Do not let them touch you,Tyson added, warily.
It was difficult at our size to avoid hundreds of flying dead supes and humans, but luck was on our side; they held no interest in us. The first ragged roar was all we heard before the wild dragon was surrounded by the angry dead. I spared a second to check on Justice—she was in my mind, but the added security of seeing her safe and sound helped as well.
A true mate.
It was a greater gift than I’d even expected, but it also created a huge vulnerability for me. I would not survive the loss of my mate, that much was abundantly clear.
Extra-vigilant.
My dragon and I were both in agreement. From now on, we would not relax for a second in our bid to keep our mate safe. If it was the last thing we did.
It's working!Tyson exclaimed, letting loose a burst of dragon fire.I had my doubts…
Because the plan wasn't yours?I asked drily.
His competitiveness could have its own postcode, it was that large.
Bet it was Louis,Tyson grumbled.Bastard always has to overachieve.
The sorcerer, even from this distance, looked a little worse for wear. Tyson was aware that we owed him a damn lot; he'd saved our asses many times over the years, but he’d never give up competing with him.
By now the zombies had completely surrounded the dragon in a pile of death.
What are they doing?Braxton flew closer, the rest of us following.
They're eating him,I said, finally noticing the way their heads were bobbing up and down.
Justice’s voice chimed in my head.I know I joked about frying that bastard, but I wasn't literally serious.
Even my dragon chuckled at that.
Looks like we’re not needed here, Maximus said as more zombies piled on.
No one had to tell me twice, I wanted to get back to my mate.
The whoosh of wind followed me, along with the popping and stretching of my wing joints, as I really extended to my full breadth. In my rainbow vision, I followed the shining ruby light surrounding my mate, her mouth slightly ajar as she watched me closely. When I reached the ground, my landing was relatively smooth.
I'm shifting back now.
He responded best when pre-warned.
But we'll fly again soon.
There was a twinge of disappointment, but the soul joined to mine accepted that this was its life now. I really had to make more effort in allowing my beast freedom to fly.
"Jacob!" Justice yelled, sprinting for me. Louis magicked me some clothing, and I was dressed by the time she launched herself into my arms. "What's happening up there?" she gasped, kissing me a few times before allowing me to answer.
"They're eating the dragon," I told her.
"Thank fuck we made it back to the ground before they decided some other dragons might make a tasty snack of brains," Maximus said in a rush, dressed and on two legs as well.
"They won't eat any but the one that stole their souls," Louis said, voice strained. He was hurting. In fact, they all looked worse than when we left. Dirt and grazes across their bodies, old blood from where they’d healed.
"It was a good idea," Tyson said, "reversing the tethers. I wouldn't have guessed that was the exact way they'd react, but it was certainly effective."
"It was Tee’s idea,” Louis said, his smile directed at his mate.
“I’ve seen it before,” she said, “but that was when a sorcerer went bad and used death magic to power himself. Those corpses dragged him to the demon realm. In this case, they're clearly destroying the vessel of the power, which should, in theory, release his hold on the ley line."
