Dragon Mark

by Kit Bladegrave

  “You won’t fall, Everest,” she promised me.

  “Where are we going?” I asked, focusing my eyes straight ahead instead of how far away the ground seemed to be.

  “Back to a battle that never should have been fought in the first place.”

  The beach and water beneath me changed the further we went, and when we landed on a mountaintop that appeared out of the clouds, the sounds of a fearsome battle hit me. I stared out over a battlefield, watching as witches fought alongside dragons, pushing back their enemy.

  “I’ve seen this before,” I whispered, and the woman nodded.

  “You have, but you were never deep enough in your own mind for me to show you the rest.” She held out her hand again, and I hesitated a second before I took it.

  This time, we flew over the battle as dragons and witches fought and died. It was terrible to witness, but my eyes remained on that battle. I imagined it happening again, pictured Slade down there fighting, along with all the others I cared about, and my gut twisted up in knots so tight I thought I’d be sick.

  Far too slow for my liking, the battle eventually faded away, and a castle appeared. We aimed for the wall, and I cringed, covering my face thinking we were going to slam right into it, but we passed through the wall like we were ghosts and came to a soft landing in a large chamber. Candlelight lit the space, and I witnessed two people talking, a man and a woman.

  “Watch closely,” the woman whispered in my ear. “Watch and learn.”

  I moved closer and noticed the tattoo on the man’s neck. Black Diamond, but the woman, she was a Shadowguard.

  “You are too ambitious for your own good,” the woman said as the Black Diamond paced before the hearth. “There is no reason for me to want anything other than what I already have. My clan is prosperous, my lands are fertile, and my people are happy. Why are you so unsatisfied?”

  “They have more,” the man snarled. “They will always have more.”

  “You are a fool,” the woman snapped. “You’re merely jealous of the marriage that happened. A marriage to a woman you coveted. This is absurd. You can’t think this is a good idea, or that I would ever agree to it.”

  “You do not understand, that man… he stole her from me,” the dragon snapped, and I heard the heartbreak in his voice. “And he will not stop there.”

  “What do you speak of?”

  “You think they will leave us be forever? Our clans are the strongest. We pose a threat.”

  “Only if we make ourselves one. Do you even hear yourself? You want to start a war after thousands of years of peace. I will not join you and neither will my clan.”

  “You would stand against me on the field of battle then, is that it?”

  “If it comes down to it, then yes.”

  They glared each other down, and I wondered what was about to happen when the Black Diamond sighed and moved toward the door as if to leave. When he reached it, he paused, his hand on the knob.

  “You leave me no choice,” he whispered.

  The door opened, and six figures clad in the red robes of Blood Moon Priests marched in. They grabbed hold of the Shadowguard, and the chant I’d heard inside the ritual chamber started up again.

  The dragon screamed when one of them placed his hand on her forearm, burning a mark there, the same one Slade and I both had.

  “Release me at once,” she yelled. “Guards.”

  “They can’t hear you I’m afraid,” the Black Diamond said. “I took care of them on my way up here to see you.”

  “What are you doing? You will not change my mind by magic.”

  “Who said I would change your mind?” He snapped his fingers, and more Priests entered the room, each dragging an unconscious person with them until the chamber was filled with them.

  I stumbled around in a circle, knowing exactly what was going to happen and hated I couldn’t do a damned thing about it.

  “Begin.”

  Another Priest, dressed in a black and red robe, entered the room, and when he reached the Shadowguard, he placed his hands over the center of her chest. As soon as he opened his mouth, the woman screamed, her back arching as the Priests struggled to hold her.

  A bluish light started to appear over her body, and I couldn’t look away as the other figures in the room started to scream right along with her. The magic drained their lives, giving power to the Priest as he pulled the Shadowguard’s soul from her body.

  With one final ear-splitting scream, the soul came free and soared into the Priest’s hands. Her body slumped, and the room was quiet.

  Dead, they were all dead.

  “My Lord,” the Priest said and turned to the Black Diamond with the Shadowguard’s soul. “The minds of the Shadowguard clan are now yours to manipulate.”

  The Black Diamond took the glowing, blue orb and swallowed it. I grimaced in disgust as he stretched his arms to the side and that blue light was absorbed completely by his body.

  When he opened his eyes, they flickered to appear as those of a Shadowguard, and he made for the door.

  “Send word to our armies,” he ordered as he reached the threshold. “The time for war has come.”

  “And your son? What of the young Radnak?”

  I flinched at the name and stared at the Black Diamond with a new level of hatred to learn he was Radnak’s father.

  “Bring him along of course. It is high time he understands his true purpose in this life.”

  “Everest,” the First Communion witch said from behind me, “we must head back.”

  I nodded numbly and took the hand she held out to me.

  I expected us to take to the sky again, but with a bright flash of light, we were back at the campfire near the beach.

  She released me, and I staggered forward a few steps as the truth struck me hard.

  “The soul of a clan leader,” I whispered, “it has power, doesn’t it?”

  “That it does. Radnak’s father, Dearborn, he had the Priests create a ritual for extracting a soul, and after absorbing it, he could influence the minds of the clan. Many resisted, but so many more turned against their own.”

