“I have two targets, both Dragon.”He summoned the illusion of Cyntag’s and Ruby’s faces.“He is a powerful Obsidian.The girl is not as strong.Easy target, if she’s not with Cyntag.”
One demon narrowed his red eyes at the image of Cyntag.“He is the one who took out Sed?”
Purcell hadn’t known the demon’s name.“Yes.He murdered your comrade.Perhaps your friend?”Better to motivate them with revenge.
The demons laughed, a sound like someone shaking a bag of glass bottles.One said, “That asshole?We were happy to hear of his death.”
A second one said, “But we hate Dragons even more.We don’t need revenge to juice our bloodlust.”
Could they read his mind?Purcell pushed past that disturbing thought.“You may take them out in any way that you’d like, provided it doesn’t compromise Rule Number One.Eliminate anyone who might help them.Or gets in the way.”
The demons nodded their understanding, releasing hisses that might be glee.The sounds raised the hairs on the back of his neck.Purcell brought up an image of the dojo and turned to the harbinger.“You, hang around this establishment and watch for our targets.You three, remain close and wait for my order.”
Now for the worst part.Purcell held out his hand to form the psychic bond.Their dry hands clasped his, and he felt the tips of their claws press into his skin.
The harbinger bared its teeth in a smile.“Till death do us part.”
The Book of the Hidden
The dayof her eighteenth birthday dawned bright.Garnet had been here five years, with freedom to come and go within the confines of the castle and its grand gardens.She had a nanny and teachers, the finest of meals and entertainments.The best part was that she had not seen much of the Dragon Prince, who dined with her every now and then and asked after her welfare as though he cared.The real prison was the spell he had cast upon her—the Dragon that resided within her clawing to be let out.
A quick knock on her door startled her out of her thoughts.It was her lady-in-waiting, who looked as though she were bringing bad news.
Gwendolyn gave her a tremulous smile.“Happy birthday, your highness,” she said with a bow.“It is time.The Dragon Prince has told you, yes?”
“Told me what?”
“That you and he are to marry today.A small ceremony, just the staff.He wishes for me to ready you.”She pulled a basket filled with flowers from behind her back.“For your hair.He loves it long, you know.”
“No, I don’t know.I know nothing of him.Which is fine with me.”
“You will know much after today.”Gwendolyn’s face blushed.“The stylists will be here soon, to do your hair, fit you for the dress, and make up your face.You are pretty now, but you will be a vision soon.”
Hours later, Garnet was finally alone again.The dress was as heavy as her fate.She hardly recognized herself in the mirror’s reflection, with her curled hair adorned with petals and flashing with crystals.How would she feel when her Dragon was released?She knew little of the process, only that she would be Awakened in a ritual.Had she been born with the Dragon inside her, she would have Awakened at puberty.The prince assured her that he would personally train her to master it.He promised he would help her to find the beauty of it and revel in its glory and power.Garnet highly doubted that.
She wandered to her window, where she dreamed of going home.Opal flew down and landed on her finger.The dove rubbed her palm with its cheek, touching her heart with the familiar gesture.
“Have you come to wish me a happy birthday?The only person who shall be happy today is the prince, for he will get his way.”She narrowed her eyes, the first smile in weeks gracing her lips.“Or maybe not completely.”
She settled Opal on the sill and pulled out the sewing kit from beneath her bed.She filled her days with creative projects, like sewing dresses for Gwendolyn and the other girls who confessed that they’d never owned anything pretty.The prince supplied everything she asked for, even the expensive lace and ribbons.
Garnet turned to the mirror again, feeling a fire inside her she had not felt for so long.She spent the next hour tying her wedding dress into odd configurations, tucking in the sleeves and adding a neckline that covered her décolleté.She cut her hair and twined dead roses into what was left, thorns and all.She dabbed Earthen behind her ears, a healing mixture that smelled of mold.
Garnet expected the prince to be furious.And welcomed it.His staff was up in arms once they saw her, fighting her to fix her modifications.She assured them that she would tell the prince she alone was responsible.
She did not expect to be taken in by his handsome visage as he waited at the front of the small church.One of the prince’s best soldiers escorted her down the aisle, his nose wrinkling at the smell of her.He backed away, taking on the same look of fearful anticipation everyone else had as they awaited the prince’s reaction.
He took her in with a hint of shock in his onyx eyes and a twitch at the corner of his mouth.Then he threw his head back and laughed.His people joined him, ready to mimic his every reaction and clearly relieved at his glee.The priest hesitated until the prince said, “Please proceed.I cannot wait to marry my rebellious and creative bride-to-be.”
Why wasn’t he angry?She’d humiliated him.Taunted and defied him.He acted as though she were indeed the beauty he’d intended.He had bested her again.
Their hands were bound, binding her heart as well in a choking hold.When the priest decreed that he could kiss his bride, the prince claimed her mouth the way he had claimed her, with gentle firmness.He whispered, “Now you are officially mine,” and then turned to the crowd.“I present your new queen, Garnet.”
The prince led her down the aisle and accepted many well wishes from people who both feared and revered him.A carriage took them to the great hall filled with music and the aroma of sumptuous foods.Someone announced them as husband and wife as they entered to great applause, and the prince led her to the center of the dance floor.
The music started, and he pulled her into his arms.The spell of him wrapped around her, like the Dragon spell.He spun her around and around, blurring everything but him.His body felt strong and warm as he held her close, amusement glimmering in his eyes.Her mind screamed a warning, even as her heart softened and inexplicably strained toward him.
He drew his finger down her cheek.“You have fire.Spirit.This is good, as you will need it.For it is time to Awaken your Dragon.A great darkness comes.A prophecy brought me to you before the Shadows would have killed you.Now it also brings the Black Doom.We are destined to fight it together to save mankind.”
