“Oh no,” Nerissa gasped, falling to her knees next to it.
I turned to Perri. “Keep screaming!”
She didn’t need to be told twice, her distress call echoing off the lava tubes and rattling my brain. I tried to ignore it as best I could, but it was like my entire system was set on fire by pain, need, adrenaline and anxiety.
I knelt next to Nerissa to see Enya pinned beneath a massive slab of obsidian, the jagged boulder crushing her legs from the thigh down. Old bloodmagick flickered redacross her pale scales, her silver hair splayed like spilled moonlight around her head.
Enya lifted her chin when she saw us, face twisted in pain. “Take the child and go.”
“No,” I stubbornly refused.
Nerissa eyed me.
“Take Perri. Get out. I will save this female,” I said.
Her face twisted. “You’re in no state?—”
The lava tube shifted, nearly throwing us off our feet. Nerissa shot me a look and ran out, scooping Perri into her arms on her way out.
I ignored my bleeding body and my tortured wings. I pushed away the ache and exhaustion. I bent down to the boulder, sliding my hands under it.
“Veskor, don’t?—”
I used all my strength to lift.
“AAAARRGHHH!” I groaned. It only moved a few inches.
“Please,” Enya begged, pleading with me now.
“No,” I replied stubbornly.
“I’ve been worse,” she lied cheerfully, though sweat beaded her brow and her breaths came shallow. “Don’t fuss. You’ll only irritate me. Don’t … irritate … your Elders.”
Another quake rattled the cavern. Pebbles rained down like tiny pieces of sky falling.
I tried again.
“AAAARRRGHHH!”
It lifted another inch, and I tried to throw it to the side. It barely budged.
I was too weak. I wasn’t strong enough.
I went still, unable and unwilling to accept such an unshakeable, undeniable reality.
No. I was Veskor, champion of the fighting pits. I would not be defeated by a stupid rock! I?—
“Veskor. Come here.”
I came around and knelt by Enya’s head. Her hand reached out, seeking mine. We twined our fingers together, tears running down her face.
“I’d wanted to help Queen Wren bring the newest draken generation into the world,” she whispered, voice full of despair.
“You will,” I fervently told her.
Her smile was sad.
“YOU WILL!” I screamed, shoving my claws and hands back under the rock.
