Dragon Magic, page 20
part #4 of Ever Witch Series
Or—the third and not quite best option—that the charm backfired and set off an alarm of some kind, alerting Zion and the rest of the guards to my presence. Yeah, I was trying hard not to linger on the third possibility.
“You got this,” I told myself, approaching the barrier slowly. “You are going to break through this barrier because those dragons need you.”
The charm warmed as I came within a yard of the barrier.
I flinched as the heat increased, making me nearly drop it, but I held fast.
Shielding my eyes, I shoved my hand forward, gritting my teeth as the charm burned even hotter.
I sensed when it touched the barrier, the jolt traveling through my body in waves that left me shaking and weakened.
There was a loud crack, and the light dimmed. As my eyes adjusted to the darkness again, I zeroed in on the place I’d touched the barrier and laughed softly.
The charm had worked. There was a hole just big enough for a small person to slip through.
As excited as I was to see the gap, my heart sank as the barrier began to ripple. It wobbled to the right and left, disappearing into the trees that blocked my view.
“Crap.”
I had very little time.
Tank was going to kill me for this.
Holding onto the charm in case the barrier decided to try and close itself off, I stepped through.
The fresh air outside the barrier left me dizzy, and I had to take a second to steady my shaky legs.
I hadn’t realized how toxic the magic inside the dome was. No wonder everyone was walking around like they were on happy pills.
I longed to stay out here, but the barrier was rippling faster now, and the edges of the crack sparked as if they were going to start closing.
With the coin still in hand, I shut my eyes and thought of Selma. The full extent of how much trouble we were in right now was too long of a message to convey, so I sent her a few words and hoped she could put the pieces together.
Blood Moon Priests. Artifact. Danger. Need Hunters and back up.
I added the exact location then waited until a bright beam of golden light shot into the sky.
It took off toward the east.
I nodded, satisfied., then stepped back inside the dome.
As I moved away, I expected the crack to seal itself, but it remained open.
“Huh, if you’re going to stay open, maybe we can start sneaking everyone out of here.”
That notion would allow us to help many innocents escape so they wouldn’t be caught up in what was bound to be a fight with Zion.
I tucked the charm nearby, but out of sight, worried that if I moved too far away with it, the barrier would close. Then we’d have to start all over again with opening it. The next time, I might not be so lucky, Zion or his guards could be here.
I traipsed through the trees, dodging branches and bushes as I hustled to get to the cabin, anxious to tell Tank it worked.
“Grab her.”
I yelped.
A hand clamped over my mouth. Another arm wrapped around my middle and dragged me kicking and punching into the shadows.
A torch flared to life beside me.
I glared at the three dragon guards holding me hostage.
“Take her to Zion. He’ll want to know what she was doing.”
He glanced behind me, but I knew they couldn’t see the crack in the barrier from here.
“How did she even get inside?”
The one holding my face let up enough that I bit down on his hand. He snarled. His grip loosened.
I took off running. I had to get to Tank. The cabin was ahead through the trees.
The dragons caught up and tackled me to the ground. This time, they tied my hands and shoved a rag in my mouth.
“I’m bleeding, damn it,” one dragon growled as he hoisted me to my feet.
I tried to grin despite the balled-up cloth in my mouth.
“You won’t be smiling for long, witch. Zion will have something special planned for you. He hates witches and warlocks. He hates anyone with magic.”
Which was ironic, considering he used magic to control his clan. They took me away from Cara’s cabin and down a well-worn dirt path that led to the back of Zion’s home.
I attempted to scream the entire way, kicking at the guards every now and then to throw them off balance. I hoped it helped me hide how scared I was. I didn’t know what Zion would do to me
In the cabin, the guards dumped me in a rather nice sitting room. The dark magic was heavy here, weighing on me. That metallic taste overwhelmed my taste buds, despite the cloth in my mouth.
I gagged on the taste and was I worried I’d choke on it when the door slammed open.
Zion appeared.
“Get that damned thing out of her mouth,” he ordered. “And untie her. This is not how we treat our guests.”
The guards exchanged a confused look but did as he commanded.
I sucked in a mouth of air, only to choke on it as the metallic taste worsened.
Zion poured a glass of water from a pitcher and handed it to me.
I hesitated but couldn’t sense anything strange coming from it. “Thank you.” I took a drink.
“Now, then. Who are you and how did you get through my barrier?”
I wrung my hands, not sure how to answer.
“Well?”
“I came to figure out what this place is.” Why wasn’t I a better liar? “I heard of the dome from locals at the base of the mountains and wanted to see for myself.”
“And you’re a witch?”
“Yes.”
“Interesting.” He rubbed his chin, his face blank. His eyes said he wasn’t buying it. “And you are acquainted with no one here? You didn’t come here for a different reason? Say, maybe to rescue Cara with her brother Tank?”
“Cara? Who the hell is Cara?”
Zion raised a brow. “You did come through with him. Well, I wonder if you’ve seen him of late. You might say Tank is not quite himself.”
I bit my tongue. Did I let him know I lifted the curse from Tank? No, I had to let him believe Tank was still under the curse. Give him time, hell, give Selma time to send the Hunters to us.
