“Nice one,” Sadie smirks. “Thought we’d really lost you there.”
“Then you are not as loyal as I need you to be,” Ray snaps in return.
Before Sadie can reply, Galaxy bursts through the door, covered in blood. One of her legs is raised to her chest, bleeding profusely with a bone sticking out. Her deep blue eyes lock on her companion, making her whimper.
“Take care of it,” Ray commands his cronies.
At the sound of Ray’s voice, Galaxy snarls and charges towards him. She collides with him, sending him sprawling. The blond boy staggers to his feet, one leg bent at an awkward angle. A horrible clicking noise comes from his injured leg as he begins to scream, the black veins spreading down to his leg. Slowly, the leg rotates and clicks itself back into position.
“Did he just heal himself?” Rocky mutters.
Galaxy, dazed at what she is seeing, is not prepared when a blast of light burns the side of her face. Sadie inches closer to the black and orange dragon, eyes glowing fiercely.
“No more standing around,” Mason says, charging a fireball in his hand and firing it above Sadie’s head.
Shocked, his ex-girlfriend glares at him and points her palms, ready for another attack. A strong wind picks up around the group as Wes moves next to her, gritting his teeth in anticipation. Not wanting to leave Mason to fight solo, Rocky flicks his wrist and electricity creeps into the wind, trapping everyone in the little lightning arena they have created.
Ray raises his hands as rocks shoot out from the floor. Rocky manages to dodge and shoots a lightning bolt at him, satisfied to see it hit Ray square in the chest. The electricity burns through Ray’s shirt and leaves a horrible red burn in his skin, but as before, the black veins creep up and heal the skin. A shadowy ball misses Rocky’s head by an inch as he watches Ray heal.
“Eryk, watch it!” he shouts.
“Sorry, dude!”
Rocky is surprised to see Violet create a powerful water wall and push it towards Sadie and Wes, who become trapped as it turns into a sphere. The two try to swim to the outside, but Violet shifts the shape of it so they can’t find an exit. The ginger girl screeches as the markings on her hands glow a dazzling white. Mason places a hand on her shoulder and she collapses into his arms, also dropping the bubble that Sadie and Wes were trapped in. The two of them gasp and heave water as they finally taste the air again.
“How pathetic.”
The new voice makes Rocky shiver and he gets into an attack stance as Wyrms slither through the door. Instantly the electric wind of the arena disappears; no one can conjure up any more elemental attacks.
Three Wyrms slither in between the warring parties, their beady eyes burning through them.
“Why doesn’t everyone just stop what they’re doing and stay still?”
Rocky feels his body tense up. With a grunt he knows that he’s now immobile. The Wyrms turn towards Galaxy as she lets out a mighty roar and leaps towards a Wyrm. The three Wyrms descend on her as she lands, coiling their scaly bodies around her as she screams. They bite into her neck and stomach, crunching through scales to soft skin. Each bite sends Galaxy into a frenzy as she unsuccessfully tries to throw them off. Chunks of her body are thrown onto the floor with each attack and blood seeps into a dark puddle. Galaxy struggles for a few more seconds before she sags to the floor, her mouth open in one last silent scream as she dies.
Rocky’s breath catches in his throat as the light fades from Galaxy’s eyes. These creatures are relentless. The Wyrms rise from her body, their jaws stained red. They look around the room greedily, as if inviting someone else to challenge them.
“Thank you.” Ray brushes dust off his shirt and cracks his knuckles.
The Wyrms look at him in confusion, before turning their attention back to Rocky and his group.
“Tell us where the others are,” one Wyrm hisses.
Another slinks towards Violet and leers over her unconscious body. “Or Stellar gets it.”
Rocky decides to call their bluff, knowing that they need Stellar, and the rest of the group, for something. “You can’t hurt Violet; you need her as part of your master plan.”
“Rocky! Don’t argue with them!” Eryk hisses behind him.
The Wyrms look between each other and chuckle. “Clever boy. Where are the others?”
“They say they are gone,” Ray says, looking unafraid as a Wyrm approaches him and sizes him up.
