It was not merely admitting her inner most need, it was achieving it.
The realization snapped Eristta back to the present, and her violet eyes narrowed as she surveyed the scene with fresh attention.
Ancient Dragon…evil sorcerer…demon forces…army of good…lost shaman…trapped princess…
What was the common tie that bound them all?
The pull returned. A single, subtle, questing thread.
What was it from?
Her gaze crashed onto the winged beast as it pumped through the air at their side. So graceful. So powerful. At intervals the dragon canted it wings into a spearing dive, its speed unchecked.
An image of hordes of the great wyrms filling the sky flashed through her mind. They would nearly block out the sun—were there enough. Their shadows rolling across the land like boiling storm clouds.
What a sight it must have been. And how very fortunate the fey had been that the dragons that inhabited Tir na n-Og were intelligent, reasoning creatures with moral latitude and self-control.
Eristta shivered as she watched the Unhcegila’s chest muscles ripple with every stroke of its wings. The massive claws clenched around empty air. Its liquid mercury gaze sweeping the landscape below.
There!
Eristta sucked in a breath at the sight that filled the broad, grass-filled plain.
No…not yet.
“We arrive,” came Garethan’s sinister purr. “Look. Below lie your tormentors. Take back what has been stolen from you, dragon. Make them all pay.”
Unable to stop herself, Eristta struggled within her bonds.
Do not fret, princess. It is only the beginning of greater things.
The Unhcegila turned its head their direction. Its silver gaze reflected their images within the mercury irises. “I will consssume them all.” Its hiss echoed like thunder before the beast folded its wings and dived.
Chapter Fifteen
“Like this, Renovan.” Selena took the elfin page’s wrist and swept the light sword through the air in an arc. “Feel that? The blade should sing through the air, slicing the atmosphere as if it were the thinnest of paper.”
Nodding, the white-blond youth tried on his own, tongue pinched between cheek and gum.
“Yes! That’s is.” Selena smiled, even as her heart shriveled. The mere idea that this beautiful young elf could in moments be hacked to pieces made her stomach roil and her spirit ache. She’d taken to giving counsel to those straggling behind the main body. Working to lift their spirits. Trying to be a positive presence in an otherwise off-putting sea of highly stressed men, women and beasts.
Serosen had insisted that all fey below their first reckoning support the rear. It was his way of trying to keep the younger of their troops out of the initial carnage, but they both knew, that unless help arrived, fighting would reach them soon enough.
Selena turned to demonstrate another maneuver, her custom crafted dwarven blade fitting deftly into the crease of her arm. “Now, if you were to sweep low, you would—”
Pain coursed through Selena’s head and she dropped to her knees, the blade tumbling into the rich spring fescue. “Son of a—”
Again—like a blow to the temple, red erupted behind Selena’s eyes and she screamed.
“Your highness! What is it?”
Unable to fully right herself, Selena rolled to her back and looked skyward.
What she saw blew her away.
That’s not possible…is it?
Like a mountain with wings, the massive creature bore down, scales glistening like a thousand mirrors against the afternoon sun. Selena struggled to sit, her freshly shorn fiery locks streaming behind like liquid fire. “Run!”
Her screech reached even soldiers several leagues deep. Heads swiveled skyward as if on a single string. Jaws dropped. Wings stilled. Hooves froze.
Selena forced her feet beneath her and stood. “Run for the woods!”
Chaos.
Centaurs, sprites, and elves scattered in confusion across the plain. Fear etched their faces and slowed their legs.
Selena!
Ser’s mind-shout nearly undid her balance, and Selena quickly touched her lover’s danu awen. Softly, love.
What is it? He picked the image effortlessly from her mind. That’s not possible!
Holding her abdomen, Selena managed a stumbling jog, then an all-out sprint toward the thick stand of poplar. It damn well is! Dragons. Of all things. You didn’t tell me there were dragons!
There are not! Or, rather, there hasn’t been since the Time Before. And this one is not in proportion to history.