I needed to stall. I threw myself at him. “You monster. What did you do to him?” I shrieked as I grabbed for his shirt.
The dragons took hold of my arms, but I didn’t give up that easily. I pushed and shoved at them, fighting like a wild animal.
Zion tore free of my hands and yelled for them to shove the gag back in my mouth.
I clamped my lips shut, but they just tied it tight around my face. Then they secured my arms.
“You, my dear sweet witch, have failed. But wiping your memory would be too easy.”
I yelled through the gag, shaking my head. He needed to understand what he was doing. I calmed immediately and pleaded with him through the fabric covering my mouth.
He sighed but pulled it away so I could speak.
“You don’t understand what you’re doing.”
“Oh, no?” He rubbed his chin, looking amused. “Do tell.”
“You stole the magic you’re using from the Blood Moon Priests. It’s dark magic. Blood magic. You’re not just brainwashing the clan you claim to love. You’re going to kill them all.”
He faltered. “Explain.”
“The Blood Moon Priests used their magic to steal souls and life forces. If you keep this magic going, the dome, the brainwashing, everyone under your care will lose their souls. They’ll die one by one...” I trailed off as I realized why the others had been able to see through the curse. “It’s already happening.”
“Not a single dragon has died since coming here.”
“Not yet, but what about those you have trapped in the cave? Why do you think they’re no longer under your curse? You’re killing them, Zion. Please. You have to believe me.”
He dragged the gag back over my mouth. “You’re lying. You want to take away what is rightfully mine. You and Tank. But you’re too late. Take her to the room and leave her there. I will not have this witch running around free, tainting our clan.”
I screamed through the gag. I fought so hard, that the dragons had to pick me up and carry me .
When we neared another door, I froze.
The metallic taste in my mouth intensified and dizziness overtook me.
The door opened, and I was tossed inside, then it slammed shut behind me, and a lock slid into place.
I rolled to my side and sat up.
I scrambled backward to try and get out the door.
Sitting on a podium in the center of the room, giving off a dark crimson glow, was a plant.
To most, it would’ve looked like a normal plant, but it wasn’t.
The thing was alive, breathing and bleeding through thorns that ran along its branches.
It wasn’t a plant that grew out of the ground.
Oh, no, this was the artifact Zion must’ve found and stolen. These were created from the deaths of sacrifices. Sticks from this very artifact made up the charms the dragon guards and Zion carried with them.
With each beating pulse of the wicked plant, my power waned.
I banged on the door with my shoulder, screaming as loud as I could for them to let me out of here.
My vision blurred and after a while, I slid to the floor. My pulse raced. Sweat beaded my forehead.
If I stayed in this room for long, it would drain my magic, then drain my life.
I was too close to the evil artifact and wouldn’t have the time to free myself.
Tank would come for me. The Hunters would arrive. They’d save us all.
Another wave of dizziness hit me.
I shut my eyes, curled in on myself, and prayed.
Eighteen
Tank
Amelie should’ve been back by now. I stormed around the cabin, ignoring Cara and Darren’s worried pleas for me to sit down and tell them what was wrong. But I couldn’t. I glared out the front windows into the night. My gut twisted, and I dug my fingers into the wooden frame. Something was wrong.
“I have to go.” I rushed to the door and threw it open.
“What? Tank, it’s the middle of the night.” Cara protested as she followed me out the front door and into the woods. Darren hurried behind her. “Tank! Wait a second. Where are you going? We shouldn’t be out here.”
“I have to find her.”
“Find who?”
I shook my head, not saying anything. I dodged trees as I raced to the barrier. Amelie said she was going to the same place we entered. Darren and Cara kept up their barrage of begging me to go back with them. That wasn’t happening. Either Amelie was still out here by the barrier or Zion got his hands on her. If it was the latter, I was going to tear that dragon apart.
“What is that?” Cara gasped as she and Darren finally caught up with me.
“That would be a crack in the barrier keeping us here. Trapped.”
Hands on my hips, a growl rumbling deep in my throat, I glared at the opening. Amelie had gotten through, but she wasn’t here. I looked at the ground, searching for tracks, but there was only one set. Where was she?
I sucked in a deep breath and the metallic scent she described earlier overwhelmed my senses. It was overlaid with the smells of herbs and flowers I’d come to associate with Amelie.
Following the scent, I found myself at a tree. Then I spotted the bundle of sticks sitting in the crook of branches. Definitely out of place. And it wasn’t far from the barrier. I picked it up, holding it up to the moonlight filtering through the branches.
“What is that?” Cara asked as she approached.
She gave her head a shake as if trying to clear her mind.
Darren did the same.
Curious, I held the charm closer to them, and they hunched over, holding their heads. Their bodies glowed an eerie silver color.
I was worried that I was hurting them, and yanked the charm back.
They both straightened and looked at me.
Cara blinked a couple of times then her eyes widened. “Tank? What, what’s going on? How are you here?” She rubbed her forehead then glanced at Darren. “Why are we in the woods?”
