We’ve got company, Quint called out.
Daigle,Ionus growled.He’s mine.
Merry Christmas, big bro.None of us hated Daigle more than Ionus. He was the one who got away and Ionus insisted on remedying that.
Upalo, guard Raven.Ionus flew toward Daigle just as Upalo took his place. Guarding our High Priestess was always top priority. Not that she couldn’t defend herself, but as protectors, it was our job.
Why they only sent five to attack us was a freaking joke. We must’ve triggered one of the wards before Raven silenced it and they were the ones nearest to the site. Quint had yet to go up against any enemies, so when his venom took one of them out on the first, well, spit, shock waves rippled through the others. Their momentary pause worked to our advantage.
Daigle and Ionus were dead locked, skull crushing hits so loud you could feel the searing pain. Aside from us, Daigle was one of the oldest living dragons, though he was fueled by pure evil.
I liked it better when we thought he was dead. Hopefully today Ionus took care of that once and for all.
It didn’t take much for the rest of us to remove the other three, leaving nothing behind to add to the dungeons. I, for one, had zero issues with that.
A blood-curdling scream vibrated through the canyon as Ionus freed Daigle of a single wing. Many tumultuous flips through the air followed as he plummeted towards the earth. Ionus dove for him, Quint and Baird hot on his tail.
“We’re in!” Raven called out. Upalo was the first to enter the cave behind her. Ignatius guarded the entrance while Angus and I followed them inside. Had we not been gifted with superior sense and sight, we’d have easily lost our way. These cavernous tunnels led in every direction, deeper into the volcanic walls.
Spelunked?
Dove?
Trailed?
Huh, whatever the word was we were doing it.
At the end of the corridor was… “Are we inside the volcano?” Angus asked.
“Yes, and an inactive one it appears,” Raven replied. “Upalo, I need a drop of your blood.” Upalo stared blankly at her. “Please. If anyone you are related to is trapped within this volcano a locator spell using your blood will lead us to them.” With a single claw, Upalo sliced his palm wide open. “That’s more than required, but thanks.” Raven took what she needed and silently recited the incantation. Her powers had grown tremendously, now able to perform magic with mere thoughts.
Her eyes fluttered open. “This way.”
Upalo’s heartrate sped, hot on her heels. If she was able to locate them, that must mean they were alive. Right?
Again, more hope. Upalo was far too excited and having to mend his broken heart wasn’t on my wish list.
I swear we walked the entirety of the volcano before Raven stopped. “They’re in here. I sense more than one. All are under a slumber spell.”
Thank fuck for that.
“It’s heavily warded. It’ll take a bit of time to remove them.” Upalo shuffled beside her. “This a good thing, Upalo. I know you can feel them and want to rush inside, but these wards are meant to keep you out, and therefore, are dangerous.”
“Understood, High Priestess.” Upalo acquiesced as I moved to his side, hoping my presence might calm him.
We hadn’t a clue what was taking place outside of the volcano. The sounds of molten lava bubbling, fiery shots randomly darted past us. It mesmerized me, held my gaze. Was my fire dragon drawn to it or was it Ronan’s blood that coursed through my veins that was? Either way, its beauty captivated me. Deadly, dangerous and beautiful.
As Raven released the last spell, the rock wall blocking our way disappeared. “I’ll go in first,” she insisted. “I’ll sense any wards before you.”
I moved behind her, close enough to guard, and placed Upalo between Angus and me. A lava river cut through a section of the cave, illuminating it just enough for Raven to see.
“Over there!” Upalo called out, attempting to dart between us. Thankfully, I was quicker than him.
“Let Raven scan the area first. You’re not good to anyone dead.”
For some reason the phrasenever wake a sleeping dragoncame to mind. There were easily half a dozen stone-like dragon figures across the blazing canal.
“Alright, but tread lightly, Upalo,” Raven warned him. “I’ve cast a spell to slowly wake them. Doing so too fast may be jarring and send them into fight or flight mode.”
