by Julia Mills
“Okay, be safe,” Phryne said as she began clearing the table. “I’m going to weed the garden. I’ll let the others know where you are if they ever get their lazy butts out of bed.”
“Thanks. Talk later,” the dragoness called over her shoulder as she left Phryne’s cottage and headed off to the other side of the forest, absolutely positive the presence of Orion had scared away most of the game.
“If he’s even still there,” she mused to herself, moving quickly through the forest. As she followed the convoluted, strategic trail that led to the traps that provided she and her clan with food, Sadie did everything in her power not to think about that damned man or what they shared.
Over and over she told herself it didn’t matter what Fate wanted, that she was the master of her own Destiny and had been since she was five years old. She was Scathach Sorcha Ashford, Rightful Leader of the Mighty Ashford Dragons and the Clan of the Lady Flyers. Her life was full and she had no time for anything or anyone else.
But then she would remember what it felt like to be in Orion’s arms, to have him declaring over and over that she was his, making her acknowledge their connection, making her feel things she never thought possible. She couldn’t deny how right it felt to surrender to another, to know there was someone else in the world with whom she shared an undefinable, unexplainable bond, completing her in ways she hadn’t even known were missing until he appeared. It was freeing to have him take control, to not think about who needed what or where she needed to be. To just be in the moment and feel the incredible emotions that one man, one special dragon, could wring out of her. He was strong and domineering but in the kindest and gentlest of ways, a true enigma that, if she was completely honest with herself, she really did want to get to know better.
No sooner had the thought crossed her mind than all her old insecurities and doubts reared their ugly heads. How could she love him as she knew he would demand, completely and totally without reservation, giving all that she was and accepting the same from him, knowing there was a real chance he would leave or die or Heavens forbid, be taken again? Could she suffer another loss like that of her parents or the Guardian? If she surrendered to the feelings growing within not only her, but also her dragon, and something was to happen that separated them from Orion and his beast, would she be strong enough to live without his love until it was her time to join him in the Heavens?
Sadie just didn’t have all the answers and that, above all else, bothered her the most. It was unfamiliar and uncomfortable territory and to quote her sister, Daphne, a Hoopoe shifter with the powers of healing, water divination, incredible intuition, and the youngest among them… ‘it just plain sucked.’
Smiling to herself, Sadie laughed out loud when she thought of how quick-witted, funny, and free-spirited Daphne was despite looking like Snow White in human form and a raven on steroids with her feathers on. Between her and Pearl, there was no secret that could be kept and very few surprises.
Except me having a mate who basically fell from the sky…
The questions just kept flowing as she made her way to her favorite hunting spot. Climbing the ancient Ash, reaching the center of the tree, more than halfway up its nearly eighty-foot height, hidden by the plethora of leaves and branches, the dragoness sat, thinking and wishing there was an off switch for her brain.
With less than an hour until sundown, Sadie tried to think about anything but Orion; however, the harder she tried to fill her mind with something…anything else, the more her thoughts revolved around one very sexy, very persistent male dragon. Several times as the sky turned from brilliant blue to a myriad of pinks and purples and the sun moved farther toward the horizon, the dragoness was sure she heard his voice, but after scenting the air and reaching out with her preternatural senses, she found nothing and chalked it up to her overactive imagination.
Finally, darkness descended upon the forest. Sadie sat at the ready, her bow in her hands, an arrow across her lap. Just as she had predicted, ten or so deer wandered out of the cover of the brambles at the edge of the woods and walked to the lake bank. It was heartwarming to watch the mothers making sure their fawns got enough to drink before they even thought about taking care of themselves.
And just like that, the image of smoldering azure eyes and alluring masculinity made her body warm as a perfect image of Orion’s face appeared in her mind. This time, however, she pictured the children Phryne had mentioned earlier in the day. Little girls with bright blue eyes, long pewter curls, and an adoration for their father that was boundless, closely followed by rambunctious boys with smiling brown eyes and wavy brown locks, who only had eyes for their momma.
