The silver stick whizzed through the air then slammed into Marduk’s chest. He flew off his feet and it pinned him into a wall.