Selena’s gaze cut skyward. Closer…closer… “Well, there seems to be one now, and I’d say it’s pissed off!”
Rocks grabbed at her ankles. Willing her feet light as feathers, Selena sprinted across the plain as fast as humanly possible. The sky seemed to tremble as air currents rippled over the land like a hot desert wind, flattening the grass beneath her feet.
“Selena! Drop, now!”
Her husband’s physical voice startled her, but without hesitation, Selena collapsed onto the damp ground. A roar exploded over her as massive claws scraped the air only inches from her back. A searing blast of blue elf-fire erupted above her, and Selena turned over in time to see the sizzling currents chasing the dragon as it swooped west in a low, tight arc.
The blast struck the beast on its whipping tail and a screech of fury split the air. As if in slow motion, the dragon pulled up and hovered, and even from her position sprawled on the turf, Selena recognized the sheen of hatred in the beast’s mercury eyes.
“Selena!”
Her head twisted to the side. Serosen! Astride Amerald, his elfin stallion. He thundered to her side and threw down an arm and pulled her up. She settled between his thighs, her breathing heavy.
The young warriors that Selena had instructed to run had lined up on either side of her, bows at the ready, spells boiling in open hands. They meant to stand and defend her. A realization that brought despair—and pride.
“We cannot run, Serosen,” she murmured. “She will incinerate the forest with us inside it.”
“She?”
Selena nodded, her gaze never leaving the beast. “I cannot mind-link with it. Its hatred is blocking out all reasonable thought, and there is another presence surrounding the beast.” She twisted toward her lover. “Garethan rides with her.”
Noting the nearly fiery sheen in his wife’s eyes, Serosen raised one brow. “The Phoenix?”
With another nod, Selena’s expression glowed. “She is back. And things are not well, husband.”
* * * * *
Brother.
A single word, and Red Claw’s despair shifted to hope. Mato!
Balancing carefully within the fickle currents, Red Claw reached for his guide’s presence—and encountered nothing.
No, you will not be able to sense me. Not here. Were I to enter this space, I would be absorbed into the unstable currents, fated to drift endlessly until another creature of indeterminate power and temperament absorbed me. Then I’d likely be trapped within that creature until I brokered a way out.
Then how? Red Claw asked, his spirit quaking with exhaustion as he fought to maintain its integrity.
There are ways to probe the worlds between worlds without using your spiritual signature. I am merely a shade here. A voice. And I remain for a limited time so listen well. Eristta needs you. We need you. You must free yourself, brother.
Red Claw snarled, civility gone. Do you think I’ve not been trying?
This is no time for trying. Your soul mate will soon be forever trapped within the heart of evil if you do not find a way.
Images of Eristta in Garethan’s grasp filled his mind and fury spread through his veins like a volatile cocktail. It will not happen. Uncaring of the consequences, Red Claw dropped all of his shields.
Chanting in his ancestral tongue, the shaman cast open the doors of his spirit. Wild magicks coalesced upo
n Red Claw as if he were a magnet and they raw metal.
He welcomed it. Drew it in like a long breath. The energies slammed into him, diving deep, melding with each molecule of his soul.
Power. Raw. Uncontrollable.
Red Claw was at once other than the man he understood himself to be. His spirit shined with an intensity that screamed for release.
He was many beings. Many levels of unrefined forces. Some rejoicing in the vessel they’d possessed. The elemental forces feeding, or feeding on, the other powers. And within its heart vibrated Red Claw.
He knew in that instant, what he had to do to find freedom. Understood that he’d never really been trapped at all. His new eyes scanned the limitless space surrounding him…and saw doorways. Millions of them, like stars in a clear night sky.
Searching, his gaze crashed upon the one he was seeking.
The verdant green portal pulsed an invitation.
* * * * *
Eristta watched in horror as the dragon dived toward their forces.
Selena.
