“You forgot how to walk?” Ryker cocks an eyebrow.
“We don’t know where we are.” Saxon throws his hands up in the air. “We could be miles from home.”
“Stop being so dramatic,” Solomon barks. “You’re behind the institute. Head east and you’ll find the main road.”
“You’ve enchanted this area,” Karl says. “That’s why we can’t pinpoint our exact location.”
“Finally, someone figured it out.” Solomon breaks free from Ryker’s grasp and fixes his clothes. “I don’t think the Elder dragon will appreciate me dropping by unannounced.”
The warlock rolls his eyes. “She’s going to appreciate it even less if I show up with a wolf shifter and a newly minted vampire. They need an introduction.”
“Why can’t you do it?”
Ryker’s lips twist upward. “She likes me even less.”
Thirty-Six
VAUGHN
Ryker drops us off at the foot of Indigo Mountain and then disappears without a word. I feel bad for Aurora that she has to be trained by the likes of him. It’s up to Solomon to guide us the rest of the way, and he does so while muttering curses under his breath.
“So, where exactly does the Elder dragon live?” I ask.
“At the top of the mountain, naturally,” Solomon replies.
I look up and can’t even see the peak because it’s so tall. “Fuck me. Please tell me we don’t have to climb the mountain. I’m getting dizzy just looking at it.”
“There’s another way. We can reach the top from inside, but I’m afraid not climbing anything is not possible, unless you can fly.”
A growl nearby makes me jump and step closer to Karl. “What was that?”
“Who knows? Let’s not wait here to find out,” Solomon says.
“Where’s the entrance? I hope it’s not far,” I say.
“You’re still afraid of the dark, I see,” Karl chimes in.
“I said it already, I’m not afraid of the dark,” I grit out.
“Sure, you aren’t,Chunk.”
I glare at Karl, but I don’t want to piss him off too much, so I don’t offer a retort. He’s a wolf shifter, after all; if there are any monsters in the area, I very much want him to assist. Not that Karl would ever abandon us like that asshole Ryker.
“The entrance is on the other side of that boulder,” Solomon says. “Come on.”
My phone finally vibrates in my pocket, making my heart skip a beat. I let Karl walk ahead of me so I can check the message. He’s dialed in, checking the perimeter, and doesn’t notice I’ve lagged behind.
I smile. It’s a text from Sophie.
SOPHIE: Oh, what happened? I hope nothing serious.
I realize that I was super vague before, and I feel bad. She’s probably worried.
Lucca and Vivi returned from Ellnesari.
SOPHIE: Did they rescue Miranda and Rikkon?
Yes, but there’s an issue. Lucca’s sister stayed behind. Now we need to open another portal to Ellnesari to get her.
