Charred Hope (#3, Heart of Fire)

by Lizzy Ford

  “Go on,” Chace said slowly. He folded his arms across his chest, not understanding how Dillon thought he had any kind of leverage to negotiate right now. He still tasted blood in his mouth and spit to clear it. As a dragon, he didn’t mind eating raw meat. As a human, it was a little less appealing.

  “Griffins and dragons can live in peace.”

  “Yeah, I believe that,” Chace agreed. “There’s one true leader of the community.”

  “You?” Dillon scoffed.

  “Sky.”

  The griffin shifter rolled his eyes. “I didn’t expect you to be pussy-whipped so quickly, though I guess I almost understand. She is good in the sack.”

  Chace’s jaw clenched. He’d baited Dillon this way before and wasn’t about to be drawn in.

  “I know what’s good for the community,” he said instead. “She’s good for it. She’s got the right instincts, instincts creatures like you and me don’t have. She’s capable of compassion. And mercy.”

  Dillon shifted, hearing the veiled threat. “But you believe we can live in peace.”

  With you gone. “I do. Which is why I’ll give you a choice, Dillon. Hibernation or death.”

  Dillon’s sneer faded.

  Chace waited, hoping the griffin didn’t choose hibernation, not after all the damage he’d done. If the griffins had a sliver of hope that their leader could be brought back, they’d be more difficult to deal with.

  “How about a challenge? You and me. To the death,” Dillon suggested.

  Chace assessed his body. He was exhausted from the wear and tear of his rough day, but he guessed Dillon wasn’t in much better shape, after fighting his way through the dragons earlier.

  “Sure,” he decided. “Let’s finish this.”

  “Sounds like a plan.”

  Piece of cake, Chace thought to himself and knelt, preparing to shift.

  Chapter Fourteen

  Skylar bunny kicked Gunner away from her hurt leg once more, not wanting to lie still when a battle raged on. Her head pounded from oxygen depletion while her body ached. Her ribs felt bruised after Freyja’s rough treatment and her broken leg was completely numb.

  “Would you stop?” he growled, pushing her back. “You’re not going anywhere, especially since you don’t even have the energy to shift back!”

  She sighed and rested her large lioness head on the ground, irritated but aware he was right. She’d tried twice to shift with no luck. Her body was just too beat up.

  Dear god – please tell me I’m not stuck as a lion forever! Lying still for a moment, she stared into the direction Chace had gone, towards the flames and screeches of griffins in battle a short distance away.

  It didn’t take a genius to know he was going after Dillon. She wasn’t able to ask about what happened to Freyja, though a peek at her Protector instincts told her the deceitful dragon was dead.

  “He took out Freyja,” Gunner said, as if reading her mind. “No idea what that bitch was doing. Took you almost into space before Chace threw her out of the sky.”

  Skylar twisted to stare at the stars overhead, unable to imagine a dragon flying in space. It made her want to laugh.

  She snorted and flicked her tail. Gunner muttered and pushed the tail aside. He was handling her leg with the gentleness of a blind doctor who had no feeling in his hands.

  Pain shot through her. She growled at him in warning.

  “You’re fine,” he replied. “I have to set this. It’ll hurt. I’ll keep talking. Focus on my voice.”

  Skylar squeezed her eyes closed and braced herself for the pain.

  “He killed Freyja in midair. Grabbed her by the throat.”

  Agony shot through her.

  Skylar roared.

  Gunner continued talking, unaffected. “Then he bit off her leg to get to you and saved you. Freyja fell, though I’m pretty sure she was dead before she hit the ground.”

  Blackness crept up on her as he continued to work with the broken leg. Skylar lay limply, close to passing out. She listened to Gunner’s voice. The images in her mind created by his words were disturbing. As much as she knew Freyja was a lost cause, she didn’t like the idea of any creature suffering. Even those that deserved it.

  Then again, if she killed my mom … Dillon’s claims continued to replay in her mind. That her mother might’ve been alive less than twelve hours before … that Skylar had almost found her or at least, was close … that she’d ultimately failed. Her family had sacrificed itself for her. Maybe I don’t pity Freyja. I just wish I knew the truth.

