Krispin
Mydragonwantedblood.These little pissants thought they could touch what was his. I was the top predator here, and I would destroy any that even breathed a bad word toward our mate.
"We did not know, oh great King," a sniveling voice said.
I looked down to see it was one of the elders that had been sitting in agreement with Atticus; now he was bowed down on his knees, begging for his life.
Suddenly, I didn't feel Ben. I turned to look, and a beautiful woman stood over him and Roarke. Both lay unconscious. She smirked at me, and with a wave of her hand, the three of them disappeared.
I roared and my dragon took control. The ground shook with my unfettered rage. The stone pillars of the puny circle fell. None were safe.Burn the sky!my dragon whispered.Kill them all and reclaim what is ours.
I launched into the air and let loose a brilliant blue flame that enveloped the night sky. Some gargoyles tried to take flight but were quickly enveloped in the fire and burned to ash. They would all feel the wrath of the Sacred Flame.
The elders scrambled, trying to flee to get to safety. My friends fought beside me and let loose attacks on all those still standing. My eyes sought the elder who had started this all, Atticus. He would pay for his deception. He was not there; he was missing. I called to Devin who was in a like rage, pulling the heart out of one of our gargoyle attackers.
"Where is Atticus?" I rumbled.
"I saw him flee behind a wall of gargoyles!" he called back.
I let loose another roar as I took to the sky again, searching, hunting my prey. I didn't see him, but I saw the next best thing, Bazer. He was attempting to flee, as many were. I swooped down and landed in front of him. He recoiled and tried to take to the sky. I swatted him with my tail, and he flew toward the ground. He tried to get up, but his leg was at an odd angle. He was trying to crawl backward to get away from me. He yelled as I brought down my mighty claw, caging and pinning him down. He was going nowhere.
"Where is my mate?" I snarled.
He whimpered. I snarled again, "Where is my mate? Do not make me ask you again."
"I don't know. Atticus didn't tell me that Harper was taking him!" he cried.
"Who is Harper?"
"She’s a witch. She’s Atticus's whore, and the one who gave me the Keneke. I was just supposed to kill a bloodsucker so Atticus could cleanse our race and start a war. Then I would get back my clutch." He cringed as I tightened my hold.
"Where would Atticus go? Where does this witch live?" I demanded.
"He'll kill me if I tell you."
"I’m going to kill you. It’s just a matter if it’s swiftly, or torturous—and believe me, I will make it agony for you. Perhaps I’ll start by plucking those puny wings from your back," I growled.
His eyes rounded as he realized that he would be losing his life today. "If you let me live, I’ll tell you everything. I’ll take you to them," he pleaded.
"And if you don't tell me, I will torture you and make you wish you were dead," I said as I lifted one of my long, sharp claws and brought it down, piercing him through one of his wings.
He yelled in agony. "Please, please stop! There is a clearing just east of here. It's the witch's land. No one goes there. Her magic wards protect and surround the area. You won't be able to find it without me. I'll take you. Please, just stop!"
I lifted my claw off him and yelled to Basil, who stood by, "Pick him up, secure him!"
I shifted back into my human form, stepped forward, and grabbed Bazer. "You will take me to him now."
I turned to Basil. "Where are the others?"
"Devin and Elder Sonod are attempting to track Atticus. Cameron and Jackson are over by the circle with guards loyal to Sonod."
We walked toward the destroyed circle, and Bazer grunted in pain from his still broken leg.
"Shut up!" Basil barked, dragging Bazer by the arm.
We approached Cameron and Jackson. Cameron had a cut over his eye and Jackson had scratches on his stomach.
"Cameron, get the car. This piece of shit is going to lead us to Ben and Roarke," I said.
