“I can’t face a trek today,” Scarlett said.“Sorry.”
“Don’t be silly.You need to rest.I figured we’d stay here for two cycles, although I must find a freshwater source.I’ll do that once you’re settled.Should I take Flynt with me, or are you okay monitoring him?”
“Leave him here,” Scarlett said.
Ransom nodded.
“How is your head after your latest run-in with the prince?”
“Not too bad,” Ransom said.“Surprisingly.I’m not sure what Flynt did with his humming, but my head isn’t aching and I have an appetite.”
After ensuring Scarlett and Flynt had everything they required, Ransom grabbed their empty water vessels and headed out of camp.He climbed a small hill and stopped to get his bearings.Still, nothing on the hand-drawn map matched, although Ransom was positive they were trekking in the right direction.The junction of the two mountain ranges sat near the horizon, and he’d used that as their guide all along.
The glint of a stream gave him a destination, and he figured he’d reconnoiter while he sought water.He scanned the horizon in all directions before turning to stare at the place where the two ranges met.The prince informed him that a valley ran between, and it was a beautiful spot with trees and a lake.None of that was visible.Instead, the ground steamed and mud pools bubbled.A metallic odor drifted to him as he searched for a pathway across the dangerous, unstable ground.He rocked on his heels, his hands fisting at the challenge.An obstacle he doubted anyone could cross on foot.
You could fly.The thought popped into his head.It was true, his strength had returned, and even if he couldn’t fly again, a shift might help his mind and body heal.
Ransom set down the water vessels and stripped.Before he shifted, he tried his com-circle again.Nothing but more static.
He placed the com-circle in a pocket and stood back.Once he centered his mind, he let the shift flow through him.His transformation was quicker than it had been.More natural and hope rose in him.Perhaps the combination of potions and Flynt, and less contact with the prince, had helped.He flapped his arms and took a running jump.
To his horror, his mind was blank.Not one dragon instinct stepped up to propel his body off the ground.Instead, he crashed on the hard layer of stones and rolled down an incline for a distance before he found his feet and clawed to an abrupt halt.His heart thumped as he realized he’d stopped almost on the edge of a cliff.
Ransom picked himself up and stomped to his clothes.Thank the gods no one had witnessed that bit of foolery.Grata!What sort of dragon forgot how to fly?
Scarlett dozed after Ransom left.She woke abruptly, and panic roared through her when she recalled Flynt.She bolted upright, her gaze darting left and right scanning her surroundings.
“Flynt?Flynt!Where are you?”
“He is here,” a masculine voice said.
Whoa!A dozen aliens stood behind the speaker, their bodies resembling insects rather than a humanoid species.Each bore skinny forest-green legs—at least six—and large leathery wings they kept tucked behind them.Tiny black scales covered their torso, knitting together to produce armor-type protection.They had one set of spindly forest-green arms.Two antennae swayed and tested the air above their heads, which were the most humanoid thing about them.While their upright stance made them more human, if Scarlett had spotted them flying in formation, her mind would’ve identified them as insects.
Scarlett pushed to her feet and slid her hand under the heap of clothes for her blade.Where was it?She always placed it close to hand.
“We intend you no harm.”The man’s huge, golden-brown eyes glowed with an inner light.They were captivating and obviously offered more peripheral vision than her own.“Talon recognized our presence and came to find us.He asks me to pass on a message.”
“Talon?”Scarlett relaxed a fraction and stared while trying not to, but she suspected her gaping mouth still came across as rude.Best to confront the issue with honesty.“I apologize for staring,” she said.“What is your race and planet of origin?”
“This planet is our home, although long ago, the Maphra race imprisoned us and used us as slaves.They let their scientists experiment on us, although their trials did not turn out the way they expected.”
Flynt released rapid clicks and grunts.The insect-man lowered and raised his feelers.
“We are the Quito race.The experiments turned our youngsters into blood-eaters.They craved Maphra blood and passed on a disease that started killing the purple ones.”
“Sounds as if they got what they deserved.”Scarlett wavered on her feet.Her muscles ached and sang a song of pain.If she didn’t sit soon, she’d fall.“Will you sit?”
“We cannot stay long.Talon wishes to travel with you to locate the prince.He will help you destroy the prince—a matter of revenge.You are sick.”
“A poisonous bite.”Scarlett indicated her inflamed arm.It didn’t appear any better than yesterday, but it wasn’t worse either.Unable to stand for a second longer, she plopped on a flat rock.
Flynt—no, Talon—jabbered away to the insect-man.
“He says you are strong and brave.Most beings succumb to the poison and do not survive this long.He apologizes for his tutor’s attack and subsequent bite.His tutor…” He tapped his temple in the age-old signal for crazy.“Those of the Maphra race who remain are feeding on them, and it causes them so much distress, their minds snap.Talon is fortunate to survive.The youngsters provide little sustenance, and the Maphra ignore them to drain the adults.”
A rumble ran through the valley, echoing for long moments.The ground shook beneath their feet.
“What was that?”Scarlett demanded.
