Candescent (The Opalescent Collection Book 1)

by Isabelle Gallo

  He laid beside me and closed his eyes to rest. I moved the eggs from my lap, placing them beside the glowing embers, once our fire. Everything seemed well, so I pulled myself up and practiced walking. My leg was doing better though I couldn’t bare much weight on it. The scaly cast still protected it and kept it in place.

  As I walked with my hands against the cave wall for balance, I pondered my options for escape. Sebastian would have to be asleep since I didn’t have any plumeberry juice to daze him and I couldn’t escape if he was awake. Perhaps I could if he was weakened, which seemed like a stretch to hope for. I also had Marzipanne to worry about. She would have to be distracted so she couldn’t see me. The gargoyles would be no trouble to me since they were young. They appeared to be small, even vivacious, but that would not be a problem with the hard cast on my leg. It would be useful if I had to kick them aside.

  The army would only be after me if Sebastian told them. I would need my escape to be almost innocent in hopes for Sebastian to not call his army. There was, of course, that chance that Sebastian himself could catch me. That would put me in an even worse condition. All aspects of our trust would be broken and his eyes would be watching my every move. It would be extremely difficult for me to escape again.

  My plan of escape would have to rely on timing and chance. I knew even attempting to leave while they hunted would be risky and raise suspicion if I was caught. Sebastian didn’t take excuses very well and even good lies needed reinforcement to have him convinced. When I told him why I had come, he didn’t believe me at all and it was when he started to rationalize it in his own head, that I believe was when he started to trust me. I would need to mess with him for as long as I could manage. I needed to act as though I really trusted him and I could only hope he would comply.

  One way to go about it was to be all over him, as though I figured I would be stuck with him. I would press the thought as though I was convinced I was on an island with him and only him - the epiphany of no escape.

  I thought about this for hours, mapping out exactly what I would say to him, how I would act around him. If it worked, my escape would be easy. I thought I heard Minx getting up. It was already getting dark out. I turned around with help from balancing against the cave wall. Minx stretched and moved to the back of the cave where he ate some meat he had stored, leaving the rest for me. When he returned back to where I was, he blew fire on the pile of sticks Sebastian had placed over the dying fire in attempt to save it. The fire started to roar, waking and starling the young gargoyles that dashed behind Sebastian’s bag.

  Minx opened his mouth and carefully rolled the eggs into the pouch in his throat. He pulled the chains to loosen them and prepared himself for flight. I knew he longed to stretch his wings, but I reminded him that he could fly only when he had gone deep enough into the woods.

  “I know Mistress. I will fly when I am deep into the woods. I will be ready to fly.”

  He walked to the mouth of the cave where he paused to look over the dead bodies of which half were stripped of their own scales. Minx looked away and I used the cave wall as a guide to walk up to him. He gazed at me, reached his neck down and held me in his claw. He lifted me, pressed me to his body and rested his head against mine. He sighed his smoky breath over me and put me down. With one talon, he lifted my Dragon’s Soul up and held it along with the silver ring I had put beside it. When he let go, he stared out into the dark woods that depicted his journey.

  “Good luck Minx.”

  “And to you as well Mistress,” he replied.

  He nodded his head and went to the woods. I watched his shadowy figure until I couldn’t see it anymore and the rustling of brush couldn’t be detected. With Minx gone, I could now let my plan unfold.

  Chapter 16 - Stray

  When Sebastian came into the cave, my plan had already begun. I welcomed him and offered him a seat by the fire. I gave him some meat I’d cooked and he went to his bag where he discovered the gargoyles were hiding. He retrieved his water canteen and offered some water to me. When I refused, he took a seat beside me and started on his meat.

  “How was your hunt?”

  “It wasn’t good. We didn’t find a single dragon. It seems we’ll be traveling again soon.”

  “That’s too bad.”

  “Has your dragon gone off hunting?” He looked to the back of the cave for him and then back to me for an answer.

  “Yes, I sent him off a while ago.”

