Dragon Magic, page 18
part #4 of Ever Witch Series
“Hey,” Tank whispered, shaking my shoulder. “Just me.”
“Where are they?”
“Stayed behind for a while. I told them I was tired and wanted to check on you. Find anything?”
“The magic is strong and leads back to something in Zion’s cabin.” I threw the blankets off as he sat beside me. “Can’t get a message out to Selma either. I’ll have to figure out a way around it.”
“Nothing else?”
“Nothing here. And I couldn’t get any closer. I think Zion almost sensed my presence.”
Tank growled. Smoke slipped from his nose.
“Oh, stop your worrying. I said almost.”
“Almost is too close.”
“Whatever. What did you find out?”
“Not much, sadly.” He looked around the cabin, as if still not believing we found Cara, only not to have really found her. “His face is familiar. I’ve seen him before, but his name, I’m pretty sure he made it up.”
“Did you tell him who you are?”
“Ah, no. That conversation is happening tomorrow.”
“Why?”
“Not my choice. He asked where I came from and I said I traveled from the northeast searching for Cara. I said I had my fair share of stories, but when I asked him about his defeat of Radnak, he said it was a story best told in private.”
I grabbed his arm. “You can’t be alone with him.”
“I think I can take him. He’s damned small for one of our dragons.”
“Not the point. If he takes you inside his cabin the source of this curse or whatever it is, is inside, he could place it on you next.”
“You think I’m weak enough to let that happen?”
“It has nothing to do with how strong you are.” I paced away from him, trying to recall exactly what I’d felt before I was knocked upside the head. “The magic isn’t coming from him. None of it. He’s part of it, but it’s not him. It’s an artifact of some kind. Old, very old. The way this magic moves and reacts, I’ve never seen anything like it. I don’t want you getting hurt.”
“Then what would you like me to do?”
“If he wants to talk to you alone, do not go inside that cabin,” I pleaded, taking his hand. “Promise me you won’t.”
His scowl made it clear I was overreacting.
“I’m serious, alright? When the magic pushed back at me, it left a taste in my mouth.”
“Of what?”
“Not sure. It was coppery. Or iron? Metallic. Some kind of metallic.”
His face went blank as his shoulders tensed. “Like blood?”
I hadn’t even thought of blood, but now that he’d mentioned it, I gagged. Blood. If the magic left behind had that taste, there was only one source it could come from. “Blood Moon Priests,” I whispered. “They’re not here. They can’t be. I’d sense them.”
“Maybe they aren’t, but could that artifact be something of theirs? Something he found?”
“Possible. Don’t see why not.” I ran my fingers through my hair. “This is bad, really bad. If he’s been using it all this time, I’m not sure we’ll be able to save everyone. It becomes a part of them the longer they’re trapped in this damned dome.”
“Then we have to find a way to either get the artifact or shatter the dome.”
He made it sound so easy. If I were to get through I would need time. What I really needed was help, but there was no one else here who had magic. Unless we managed to get the actual item. Or a small piece of it. Then I could use it against itself. Break the magic. Get a message to Selma. If Zion was using a Blood Moon Priest artifact, the Hunters needed to be called in. He was breaking a dozen laws, at least. The least of which was deceiving his—our—people.
“You said Zion looked familiar. From where?”
Tank scratched his chin. “From around one of the villages I grew up in. There was this kid around my age. He said over and over, that if the other clans wouldn’t save us, he would. That the other clans could rot. He would find a way to lead us all to safety.” He shrugged, frowning. “We thought he was full of shit. Every time the Black Diamonds came, he cowered. He never fought. Never. Not even when his own family was dragged away.”
“You think it’s him?”
“Could be. Maybe he changed his name from Greg to Zion. I think it was Greg. I guess Zion sounds more prophetic. If it’s the same dragon, we have to stop him.”
“We will. We just need a plan.”
“Can I get to the artifact in the cabin?”
“No, the door is heavily warded. But if the curse isn’t affecting Zion, then he has to have some sort of item on him, a necklace or a charm. How good of a pickpocket are you?” I asked.
“Think I can manage.”
“Then I guess we wait until you meet with him tomorrow.”
Tank held out his hand, and I took it. He drew me into his arms, holding me close. “I’m sorry I dragged you into this mess.”
“Really? You think I care? We’re saving your sister.”
“I know. But after the war and what you just went through at the gathering—”
I put my fingers to his lips, cutting off his words. “That’s exactly why I don’t mind. You put your life at risk back then to save me and the others. What kind of girlfriend would I be if I didn’t do the same? Anyway, I think we have at least one more fight in us. Maybe more.”
“And here I thought you hated this kind of chaos in your life.”
“Eh, if I’ve got you with me, it’s not all that bad.” I kissed him. “We’ll save them.”
“As long as you don’t get hurt in the process.”
“Or you. We’ve got too many things to do once we get back home.”
He sighed, hugging me. “Home. I never thought that valley would ever really feel like home and now I realize why.”
“Care to share?”
He grinned crookedly and whispered, “You weren’t with me. I feel at home with you.”
My heart melted, and I kissed him again, hoping he understood I felt the same way.
