Dragon Magic, page 17
part #4 of Ever Witch Series
“From what?”
“From this imposter. Whoever you’ve been fighting for, Tank, he is not our leader.”
“Cara, I was part of the Light Guard. We were the guard for Slade, for our rightful leader. Whoever Zion is, he might’ve saved you all, but he didn’t fight Radnak.”
“I was there. I know what I saw.” She glared at me. “Are you calling me a liar?”
“I’m saying you’ve been deceived. You, Darren, everyone here.”
“How do you know it’s not you who’s being deceived? What about Amelie. What is she?”
I wanted to keep that a secret, but I needed Cara to trust me if I was to get her out of New Haven and away from this Zion character. “She’s a witch. A damned good one, too.”
“Is that so?”
“Yeah, it is. Where are you going with this?”
Cara pulled away from me. “How do you know she hasn’t done something to trick you? To trick the Shadowguards you claim you saved?”
“To what end? She’s a witch. Not a dragon.”
“Who says she isn’t working for the Council?”
I bit back my frustration with a growl. “The Council has been completely overhauled. They don’t hunt our kind anymore. That’s what I’m trying to tell you. The other clans joined with ours to fight Radnak. It’s how we ended the war.”
Her laughter was derisive. “You’re joking, right? The other clans would never help ours.”
“But they did. And the Council is on our side now. One of our own sits on it.”
“I don’t believe you. The dragons and the witches would never change for us. They hate us. They always have.”
“Things changed when they learned the truth.”
“What truth?” she demanded. “There’s no truth. It was just us versus them.”
I had to tell her everything we learned from Everest about why the Shadowguard clan fell, to begin with. The best way was to start at the beginning, and that’s what I did. I told her everything that truly transpired before the first war started. Why the Shadowguards sided with the Black Diamonds. I went on and on, until I got to the part about Everest being possessed by the original witches. Cara scoffed, but I pushed on, not letting her interrupt me yet. I didn’t stop talking until I reached the final battle.
That’s when she threw her arms up and walked away from me.
“We didn’t start the war.” I followed her, not wanting to let her go. Unwilling to let her walk away from the facts. “The Council was shown the truth. Everyone was. Things are different now. The world is safe for our kind. There’s no reason to hide in the mountains.”
“That’s not what Zion says. And he’s the one who saved me.”
“He’s lying to you.”
“Says you,” she reiterated. “No offense, Tank, but until you show me proof, I can’t believe you.”
“If you would come with me, then I could, but your leader has closed off your so-called safe sanctuary. You can’t leave.”
“Why would I want to?”
I wanted to drag her, kicking and screaming, all the way back to the valley, so she could see the truth for herself. The only thing that stopped me was that Amelie said there was no getting out of the barrier. At least, not yet. Amelie wasn’t even sure what kind of magic was in play. Until she knew, I had to stay here with Cara and unravel the mystery of Zion.
“Tonight, you can meet Zion and see for yourself what the truth is,” she insisted. “Whatever fantasy has been planted inside your mind, he’ll help you get rid of it. He’ll help you find peace.”
“I have found peace. With Amelie. With the rest of the Shadowguards. With our true leader. Why would I lie to you? I fought for years. I watched our kin die.” I needed her to believe me. “Cara, I’m your brother. I swear on our parents’ graves, what I’m telling you is true. This place? This isn’t where you belong. Not any of you.”
Her cheeks burned red with anger, but within those blue depths was a sliver of uncertainty. “I don’t know,” she whispered. “This is all I’ve known since we were rescued.”
“I get that, but you don’t have to be scared.”
“I’m not scared.” She shoved me away. “I was there for myself and the others, when you weren’t. And now, when you show up, you can’t be happy about what I did. You tell me it’s all lies. It’s not, alright? I helped save us. I helped bring us here.”
“It’s alright. Everything’s going to be fine. Just tell me you’ll come with me, please.” I held out my hand for hers.