  He seemed pleased that my dragon was gone, which didn’t disturb me. He finished the rest of his meat and quietly looked out to see the snow that now covered the ground. The light flurry sent snow into the cave, forming a layer over the bodies. I watched until Sebastian moved closer to me. Though I was cautious to keep my distance, I allowed him to come closer. I could see the curiosity in his face as he tested me, seeing how close he could come before I flinched. When I didn’t move he turned his body to face me and stared at me.

  “Is your leg doing better?” he asked, eyeing the scaly cast.

  “Yes, it is healing. It’s hard to put weight on it though.”

  “Do you feel up to traveling? I was hoping we could leave tomorrow morning to search for another place to hunt.”

  “I don’t think I’m ready to travel. Besides, don’t you have a lot to do anyway?”

  “Like what?”

  “Like carving the rest of the scales off those bodies. Isn’t it a painstaking, tedious job to carve them off one dragon?”

  “I could get it all done tonight.”

  “What about the gargoyles? They are too weak to travel.”

  He shrugged. “I will keep them in my bag. They will be fine.”

  “Then I guess nothing is keeping you here. We might as well leave.”

  I held my tongue from saying any more. I couldn’t risk traveling another day to cover miles in the wrong direction of the hideout. It would take me days just to get back. Now I would have to put a rush on my plan and leave tonight.

  “Good. I will let the others know of our departure later.” He smiled, rubbed his hands together, casually moving closer.

  “When can we sleep on a real bed again? I’ve been sleeping on cave floors for days. I’m sure you’re sick of it too.”

  “Maybe we’ll make another visit to the City,” he offered. “We can make ourselves comfortable for a couple of days and then we’ll continue traveling.”

  “If you’re just traveling for the dragons why do you travel with your army? You could let them do all of the work and you would be safe at home.”

  “I like to see the action, though it’s not all about the dragons. If I cross Pete or any of his followers, I will take them down with the help of my army. I am here as a leader and my army will follow me at my desire. Why would I want to go home, only to hope they will obey what I tell them?”

  “They are your followers. Why wouldn’t they obey you? Unless…they really aren’t your followers.”

  “You’d be surprised. Just because someone follows you, it doesn’t mean they will support everything you do, or want them to do. Just take yourself as an example. You follow me, but you are not loyal to me and you don’t approve of everything I do.”

  “How would you know?”

  He laughed. “I don’t know, but I’m sure you’d be loyal to me if I asked…or rather, if I demanded.”

  I stared at him confused. I knew true loyalty was not asked, only expected. “I mean, there must have been something that drove you to come to me. I wouldn’t necessarily call it loyalty, desperation maybe. Maybe it was trust that drove you.” He looked away. “But maybe then I don’t even have the right to call you a follower. You really aren’t one. You are more of my captive, forced to literally follow me.”

  “No, I don’t follow you, but I did come to you. I ran away from those wolves and Pete and came to you. I could only turn to you. Even my friends betrayed me,” I lied.

  His face softened to show his understanding. “I just want acceptanc
e.”

  “I accept you,” I offered. I watched his expression change, as I knew I told him what he wanted to hear. His face filled with adoration and his hand moved to my shoulder. “I know people hate you. They hate you because of your past because you craved power. Now they will hate you because you are killing the dragons. If you continue this you will only create a war between those who hate you and those who follow you.” I shook my head. “Those who accept you may not be on either side.”

  He rubbed his face trying to understand. “I want acceptance and those who don’t accept me will be my enemy. Dragon fire is an enemy of mine and as long as I live, I shall have no enemies. I will kill the dragons and my army will fight those that rebel against me. I want a war.”

  There was a glint in his eyes as he said this. It was vengeance. He rubbed his head as if he wanted to rid his mind of his irritating thoughts. He sighed heavily and looked at me after the silence remained.

  “You claim to accept me,” he whispered, almost to himself. “And if you speak the truth I hope you wouldn’t deny leading this war with me. I know you have vengeance toward those who don’t accept you either.”

  I swallowed hard feeling his hand on my skin. This conversation was spiraling out of control. Even though I expected there to be some kind of war, I hadn’t once expected him to offer me a place as leader of it all. I thought of the chaos it would cause. What rage would he feel to see me at the other end of the battlefield, leading my own army, ready to fight him?