“Gone where?” the Wyrms asks.
“They say they left, and they have no idea where they have gone.”
Although Rocky hates Ray, he can’t help but admire the way that he stands unafraid of the Wyrms, though they probably have something to do with his new healing ability.
“Take them with us. We’ll send out a search party for the runaways.”
“Where are you taking us?” Mason demands as the Wyrms direct their attention back towards Rocky and the others.
“Why, your new home, of course. We need the Modern Elementals to perfect our final generation.”
Rocky is the first to speak as this revelation makes Mason go quiet. “What do you mean?”
“We need the Modern Elementals to improve our elemental ability. How else do you think we’re able to repel elemental powers?”
“But that makes no sense. Draca picked us.”
“Draca picked the first batch too. And the second, and the third, and so on. Until we came to you. This whole world that has been created around you? It’s a lie.”
21
Chapter Twenty-One
Night falls on us quickly as we’re travelling. Although Marco has a rough idea of where we’re going, it will take a while to get there. Our newest member, who Braith has nicknamed Bluey, is the only one that seems happy to be walking for hours on end. His tongue hasn’t gone back inside his mouth since we left the city and its inhabitants behind. I’m sad we’ll never know what Bluey’s real name is, or how his companion died.
“I’m hoping that we aren’t that far,” Marco explains, though he doesn’t sound sure.
“If only we had a map,” Braith says, staring at the dark horizon around us.
I think we must be close, because the air has become crisper since we travelled in this direction, and I’ve heard seagulls crying every once in a while.
I’m glad to be out of the city, but I feel bad for the Aislados. Most of them didn’t know what was going on, and now their home is in turmoil. I hope Isaac can fix it; he seemed nice enough when he saved me from Javier.
Even the thought of Javier makes me squirm uncomfortably on Aqueous’ back. If Isaac hadn’t been there, would anyone have stopped him? Or would he…
“Stop it,” I sigh to myself.
Aqueous glances up at me worriedly and starts to limp.
“Haze, I think Aqueous has a thorn in his foot,” Marco comments, watching my companion hop on three legs.
“I’ve got it. You two go ahead,” I call back, sliding off my companion’s back and taking his raised paw to inspect it.
As the others shrug and pull ahead, Aqueous takes his paw out of my grip and puts it in on the ground, pressing his forehead against mine.
“Faking, huh?” I sigh.
My companion grunts in agreement and nudges my shoulder, trying his best to make me talk.
“It doesn’t matter, I’m fine now,” I protest, standing up straight and pretending to brush dirt off my jeans.
The black dragon stomps his foot stubbornly. He knows something is off with me.
“There was a guy there, and he attacked me, okay? I need to get over it a bit.”
Aqueous presses his forehead against mine and coos softly. My skin brushes his exposed wounds, making another wave of anger ripple through me. Javier is a complete asshole.
“Hazel, you okay?”
Marco’s voice breaks me out of my thoughts, but I don’t pull away from my companion. “I’m fine.”
“You don’t look fine. You’ve been acting weird since we
left the Aislados.”
Finally pushing my head away from Aqueous, I attempt to clamber on his back before I’m pulled back down again. Drea’s claw catches my shirt and lifts me off the ground slightly. The white dragon gives me a quick sniff before dropping me ungracefully onto the muddy ground.
“I’m fine.” I curse myself as my voice breaks and my eyes sting.
“Haze-” Without turning around, I know it’s Marco’s arm that wraps around my waist. Almost immediately the scene shifts to Javier in Building A.
“Don’t!”
Everyone is surprised by my outburst. Even I am when I look down at my hands to see a small, clear stream flowing from them. Marco looks hurt and shuffles towards me slightly, but Aqueous steps in his way, shielding me.
“Haze, I’m sorry, what’s-”
“I just want to go,” I answer, unable to stop my tears and my hands from shaking.
“Marco, leave her,” Braith says. “You go on ahead.”
“But-”
“Don’t argue, dude. Just go. We’re gonna have a girl talk.”