I have lost my mind…that is the only explanation…
No sooner had she deemed herself ready to live alone on a hill with a sign that read Enter at Own Risk, Crazy Old Dragon Lady Lives Here, Sadie caught sight of a ten-point buck striding from the opposite side of the lake. He called to his herd, announcing his arrival just as two more smaller, younger males galloped to catch up.
Sliding the bow string into the nock of her arrow, Sadie placed the shaft on the arrow rest then pulled the string taut before sighting in the smallest of the bucks. Waiting patiently for the deer to raise his head, allowing her to make the perfect shot, the dragoness counted backward as her father taught her all those years ago.
Ten…nine…eight… The words floated through her mind as she sat unmoving, not breathing, waiting for the perfect shot.
Seven…six…five… The largest buck raised his majestic head, looked left then right, then began following the doe and their fawns.
Four…Three…Two… The two remaining males finally looked up, called to their herd, and began galloping just as Orion’s agonizing roar burst through her mind.
“Go ahead and kill me! I’ll never tell you where she is!”
Chapter Eight
“Orion? Is that you?”
Sadie’s voice cut through the relentless monologue of the masked man brandishing the red-hot branding iron. The Shadow could only assume that the combination of his fury and need to protect his mate had finally forced their mental connection, for he hadn’t been able to use his mind speak in any capacity since his initial capture over a century ago.
“You will tell me what I want to know, dragon.” The maniac’s voice was heavily accented, reminding Orion of the short time he and the lads had spent in the Orient. “Female dragons are rare, indeed. Actually, I had been told they were extinct.” He shoved the tip of the iron bar into the fire roaring before Orion. “While the restorative powers of your heart and blood and the meal of your bones will sustain me for decades, the same from a female who still possesses the ability to reproduce will not only allow me to live for centuries, but, it is my understanding, that it will repair the damage inflicted by others of your kind.”
The masked freak pulled the branding iron from the fire, gazed at the glowing metal for several long seconds, and then with a speed Orion hadn’t expected, jabbed it into the Guardsman’s stomach. Gritting his teeth, refusing to cry out as pain ravaged his midsection, the scent of burning flesh filled his senses and his dragon roared with the need to avenge the man with whom he shared his soul.
When his masked captor finally pulled the branding iron away, Orion used every ounce of his considerable strength not to pass out or even lean forward from where he was chained against a cold, stone wall. Any sign of weakness would be considered a victory by the masked maniac before him, one he would use to his deranged advantage. The Guardsman had learned long ago how to endure torture. The only difference now was that he was no longer alone. If Sadie could hear him, maybe his brethren could, too. His only concern was the magic filling the chamber where he was being held.
Could the masked maniac before him also tap into his mental communication with those he called family? It was a chance the Guardsman was not willing to take. Orion would bide his time, wait until the freak left the room, and then attempt to contact Drago and the oth
ers. Until then, he tuned back into the fanatic’s ramblings, listening for clues as to his name or where he was holding the Guardsman.
Waving the branding iron like a prop, the masked maniac lectured, “I am sure you do not remember me, Orion McKendrick, formerly of the Grey Dragon Clan and later the Enforcers, but we have most assuredly met before.”
There was no time to be shocked at the maniac’s revelation, although Orion had no doubt it was the main reason he, above all the other dragons in the world, had been targeted. No, the fact that his captor knew him only extenuated the fact that the dragon needed to figure out who he was and how to escape swiftly. The Guardsman had to make sure the madman before him was annihilated before the fanatic sent any of the many people Orion could sense mulling around wherever he was being held to capture Sadie.
Pacing back and forth, the masked maniac tapped the end of the iron poker against the stone floor with every other step. Orion took note of the slight limp in his left leg, the way his right arm hung at an odd angle, and his hooked and knotted gnarled fingers bouncing against his leg as he walked. The madman’s hair was more white than black but still very thick and stick straight, the end touching the tops of his shoulders, held back by the black leather cord that secured the ominous silver mask to his face.