  “That is such an honor. Yes, I will lead with you.” I lied.

  Pleasure overwhelmed him as he held my shoulders tightly. “I knew you were something special. I knew you would say yes.”

  He hugged me tightly and I tried not to flinch away from him in disgust. Sebastian was still my enemy. He had become my enemy. And now he hugged me with affection. My fingers became tense, and I held myself back, trying my best not to spoil my whole plan by pushing him away. My hands only flew to his arms, not displeasing him at all. He looked at me with joy. I didn’t think I could last another minute seeing my enemy happy. I was surprised I hadn’t hit him with something so he would roll over in agony, as I wanted so badly.

  “Chenille,” he said, “I love you.”

  I threw up in my mouth a little. “No you don’t,” I rebutted harshly.

  “I can’t deny it. I remember how I felt at the ball. I know how you felt. You know I would have married you if I had the chance. I would have freed you from Pete’s rule so you wouldn’t have been faced with another Ceremony. I wouldn’t have cared about what my parents said.”

  He edged himself closer when I was sure there was no way and a scream rang out. I looked at Sebastian, hoping the shock in his face didn’t mean that I was the one that uttered the scream. He turned to look outside, jumping to his feet. I caught a glimpse of a wolf’s shadow emerging from the woods. And then came another and another. As they passed the campfires, I saw their vicious faces, their bloodthirsty fangs, stalking the innocent. I shot a nervous glance to Sebastian, only hoping that those wolves were not my family that had come to rescue me.

  There were only a few wolves, maybe six in total. I knew they had no chance against the hundreds of creatures outside. There were blood-curdling screams uttered from the ambushed, followed by snarling, growling, and shouting.

  And they call themselves an army? I thought.

  “Do something Sebastian.” I said aloud.

  I was convinced this was not my family. My family was smart enough to come in numbers, as my father had even told me. They knew how large Sebastian’s army was. Sebastian looked at me, remaining still and cautious. He only watched the wolves.

  “They are no threat to me. The others can protect themselves.”

  “Your arrogance will cost you. Don’t be stupid. Get out there and fight!”

  “I’d be stupid to expose myself. I’m staying here with you.”

  “Sebastian!” As he turned his attention back to me, I pushed him away.

  “Where were we?” He laughed, edging closer again.

  “Sebastian!” His hand hit the hot embers that were left from the dying fire and he retreated back, clutching his hand.

  “You could have said something.”

  “I tried to!” He shook off his hand once he casually looked it over. “I take that as some sort of sign. Go outside.”

  “No, I’m not going to fight. I have to keep my strength for the war. I have to be ready.”

  “How do you know this isn’t the war? How do you know that isn’t my family?”

  “This isn’t the start of the war,” he hissed. “If it was a war there would be a lot more wolves-,”

  “Sebastian look behind you!” I yelped, pointing back to what I saw.

  He looked quietly, his eyes rolling first to me and then to the mouth of the cave. At the opening a huge wolf stood, hairs raised, teeth bared. I couldn’t tell if he was rabid, though his mouth foamed, clinging to the fur on his vicious face. His nose flared, his lips rose to show his fangs. His silver-gray coat shimmered against the glimmer of moonlight outside as he stepped into the cave.

  Sebastian was on his feet, staring down the beast. I was sure if he had fangs he would have mimicked the wolf. Instead he crouched to the ground, digging his fingers into the dirt. The wolf was intimidated by his appearance and scratched at the cave floor, his claws raking the rock effortlessly. He pinned his ears back so they were flat against his head and let out a growl.

  Without a second thought, Sebastian launched at the beast. The wolf got up onto his hind legs, standing well over six feet, and braced himself for the impact. He grabbed Sebastian’s shoulders in his claws and sunk them without satisfaction until Sebastian screamed. The wolf had a glint in his eyes as he lifted his prey, his metallic claws ripping Sebastian’s shirt and everything else underneath, staining him red.

