Summoned (Black Sorcery Trilogy Book 2)

by Lisa E Parry

  “Cheri!” I heard the King behind me.

  The red dragon gracefully soared across the valley heading straight for Melissa. Its slender body glistened in the sun as its scales reflected the light in a rainbow of colours. Closer still and I could hear the whoosh of wind through its mighty webbed wings. It roared as it glided closer.

  Melissa had stopped - I was gaining on her. Dorian and Warwick tried to take the reins from her when an invisible force flung them from their saddles where they disappeared into the tall grass. Melissa dismounted and walked steadily forwards as though in a trance.

  “Faster!” I shouted to my horse and fed energy into his body. He rocketed forwards and the sound of thundering hooves filled my ears. Fear for the girl pushed me into a desperate race. I needed to assess the situation.

  “Ho!” I pulled on the reins and my mount came to shuddering halt. I jumped off and hiked up my skirts to run to Melissa. Dorian and Warwick quickly recovered and followed after. “Oof!” I hit an invisible barrier, as did the men at my sides. Warwick beat aggressively against it, incensed, fangs bared and hissing in fury. The sight of an enraged vampire had me rooted to the spot. I quickly smothered any feeling of shock.

  Dorian tugged on my arm to pull me away. “What’s happening?” he asked, outwardly calm though I knew he couldn’t be. There was nothing I could tell him. What would a dragon want with the girl? I couldn’t think of a plausible explanation.

  Staying calm, like the rock he always had been, Dorian carefully ran his hands over the barrier preventing him from getting to Melissa. He pulled a dagger from his belt and tried piercing it; but the blade had no effect, so he sheathed it again.

  All I could do was watch with trepidation as the dragon’s feet came forwards and then it hovered just before landing in front of Melissa. Wind swept around her making her hair and clothes billow out. In that moment she looked like she belonged here, like this was some kind of homecoming. I saw her turn to us as if sensing our struggle, and I stepped back seeing her eyes shining with a green light. She smiled at us before turning back to the dragon. A dismissal…

  I gasped when I felt the dragon’s mind reach out to her. How could a human mind cope with such a powerful invasion? I pressed a hand to my chest to try and ease my breathing.

  “Cheri, what’s wrong? Tell me!” Dorian shouted.

  “It’s talking to her,” I tapped my head to indicate that their communication was telepathic.

  “Can you tell what it’s saying?” he asked desperately and ran a hand through his hair.

  “It doesn’t mean her any harm.” I frowned, “It knows her.”

  Melissa laughed then took her shoes off to step on the creature’s foot and pat its face. She even embraced it. The dragon was beautiful, now that I really looked at it. The last time I was here I had seen one from a distance, but now I was barely a stone’s throw away. What a mighty being it was! The light glistened off the ridges on its face, highlighting its brow, snout and webbing behind its ears. It truly was majestic. A beautiful sheen of colour shimmered across its slender body.

  Warwick yelled in frustration then began to circle the pair with his hands pressed against the force field. I saw magic pouring out of his hands.

  I tutted at the vampire and rolled my eyes at his naivety. “It is the dragon’s doing. He’ll never break it.”

  “What can they possibly be talking about?” Dorian asked watching them curiously. It was clear the dragon was no threat so we all relaxed a little.

  “It looks rather like a reunion. Something isn’t right though. Melissa doesn’t look entirely herself, does she? They are behaving like old friends.” Dorian fell silent as we watched the two interact.

  “Cheri, I’ve been thinking things over and I have a question – more of a theory really,” he said carefully.

  Drawing my eyes away from the impossible scene before me I searched Dorian’s face. If something was concerning him then it was worth knowing. I had known him long enough to tell when he picked up on something I hadn’t pieced together.

  “What is it?” I pressed when he frustratingly paused instead of elaborated.

  “Could Melissa have been adopted?” He turned those keen, grey speculating eyes on me. It was a simple thought that would answer a lot of questions. I was shocked into silence by the simplicity of it.

