Wait a minute.
She catalyzed to human, which left a gap because she was now smaller.The snake began to tighten its hold, but she slipped to the floor before it could fully regrasp her.
The cool air nipped at Lyra’s bare skin, but without clothing, she could move soundlessly.She stayed right behind Silva as he and Archer circled each other.Archer kept his gaze from giving her away, swiping at Silva and the shards.In his demonic form, Silva’s wings were huge, black, and jagged.She catalyzed again and leaped onto Silva’s back, tearing at the base of his wings.
Silva spun at the sudden attack, wildly reaching back with flailing hands.She saw a deadly glow ignite on his palm.Archer stepped forward and lanced him in the chest.Silva stumbled back, knocking Archer aside.She sliced her claws across Silva’s neck.He twisted, burning her with a white-hot blast of heat.It hurt, pounding through her like a sonic blast.She grimaced and held on, sinking her talons deeper into his skin.
Archer jumped to his feet and nailed him with another slice of his sword, this time across his abdomen.Silva slid on a floor wet with his own blood.With an agonized scream and blinding flash, he disappeared, leaving her on the floor.
She catalyzed to human again, letting Archer help her to her feet.
Archer surveyed her for injuries.“You were brilliant.You all right?”
“I’m fine.”She looked at the cuts all over his body and the sear across his throat.“But you…”
“I’ll heal.Go, go to your father.I need to find Jeremy.”
Marik was shakily getting up from the floor.The snake was gone.He stumbled toward Archer, pointing at the hole.“The bastard has him next door.”The two went through.
Lyra ran to her father.“Pop!”
He looked at her with eyes so dim that she couldn’t see the flames in them.“Lyra, the baby.Get the baby out of here.”
“And you, Pop.We’re getting you out, too.”
She helped him to his feet, scared at how weak he was, and wrapped her arms around him.Her eyes closed as she soaked in the fact that he was alive.Alive.When she released him, he grabbed on to the top of the chair for support.
“What are you doing?”she asked as he began to unbutton his shirt with trembling fingers.
“Cover…”
Cover?Oh right, she was naked.Details.She slid the shirt on as Marik and Archer returned, helping a pale Jeremy walk gingerly between them.
“We didn’t see anyone else,” Archer said.
“Is Silva dead?”Lyra asked.
“Caidos can channel their Light inward to self-destruct.I’ve never seen it, but I think that’s what he did.Check the hall to see if anyone’s out there.We don’t know how many minions Silva has.”
Lyra peered around the open doorway.The house was silent.She went back down again.“I don’t even hear a sound.Maybe they were freed when Silva died.Or they ran off to save their butts.”
The baby started to cry, pumping her little fists.Lyra scooped up the infant, and her cries stilled as she likely sensed a kindred essence.She looked at her father.“Tara’s baby?”When he nodded, she asked, “Where is she?”
“Gone,” he said.“Silva said she died just before we were brought here.”
“Poor baby,” Lyra said, rocking her in her arms.“I know how hard it is to lose your mother when you’re young.”Golden flames flickered in her eyes as she stared at Lyra.“She’s still Dragon.Silva didn’t change her.What did he want with her?”
“Wanted her energy,” Jeremy said in a strained voice.“Like an Essex.Babies and children have the purest essence, and Silva didn’t need consent, as is required of adults.”He was leaning against Marik, his face pale.Marik held onto his love, teary relief in his eyes.
Lyra looked at that innocent, chubby face.“That’s horrible.Just to, what, feel emotions safely?”It hit her then, and she took in her weak father.“You offered your energy in her place, didn’t you?”
He shrugged.“I was only buying time.”
She smiled.Her self-effacing pop.
“Oh, gods.”Marik stared at Jeremy’s back, his expression filled with both horror and pain.Lyra couldn’t resist taking a look.She hissed, seeing the torn and bloody design where the tattoo had once been.He turned Jeremy to face him, gripping his upper arms.“I don’t know what this means, but I’m with you, you hear?I.Am.With.You.”
Jeremy nodded, gratitude in his sunken eyes.