  She dozed involuntarily, aware of her surroundings yet unable to wake up fully.

  “Would you tell your tail to knock it off?” Gunner’s annoyed voice drew her from the darkness and her thoughts.

  Skylar lifted her head to see her tail smacking him repeatedly in the face. She ordered the wild appendage to stop, and it dropped, its tip still flicking. There were few things as fascinating as a tail.

  The panther shifter finished a makeshift split and taped up her leg to keep it in place.

  Skylar sat up, unable to quell the urge to be where the action was, to make sure Chace was alive and well. She sensed him with Dillon, and the idea the two might be fighting made her anxious to help. After all she’d been through, she wasn’t about to lose her Chace, her only remaining family member.

  Gunner slapped her rump and stood. “Not quite good as new. When you’re ready to shift, we’ll have to re-tape it.”

  She climbed to her feet wearily, wanting nothing better than to call the cabin and take a nap. Their night, however, was just beginning. The bandaged leg was too stiff for her to move at more than a light trot, but the pain had lessened.

  Skylar walked around the rise where they’d taken refuge from the battle and took in the sight before her.

  Dragon and griffins battled in the skies. The massive form of Mason was leaping and batting at any griffin that came within a few feet of him. At least one dark form of a griffin was near him, evidence of how dangerous the earthbound cat was. As she watched, at least one creature from each side fell and slammed into the ground. She flinched, her heart hurting for the creatures she was charged with protecting. They were so beautiful and lethal – yet mortal. This was what she was supposed to prevent.

  Guilty, restless, agitated, she started forward as quickly as her leg would let her. Hearing the soft steps of a feline pursuing, she looked over her shoulder to see Gunner in his tan panther form, loping after her. He swatted at her and slowed, growling.

  She understood he was doing what he thought was best, but it made her feel worse, knowing another life was in potential danger.

  They trotted together towards the gaping hole in the ground that led to the caverns below.

  As entrancing as the battle between creatures in the sky was, it was the one on the ground that soon drew her attention. There was no overlooking the forms of Chace and Dillon, who were each one and a half times larger than the next largest dragon or griffin shifter.

  The two were in all out war, the massive creatures bounding effortlessly between the earth and sky. They maneuvered around the battling griffins and dragons as if the others were standing still, landed lightly atop hills only to bounce into the sky again, soar towards the stars then plummet to the earth and land lightly.

  Their acrobatics were more incredible than anything she’d seen, and she couldn’t help thinking that she had a lot to learn about being a shifter.

  Both beasts were bleeding, though it didn’t seem to slow them. Dillon appeared to be trying to wear the bigger dragon pursuing him down with the sky sprints and gravity defying maneuvers.

  Chace not only kept up with apparent ease, but he also managed to slash Dillon more often than the griffin was able to wound him.

  Skylar winced as Chace’s talons shredded one of Dillon’s wings. As much as the griffin deserved all the pain in the world, she just couldn’t bring herself to feel triumph seeing him being beaten to death slowly. She had no dou
bt Chace would win. The dragon shifter had been reborn, and the intensity and viciousness of his strikes showed her what his intention was this night.

  No longer able to take refuge in the sky, Dillon turned on Chace, his dangerous tail poised to strike.

  I hate that thing, she thought, recalling how much damage the whip-like tail was capable of inflicting. Skylar trotted towards them, Gunner beside her. The ground trembled as Dillon flung Chace to the ground. The dragon hopped to his feet and shredded Dillon’s other wing, eliciting a scream of pain and fury from the griffin.

  Skylar hurried as fast as she could go, hobbling towards the battling beasts. She wanted to be there if Chace needed her, even if she doubted she had the motor skills needed yet to do much more than become a speed bump for the enraged griffin.

  Testing her magic, she was able to feel the different signatures of shifters but not yet pull one to her. Her short down time with Gunner had renewed some of her strength, but she guessed it’d take a good night of sleep and a full-blown buffet for her to have the energy to shift.

