“Apparently so,” Esme chuckled, appearing pleased.
The road ahead of them was clear. Jahara hit the gas and they jolted forward. They practically rocketed over the bridge to High Reach. The other SUVs were in hot pursuit. The horde could not be seen, but Valerius knew that they would be following in due time. Esme’s water trick had not killed them.
The SUVs roared into the main courtyard. Valerius opened the door, but he couldn’t lift Caden up and carry him out. Helplessness smashed into him.
“Hold on, hold on, I’ll be right there,” Illarion said, but not unkindly. In fact, there was worry etched into the Green Dragon King’s face.
“I must look bad for you to be fussing,” Valerius muttered as Illarion made his way around the car.
“No, I just want to make you owe me more. And carrying you like a bride again in front of everyone,” Illarion chuckled.
Valerius could only manage a faint smile.
Illarion gently lifted Caden’s still body from Valerius’ arms and handed him tenderly to Jahara again who hurried towards the entrance to High Reach. Even though Caden had just been a dead weight in his arms, not having his body to cradle felt wrong. He bit back the cry for the young man. They needed to get inside. Illarion leaned in once more and lifted Valerius into his arms.
“Treasure this moment, Valerius,” Illarion said. “For it will be the last time I have to do it.”
Valerius just closed his eyes for a second. He couldn’t feel Raziel or Caden. He felt empty. Like a hollow vessel, fragile and about to break.
The other SUVs screeched to a halt behind them. In addition to the other Dragon Shifters, who clumped around Illarion and Valerius with wide eyes and drawn faces, his two favorite Claw Captains Simi and Ngoye were there.
“Close the gate,” Valerius muttered.
“Already done,” Simi said.
“We have the Claw already lining the walls to face any that come,” Ngoye said.
“What sort of force are we to use?” Simi asked.
Valerius grimaced. Landry was weeping. Her brothers were holding and comforting her. Jasper was seated on a rock, white-faced and staggered.
“High Reach is strong. Try to use non-lethal methods for as long as you can, but… but you are cleared to kill,” Valerius said.
Simi and Ngoye crossed their arms over their chests and hurried away to command the Claw.
“Is there any way for the horde to get in from below? Or is the bridge the only way?” Mei asked.
“The bridge is it,” Valerius said.
“Thank the gods! Your whole city is like swiss cheese! You need to rethink things, Valerius,” Illarion said with a shake of his head.
“Let’s get him inside,” Kaila urged.
“He truly does not look well,” Tez said, looking none too well himself.
At that moment, the doors to High Reach burst open and Tilly burst out of them, running full speed for Valerius. Behind her were Marban, Chione, Wally and Rose. All three of them looked shocked to their cores at his appearance. Tilly immediately ran up to him.
“Valerius! Valerius! What’s happened? Are you okay?” Tilly asked.
“Doesn’t he look beautiful in my arms, little girl?” Illarion drawled.
She ignored him. “Where’s--where’s Caden? Why isn’t he holding you if you’re hurt?”
She must not have realized that Caden had been brought into the throne room. Valerius swallowed. He couldn’t speak the words to her that her brother’s soul was dislodged from his body, that he was captive in the Spirit Realm, that he was facing the Behemoth with just Raziel. Anwar stepped in. He sank down on his haunches so that he and Tilly were about eye to eye.
“Tilly, you are a brave spirit. I knew it from the first moment we met. So I know that you will understand what I tell you and still have hope,” Anwar said. “Caden is a captive of the Behemoth. We are going to save him and everyone.”
She gasped and her eyes went huge. But she swallowed whatever cry wanted to escape her lips. Esme put her hands on Tilly’s slender shoulders.