  “We can’t investigate such a theory here, Dorian. I would need to research it when we get back - if we get back. Until then the truth, whatever the truth may be, will have to remain unknown. Melissa has a frail mind, so I would suggest that until then it would be unwise to raise the subject with her. The possibility of being adopted is upsetting enough. Until we have concrete evidence of either prospect I would keep quiet. Melissa is fragile enough these days.”

  I glanced back at the young girl dwarfed by the mythical beast. She threw her head back in laughter. “I’ll admit there is a lot of merit to the thought.” I missed working with Dorian. He often saw things I missed and read situations more intuitively than I did. One example of that had been Melissa’s magical potential. If I had listened to him about that then I would have put the girl under better protection. I still blamed myself for her kidnapping and at times it pulled me to pieces when I looked into those tortured eyes. My fault…

  “So, you’re not going to mention it?” Oliver asked appearing beside me and I flinched. I hate that ghost. I gave him a withering look.

  “Oliver, at this point it is only speculation. There is no point in upsetting her if we don’t know for sure. It might just be that her profound magic abilities came down to her from a distant ancestor, skipping previous generations. It’s quite possible. But the only people I have known with her level of ability originated from this world: so, it’s only natural to speculate about Melissa’s lineage.”

  “Wow, it’s just like Anarch invading her mind all over again, except this won’t kill her.”

  “Do you want to be responsible for making Melissa unhappy and unstable without solid evidence for making her so?” I asked irritably.

  “I’m just saying. Maybe there are things she ought to know now. It might be important…”

  “Like what?” I asked crossly. Oliver watched me and opened his mouth as though to say something then snapped it shut.

  “Is there something you’re not telling me, ghost?” I rounded on him. He took an unsure step backwards.

  “Oliver, mate!” Warwick approached us. “Can you get inside and tell us what’s going on?” The vampire was no longer revealing his fangs, but he was still clearly irate.

  Oliver looked relieved when he turned his back on me. Wretched ghost. “Already tried, my friend. That dragon has some kickass magic.” The men sighed in unison at that. I tried not to roll my eyes again.

  Dorian’s face became drawn and focused. “What is it?” I asked.

  He turned away, “Nothing.” But his eyes returned to bore into the back of Melissa’s head. He began sweating.

  “Dorian, is there something you’re not telling me?”

  He didn’t answer, but I thought I heard him whisper “My God…” under his breath.

  I didn’t like people hiding things from me. I felt like I had all the hints laid out before me like the pieces of a jigsaw puzzle, but the information I needed to fit it together and make sense of it all was missing. I needed to access that information by any means possible.

  ***

  Chapter 10

  A haze had lifted. Whatever had been pressing on my mind was now gone. It was as though a heavy fog had suppressed my consciousness, making me temporarily blind. I blinked stupidly, and my eyes fell on a dragon, of all things. What the… Holy Hell!

  My eyes sought out the creature’s teeth and I screamed. I hurriedly stepped back, tripped on my skirts and fell unceremoniously to the floor with a thump. I heard muffled voices abruptly invade the silent space I was in. Through the long grass I saw Dorian and Warwick pounding on some sort of invisible barrier with their fists. Cheri and Ol
iver watched with apprehension. Shit, they can’t get to me. I began to scramble towards them…

  “Don’t be afraid,” the dragon spoke in my mind with a young man’s voice.

  Shocked, I just turned and stared at it. “What do you want with me?” I automatically answered through telepathy.

  “I needed to make myself known you. I have made a promise to protect you, Melissa.” It looked at me with iridescent golden eyes, which momentarily flashed green. It sat back on its haunches and lowered its head to the grassy floor. “I won’t hurt you. I want to help you.”

  I began to feel a little more confident. The dragon had made it clear it was no threat. I bit my lip, consumed with curiosity. Taking one last look at my companions, I turned my full attention on the dragon.

  “Dargon.”

  “Sorry?”

  “Dargon is my name. It is what the humans call me. A sorceress gave it to me.”

  I stood up. “Why do you want to help me?”