  The closer she got, the slower she went. Every time one of the great beasts threw the other down, the earth shook. Skylar eyed the opening to the caverns, not about to get close enough to fall in with the ground moving beneath her.

  Dillon and Chace toppled to the ground, grappling in a confusing jumble of wings, legs and tails. Roars and squawks filled the air, along with the occasional grunt and crunch of rocks and boulders that exploded beneath their combined weight. Sand was kicked up into the air, and Skylar sneezed as a cloud of dust settled over her.

  She stopped, watching, unable to tell what was going on as the two rolled and wrestled. Fire blew by Dillon’s head and was followed by a bellow of pain from Chace, as if Dillon had bitten him.

  They stopped moving, limbs and wings and heads all locked in place in a silent battle of brute strength, like two wrestlers at a draw. Only Dillon’s tail was flying, trying to grab Chace’s legs or wind around his neck.

  Skylar eyed it, the sudden urge to snatch the flailing, dangerous tail enhanced by a feline’s predatory instinct. She approached more cautiously, taking in the two. Both were straining, the scent of charred fur, blood and sweat in the air. Her nose wrinkled at the power of the smells, and she crept closer silently. Chace was on top of the griffin, but his head and neck were trapped beneath it, creating an awkward position for both of them.

  Dillon’s leg lashed out reflexively as he lost his grip on Chace’s neck. It smacked into Skylar and sent her tumbling back.

  She landed on the side with her hurt leg and growled in pain. The splint had snapped, leaving tape clinging to her limb. Standing with effort, she tossed dirt from her small mane then moved forward again.

  The two hadn’t changed position. Dillon regained his grip, while Chace’s muscles bulged as he strained to break away. Dillon’s tail was prodding different spots, trying to find a way between their bodies to grab Chace.

  Skylar moved as closed as she dared, watching the tail carefully. When certain she could predict where it’d go next, she crouched.

  One. Two. Three. She leapt at it, landing on top of the two beasts. Skylar batted the tail then bit down on it hard.

  Dillon shrieked and released Chace.

  The two creatures rolled a part, and Skylar toppled off them, landing too close to Dillon for comfort. She got to her feet and found herself facing the angry, injured griffin. Before she was able to react, he smashed a leg into her, sending her sprawling once more.

  A feline roar drew Dillon’s attention, and Gunner launched at the griffin. He sank claws into Dillon’s flank and tore open gaping wounds. Dillon rounded on the panther and knocked him down with one blow, preparing to snap Gunner’s head off.

  Skylar started forward, only for someone to plant a massive paw on her tail. Spinning, she saw Chace directly behind her. He released her and nudged her out of the way gently with a bloodied muzzle.

  Understanding his nonverbal command, she stepped aside to give him room to attack Dillon.

  With speed that astounded her, the massive teal dragon closed the distance between him and the griffin in a blur. She heard his talons shred through Dillon a split second before the sound of his fangs sinking into the griffin’s neck.

  A sickening crack filled the air, and Skylar flinched.

  Dillon went limp.

  Chace shook him viciously by the neck to make certain he was dead then flung him aside.

  Gunner was bloodied and dusty but on his feet, panting.

  Skylar stared at Dillon’s still body. Dared she believe those responsible for destroying her family and life were now dead?

  Chace’s growl rumbled deep in his throat. He was breathing hard, and blood glistened on his scales in the starlight.

  Skylar limped to him, unable to identify what emotions were going through her. Gratitude, hope.

  Regret. So many had died, and the divide within the shifter community was deep enough that she wasn’t sure how they were going to repair the trust between shifters like the griffins and Mason and those they’d captured and placed into hibernation.

  Not to mention that the only two people who knew the truth about what happened to her mother were now dead.

  Not sure I could’ve trusted their versions of events anyway. Why was it so hard to have that one question answered? She’d decided to accept the loss of a past she wasn’t able to change – with the exception of her mother.

  She rubbed up against one of Chace’s legs. His muzzle lowered, and he nudged her again then nipped at one of her ears. He was tired, the strain clear in the tremble of his limbs.

