Ash growls, low and fierce, the sound vibrating through the small space. Suddenly, the golden bands marking her skin flare up, bursting into vibrant flames that dance along her body. The sight is breathtaking and terrifying, a raw display of power that demands attention. Her voice cuts through the crackling of magic, commanding and urgent. “Now, Kai.”
Smirking, I give her a wink and flick my attention back to Seraphina. “No funny business?”
She frowns and tilts her head in confusion. “Funny business?”
“Never mind.” I reach my hand out and grasp hers, feeling the warmth of her palm against mine.
Seraphina scrunches up her nose. “You’re very sick.”
I don’t respond because the moment our blood blends, it’s like setting off a bomb, igniting a symphony of small explosions in every nerve ending. Waves of warm healing energy wash over me, erasing any lingering pain or injuries. With each passing second, my breathing steadies, becoming effortless for the first time in hours. The entire process takes less than a minute, and I feel completely renewed.
“Thank you,” I say, sincerity lacing my words.
I give her hand a gentle squeeze and step back.
“It’s nothing,” she replies, her tone modest, if not shy.
“It wasn’t nothing,” Ash interjects firmly. “You saved him.”
Seraphina’s expression softens, but before she can respond, I speak up. “Well, Seraphina, want to get out of here?”
She looks around at the desolate landscape of the Outlands and nods. “Yes, definitely.”
“Once we’re out of the Outlands and safe,” Ash says, gripping her hand, “it’s your decision if you wish to accompany us to our world and meet the men who want you to join them.”
Seraphina frowns, a hint of confusion in her eyes. “Men?”
“Yes, like me,” I say, squeezing Ash’s waist. “Only they are like you, dragon shifters.”
Seraphina’s skin shimmers and her eyes light up. “There are more like me?”
My heart aches for this woman, for the life she’s been forced to endure in the shadows. How long has she been hidden away here, in the Outlands, cut off from the world?
I glance at Ash, whose expression mirrors my own feelings. Her eyes narrow, filled with a mix of anger and empathy, and she turns her glare toward Seraphina, demanding answers.
“How long have you been here?” Ash’s voice is sharp, a reflection of the urgency in her question.
The woman hesitates for a moment, her gaze distant, as if recalling memories too painful to confront. “This,” she says, gesturing to the bleak landscape behind her, “is all I’ve known. It has been my home since I can remember.”
There’s a haunting sadness in her words, but also a hint of something darker, something that chills me to the core. The isolation must have been unbearable, lonely.
“She used my own blood to keep me trapped here,” Seraphina continues, her voice dropping to a whisper. “The witches told me horrifying tales of those who searched out dragons and dragon shifters. She warned me that if I ever escaped, I would be hunted relentlessly by those who sought to control and exploit my powers. That I had no choice but to remain hidden.”
The weight of her confession hangs heavy in the air, and I feel a deep, aching sorrow for her, for the life stolen from her, and for the fear that has kept her imprisoned in this forsaken place.
Seraphina’s skin shimmers even more intensely, reflecting the multitude of emotions coursing through her. “But if you help me break the blood magic holding me captive, I can leave? You’ll help me get far away from here? I want to meet other dragons.”
The realization that there are others of her kind seems to ignite a fire in her eyes, fueling my determination to protect her at all costs.
“We will help you,” Ash states with conviction.
“How do we break a blood spell?” I ask warily.
Ash starts pacing, her hands twirling in her hair. “Breaking a blood spell can be a challenging task.”
I snort. “Everything is a challenge here.”
“Touché.”