Eristta felt her before she saw her bond-sister. The dragon arrowed directly toward her, claws extended. Dread gripped Eristta’s heart. This couldn’t be happening! Lightning blue streaked through the sky, connecting with the dragon’s tail and Eristta cried out in relief. She watched helplessly as her bond-sister picked herself up off the ground and mounted Serosen’s steed.
The dragon stopped midair, its head swiveled to take in the scene below. Elves, dwarves, centaurs and sprites all stood their ground, weapons aimed skyward.
They would be massacred.
Eristta knew it. She could tell from her brother and bond-sister’s posture that they knew it too.
Garethan. Eristta knew nothing else to do. She could not appeal to his humanity, since he possessed none. There was only one other thing she knew the sorcerer coveted. Stop the beast, and I will show you how to achieve power like you have never known.
Silence. But Eristta knew he had heard. Precious seconds ticked by. Eristta’s gaze widened as the dragon drew in a deep lungful of air.
It lies within the terran world! I have seen it. Sensed it. Does it not make more sense for you to travel there and absorb that power before rebinding the worlds? For what is chaos without you being the master of it?
I had not considered there could be any power within that pitiful copy of a world to concern myself with. Tell me, what is this power?
Not until you turn the beast!
As Eristta’s spirit words tumbled out, the dragon released its breath. Flames roiled from the creature’s mouth in wild torrents. As they streamed toward the forward flank of warriors, a transparent wall of cerulean blue engulfed those closest. Fire curled around and over the barrier, encasing the frightened soldiers in a boiling inferno. Those standing to the far outside screamed as heat seared their skin and fur. Arrows flew. Balls of magick streamed through the sky toward the beast.
All bounced ineffectively off their target.
With a snap of its mighty jaws, the dragon curtailed the flames and pumped its wings, drawing higher.
“Turn it!” Eristta shouted.
Garethan chuckled. “Come now, princess. I have waited lifetimes to witness this moment once again.”
Then I will take my information into the afterlife, Sorcerer, Eristta growled.
A calculated sigh reached her. Very well, then. Come. Let’s rejoin your body, shall we?
With a subtle weaving of his powers, Garethan tickled the dragon’s mind. Wait, wise one. Let more of them gather. Let them all bear witness to your supremacy.
A searing wave of aversion blasted over Eristta and the sorcerer. Eristta felt Garethan blanch before recovering and adjusting his shields.
“Supremacy is not in question,” the dragon hissed, its attention riveted on the warriors spread across the verdant plain. Its wings beat an ominous rhythm. “Only death matters. Death to those who have made me what me what I am.”
Eristta cursed. If only she could mindlink with the creature! Explain to her the true wickedness behind the destruction of their kind. Explain that the very beast that baited her, was the evil that spearheaded her ancestors’ destruction.
“Go, Sorcerer. Leave me. You are of no conssssequence.”
Dismissed. Forgotten.
Eristta doubted Garethan had ever been so summarily discharged.
His silence maddened her. He couldn’t give in that easily! Without warning, Eristta found herself spinning toward the ground at a dizzying pace. In the space of a heartbeat, Eristta’s spirit settled next to her body.
Goddess, I look like gryphon fodder.
And Red Claw looked perfect. Stunning. And empty. His eyes were flat. His mouth pressed into a dull, thin line. He still held her, the muscles of his chest slick with blood.
Eristta gasped. The shaman’s arms and shoulders bore deep cuts.
“How thoughtful of you, shaman, to shield the princess’s body from the probing claws of my disorderly warriors.”
Still bound, Eristta twisted at the sound of Garethan’s physical voice. The red-robed sorcerer strolled casually forward, the ranks of snarling and grunting golems parting to let him pass.
He’d been with the army all along…
He approached Red Claw, his sinister face impassive. “I’ll take these.” He ripped the claws free of the shaman’s neck.
I won’t help you, Garethan! Eristta shouted in mind-speech, wishing with her entire being to be back within her body. If she were to die, she would die fighting. Not aiding Garethan.
Gripping the claws, Garethan smiled grimly. “You will have no choice.” His gaze crashed down on her, red boiling within bone-deep sockets. He turned to Red Claw. “Stand her up, shaman.”