  Skylar sat beside him, gazing up at him.

  The battle between the griffins and dragons still raged. Yet another issue she wasn’t certain how to fix.

  Chace’s attention went overhead. He spread his wings and lowered his body then leapt into the air, hanging above them. With not even an ounce of gentleness, he stretched his legs to Dillon’s broken body and gripped it with his talons. He hauled them both towards the heavens.

  Skylar watched in fatigued curiosity. He appeared to be headed directly into the fray, clutching Dillon close to his body.

  Gunner joined her. He, too, was limping and smelled of fresh blood.

  Chace pushed into the middle of the battle. Skylar cried out in objection and warning, expecting the griffins to attack the man who killed their leader. As if to goad them on, Chace roared loudly enough for his cry to echo in the caverns below.

  To her surprise, the battle stopped the moment the flying beasts noticed Chace. He wove deliberately among them, ensuring everyone saw Dillon’s limp carcass.

  Mason trotted up to her and Gunner, showing no signs of being hurt. He paced in front of them, eyes on the skies.

  Skylar waited with baited breath to see what happened next.

  The griffins backed off. Regrouping a short distance away, they began descending from the skies, circling then landing in a herd near the opening of the caverns.

  The dragons drifted off as well, back towards the hill where Gunner had treated her. Rather than landing, they remained in the sky, circling.

  Chace dropped Dillon’s body into the gaping caverns then followed the other dragons. He circled downward rapidly, settling on the ground behind the hill, beyond her sight.

  Skylar, Gunner and Mason hurried back towards them. She lagged behind, unable to keep up with her hurt leg. Her muscles were burning from exhaustion, her body shaking. She wanted nothing more than to crawl into bed and sleep for a year.

  Hurting, Skylar slowed to a walk and reached the group last, just as the three men were pulling on their clothing. Agitated she couldn’t shift, she began to wonder once more if she was doomed to remain a feline forever.

  The scent of pizza drifted towards her, and she twisted to see the cabin. It had appeared silently a few feet away. Her gaze lingered on the open door, and she almost groaned at the thought of eating half a dozen pizzas then sinking into the cl
oud-like bed. She’d never been so thrilled by food or a nap before.

  “Sky, can you shift?” Chace asked, approaching her.

  She gave a mournful yowl in response and sat.

  He smiled tightly, the strain of the evening showing on his features. Her withers reached his mid-chest and she lifted her head to rest it on his shoulder.

  Chace chuckled warmly and hugged her to him, ruffling her thick fur. She breathed in his honey-bonfire scent. It was mixed with blood, dust and sweat and reassured her he truly was alive.

  They both were. They’d managed to defeat Freyja and Dillon and survive.

  “I’ve got to go deal with the griffins. I’m pretty sure they’ll fall into line, now that Dillon is gone,” Chace said into her soft fur. “I want to get this process started. When you’re … rested, we can both confront them about how things will be from now on.”

  Unable to speak, she opened her mouth in a loud growl.

  “There’s a surprise for you in the cabin,” he added.

  She wanted to demand to know what took him so long to show up today and why he’d run off with Freyja.

  Not that it mattered, since the white dragon was dead. But she couldn’t shake her irritation at feeling abandoned for a few hours.

  “We’ll talk later,” he assured her, amused. “Then we can figure out how to clean up this mess.” He moved away, determination on his features.

  Skylar watched him trot away, envying his energy. She was completely sapped, her body yearning for rest.

  The breeze brought the scent of pizza to her once more.

  “Let me get your leg fixed again,” Gunner said, starting towards her.

  She snapped at him, her patience gone. Not about to let him corner her so he could torture her again, she limped quickly towards the cabin, her refuge. Head low, she climbed the first two steps before she noticed someone standing in the doorway.

  Skylar froze, staring at the odd woman before her. Small, bald, slender to the point of emaciated …

  Completely off her radar. If her Protector senses had anything to say about it, they’d tell her there was no one in front of her at all. Skylar sniffed at the stranger. She smelled like …