Being around the witches at the gathering certainly made me feel closer to what I always thought of as home, but there was always something missing. Even those three years with Jared I never felt fully settled. This moment, every moment, in Tank’s arms, felt like home. I never wanted to lose that sensation. We held each other close until footsteps approached the cabin. I hurried to get back in bed and shut my eyes as the door opened.
Cara and Darren asked Tank how I was doing. He told them I was sleeping and my fever had broken. They told him goodnight.
I peeked open an eye after hearing the sound of doors closing.
Tank was settling in the chair with the ottoman. He crossed his ankles, rested his hands on his chest, and shut his eyes.
I enjoyed the view a while longer until he started talking and I jumped, then stifled a laugh.
“Go to sleep, Amelie.”
“What? Can’t a girl admire the view?”
His eyes squinted open and his lips lifted in a grin, then he readjusted his position in the chair. “We’ll have all the time in the world for that when we end this.”
I shifted my pillow, shut my eyes, and attempted to get some real sleep.
Tomorrow was going to be a big day.
A very big day.
Sixteen
Tank
The next day Amelie reluctantly stayed at the cabin when I left for my meeting with Zion.
She tried to convince me she could take the same path through the trees and stay out of sight, but it was too risky. Last night, he’d nearly caught her, and there’d been a crowd. No way was I going to let her try now, when it was just me.
Cara and Darren had left early to tend to the greenhouses where most of their food was grown. No one here really had a job, except to help everyone else with keeping the town supplied. If it wasn’t for the mind control, I’d say this was a nice community to live in.
Except they all believed lies.
Zion would not get away with this. We’d find a way to contact the Hunters, break his hold over everyone, and he would be punished for his crimes. Looked like my fighting days weren’t over quite yet. As I approached the cabin, the front door opened, and Zion stepped out, wearing that same happy smile he had the night before.
I stepped on the porch.
At the bottom step, he reached for my hand.
“Good morning, Tank. I’m glad you agreed to speak with me in private. I enjoy having one on one talks with those in my clan. No point in being leader if you can’t talk to your own dragons, right?”
“Yes, thank you. I’m excited to learn what happened. How the war ended.”
“And I am more than happy to tell you. Come on inside. We’ll get some coffee and have a nice long chat.”
As soon as I stepped inside, the air grew heavy. Amelie was right. Whatever artifact he used to control the dragons and keep the barrier up was definitely in here. It was like walking through syrup, but I managed to stay with Zion.
The front door was closed behind me by one of the guards on the outside. I didn’t see anyone inside that might give me trouble when I made my move.
Zion led me into a sitting room with a carafe and coffee mugs set out on the table. He motioned for me to take a seat and poured coffee. I took the steaming mug with a nod of thanks, looking around the room. There was nothing strange about it, at first glance. If it weren’t for the heavy tinge of magic in the air, I’d have said he was like any other dragon in any other cabin.
He took a seat across from me.
I surreptitiously studied him for any sign of a necklace or ring. He wore neither. Must have had a charm in his pocket. Great.
“Now then, where should I start?” he asked with a sad smile. “I suppose you want to hear about the last battle?”
“Yes, I hear you were grievously wounded.”
“I was. I’m afraid I can no longer shift into my dragon form. The price was worth it so I could save our kin. So I could bring them here, away from all that death and destruction. Away from so much darkness.”
I sipped my coffee as he dove right into the story of how he learned of Radnak’s final plans to exterminate our kin and to kill all those who refused to join him. He was under the impression those who fought alongside the Black Diamonds had all been traitors, instead of being turned, or having their families held against them.
Seething, I set the coffee mug down before it shattered in my hands from my tight grip. He knew nothing of why the Shadowguards fought alongside our enemy. He blamed them for being weak. He used his hands as he spoke, grandly spreading them wide as the story turned more and more impressive with every word he spewed.
“By the time I reached some of the villages, the people had already been massacred.”
“That’s awful. By Radnak?”
“Yes. By him and his Black Diamonds.”
“No Blood Moon Priests?”
Zion’s lip twitched. “Blood Moon Priests? I’m afraid I don’t know what you speak of.”
“I heard rumors of Blood Moon Priests assisting him. It was why he was so strong. Heard he was also stealing souls.”
“I’m afraid that’s all those were. Just rumors.” He cleared his throat.
Clearly, my comments threw him off-guard. Good.
“Anyway, I raced to get to the last remaining village.”
“The last one out of every single settlement?”
“Why yes. Radnak was exterminating our clan.”
“There were thousands of us left. Clearly, he missed some of us, since I managed to survive.”
He crossed his legs then uncrossed them, obviously uncomfortable. “I will admit as the leader I failed some of our people by not saving them all. You, however, seemed to have saved yourself. I freed those I could. I fought Radnak, and I defeated him. Then I brought everyone here, where we would be safe from the Council and the other dragon clans. They would never accept us, not after the war we helped start so many centuries ago.”
“Only we didn’t.”
“I beg your pardon?” His voice rose a couple of octaves. “What are you saying?”