Without having to look up, I know that Marco is hesitating. I can’t blame him; if the situation was the other way round I’d do the same thing. After a few seconds I hear Drea’s footsteps slowly moving further up the hill, but without getting up I know Marco is watching. Braith jogs around Aqueous and sinks down next to me, a warm smile on her face.
“Come on, Hazy. Tell me what happened.”
After a second’s hesitation, I meet her gaze through my teary eyes. “I found out that Javier was using dragon scales to make jewellery. I told the elites and they went crazy over it. Javier wasn’t happy and tried to…” I’m unable to finish my sentence without crying more, and Braith wraps her arm around my shoulders.
“Come on, you know Marco will understand,” she coos.
“I know that. I think I’m still in shock or something.”
“I think you need some rest and some food, Haze. We all do. I know it’s hard, but Javier didn’t do it. Marco wouldn’t do that to you, you know that.”
“I know. I need some time alone.”
“Then go to sleep; Aqueous won’t mind.”
On cue, my companion nuzzles my ear. His presence gives me comfort. I really had missed him.
“Come on, let’s go. Marco’s getting impatient.” Braith drags me to my feet and wipes mud off my legs.
“Hey, no higher.”
“Aww, come on…”
* * *
Braith was right about getting some rest. Soon after speaking to her I fell asleep on Aqueous, and when I woke up the sun was starting to set. The landscape is still just grass, trees and mud, but at least we’ve travelled far away from the city.
As I yawn and stretch, Drea barks at Aqueous, making me jump.
“You’re up, sleeping beauty,” Braith remarks.
“How long have I been asleep?”
“A few hours. Marky has been watching you like a hawk.”
I turn to look at my boyfriend, but he doesn’t meet my gaze. Drea, however, has been turning around every so often to give me a stern glance which makes her look even more intimidating than usual, seeing her hatred for me in her pink eyes. Aqueous snorts and trots side by side with the white dragon, to which she tries to nip his neck.
“Marco?” I murmur.
At the sound of my voice, he picks up. “Are you okay?”
“Yeah, I feel better. Not one hundred per cent, but better,” I answer truthfully.
He studies my face for a few seconds before asking: “Are you sure?”
“Yeah, I’m sure. I’m sorry for what happened earlier.”
“Don’t worry about it.”
“That won’t make me stop worrying.”
“I know it won’t.” He’s silent for a few seconds before looking me in the eyes. “What happened?”
With a sigh, I reply: “Javier.”
Marco stiffens and his eyes glaze over slightly. “Did he…?”
“He tried to.”
“Are you okay?”
“Yeah. I’m sorry.”
“Sorry for what?”
“For acting the way I did earlier.”
My boyfriend softens slightly. “It’s fine. I understand.”
Drea glances up at her partner in disbelief, but he pats her on the head like a dog. She huffs and speeds up into a gallop, leaving me with Braith, Damayanti and Bluey.
“I don’t think you’re in her good books right now,” Braith chuckles.
Before I can reply, the three dragons swing their heads around, their mouths opening and closing threateningly. Confused, I glance over my shoulder and see two unmistakable grey bodies shoot out of the trees.
“Wyrms!” I scream.
Aqueous immediately breaks into a run, catching up to Drea in seconds. My companion glances over his shoulder as the Wyrms slither faster. I can just about see their red eyes glowing between the green grass stems. Although Bluey looks confused he keeps up with Braith, Marco and me, easily overtaking to take the lead. Each dragon rushes over the hill in front of us, effortlessly spreading their wings and gliding to the soft grass below. A loud hiss makes me whirl around, in time to see the two Wyrms reach the top of the hill, their mouths wide in a constant angry scream.
“Look, I can see the coast!” Marco shouts, pointing to a thin line of houses next to a large patchy cream beach.
“Even if we get there, they’ll still be chasing us!” Braith shouts, clinging to Damayanti’s neck.
Are we out of range for the Wyrms to repel our elements?