  “But the war, the Black Diamonds retreated, right? Why didn’t the Shadowguards stop?”

  “The Black Diamonds merely removed themselves to another dimension when they realized they were going to lose the war. But, they continued to do whatever necessary to keep control of the Shadowguards,” she explained sadly. “When Dearborn passed, he lost his grip on control. Since the true clan leader was hidden away, Radnak used more violent methods to keep them enslaved to his will as I’m certain the Lost Heir has told you.”

  If Radnak managed to get control of the clans, all the clans, he would have complete power over the dragons. He’d go after the witches, the warlocks, anyone who stood against him. He would slaughter hundreds, thousands, and then… then he would take over the world.

  “We have to stop him,” I said as I whirled around. “I have to go back, I have to stop him from killing everyone.”

  She bowed her head to me, then motioned to a nearby log to sit down beside her. “Everest, to stop Radnak and his Priests will not be as easy as before. All the Descendants except for you have been turned.”

  “I’m the last one?” I whispered, shocked.

  “You are, which is why what I must ask of you next, I do with a heavy heart.”

  “I’m going to die, aren’t I,” I stated, and she quickly took my hands.

  “No, my child, no, but there is a great risk to your very being if you agree to what we have to say.”

  “We?”

  She looked across the fire, and I followed her gaze, jumping to see five more women standing before me, all wearing white, all beautiful beyond words, their hair, eyes, and skin varying in shades and age.

  “The Original Six, you’re all here?”

  “We have been with you since you put on the necklace,” the witch beside me said. “We failed to reach the other Descendants in time, but we
have not failed with you.”

  “What—ah, what do you need from me?” I managed to ask, despite the immense awe I suddenly felt being in their presence. These women, they were the ones who helped end the war, and it appeared, would be the same women to do it again.

  “Radnak and his Priests have grown far too powerful to be overcome by any one person, witch or clan leader,” the witch said to me. “But, if we were able to work through you, as one being, we stand a chance of ending the Black Diamonds’ reign of terror, forever. To save the rest of the clans, the witches, and warlocks, everyone. You must be willing and give us permission to do this, Everest, and the cost… the cost could be very high.”

  As in I could die after all. She didn’t have to say it. I saw it on all their faces as they watched me, waiting for my reply. “So you’d possess me?”

  “In a way, yes. This necklace is our connection to you. If you said yes, we would become you, and you would remain here in this place where we’ve dwelled.”

  “Could I still see what was happening? Feel, or talk or anything?”

  “You can watch,” she said, and waved her hand over the large boulder behind us.

  I leapt to my feet to observe Slade sitting beside my cot, eyes closed, but his hand holding mine. I glanced down at that hand now, and swore I felt his touch. I willed myself to move out there, but nothing happened.

  “You cannot interact, however.”

  I gulped. “And what happens if this works, if Radnak and the Priests are defeated? Do I get to go back?”

  “That will be the plan, yes, but as I said, there is no guarantee. Our power is great, but it has been divided into six beings. In this case, it would all be contained within one vessel, you.” She came to my side and cupped my cheek in her hand. “The toll on your body alone will be immense, but you are strong, Everest, one of the strongest Descendants ever to come about.”

  I reached out toward Slade on the rock as the witch stepped back from me. “So, do nothing, and I die from that damned mark on my side, or say yes, and potentially die anyway, but get to die knowing the entire world has been saved.”

  The witch smiled, laughing quietly. “Essentially, yes. I am sorry I don’t have better choices to offer.”

  “No, you know this is not what I expected my life to be like,” I confessed, “but I’d rather die knowing I did everything I could to save the world. I guess… I guess I’m saying yes. But Slade,” I warned her, “he won’t like it at all. He’ll fight you. All of you.”

  “We will just have to explain to him there is no other choice.”

  I tilted my head back and forth. “He won’t listen, but good luck with that.”

  They all smiled, and I relaxed despite the fact I might not ever leave this place again. Or talk to Slade, or kiss him. Or anything. There were worse places to hang out. At least I had a beach, right? I pressed my hand to the stone, wishing I could tell Slade what was about to happen and assure him it was all my choice.

  “No matter what,” I whispered to his sleeping form, “remember I love you.”

  “Everest?” he whispered.

  I stepped back, confused.

  His eyes fluttered open, and he glanced around before that worried gaze landed on my sleeping body. He ran his fingers down my cheek and hung his head. “I love you.”

  My heart nearly broke right then, but I held onto the hope that I would make it, and we’d be together again. The image slowly faded away and I rested against that boulder. “When will it happen?” I asked without turning around.

  “As soon as your body is healed, we will take over,” the witch said, resting her hand on my shoulder. “For now, rest your mind, Everest. You are safe here.”

  I considered sitting by the fire, but the beach called to me, so I wandered back down the lit path and plopped down next to the dunes, letting the water just barely touch my toes.

  I went to sleep a Descendant, and I would be waking up with all six Original witches in control of my body, using their powers through me. There could be much worse ways to go out. It was so peaceful here, and I listened to the waves, imagining my life after this, crossing my fingers that I would be with Slade.