  I didn’t understand. I couldn’t tell if this wolf was looking for prey or just the gratification of a fight. Regardless, I could see he took enjoyment in causing Sebastian such distress. Another wolf came into the cave, not to seek shelter from the army outside. He was gravitated to the sound of the fight, but when he entered his eyes rested on me. I stumbled back, finding no escape. The wolf walked up to me and put a large, heavy paw on my head to keep me still. He studied me while I remained motionless and then he turned his attention back to his friend.

  The gray wolf advanced on Sebastian once he dropped to all fours. He was balanced, with impeccable agility to match his great skill.

  “You’ve got him Neil!” The wolf beside me urged.

  The positive reinforcement from his friend sent him a clear message - to finish off his prey. The wolf started to show off, becoming sure of himself, now almost being playful. The cocky wolf was oblivious to Sebastian’s nearly lifeless moves, even when he finally reached for the knife at his belt.

  The wolf laughed at him, even with the knife tightly gripped in his hands. “Your last resort immortal…a knife?” he mocked, laughing. “A knife is nothing to me, not when I have two of my own.” I knew he referred to his fangs.

  “I am an immortal,” Sebastian said, his voice hoarse and weak.

  The wolf laughed loud and long, his friend joining him. “So you are. That being said, I suppose you will just have to be eaten alive.”

  I felt dizzy just hearing his words, just wanting to faint. I hoped that if they wanted to eat me I would be unconscious. To me, Sebastian appeared weakened and the wolf’s words sickened him too.

  “What’s the matter immortal? You don’t look so good.”

  Sebastian looked unbalanced, still holding onto his knife, his head swelling as he swayed.

  “Fall! Fall!” The wolf beside me chanted.

  “He will fall!” Neil said, rearing up, and grabbing his shoulders again. His claws ran down Sebastian’s chest and he waited to hear something from his prey. Sebastian hung his head, suffocated by a sudden silence. Neil arched his body, holding Sebastian’s weight. I w
as sure he had fainted.

  Neil looked down at his friend. “Glen, come here. Help me carry him.” I watched the wolf beside me stand up and walk over to Neil. I would let them take my enemy away as long as they didn’t take me too. I would finally be able to escape.

  Neil lowered himself, baring Sebastian’s weight on his front paws. I then saw his mouth open, his jaw held agape, followed by loud gasping. He lifted his paw and smacked Sebastian to the ground. Blood poured from Neil’s chest, staining his thick coat, dripping onto the cave floor. Sebastian looked up at Neil, breathing heavy. The moment’s rest gave him only enough strength to use his knife, now leaving him exhausted. I was amazed by his stamina, though realizing that if I was told I was about to be eaten alive, I would have done the same.

  “Come on Glen, help me finish him!”

  The wolves piled on him, ripping and tearing at his very flesh. I saw him struggle, his arms flailing, his grip tight on the knife. I heard his shouts, desperately trying to utter a word.

  “M…M…Marzipanne!”

  In his desperate shout, his dragon heard him. She roared with talons extended to reach the wolves. She held them tight, watched them struggle and bite her. She looked down at her Master’s body, unable to help him, still occupied by the wolves. With one glance, she told me that she would take care of the wolves, and I was to care for her Master. She roared, looked at the wolves in her talons with savagery and disgust and then she flew away. I expected her to crush them before her Master’s face. Instead she only took them away.

  “Sebastian.” I crawled over to him.

  A part of me longed for my enemy to finally suffer, but no one, not even I could wish any more devastation on this man. I couldn’t help but be merciful to him, especially since he told me those regretful and possibly truthful thoughts. I pushed my escape plan aside foolishly, telling myself that I would have another chance.

  I grabbed him, brought him to the dying embers and created a fire. In the firelight I could see his scratches, gashes, and ripped, punctured flesh. I didn’t have the power to heal him. Slowly I pried the knife from his hand, using it to cut his shirt. It gave me a whole new view, now seeing his whole torso was covered in blood, masking the wounds it came from. With his shirt, I dabbed the blood away until it became soaked. He bit his lip, his eyes tightly shut in pain.