She looked like she wanted to take it, but then she growled and backed away. Her face scrunched, and she held her head as if in pain.
“Cara?”
The anger that had been on her face seconds before suddenly vanished.
I frowned at the visible change in her mood.
She smiled and reached for my hands. “All will be well, brother. Rest now, and in a few hours, you’ll see what I’m talking about. You’ll see that this is the only place you need to be.”
The notion that we’d stumbled into a weird cult rushed back. “Sure. Whatever you say.”
“Great, that’s great. I’ll prepare a place for you and Amelie, so you can rest.” She kissed my cheek and skipped, actually skipped, back to the cabin. She passed Amelie on her way out to check on us I assumed. She kissed her on the cheek, too, then bounded inside.
“Uh, no offense, but I really think there’s something wrong with your sister.”
“No shit,” I growled.
Amelie’s brow shot up.
“Sorry, didn’t mean to snap.”
“No. It’s okay. Snap away. I get it.” She held out her hand as if feeling the breeze. “I don’t like this. Whatever magic is causing this barrier is beyond my reach.”
“Meaning it’s more powerful?”
“Maybe? Possibly, just unknown. I’m going to try and reach out to Selma, but I doubt it’ll work. I have to do some digging around.”
“Whatever it is, it’s messing with their heads.”
I told her what happened with Cara’s sudden mood shift.
Amelie gulped and tilted her head back, looking at the sky.
I was going to ask what she was doing, but her eyes closed, and her hands gave off their usual green glow as she used her magic.
I glanced around, worried Cara or Darren would come walking out of the cabin and see what she was up to.
Amelie’s magic stretched upward, only to come crashing right back down. She gasped as she collapsed.
I caught her in time, holding her up.
“Ouch, that hurt,” she mumbled, shaking her head. “I’m fine.”
“What were you doing?”
“Testing the limitations of magic within this dome. It zapped mine in seconds. Which means it’s openly seeking magic.”
“Are you safe here?” We could hide her in the cabin if need be. To keep her out of sight. “I don’t want Zion deciding you’re a threat.”
“I can take care of myself.”
“Not if you can’t use magic.”
She scowled at me. Then she gave in. “You’re right.”
“I’m sorry. What was that?”
“You’re right. The less Zion knows about me, the better. I can’t hide away, though, not if I’m going to get us out of here. I’ll stay out of sight, but that’s it. Got it?” She looked at me for agreement.
I stared at her, trying to measure the dangers.
“Tank, come on. You focus on your sister. Let me focus on the magic.”
Having either Amelie or Cara in danger was not part of my grand plan, but there was no other choice.
I nodded, but reluctantly. “You are not to let anyone know you’re here or see your magic unless absolutely necessary. I don’t want anything happening to you.”
“It won’t. I promise.”
“Good. Because we have plans after we save my sister. Big plans.”
“Don’t I know it. I’ll be fine.” She placed her hand over her heart.
I didn’t feel any better about this, but it wasn’t like I knew much about magic, or anything really.
I was more of a run in and punch something kind of dragon.
I’d go with my sister and Darren to meet Zion this evening.
With any luck, we’d get to the bottom of this mystery tonight and get back to Slade and Everest. Get back home.
Fifteen
Amelie
The hours leading up to dinner were stressful. Tank couldn’t sit still, and Cara’s cheerful smile was starting to get to me. Felt like I’d been sucked into some over the top happy version of our world. Darren wasn’t much better, whistling and trying hard to chat with Tank. I considered pushing him, as Tank had done with Cara, just to see if his mood would shift as violently.
The second I started to ask questions, Tank shot me a look, and I fell silent. He was on edge enough without sticking myself right in the middle of this mess.
“Nearly seven,” Cara announced. “Time to join the others for dinner.”
Tank stood.
I coughed harshly, then I coughed again, throwing in a couple of grumbles about being cold.