  “Because you saved my life in another lifetime.” It tilted its pearlescent red head as it looked at me. I tried to let that sink in, but I was having trouble processing this new information. I had no words. “Your mind is a jumble. You are the reincarnation of a sorceress I knew long ago. She is still there; I just spoke to her through you.”

  “Jeez, will people stop doing that?” I asked aloud.

  “I saw what Anarch and Henrik have done to you. Do not dwell on the darkness or it will consume you.”

  I looked over my shoulder at my friends now watching me intently. “You did that?” I asked out loud. I was getting a headache through all the mind speech.

  “Yes.”

  “Is there anything you can do about this connection I have with Anarch? When he calls in the favour I owe him, I don’t think it will be for good deeds.” It was worth a shot. The dragon obviously had some serious power.

  “No, it won’t.” Dargon’s eyes narrowed. “I am sorry. I cannot. He has cast a binding necromantic spell on your spirit. If I tried to lift it then it would trigger a self-destruction spell that would kill you. It must be undone by the one who cast it, or the debt must be repaid and it will lift.”

  “Pants.” Okay, this isn’t good. I’m going to have to see it through.

  “Unfortunately, yes you will.”

  So, I could die if someone tried to break the spell. At least I knew for sure. I sighed and then took in the marvel that stood before me. I wished I had my camera. Dargon was impressive and beautiful and I could feel magic emanating from him in waves. I walked around him to memorise every glistening scale. I knew my memory would never do him justice.

  “You are the most magnificent creature I have ever seen,” I said quietly.

  “Thank you. Can I keep you?” he asked almost sheepishly.

  I stood ram rod stiff and wondered what he meant by that. “You don’t mean like take me away to your secret stash of treasure and place me on a plinth as your trophy item, do you?” I asked a little shakily.

  The dragon’s golden eyes widened and then he lifted his head to the sky and roared, fire bursting from his nostrils. I backed away quickly. I’ve angered him! I turned to run to my friends when it dawned on me that what I heard in my mind was a roar of laughter, so I faltered and turned back.

  “I like your new sense of humour. I meant as a friend.”

  I smiled at him. “Of course.” Feeling a little braver, I stepped a little closer again. “So, what happens now?”

  “I will follow you and keep in touch.” He grew silent and I saw something glint in his eye. “I’m glad your charm found its way back to you.” His eyes travelled to my wrist.

  I stared in surprise and touched the charm Dorian had attached to my bracelet for me. I looked at Dargon. “I used to own this in my previous life?”

  “Yes, I gave it to you two hundred years ago from my ‘secret stash of treasure.’” I heard amusement in his voice. I watched him, and a thousand questions sprang to mind. What was I like in my previous life? I lived in this world? How had I saved the dragon? How powerful was I? How old is he?

  “Too many questions.”

  Of course, he could read my thoughts. Dargon turned to my friends, narrowed his eyes then turned back to me.

  “You have an interesting connection with your life partner,” he said, and only then did I notice Dorian trying to see into my mind. “The spell planted the seed; you are forever connected.” Dargon turned to me, “Much like how dragons connect with their mates.” Okay, that was a slightly disturbing thought and I tried not to think about it. “You must return to them before your vampire loses his humanity through rage.”

  I turned back to them to see Warwick baring his teeth at the dragon. I was taken aback at the ferocious sight of him; I rarely saw those killing fangs.

  “I shall leave you now. But be wary, you cannot trust everyone you are with.”

  “Everyone? You mean Stephanie?”

  “I must leave you for now. I shall never be far from you.” Before I could protest Dargon leaned back slowly onto his hind legs then leapt effortlessly into the air above me. I crouched to the floor as a smile split my face and I marvelled at his magnificence. His wings spread out and beat the air to lift him higher. The downdraft whirled the wind around me, creating a small dust devil as I watched the thick-scaled muscles work beneath those webbed wonders. He shimmered in the light and I had to squint to keep my eyes on him. I stood in awed silence as I watched the dragon gracefully fly back to the distant mountains, his large shadow ghosting the meadow. Wow…

  “Melissa!” My attention snapped back to my friends and saw them running towards me. Warwick got to me first, almost in a blur, followed by Dorian, Oliver and Cheri. “What the bloody hell was that, Mel?” Warwick spat, and he grabbed my wrist. He looked into my eyes and I felt that damned enthralling trance. I’ll tell him everything…

  I jumped when someone punched him in the face and he broke eye contact with me. I shook my head to clear away the dreamy state he had plunged me into. Cheri grabbed my arm and pulled me away from what looked like Dorian and Warwick squaring up for a fight.

