“Brevan!” Caiden yells. “Stop her!”
Movement catches the corner of my eye and I turn to see Anya darting from the tower. Her arms over her head, she’s screaming as she runs.
A swarm of shadow dragons rises up from beyond the cliff and, as if summoned by her cries, they plummet toward her.
Shit.
I run, sending a flood of bright light toward the oncoming hoard. Caiden is closer, but he’s fighting his way there as monsters dip from the sky to bite and claw at him. He sends his shadows, binding them, but they’re creatures of the shadows and anything he does is only temporary. Until he lops off their heads, they’re still screeching and snapping at him.
“Run, Anya!” I yell. “Over here!”
She glances my way, then changes her path, pumping her arms as she sprints. I send more magic into the sky, felling beast after beast but they just keep coming.
I’ve never seen anything like this before. Usually, my sister summons a few. Ten at the most. Never a swarm like this. My chest tightens. Where is she? Did something happen to her?
Has the madness finally claimed her?
In my momentary distraction, one of the shadow dragons manages to surprise me, screeching just as it reaches my back. I turn too late and the monster slams into my chest, claws first as if trying to capture me in its talons.
It tears up my tunic and slices into my flesh. I curse through gritted teeth as I grab it by the throat. My hand ignites with a golden glow and the monster explodes into dust.
Two more are on me before I can stand, and I fight them off, sending both of them back to the depths of where they came from.
Anya screams. My heart thunders as I get to my feet. She’s surrounded, but Caiden is in front of her, shielding her with his own body. The creatures dive at them, claws and teeth intent on killing.
I lift my hand to send my magic, then lower it. Caiden and Anya are moving too much.
“Get her out of there, Caiden!” I shout.
He catches my eye and must realize what I plan to do. For a moment, terror grips me. Caiden has never sacrificed for another soul in his life. I start running again, but he’s dropped his sword and he’s tossing Anya over his shoulder. The shadow dragons dive at them, snapping their jaws and tearing through their clothes and skin.
Anya isn’t screaming anymore.Fuck, if she’s dead…
No.
That can’t happen.
I drop my sword as well and I let my magic surge through me, it surpasses the point that I usually hold it back. It roars with approval, eager to break free.
My body breaks and I scream as I stop fighting it. Fire burns through my veins, but just as I think it might consume me, it invigorates me, bringing life to the monster I hide.
I roar and the ground rumbles. My wings feel strange after so long in my human body, but they respond when I spread them wide. Gusts of wind ripple the grass and foliage around me as I flap the massive wings. I’m out of practice, but my body rises. Pulling in my arms, I tuck my talons, then swing my tail to help me maintain balance. The shadow dragons circle back, all of them racing toward the greater threat.
They might be difficult to kill, but even they can’t survive dragon fire.
The heat builds, a familiar friend that’s been too long suppressed. My body tenses and as the fire builds, I extend my wings, catching the wind so I can glide, then I release everything I have.
Orange and gold flames explode from my jaws, the heat so intense that even my black scales feel warm. A few of the shadow dragons had fled, but I flap my wings and give chase. They’re fast, but their wings are small.
I let the heat roll though me again and with a rumble, it rises into my chest and I exhale, sending another burst of fire at the retreating creatures.
Rising higher, I let out a roar that shakes the nearby trees. A flock of birds fill the sky in a chattering, squeaking cloud, warning the other animals in the woods of a predator. They fly north, toward the cold, but away from me.
Ignoring the birds, I circle the tower, then fly beyond the cliffside to ensure that I’ve eliminated all threats.
Now, the only threat left is me.
When I land, the ground rumbles. I tuck my wings and take in the world through the eyes I almost forgot how to use. Everything is heightened. I can smell the coppery tang of Caiden’s blood, it’s different from that of Anya’s.