“Amelie, are you alright?” Tank rushed to my side, playing the worried boyfriend part perfectly. He felt my forehead with his hand and frowned. “I think she caught something on our way here.”
“Stay and rest.” Cara guided me to a spare bedroom. “Do you want me to stay behind? Maybe make you some broth?”
“No. Go. You should go. I’ll be fine here.”
Tank tucked me in as I held my breath, waiting for Cara or Darren to call me out for faking being sick.
“I want to meet him when I’m all better. You wouldn’t want him catching what I’ve got. Just keep me a secret for now.”
Cara cocked her head, then gave me a bright smile. “That sounds like a great idea. He’ll be so excited to see someone else has found our safe haven. You might not be a Shadowguard, but Zion will welcome you all the same, for the part you played in saving his people.”
Interesting. Whatever Tank had done to push her earlier, the magic that corrected her behavior seemed to have overdone it a bit. Just a few short hours ago, she’d hated me for being with her brother. Now, she seemed almost giddy to have me in her cabin.
Tank kissed my forehead, whispering for me to be careful, then walked out with Cara and Darren.
I gave them a couple minutes to get away from the cabin, then threw off the blankets, slipped into my shoes, and ducked outside. I made straight for the trees, keeping out of sight as I followed alongside the trail leading away from the cabin.
Tank’s voice carried well enough through the evening air, guiding me toward them and this dinner for the whole town. I followed, staying well out of sight.
We passed several more cabins. Other dragons joined Cara, Tank, and Darren. Cara introduced Tank to the others. There were hugs and congratulations that he’d found his way home.
Home? I almost laughed out loud at the bewildered look on Tank’s face. He mentioned earlier that it was like his sister was trapped in some cult. I was starting to agree with him. Each person they picked up had the same cheerful smile, as if they hadn’t a care in the world.
Large picnic tables were in rows already set for dinner. Many Shadowguards were scattered about the table. Several fires burned around the perimeter, but nothing seemed strange about the setting. It wasn’t really different from the gatherings we had in the valley.
Except ours didn’t have a strange heaviness in the air.
I hadn’t noticed it until we’d started to approach the center of town.
Here, it pressed in around me, uncomfortably close.
I rolled my shoulders to shake the weird, creepy feeling. Not that it helped. As Tank was led through the tables toward banquet tables covered with food, I stepped further into the trees to make sure I wasn’t seen.
Carefully, I called on my magic. It lit my fingertips, and I used it to reach out into the air. This time when I bumped into the magic, it was only inches away, flowing through the air in a steady stream. There was a current to it, too. That in itself was fascinating. I’d never seen magic quite like this.
I moved through it, and it parted for me, closing in, right behind me. Peering through the trees, I expanded my magic slowly and kept it low to the ground to prevent it from being noticed. Where the current gave me space, it washed over every dragon it touched.
All except Tank.
My natural magic must’ve been keeping me from feeling the full effects. And as for Tank, well, he was naturally hard-headed. That had to be it. I smiled to myself then pulled back and hurried to get closer to the front of the group.
Cara and Darren stood on either side of Tank.
The dragons quieted.
The door to the largest cabin, an impressive three stories tall, opened.
Two dragons with shirts bearing some an unfamiliar crest on their chests stepped out first. At the bottom of the steps, they parted, making way for a third figure.
“Good evening, everyone. The time has come to celebrate our joyous lives once again.” The third dragon raised his arms.
He wore simpler clothing than I expected from someone calling himself the clan leader. His long, blond hair was pulled back in a braid that trailed down his back. He wasn’t a large dragon, by any means, at least not in human form. Tank easily towered over him, and his chest and shoulders were broader.
“Ah, Cara, is this a new face I see with us tonight?”
Cara and Tank stepped forward. “Zion, my brother Tank has returned to us this day.”
“Tank? The Tank?” Zion hugged Tank.