“Think back, if you will.” The masked man stopped directly in front of Orion, turned, walked closer, and leaned forward until mere inches separated them. As he spoke, the Guardsman got his first up close look at the silver mask covering his face.
Its birdlike features were incredibly exaggerated, reminding Orion of a statue he had seen while in Japan. He searched his memories, using the small, intricately designed comb bisecting the skull, the small ringed eyes, the waddle under its chin, and the snoods on either side of its very pronounced, very wide beak to call up all he could remember of that time so long ago. He saw delicately carved anti-Buddhism runes hidden within the etched feathers decorating the edges that were the closest to his captor’s ears as he sifted through his memories while also listening to the mad man before him.
“To a time when you and your Force, as I believe you call them, were called to assist the Golden Dragons of Tokyo. Although not of your bloodline or sect, still distant kin and therefore, yours to protect and help.”
With no warning, the madman jammed the pointed side of the branding iron into the top of Orion’s foot. The coppery sweet scent of his own blood and the eerie sound of cracking bones and tearing muscle filled the chamber as the Guardsman crushed his lips together to keep from screaming while his captor continued to speak.
“Do you remember that time? Do you remember the devastation and destruction you and yours rained down upon a small village of innocents in your pursuit to conquer the U~izādo threatening your kind?”
He twisted the thick iron poker still imbedded in Orion’s foot as he spat. “Do you, abomination? Do you remember the little humans you slaughtered in the name of your justice?”
Pushing past the pain, returning to that part of his mind he’d been forced to use so very often during his torture at the hands of the monks, Orion let go of the pain, the fury, his worry over Sadie, and focused on replaying everything that had occurred during that specific mission. He remembered being called by Hachiro, the eighth son of the Golden Dragon King, Daichi. Drago had given Orion the go ahead to speak to the sea dragon and assess whether the Enforcers could be of any assistance.
“Tell me the situation and leave nothing out,” Orion directed.
“All seven of my brothers, along with my father, my uncles, and my cousins, all but myself, the women, and the children, have been taken by the U~izādo. This ancient coven of wizards believes that by drinking the blood of a dragon and ingesting the meal of his bones they can achieve eternal life.”
“They what? Is that true?”
“It is recorded in the history of our people but until now, my father, his Elders, and my older brothers believed only we, the nation of Japanese dragons, possessed this knowledge,” Hachiro stated, fear and anger intermingling in his tone.
“And how do you know that the wizards have obtained this information? They could just be working with others of your enemies to destroy their largest opposition?” Orion knew his conversation with the Japanese water dragon sounded like an interrogation, but he had to be sure to collect all the facts before making a decision that could potentially take them halfway around the world for only the Heavens knew how long.
“Last night, I disguised myself in the robes of the U~izādo and using herbs to mask my scent, followed a group of them to the outskirts of their encampment on Mount Maehotakadake in the Hida Mountains Range on the banks of the Azusa River. Using my dragon’s smallest form, I traveled underwater and, while resting in the shallows, listened as their leader told them of the preparations being made to exsanguinate and dissect my clan.”
“I applaud your courage and ingenuity.” Orion knew his Japanese brethren appreciated being acknowledged for their achievements, especially when they were young. He could hear the trepidation and fear in the voice of Daichi’s eighth and youngest son and wanted to reassure the lad that he had done the right thing. They were going to need his help sooner rather than later. Orion then asked, “And when are they to carry out this plan?”
“At precisely four a.m., the hour of the dragon according to the Buddhist Patrons, on Tsukimi, the fifteenth day of the eighth month when the Harvest Moon is full in the sky and all we are to eat and drink for the next year is blessed by Siddhārtha Gautama, the Buddha himself, from his place among the stars.”
“So, we have exactly seven days before the ceremony, is that right?”
