Skylar sets her jaw, and starts to draw energy in from around her, her veins fizzing. “I’m going to show them what happens when they try to kill my mate.”
I’m near, Death Bringer.
Well, about fucking time.
IAGREE WITH THE DRAGON HEIR,ASTRID.WE SHOULD FLY.
Please.Skylar means to say it out loud, but finds she can think it, project it, the way she can with her dragons.I can’t concentrate with you and Kaida in danger.It’s almost overwhelming, this need to protect Astrid, and she’s not really sure what to do with it.
Astrid eventually nods, swinging one leg over Bastet, who nudges Kaida into the air with his nose. Skylar stretches out her mind, taking in more power as she finds it. A few yards away, the nearest soldiers drop to the ground as she draws in life from them. She doesn’t look to see whether they’re dead.
Bastet rocks back on his haunches, but Astrid holds him steady.
“What is it?” Skylar demands. She can feel her power throbbing against her skin. But she can’t let it loose, not when Astrid and Kaida are right there. She needs them out of the way. Then she’ll see just how far it can reach.
Is Zryan with Mjolnir?
Skylar frowns. In all honesty, she hasn’t really considered this. But where else would he be?
I presume so.
There is a crack of thunder, louder now. The atmosphere grows heavier and pressure builds in Skylar’s head. More screams as the spectators fling themselves to the ground. Then there is a roar thatsends even the soldiers scattering. And finally here he is, his wings creating a shadow over the stadium as he swoops down.
A Dreki lunges for Skylar and Astrid, but before either of them can do anything, there is that high-pitched sound she’s heard once before—a sound, she knows now, that no one else can hear.
The Dreki is blown apart, blood splattering everywhere, parts of his brain landing a few feet away from them. And, thank Arach, Bastet and Astrid finally take to the air, Bastet nudging Kaida along with him.
The energy Skylar has taken hums through her, demanding to be let loose. But now the Artureans and Vatrans are mixed together, fighting, and as much as she dislikes Astrid’s mother, she can’t risk killing her—or anyone else Astrid might love. If she had a direct line to the king, she’d kill him now, but she can’t see him or the queen. Maybe they had a plan to get out of here as it all kicked off.
Mjolnir lands by her side, the ground trembling beneath him. She moves toward him as everyone else scatters. But there is no Zryan.
Better late than never, she says into his mind as she climbs up.
I wouldn’t abandon you, Death Bringer. I was held up by Bruma and Ziva.
Held up? What do you mean, held up?Although maybe this explains why the king and queen’s dragons have been absent all this time.
She settles into the spot in front of his spikes, behind his shoulder. And without hesitation, he moves, running, then launching into the sky, wind burning past Skylar’s cheeks. A flame flies harmlessly past Mjolnir’s right flank—a Dreki down below, trying one final, stupid attempt to get her.
Skylar?It’s Astrid’s voice now.Are you okay?
She is flying toward Skylar, Kaida at Bastet’s side. When Kaida is close enough, Mjolnir plucks her out of the sky with a claw, and she squeaks, sounding almost excited.
Skylar looks down at the battle below them. Gwen and her guards have made it to the outskirts of the arena, battling their way through. From what Skylar can tell, they are heading in the direction of the docks.
Your mother’s quite the fighter, she says to Astrid—mainly to let her know that she can see that her mother is alive, if not entirely safe yet. At least Bruma and Ziva aren’t here. If they were, all the Artureanswould be dead, Skylar is sure of it. Though where, exactly, they are is a different question entirely.
Yes, Astrid says, watching her mother escape. She’ll be okay.Even through the voice in her mind, Skylar can tell Astrid is trying to reassure herself of this.
Then Skylar feels a spike of panic through their bond.Where is Zryan?
Trying to find that out—hang on.
He’s been taken.Mjolnir’s deep voice fills her mind, and though it’s notpanicked,it’s about as close as she thinks it could get.
What do you mean, taken?
The queen and king, they’re holding him prisoner. I couldn’t get to him, Bruma and Ziva are guarding the skies. I only just managed to get away to help you when I sensed the danger.