Red Claw did as he was told, setting her firmly on her feet and holding her up by her arms, facing the sorcerer.
Raising his hands, Garethan began his spell. Crimson tendrils spiraled from his fingertips and slithered around Eristta’s body.
No! There had to be a way to stop him! As the bonds wrapped around her physical form, Eristta felt the pull. Her spirit glided toward her body, and she knew when Garethan’s spell was complete, she’d be bound spirit, body and mind. Despite her struggle, within seconds Eristta felt her spirit touch her flesh.
As she settled back into her familiar bones and skin, Eristta delved deep. Searching for any unsealed opening in Garethan’s spell. Any flaw in his weave.
There were none. If nothing else, the sorcerer was consummate in his bindings.
“Now, princess, we begin.”
At Garethan’s command, Eristta felt her arms lift. Her feet shuffled forward. Her heart pumped blood to each extremity, anticipating her orders. Red Claw’s hands still gripped her arms, and he moved with her. The heat from his bare torso warmed her back and buttocks.
“Take these, princess.”
With golems streaming around them on either side, Eristta reached.
Screams reached her ears. Piercing cries of pain. Of death.
The dragon was exacting its revenge.
Her hand closed around the band.
“Now, open a doorway. Exactly where you did before. I will seek out this power for myself.”
Eristta fought with all her strength. Her fingers shook where they held the leather cord. Rivulets of sweat cascaded down the sides of her breasts to splatter on the blades of grass at their feet. With every fiber of her being, Eristta resisted. But her strength was fading. She could not maintain her resistance.
Her fingers inched up the leather toward the first crimson claw.
“Take it,” Garethan growled. He squeezed Eristta’s bonds, and fire lanced through her.
Unable to disobey, Eristta’s hand closed around the first claw. Cold pierced her soul. Her breath blew clouds of mist as she gasped. Images and emotions bombarded her mind.
Pictures of scaled claws and fanged snouts. Bright, intelligent eyes. A large red dragon. Another…blue. A large, crystal cave.
<
br /> Images tumbled faster. Emotions—raw. Horrible pain filled her, but she realized it was not her own. Large, noxious wounds bled copiously from the dragons’ necks, bellies and legs. The miasma of death invaded Eristta’s heart and mind. She felt the noble wyrms’ despair as if it were her own. Their spirits begged for release, but something held them.
“She has resisssted the longessst. Whether through our efforts, or thossse of our brethren, she is ssssustained.”
“The signs begin. We must sssend her, mother.”
“She will never survive in that cold place. Alone. Without guidance.”
“Mother, she will not survive here. We are the lassst.”
As the ancient voices filled Eristta’s thoughts, she worked to disengage her own emotions from that of the history within the pendants.
“We will send her with the memory of her ancessstors. Of our history, and the means to return should this plague ever ceassse. Our blood, or knowledge shall live on in her…”
Eristta watched as the once regal creatures gave instructions to their fey attendants, then collapsed with an explosion of magenta light, leaving naught but piles of decomposing flesh and bone. The two fey, one woman and one young boy, collected the claws from each of the dragons’ crimson talons, tears streaming down their faces to splatter their silken forest green robes.
Eristta recognized them as her Sellie ancestors. The Wise Ones. Those who developed the Four Kingdomes and courts of Fey. Taking the claws, the youth deftly strung them on a braided thread of minosha vine, then turned. His startling silver eyes seemed to penetrate through time and space and Eristta shivered, the air around her charged.
“I will put them around her, Mother.”
“No!” The woman’s shout drew Eristta’s gaze. Tall and lithe, the elfin woman rushed to the boy’s side and snatched the string of crimson claws. “They cannot touch her. Not now. They hold the memory of their deaths. The ghastliness of their lives. No. Better that she grow in the terran world free of such horror. When the time is right, we will see that she gets them. That she remembers.”
Night Elves 2: Dangerous Obsession Page 13