  “Don’t die on me,” I whispered to the night sky. “Don’t you dare get yourself killed before I get back, Slade.”

  Ten

  Slade

  For four days, Everest remained in that suspended state between life and death.

  I stayed with her majority of the time unless the Council and clan leaders needed me. Last night, the scouts finally returned with good and bad news. Nikolai had been truthful about the defenses, but the place was swarming with Black Diamonds.

  Radnak was ready for an attack, and even the barriers around the camp were more powerful than the scouts first assumed.

  I’d wanted to attack with a small force, but after their report realized the only way to get in and take the camp over was to use our entire army.

  “Slade, they’re ready for you,” Mahlia said as she neared Everest’s cot.

  “What if I leave and she passes?” I whispered the words I’d been mulling over since last night.

  “She won’t. You have to have faith. She’s strong, and she doesn’t give up easily.”

  “Don’t I know it.” I smoothed her hair from her face and kissed her softly. “I’ll be back,” I promised.

  More words wanted to come out, but I choked on them and pushed to my feet, walking away quickly before I found myself back at her side, unable to leave.

  I exited the mountain base through the portal and walked right into the lines of our newly formed army, geared up and ready for war. Every fighter was here.

  I spied Aiden talking with Jenny and Preston, Tank and a few others behind them. So many I cared about were here. How many would we lose today? How many friends and family members would we have to tell that their loved one wasn’t coming home?

  “Selma is working with the witches to open the portals,” Preston told me as I approached. “Once they’re open, we’re good to go.”

  “Let’s make it count.” I checked the knives strapped to my sides and rolled my shoulders, more than ready to shift and charge in there, flames blazing. “Want to take bets on whether or not Radnak shows his face?”

  “I doubt it. If anything, he’s got a trap ready to spring the second we arrive.”

  Jenny socked him in the shoulder, and Preston winced. “Don’t jinx us before we even get through the portal, idiot.”

  I smiled at their bantering, loosening my limbs by shaking them out and turning my thoughts toward the fight ahead. Any emotions for Everest, I had to leave behind for now. A horn was blown across the town square as a bright flash of light lit up the town. The portals were ready.

  I stalked through our army until I stood beside Charlette, Orella, Quinto, and the four remaining members of the Council. They no longer appeared aged and fragile, wearing chainmail and leather armor.

  This was the war to end all wars, and each of us knew what was at stake if we failed.

  They looked to me, and I led the way, passing through the portal and coming out the other side in a grove of trees. Two more portals appeared beside the first, so the army could move in faster and spread out, keeping to the forest and out of sight. From here, I couldn’t see the camp, but I felt the immense power being used to shield it.

  The witches, led by Selma, would have to break through that magic first before we could move in for the assault.

  As the last warrior passed through the portal, they all closed behind us. We couldn’t risk the Black Diamonds reaching the town and the refugees, if this battle went south.

  “After you,” I whispered to Selma, and she lifted her hands, motioning the witches and warlocks forward in a solid line that surrounded the entire camp.

  I itched to grab hold of my knives, but forced my hands to still at my sides. I’d warned the others the Priests could force a dragon out of their form and trap them. We’d debated for hours on whether or n
ot we should fly or charge in on foot. Without knowing how many Priests were there, it was hard to decide what was best.

  Selma came to a stop and brought her hands in close to her center, head bowed, and eyes closed. A deep blue mist swirled around her body, and she thrust her hands outward toward the seemingly empty field. One by one the witches and warlocks did the same. The air started to blur and shift and every few seconds, a crack formed, spider-webbing outward.

  Shouts of panic reached my ears, and when a large part of the barrier fell away, I saw Black Diamonds rushing around, yelling orders as they prepared for the attack.

  “Get ready,” I bellowed.

  Then came the sounds of swords and daggers being drawn.

  An entire chunk of the barrier cracked and shattered to the ground, disappearing as the wind blew the magic away.

  Black Diamonds were forming a line of attack with their bodies, some already shifting, and I yelled for the charge.

  I sprinted forward, aiming for the opening in the barrier and shifted right before I hit it. More of it broke over my body, and I paved the way for the army running in behind me. I roared and blew fire at the tents as I passed over, setting them alight with black, shadowed flames that spread easily from one to the next. I spiraled up high into the sky and dove down, meeting the Black Diamonds ready for battle.

  Two of them latched onto my back, and I couldn’t reach around far enough to dislodge them.

  I stopped short of slamming into the ground and barrel-rolled through the nearby trees as chaos erupted beneath me.

  The two dragons were yanked away by the trees, and I made quick work of them, ripping through their wings with my claws and throwing them far across the field.

  Our forces moved in, and more and more shifted to take on the Black Diamonds spewing fire and ice.

  We were evenly numbered to start, but when I was finally able to get a good look at the fight, I saw how quickly the battle was not going the way we hoped. Priests emerged from one of the portals… led by that bastard Fredwin.

  Throwing my head back, I roared, rallying our fighters to keep moving forward, but my focus was on Fredwin. He and his Priests were attacking the dragons already shifted, forcing them back into their human forms. If they managed to do that to all of us, we wouldn’t stand a chance. I had to take him out.