  “If you do that again I’ll rip your head off, vampire,” Dorian threatened in a low voice, but with deadly effect. Indeed, Dorian had ripped the head off a vampire before and Warwick was well aware of that: he’d heard the story. The memory made me shudder.

  Warwick strode up to his face. “It was an accident, I get riled up and it just happens. I didn’t mean anything by it.” They shared a glare, then Dorian broke away.

  “What happened?” Oliver asked me, his blue eyes filled with concern.

  I sighed, “I learned something new about me, is what happened.” I turned to Cheri, “Apparently I am the reincarnation of a powerful sorceress who existed here two hundred years ago.” Three shocked faces fell into silence. My eyes remained questioningly on Cheri’s impassive one.

  “What else did he tell you?” Dorian asked tentatively. He gave me a look that said he knew more than I did. He threw an image into my mind of me embracing the dragon. My eyes widened.

  “We must get back to our party. We are sitting ducks out here in the open alone.” Cheri snapped. What’s got her all riled up? Dorian helped me onto Daisy. Travelling back to the others I filled them in on my conversation with the dragon.

  “Yes, it looked like the two of you were old friends. You even embraced the dragon,” Cheri informed me. I shot a knowing look at Dorian. I had been taken over by the spirit of my former self who took control of my body.

  “Can this happen again? Can this other person just inhabit my body whenever she feels like it? Oh my God, could she take over my body?” I was becoming hysterical. Paranoia was about to kick in.

  “I don’t think she will take over your body or she would already have done so. I genuinely think she wanted to greet her old friend. However, I also think that because you are now in this world, the barriers that stand in the way of it happening are weaker. In our world I don’t think
this phenomenon would occur.” Cheri was coolness itself as she supplied me with that opinion.

  I slumped it the saddle feeling fatigued already and subconsciously fiddled with the dragon charm on my bracelet. I looked solemnly at Dorian. He hadn’t asked any questions and I knew it was because he had heard my mental conversation with Dargon. When will we have some time alone to discuss this? He also knew that I suspected Stephanie was a traitor. I desperately needed to talk to him. Was he feeling hurt that I hadn’t shared this information with him? I watched him closely, but he didn’t look at me.

  We recounted the events to the rest of the group when we re-joined them. Most were shocked, and I found that the only person who wasn’t was Adhelm.

  “I’m not surprised my child. I haven’t seen so much power in one person for a long time.” His blue eyes seemed to look past mine to another time and place. He changed the subject. “There aren’t many dragons left in our world,” he mused looking off into the distance. “You have been given a great gift. The friendship of a dragon does indeed span lifetimes.”

  We continued on in pensive silence and without incident. Later that day, as the sun began its decent to the horizon and made the shadows reach out to us, Stephanie fell out of line to fall back beside me. “How are you feeling?”

  I prepared to take nothing she said at face value. “I’m okay thanks, just a bit tired.” That wasn’t a lie. We rode on in silence and I wondered how long it would take for her to get to the point. I saw Cheri, just ahead of me, turn her head slightly to listen in. I hoped Stephanie hadn’t noticed.

  “Dragons are very intuitive, I believe. They can read minds and see a person’s soul through their eyes. Did he tell you anything you didn’t know about yourself, or pass on anything interesting?”

  There it was. She wanted to know if he had suggested anything that might imply she was untrustworthy. I looked ahead and in a bored tone I said, “I’ve spilled everything he said to me. Why would you think I might hold anything back?” I gave her scrutinizing glare as I waited for her response.