Eric and Collin had flanked him, both fighting Kreturus at the same time. Eric’s lips moved as he slashed his blade at the demon. There was a thin red line were Kreturus had bled. They must have gotten close enough to hurt him. And that was all they needed. Hope swelled in my chest. This could be over. This could end right now.
I ran and jumped off the stage to the empty space below. My gown filled with air as my body rushed toward the floor. Grabbing the skirt in one hand, I ran toward Kreturus. I hurled my comb at his chest. As the weapon left my fingers, I spoke an incantation. Swallowing hard, I watched the silvery tines sheen and turn red as they sped toward his body. The power of my spell would drive the blade to him, and through him. As if he sensed me, Kreturus turned—taking hits on both sides and snatched my deadly blades out of the air. Anger flashed in his eyes, as his hand tightened on the tines and crushed them. The scent of seared flesh filled the air as Kreturus held up his fist, bending the Celestial Silver into a ball of metal.
Rage filled him, his eyes turning to red coals. “Enough!” he shouted, thrashing with the full force of his power at Collin and Eric simultaneously. Their bodies flew through the air in different directions, hitting the floor with a sickening thump. Swallowing hard, I clutched my skirt with one hand, and watched the demon move toward me. His tux was torn. Blood lined his cheek. A smile twisted across his face, “You cannot defeat me! Accept your fate!” He moved toward me, reaching for me. Hatred flared in his eyes.
Dreanoks screeched wildly above us, halting his step. With his hand outstretched, Kreturus looked up. We were standing under the hole in the ceiling. The sky was chaos. Dreanoks scattered like they were under attack. Screeching grackles darted like arrows flying past them. My foot slid back as my jaw dropped. Something was plummeting toward me, about to land on the spot where I was standing. Jumping back, a dead Dreanok fell with a thump at my feet. Its body was slashed by talons. There was no other sign of injury.
Then, without a sound, the Omen narrowed its body and flew into the open roof. Kreturus stood there, stunned, staring at it. It landed between us, crushing the dead Dreanok with his massive claws. I didn’t care what Kreturus thought this thing was. It liked me, and leaving with him was better than staying here. As I climbed onto his back, I glanced around quickly. Eric and Collin were watching. Their wide eyes were focused on me. I only hoped this beast could take me where I needed to go and that they had the sense to meet me there.
The beast flapped his wings once, then twice, before we lifted off. It was then that Kreturus decided to move. His hand still held the ball of Celestial Silver. He spoke an incantation into it just as the Omen started to beat his wings. The silver ball glowed bright blue and was dripping with something. I could actually see it drip down onto the ground as it flew through the air at me. It would hit. I couldn’t stop it. My stomach clenched. At the same time the silvery ball left Kreturus’ grip, something moved. I couldn’t twist my head to see. The ball was coming too fast. It would knock me from the dragon’s back. At least, that’s what I thought it would do.
I was wrong.
The dripping blue ball flew closer and closer. We were barely off the ground. Attempting to use my powers to stop it, I tried and failed. Kreturus made certain that I couldn’t defend myself. On instinct I covered my face as the ball was about to collide with my body. But before my face was covered, a flash of cinnamon hair flew past. Shannon. Her body sprung from the ground, using Martis power to gain enough height, and was suddenly in front of me. The ball collided with her chest as her body flew in front of mine.
On contact, her skin hissed. Black veins spidered out, covering her body as she screamed. Shannon’s body stopped its arc through the air and fell. It was like she was hit by a truck filled with poison. Her body cracked as it hung suspended. Agony creased her face, closing her brilliant green eyes. One minute Shannon was close enough to reach out and touch. The next, she was laying on the ground convulsing. Her hair spread around her head like a halo. Her limbs twisted in unnatural directions. The ball forced her to the ground, crushing her bones. She no longer moved. Breath did not fill her lungs. Wide green eyes stared blankly, no longer seeing. The brimstone dust and sapphire serum Kreturus put into the ball worked its way further into her dead body. My jaw hung open, watching her, waiting for her to jump up—but she didn’t. The black lines continued to grow, covering her body in a black web of poison until there was no fair skin remaining. The fourth flap of the Omen’s wings put us out of the hole in the ceiling and into the night sky. As we lifted away, I felt the jarring sensation of Kreturus’ spell trying to hold me in place. The dragon turned his head and violet flames shot from his snout. The sensation stopped, and the spell broke. Clutching his back, I leaned down, pressing my body to the dragon so that Kreturus couldn’t try to hit me again.
As we flew, my eyes stung. Wind whipped my hair wildly around my face. Every living creature that normally inhabited the skies gave us a wide birth, wanting nothing to do with us. I was on the back of the only thing that frightened Kreturus. And he saw that it touched me. That was when the Demon King hurled the death ball at me. He realized the beast not only sought me out, but was familiar with me. I didn’t scream as it landed. I jumped on his back like we were buddies.
Pressing my eyes closed, I rested my face against the beast’s cold scales. Shannon. Why did she do it? Did Eric compel her to do that? Or did she do it on her own? I didn’t know what to think. I couldn’t think. It was too horrible.