Hoping that my theory is true, I whirl around on Aqueous’ back so I’m facing his tail. My companion huffs his disagreement and raises his tail over his back so I’ll have something to hold onto. I grasp it and get scratched by his long spikes, but I don’t have time to dwell on the pain. The Wyrms are closing in – I can see their mouths opening and closing in anticipation. I raise one hand and shoot a ball of water at one Wyrm. It dodges easily, but it slows down slightly. If we can just slow them down, we might be able to lose them.
Cool water seeps down my arms from my shoulders as I charge another attack. My back starts to burn, and I know that my markings must be glowing through my clothes right now. The water stretches from my hands to the ground, slowly taking the shape of a shark fin. I had never realised that I could make creatures out of water – most adults struggle to do it even after finishing training. The watery shark leaps from the ground and barrels into one of the Wyrms, exploding on impact but sending the Wyrm hurtling backwards.
“Holy shit!”
The other Wyrm hisses and goes for Damayanti, but the black and white dragon looks unfazed. Stretching out her wings, she leaps into the air, her toes just missing the snapping jaws of the Wyrm. Braith cheers and waves her middle finger in victory as she soars higher in the air.
Drea and Bluey circle her in the air, watching the Wyrms from the grey sky. Looking over my shoulder, I see that both Wyrms are catching up to Aqueous and me, the only ones left on the ground. Sensing my fear, my companion speeds up slightly, but I can already feel him slowing down as he gets tired. Staying with the Aislados has drained all of us.
“Aqueous, you need to fly!” Marco shouts above us.
My companion looks up helplessly. He isn’t strong enough to fly with me yet; his wings aren’t fully developed.
The Wyrms inch closer and closer, snapping at my companion’s heels. Any closer and they’ll have us. We have no choice but to fight.
“Aqueous, fly without me,” I say through gritted teeth, moving closer to his rump.
My companion barks in disagreement, and tries to push me back with his tail, but to no avail. Before he can stop me, I fling myself from his back and hurtle over the Wyrms. The ground is sloshy, but it still hurts when I roll across the grass, catching my clothes on hidden jagged rocks. Once I’ve stopped skidding, the Wyrms are on top of me, their hot, rotten breath filling my nostrils.
“Goo
d girl,” one hisses, flicking its long pink tongue over its lips. “You will make an excellent meal.”
“Meal?”
“We want your power,” the other hisses. “You stole it from us.”
“I stole nothing!”
The Wyrms laugh sinisterly, their eyes shining with hunger. A black body suddenly barrels into one of them from the side, sending it skidding into a muddy puddle. My companion roars menacingly, whacking the other Wyrm away with his tail.
“Aqueous, I told you to go!”
My companion nudges me to my feet, his turquoise eyes steely. I knew he wouldn’t leave me.
One of the Wyrms dives towards my companion, only to be stopped when Bluey slams down on its body from above, making it wheeze like a balloon losing air. The red and blue dragon grabs the Wyrm’s head and whips it around like a ragdoll. The second Wyrm screams in fury and leaps to help its companion, but Aqueous steps in its way and sinks his teeth into its tail. The Wyrm hisses and turns on my partner, wrapping its slippery body around his legs.
My back starts to burn once more as I raise my hands to hit the Wyrm. The shark leaps out of my watery stream again, sliding down the Wyrm’s throat. The Wyrm recoils from my companion and heaves up mouthfuls of water, throwing itself around wildly. A fireball smashes into its head from above, causing it to fly several feet before landing with a sickening crunch.
The burning fades as I lower my hands, and it feels as if I’m back in my own body again. My chest starts to tighten as the burning fades completely. All I can feel now is the need to run. Bluey yaps in amazement and stares down at the dead Wyrm beneath his feet, split in half from the head and leaving a pool of crimson blood on the ground.
“Haze, are you okay?”
Marco’s voice snaps me back into reality. As I look up at Drea and Damayanti floating towards the ground, a wave of nausea comes over me. Unable to stand anymore, I sink to the ground and start to hyperventilate.
“Shit, Haze!”
I don’t notice Marco run towards me until he’s cradled me in his arms. My breathing becomes harsher and more urgent as panic rises into my chest. Everything around me dulls out into nothing. All I can feel is my own fear.
Venom and Earth Page 17