“What do you remember?”
“I remember coming here with Zion.” She blanched. “No. Not Zion. Greg. That lying bastard.”
Darren growled. “He tricked us.”
“And you came here to find us?” Cara threw herself into my arms. “How?”
“I knew you were alive. That I had to find you. Amelie helped me, and now I can’t find her. I think Zion took her. She’s the one who broke through the barrier.”
“I don’t want to think about what he’ll do to her.”
I didn’t want to think about it either. But standing around here wasn’t going to do us any good. If she got through the barrier, she would’ve sent a message to Selma. The old witch would act, call for the Hunters, but I wasn’t going to wait around for them to arrive.
Zion had Amelie. That was my only focus. I headed toward his cabin. That’s where I’d start my hunt.
“Tank.” Cara grabbed hold of my arm. “Where are you going?”
“I’m not letting Amelie stay with that pathetic excuse for a dragon. Claiming he’s our leader.” I gripped the charm so hard the sticks began to crack.
“What’s your plan?”
“Go to his cabin and tear him apart.”
“Wait, we need a plan.” She tugged on me so hard I had no choice, but to stop. “You can’t attack him. He’s well-guarded.”
“The artifact he’s using to do all this is in his cabin,” I explained. “It’s draining everyone’s soul. We have to end this. Now.”
“And we will, but we need others. We need help.”
“Amelie called for help, but I’m not sure they’ll get here in time.” I glanced at the charm in my hand. “The caves.”
“Caves?”
“Zion’s been taking those who’ve broken free of the curse and locking them away. Come on.”
They stayed right behind me as we sprinted through the trees, taking the path to the caves. There were no guards nearby, which I took as a bad sign. If they weren’t here, they were probably at the house. Amelie had been taken. I knew it. I should’ve gone with her. When we reached the gate covering the cave entrance, Darren and I kicked against the lock to try and break it open, but couldn’t.
“Hold this,” I told Cara, handing over the charm. “And stand back.”
“What are you doing? Tank, we can’t breathe fire.”
“Watch me.”
These dragons had been trapped, unaware that after all this time, the dark magic that hovered over our people had been lifted. Heat boiled in my gut as I sucked in a deep breath.
I aimed for the lock and fire shot from my mouth, lighting up the darkness. The lock turned white hot and melted, hitting the ground in a glob of liquefied metal. As I swallowed back the last of the flames, Cara and Darren looked at me in awe.
“What? How is that possible?” Cara exclaimed.
I kicked open the gate and rushed inside to free the prisoners. “I’ll explain everything later. Stand back,” I told Danny and the other dragons.
I made quick work of the locks, and the dragons poured out of the cells, clapping me on the shoulder and shaking my hand.
Cara and Darren greeted them outside the cave, asking them what Zion had done to them.
There was no time to stand around and chat. Amelie needed me. I’d half hoped he would’ve thrown her up here with the rest of his prisoners, but she wasn’t here. The only other possibility was the cabin.
“Let’s move.”
“What are we doing?” Danny asked.
“We are taking back our clan,” I informed him. “And saving Amelie.”
“You think we can take them all on?”
“Zion is nothing more than a coward, hiding behind magic he doesn’t even understand. We’re going to take them on, and we’re going to win. The war hasn’t ended yet for those of you here, but it will tonight.”
“You’re just going to what? Ambush them?”
I rolled my shoulders, looking in the direction of Zion’s cabin, the one place he believed he was untouchable. “Something like that. Anyone who doesn’t wish to be involved, head to the southern edge of the barrier. You’ll find a crack in it. That’s your way out. The Hunters are on their way to help us. Wait for them.”
“Hunters? They won’t help us. They’ll kill us,” one of the dragons protested.
“No, they won’t. Much has changed since the war ended. You can trust them.”
“And if we want to stay and fight?” Danny asked with a glint in his eyes. “If we want to make that lying dragon pay?”
“Then you come with me. Time to prove Zion is not our clan leader.”
Five dragons stood outside the cabin, their faces lit by the torches lining the path to the front door.
Danny, Cara, and Darren stood to my right. The rest of those who stayed to fight had moved around to the rear of the cabin to guarantee if Zion made a run for it, he didn’t get far.
As far as I could tell, the only power he had was that of erasing everyone’s memories. But if he was away from the main artifact, I hoped he wouldn’t be able to do it. He drew power from that dark object. We had to destroy it.
And I had to find Amelie.
The temptation to charge forward and set the place on fire was high, but Amelie was far from fireproof. She might be hurt, unconscious, or worse.
I ground my teeth, chasing away that dark thought. She was alive. That’s what every instinct in me proclaimed. She was alive. It wasn’t too late to save her.
“How do you want this to play out?” Cara asked, moving around the tree to get a better view of the front porch.
“You three stay out of sight. I don’t want him knowing you are here until the fighting starts. And it will. I guarantee that.”
“Tank, be careful. I just found you. I’d really like not to lose my brother.”
I hugged her close and kissed the top of her head. Darren held my gaze over her shoulder as I silently told him he better keep her safe if this plan went south.