And I had the feeling that revealing my relationship to this beast just changed the game. Kreturus would no longer be hunting me with the intention of sharing my maturing power. Next time he saw me, I’d die.
CHAPTER TWENTY
The Martis scurried like ants when he hovered over their camp. It was luck that we found it. I had been thinking of the location of their camp, wishing I could effonate there when the dragon arched his wings wider and banked into a rapid turn. It was long after that, that I spotted the glimmering tents. They’d moved. Either that or this was a different camp. I didn’t know what to do. We circled high above, away from the sentry, waiting. Thinking.
I spoke to the dragon as if he understood me, although I didn’t think that was entirely true, “We can’t land. I don’t know why they told me to come here. Or if this is even the right camp...” my voice trailed off. Wind tugged at my hair and stung my face. It was so cold. And this gown did nothing to keep me warm.
On the third pass over the camp, the wind abruptly stopped, and I sat on the dragon’s back suspended in air. Turning my head, I looked for the cause. An angel was nearby, causing this—freezing time. Her voice floated across the empty space, “Are you ever going to land?” It was Jenna Marie.
Turning toward the source of the sound, I saw her. She was in the air, high above the camp below, standing next to me. At least she appeared to be standing. A rush of relief shone on my face, “You’re alive! I though the Dreanok killed you.”
She hovered next to me. I looked behind her, wishing I could see her wings. She replied, grinning, “Nope. Long story. Are you coming or going? I can’t hold time like this forever and the beast you’re riding is strongly protesting what I’m doing. He’s going to flame me if I don’t release him this instant. Land. Come inside. See you in a moment.” Then she was gone, and the wind burst against my cheeks again, tangling my hair. The dragon snarled as if he was aware of the entire conversation and pissed off that something held him still like that.
“Shhh,” I patted his back trying to sooth him. “She meant well. Don’t kill her, okay?” I was half joking, but part of me was seriously asking. I didn’t know how the beast would react. In response the creature roared, making the most bone chilling sound I’ve ever heard.
He descended, gliding in slow circles toward the ground. As the camp became closer, I could see Jenna Marie’s familiar face. Standing next to her was Eric with a smirk on his lips. I smiled crookedly at him. My eyes darted between Martis, searching for Collin, wondering where he was. I half hoped that Kreturus’ words were lies, but something inside of me said that they weren’t. Apryl died. Valefar killed her. Eric led them there. I already knew this. Somewhere in the back of my mind, I knew Collin was also responsible. I just didn’t want to admit it. But until now, I didn’t know he was there. Somehow, thinking of him actually sitting there, and watching the Valefar destroy her—it damned him more. Searching the camp for his beautiful face as we sank lower and lower, circle by circle, I wondered what I’d say to him. Did Collin think this was in the past? Would I let it be? Could I do such a thing? Forgive someone that much? I didn’t think so.
My heart sank lower with each descending pass. The dragon was cautious, hesitant to land. I wasn’t sure why. Then it dawned on me. If this thing was the Omen, crossing his path had dire consequences. I cupped my hands and yelled down, “Clear the area, except for Eric.” I would have said Collin, but there was no trace of him. The Martis scattered. Jenna Marie, paused, but did as I asked. As soon as they left, Eric stood in the clearing alone. The dragon dropped out of the sky, landing lightly on his feet. Twisting my body, I slid off his back and into Eric’s arms. Stumbling, I landed my feet. Eric pulled me closer to him, to steady me. The dragon snorted a huff of hot air, warming my frigid skin and then took off. He disappeared into the night.
Eric’s hands were on my face, tilting my head up as he examined me. It was as if he expected me to be broken. I swatted at him and he stopped. Smiling, he said, “I wasn’t sure how you’d get here. Your pet followed you from the Underworld, huh?” He released me and stepped back.
I glanced over my shoulder, looking at the spot where the dragon had been. Ignoring his comment, I asked, “Eric, have you ever heard of the Omen?” His expression changed. His eyes darted into the sky, looking for the creature that was just standing before him.
Snapping his gaze back to me, he asked, “You think that was the Omen?” His voice rose, a tad higher than normal. Shit. Eric knew what it was. It seemed that he didn’t think it was possible until I suggested it.
Jenna Marie walked up behind me. “I’m guessing it was. It’s why he didn’t want to land. He didn’t want to cross paths with more people than he already had. That’s why you were able to stay, Eric. It wasn’t because you and Ivy are friends. That had nothing to do with it.” Eric bristled at her words. I was uncertain what had offended him. Jenna Marie stood before me. Golden blonde hair fell in her face. She made no attempt to push it back. Studying her, I noticed her downcast gaze. She didn’t look up.
Suspicious, I stepped toward her. Limp blonde hair dangled from beneath her flowered cap. The wind blew mine, but hers didn’t move. It clung to her face like it was weighed down, so it would stay in place... to conceal something. Reaching out, I moved my hand toward her face. Jenna Marie didn’t move at first. She just watched my hand move slowly toward her. When my fingers touched her hair, ready to move it away, her fingers wrapped around my wrist in a death grip and yanked them away. “Not today,” was all she said, and turned walking back into a tent.