I had to stifle my laughter.
Tank froze, clearly unsure what to do with the strange man who was hugging him.
“Cara’s told us all so much about you and the rest of your family. She feared she was the last one, but now there is definitely a reason to celebrate. You’ve come home to us.” Zion called for drinks to be poured and music to be played. “Now, you must have quite the story to tell.”
I moved between the trees and risked creeping along the side of a building so I could stay in hearing range.
“I do. I’m sorry to hear I missed the death of Radnak,” Tank replied.
“Ah, I see your sister beat me to it and has told you of his demise.”
“She has, but I’m sure hearing it from the mouth of our clan leader makes it even better. If you’d do me the honor?”
I watched Zion’s face closely.
His sharp blue eyes glinted with magic.
I could detect no suspicion, but the magic was interesting. Dragons usually couldn’t use magic. The Black Diamonds only had been able to because of the Blood Moon Priests. After taking a quick glance around to be sure no one had spotted me, I called on my magic again and highlighted that continuous current.
When I attempted to reach Zion, my magic sparked and shot right back into my hand.
I gasped at the harsh tingling in my fingertips.
Zion’s head whipped in my direction.
I cursed under my breath and crouched low behind a building.
Seconds turned to minutes, and when no one came after me, I let out a breath of relief.
Not wanting to push my luck any further, I walked into the trees. Tank would have to fill me in later. I made my way back to Cara’s cabin, but didn’t go inside.
The coin Selma gave me was in my pocket. I withdrew it now, spun it over and over in my fingers, then held it tightly in my fist. I focused on Selma, on reaching out to her. I pictured her face, the mansion, the grounds. My desire to reach her was strong, but the current of this unfamiliar magic was stronger.
My message went nowhere.
“You want to play tough,” I spoke to the magic around me. “Fine. Let’s play tough.”
I shoved the coin back in my pocket for safe keeping, sat down in a cross-legged position, and steadied my breathing.
The magic moved like a current, so I would follow it with my own magic and see if it took me right back to Zion or someone else. Something else.
Magic flowed from my fingers and trailed along the ground. Its own nature had it fighting against the current, but I forced it to give way and let itself be swept up. The current was lazy in its churning, much like a stream. I couldn’t see where it was going, but I felt it clearly enough. Through the trees, over rocks, and the dirt road.
Dim echoes of happy voices and laughter lingered in my ears, but I didn’t focus on them.
The current swirled around Zion, but didn’t stop or start with him. It continued beyond him and into his cabin.
I waited anxiously to see what I would find.
I gasped. It was like someone hit me in the back of the head with a hard object.
My eyes bulged as I panted, my magic dissipating and falling away into nothingness.
Holding my head, I grimaced and unsteadily made it to my feet. “Damn. Sneaky bastard.”
Whatever he had in that room, he did not want anyone finding it.
The door was heavily warded, but this wasn’t witchcraft. It was something else. It left a strange taste in my mouth. Coppery. Metallic.
Figuring I had a while until Tank came back with the others, I ventured into Cara’s cabin to get some water. The taste remained though.
Needing a distraction, I set my glass down and poked around the cabin.
There was nothing out of the ordinary in the kitchen or the living room, and I wandered to the back bedrooms. There were two, and from the looks of it, Tank could relax a bit on the protective big brother meter.
Darren’s room had nothing odd in it. Nor did Cara’s.
I grunted, annoyed. It’d been nice if there were a big flashing sign somewhere that said here are all the answers you’re looking for. If it weren’t for the magical dome keeping these dragons trapped, maybe I would be willing go with Cara’s theory that Zion was their savior. Experience, however, taught me not to be so trusting. That, plus I knew what really happened. How the war really ended.
I whiled away the time, attempting to contact Selma, again and again.
Scuffling steps sounded outside the door, and I hurried to get back in bed and pull the covers up. I’d just shut my eyes when the door opened and closed quickly.
