Dante’s roar wasn’t one of power, it was one of pain. It drew all our attention. A spear of ice stuck out of his arm as the wielder working against him continued channeling the elements.
“NO,” Jasper yelled before barreling through the air.
Understanding he might not make it in time, I acted without question. Light fell from the sky, violently splitting the ice wielder in two. I vomited, folding at my waist and resting my hands against my knees. Nausea from energy depletion sank its wretched claws into me, despite this being a rather inconvenient time to feel poorly. And the gruesome spectacle of severing a person in half didn’t help matters.
Jasper reached Dante and began chipping away at the ice that bound him.
“Mel!” Tio’s throat tearing warning called my attention to the snapping twig behind me. I twisted in my crouched position to see the woman approaching in her human form. Her foot came up, aiming for my head.
I only had time to suck in a wisp of breath before the world went dark.
60
Tio
Fear like I’d never known cleaved my heart as efficiently as a sword. The way Melody’s head ricocheted off that bitch’s boot seared into my brain. Reaching into my magic, I snapped a branch off a near tree, sending it hurtling toward the woman.
I would skewer this bitch.
But the snap had been too loud, and it drew her attention. She shifted into that ghastly version of a bird and dodged my makeshift spear. It pierced the ground with deadly force where she’d stood seconds before.
“I’d think twice,” a man said unnervingly calmly behind me. That’s when I realized he’d surrounded me with the curse’s veins. Trapped me.
I had no way to get to Melody. I searched the clearing, only to find the four of us remaining. Melody, me, and the dark marked man and woman.
Dead bodies of their party lay scattered, but Jasper and Dante were out of sight. There would be no one to save us, and against the two of them, I was outmatched. All I could care about wasthat enchanting blonde woman passed out on the ground mere feet from me.
“Please, don’t hurt her,” I begged, falling to my knees and dropping my sword. “Let me tend to her.” A cold sweat broke over my skin, tears clouding my vision. I might never get to touch her again, that radiant woman made from pure sunshine. Might leave her in the hands of these corrupt monsters for only the gods knew whatever purpose.
I recalled Ro’s letter. For whatever reason, they hunted magic wielders. So I’d give them one. “I have magic. Take me. She’s not trained. I am.”
The woman appeared again in human form and scoffed. “Trained or not, she holds a tremendous amount of power.” She tilted her head to the side in an unnatural fashion, much like her owl form would. “But your magic will be useful, too. Plus, I need someone to carry her.” She glanced down at Melody’s motionless body with nothing more than inconvenience in her eyes.
My blood heated. If it weren’t for the swirling black tendrils snaking the ground around me, I would have split her down the middle with my blade already.
Just then, a pathway cleared before me, the black lines withdrawing. The ground to Melody was uncursed, and I launched. I fell to my knees at her side, scooping her gently into my arms.
“Mel?” Her name trembled off my lips. Brushing back her hair, careful not to press too hard on the area she’d been kicked, I looked her over.
She didn’t stir.
Placing my hand over her chest, I shuddered when I felt the confirming presence of a heartbeat. I pulled her close, burying my face in the crook of her neck. “I’ve got you,” I whispered.
The woman groaned, and the man snickered. “Sentiment,” he said, as if it was something to mock. “Get on your feet.”
I’ll get us out of this. If at the very least, you.
61
Ro
We found the dragon’s nest.
I swallowed the lump in my throat. We’d ascended further up the mountain, settling on a plain of flat rock that almost became a valley between the mountains. Nestled among the boulders and rocky ledges were massive creatures covered in scales and wings and horns.
“Stay on me. If they go to make a move, I’ll get us out of here,”Dae said. His steps were careful and quiet. I was sure the sound of my thundering heart was loud enough to echo across the rock, but kept my mind silent and clear. When I picked up on faint murmurings of conversation, I knew I was in range.
“I’m here looking for the dragons,” I shouted internally from atop Dae’s back.