“Hai,” Hachiro quickly answered to the affirmative.
“How many wizards in total?”
“I counted a hundred including their leader and believe there were at least fifty more guarding my clan.”
“I see,” Orion thought for a moment than asked, “How many dragons? Are they all in fighting shape?” He needed to know how many would be available to exterminate the U~izādo after freeing the Golden Dragons.
“Hai,” Hachiro again was quick to answer.
Orion could feel the younger dragon’s anticipation through their mind-to-mind connection as he waited for the grey dragon’s decision.
Taking only a moment to think, the Guardsman pushed an abundance of confidence through his connection to the sea dragon as he said, “We will take flight this evening and see you by lunchtime tomorrow. I have pulled the location of your lair from your thoughts. We will land in the valley about three miles from you and come into your clan’s lands on foot.”
“Arigatōgozaimashita, Masutādoragon. You and your dōhō are truly as great as the legends say. Not only will my clan owe you a meiyo no shakkin, but I also will forever be at the ready for your call, should you have need of assistance.”
Smiling at being called a Master Dragon, Orion acknowledged Hachiro’s honorable words the way he had been taught by the Elders, “Thank you, Hachiro. It is our honor to help such a revered and righteous clan. A Debt of Honor is not necessary as we lend our assistance out of fealty and kinship.”
“The debt stands, Masutādoragon Orion, for only the strength of the Enforcers can defeat such a foe.”
“We accept with great honor, Hachiro,” Orion said. “We will see you very soon.”
“Arigatōgozaimashita, Masutādoragon. May the wind be at your back, Fate lift your wings,and Destiny guide your journey. Until then, Sayōnara.”
Orion’s memories fast forwarded to the battle. The U~izādo that were able to escape during the initial infiltration had hidden in the nearby village, slaughtering the villagers and using their clothing and homes as cover.
After searching the huts and fields, the Enforcers, along with the rescued Golden Dragons, headed back to the U~izādo’s encampment to destroy any and all remnants of the evil coven. Walking side-by-side with Hachiro, Orion stopped short when the young Golden Dragon turned and ran
after a so-called farmer, tackling him to the ground and ripping the sleeve from his smock.
Pointing at a tattoo of an upside-down Pentagram over the Endless Knot, the symbol of the black magic wizards, on the arm of one of the so-called farmers, Hachiro sounded the alarm. Within minutes, the remaining wizards were killed, their bodies burnt, and their ashes strewn to the four corners of the sea, along with their evil compatriots.
Racing forward, Orion’s recollections then revealed the tall stone statue of a Karura. He could see the plaque at the base of the sculpture as if he were back there once again. Reading the words, he suddenly remembered why this particular being from Japanese history had fascinated him so.
The inscription read, “Here stands a mighty Karura, one of the divine races of fire-breathing demi-gods. With the head and wings of an eagle atop its human warrior’s body, Karura are fearsome. Not only do they breathe fire from their beaks, but the flapping of their wings sounds like thunder and the gusts of wind they create are so strong that they protect the Rulers and their families from heavy rains and typhoons. Their venom can cure poison and disease and they feast upon the flesh of dragons and water serpents.
A Karura can only be killed by a dragon of pure heart, wearing a Buddhist talisman and firing a Hōzen, a sacred arrow carved from a Yōryū Tree, into the center of the creature’s heart by the dragon’s right hand. The destruction of this divine being can only be considered when the Karura has turned its eyes from the light and is endangering the blessed people of the Buddha.”
Yanked from his memories as punishing, burning, mind-bending pain shot through his foot, up his leg, and made it hard for him to breathe from the masked maniac pulling the iron poker from his flesh, Orion seethed through gritted teeth, “Dragons did not harm any humans in the battle against the U~izādo. That guilt and the dishonor of those deaths lay squarely at the feet of those demon-worshipping, black-magic wielding wizards, you spineless piece of shit.”