“I’m saying our clan was turned all those years ago because our leader’s soul was stolen with the help of the Blood Moon Priests. And more recently, Radnak tried to do the same to the rest of the clan leaders and to our true leader. Slade. Not you.” I rose, towering over him as my anger got the better of me. Not that I could help it. So many fought and died to save our kin, to defeat Radnak, and this asshole was taking all the credit and acting as if their lives meant nothing. “I was part of the Light Guard for years. I helped save our kin. You’re nothing but a liar.”
Fear filled his eyes as he gripped the arms of his chair. “I’m sorry you feel that way.”
“I don’t feel that way. It’s the truth. I was there when we attacked Radnak at the Fell Gates. Where he was defeated by Slade and Everest. I was there. I saw it all.”
His hand reached into his pocket.
I growled, bracing for an attack.
He didn’t pull out a weapon. He simply kept his hand tucked out of sight.
“You will lift whatever curse you’ve placed over my sister and everyone else here.”
The fear was suddenly gone. A leer spread across his face. “Is that so? You think because you’re so big and tough you can take me on?”
“I know who you are.”
“Do you?”
“You were a coward then.” I stalked closer, itching to deck him for a causing so much trouble when our people were supposed to be living in peace. “We offered to take you into the Light Guard. You turned us down. Too scared to fight.”
“I am not a coward.”
“Oh, no? Then tell these people what really happened.”
“I defeated Radnak. That is the truth.”
“Not even close. You have them living in fear still. They believe the other clans or the Council will kill them.”
“They will.” He shot to his feet, not that it did much. I was taller than him by a long shot.
“No, they won’t. They helped us end the war. The Council has one of our own sitting on it. The world has changed, and it’s time you let these people go and see for themselves.”
He slipped past me but didn’t try to leave the room. “I received that message from Slade,” he told me as he walked to the far wall then whipped around. “Slade, our pathetic excuse for a ruler. I heard of the valley he set up for our kin. A new beginning. To live amongst other dragon clans. I assumed he lost his mind.”
“It’s true.”
“For how long? You really think they won’t turn on us again?”
“We turned on them first, against our will.” I took a step toward him, but then a weird tingling started at my temples. I shook my head, trying to get rid of it, but it only grew worse.
Zion’s hand was still in his pocket. He tilted his head as he studied me.
“What… what are you doing to me?”
“You shouldn’t have come here alone,” he said, clicking his tongue. “Now you’ll never leave.”
“I won’t let you erase my memories.”
“Too late. You can remain here with your sister and be happy.”
The tingling grew worse. I clutched at my head, falling to my knees. Amelie. I had to think about her. She’d keep me sane, help me hold onto the truth. But even as I thought of the truth, of bits of the last few weeks, of the last few years, it all faded away, slipping through my fingers.
I roared with fury, but then darkness came over me, and there was nothing.
“Tank? Can you hear me?”
“What happened?” Why was I on the floor? I looked around wildly expecting to be attacked by a Black Diamond.
There was only Zion, my leader, standing over me with a worried frown.
“I’m sorry, I’m not sure what happened.”
He helped me to my feet, patting my shoulder. “Not to worry. You seemed in need of rest.”
“Rest, yeah. I guess so.” Why was I so tired? “What were we talking about? I don’t even remember.”
“We were talking about the old days before I brought us here.”
“Right.” I nodded as he guided me to the door.
“I think you’ve been working too hard. Take the day off. Tell your sister I said hello, too.”
“I’ll do that. Thank you, Zion.”
“Any time, Tank. My door is always open to those in my clan.”
I shook his hand then left his cabin.
I breathed in deep, enjoying the mountain air, as I’d done every day since we came here three long years ago. I had my sister at my side along with those of my clan who survived. What could possibly go wrong? I walked down the main dirt road for the cabin I shared with Cara.
I smiled and waved at those I passed, getting the same in return. Life here was nearly perfect.
A dragon roared as he shifted into his large form and took to the skies.
I paused mid-step, a flash of memory shooting through my mind. Dragons, so many filling the skies as red lightning crackled around us. That wasn’t right. Couldn’t be a memory. Perhaps a dream? More like a nightmare.
The further I walked, the more flashes of fights came to mind, followed by faces.
I rubbed my forehead. Zion was right. I overworked myself these last few weeks. A day off was a great idea. Clear my head of all these weird visions. I entered the cabin and was immediately bombarded by someone with red hair. She hugged me around the middle.
“You were gone for hours. I was worried about you. Tank? What’s wrong?” she asked as I set her away from me.
“I’m sorry. Who are you?”
“Who am I?” Her eyes narrowed then widened as she cursed. “No. Oh, no. Did he get to you? Damn it, what happened? You were supposed to talk to him. To get the charm.”
“Charm? What are you talking about? Who are you?”
“Amelie. You don’t… you don’t know me at all?”
I took in her face. Her extremely attractive face. A nagging started in my gut that I’d seen her before, but then it disappeared. “No, I certainly don’t. Why are you in my home? You’re not even a dragon.” I grabbed her by the arms and held her fast. “Who are you? Did you come to hurt my sister? My kin?”
