Hold on, my Cardia. I'm coming for you, I thought.
Ben
Holdon,myCardia.I'm coming for you. Those were the words that flitted into my mind. I groaned and tried to shake my head as I opened my eyes. Where was I? What happened? I quickly touched my stomach. My son was still there. I sighed in relief and looked around.
I was in a large circular, barren clearing which had a stone like altar in the center. I continued to scan the area and saw Roarke, bound in chains, to my left. He seemed unconscious.
"Harper, what the hell are you doing?" an angry voice I recognized said.
"Your little bloodsucker is the Dragon King's mate, and he's pregnant with the beast's child. I need him to draw the dragon here, so I can take his blood. Not only will his blood make me all powerful, but I’ll get my revenge on him for killing my father," a woman's voice replied.
"That was not part of the plan, witch!" Atticus yelled.
"Don't worry. You’ll still get to kill the vampire and have your war. Only it will be a little delayed. Besides, the only way to kill the vampire now is with a Marbhtach Spear—the ancient dragon killer," she explained.
I looked and saw she held a long wooden staff with a blade on the end. The blade was rounded, and the metal was dark black and yet gleaming. It wasn't a metal I had ever seen before. This had to be magical. Right where the blade met the staff there was a metal figure of a dragon, made of the same metal as the blade.
"Why in the world would I need that to kill him?" Atticus asked.
"He's carrying the beast's child, and if that is not enough, he drinks the beast's blood. In essence the bloodsucker is like a dragon, and his skin can’t be pierced unless it's with a dragon killer," the woman, Harper, responded.
"Now, shut up. I need to get the trap ready for the beast when he comes," she snapped.
"Now see here, witch, you may be a good fuck, but you’re just that! You do not order me around," Atticus snapped.
She whirled around and backhanded him, causing him to fly to the ground.
"You fool. You’re nothing but a puppet, a means to an end. Just like the other dicks I’ve had. Let me tell you a story," she said as Atticus lay on the ground, unable to move.
"Many, many years ago before you were born, I lived in the most beautiful place. It was an island in the sky. It was the most magical country you could imagine. A land full of dragons, witches, and humans. My father was a great mage. He discovered that dragon's blood could increase his power and allow him to become immortal and the most powerful mage known." She paused as she placed the spear on the altar and poured a liquid over it.
"He left my mother and seduced a dragon, the rightful heir to the throne, and together they proceeded to combine their magic using the dragon's blood. They shared some of that blood with me. Not a lot, but enough to make me immortal. Then they made their way to claim the throne. As they killed the royal family, that beast you saw today let loose his fire and killed my father and his mate. So, you see, I will get my vengeance, and none will stop me."
She continued to walk around the altar chanting as Atticus still lay on the ground where she had thrown him. Magical power surged toward the stone. The wind swirled around Harper,causing her hair to rise and lifting her body so she floated. She continued to chant with arms spread wide.
From the corner of my eye, I saw Roarke move. I looked at him. He had broken the chains and was glowing red. He moved toward me, but as he got close, a lightning bolt landed in front of him. We turned to see Harper grinning and holding up her sparking hands.
Roarke turned to face her, his body glowing a brighter red. She fired another bolt at him again, but this time it reflected off the red glow. The glow grew brighter. Then Roarke shifted into his dragon and let loose a giant roar. The red glow that had surrounded him as a human now enveloped his dragon. It looked like a thin wall of fire that protected him.
"I am Roarke Dìon Rìoghail, Royal Guardian Protector of High Garden, and you will not touch my charge," he growled.
Harper screamed and launched a barrage of lightning strikes from her hands. The red glow around Roarke grew stronger as the lightning bounced off him. Unfazed, Roarke opened his mouth, and a stream of fire blasted out. Just as it was about to hit Harper, she shrieked and lifted what I thought must be a magical shield. I heard another roar, but this one was in the distance; that was the sound of my beloved.
Krispin!I cried out in my mind.Hurry, she's trying to kill Roarke.
I’m on my way, my love. His growled response echoed through my head.
Suddenly, Devin and Elder Sonod broke through the tree line, making their way to where the battle was taking place. In the sky, I saw another stream of fire shooting toward the witch. This fire was a pure blue flame, and it shattered Harper’s magical shield, and the impact sent her flying.
I was so engrossed in watching the battle I didn't notice Atticus had gotten up. I saw him just as he was charging towardme with the spear in hand. I turned, closed my eyes and yelled. I waited for the impact, but it never came. Opening my eyes, I saw Roarke with the dragon-killing spear sticking out of his underbelly. I cried out.
Devin rushed up and cut Atticus's head off with his vampire claw. I turned back to see what was happening with the witch. She had lost the advantage and stood no chance against Kris. She let loose a scream and disappeared.
I rushed toward Roarke, who had shifted and was cradling his stomach. Devin held Roarke’s head in his lap.
"Come on, firecracker, you can't die on me. We have to bond, and we’re going to live a long, happy life," Devin cried.
Roarke lay there gasping, looking into his mate's eyes as tears fell from his own. "Sorry, love. I don't know if I'll be able to. I’m glad I met you," he breathed out, closing his eyes and losing consciousness.
