12. Ryland
TWELVE
“What the actual fuck?!” I snarl as I stomp between the twisted trees of the forest, hands alight with blue magic at my sides as I stride toward my team. I had waited as always, circling protectively above my men as they shifted to ensure they were safe, before I found a spot big enough for my Dragon to shift and join them. “Who is it, and how did we not know she was missing?” I growl at Andrei as I step up to his side, my magic the only light in the pitch-black forest.
The wind howls through the trees, making the branches above creak; the ominous sound setting my teeth on edge. The thick scent of copper hits me in the face, making me growl as I look at the girl in front of me. She”s still warm, her body limp, as blood drips from her small fingertips into the puddle of blood on the ground.
Demonic symbols are carved into her forehead instead of the tree or ground like the previous victims, and I curse, hating this fucker more and more with each kill. My Dragon rumbles, his anger floating in the air, making the less dominant of my men step back, giving me more space. Andrei mutters something into the phone he had pressed to his ear, probably relaying what we’ve found to Boris, then hangs up and turns to me.
“Joanna Moroz. Nineteen. Second year at Silverwood. She was last seen this morning; there was no missing person report filed, Ry,” Andrei mutters in a monotone voice, his sad hazel eyes studying the dead girl, hands fisted, jaw clenched. I can feel his Dragon shifting under his skin as he stares at her, and I know he’s just as upset at the deaths of these girls as I am. Only… Andrei’s reasons are much more personal. His older sister was the first girl killed four years ago. The first victim that we have linked to this serial killer. Since then, Andrei trained hard, earning top marks in all his classes to become part of the Balaur Patrol.
His need for revenge fuels his hatred, and his Dragon”s desire to protect the lives of the innocent girls at this school makes him one of my best soldiers. Stretching my fingers in front of me, I nod at my most trusted friend and let my magic get to work. There are fewer protection spells around the girl than the others. My guys probably would have been able to get her down without injury, but I always like to be safe and check it out myself.
“They were sloppy,” I point out, eyeing the girl”s torn-up chest; the stab wounds numerous and sporadic, like they were rushed.
“Apparently, it was a student who found her. I’m guessing she interrupted the bastard before he could do everything correctly. Look at her neck,” Andrei points out, and I lean closer, sparking a flame at the top of my pointer finger as my magic continues to destroy the demonic symbols. In the yellow glow of my fire, I see hand-shaped marks on the girl”s small neck. Not bruises, but they might have been if she lived long enough for her body to try to heal itself. My eyes shift to where several strands of hair are stuck in the collar of her shirt—a collar that is torn.
“She tried to fight back,” I grind out, my teeth clicking together at the sight, scowling when a strong gust of wind whips my long black hair around my face. I ran out of my barracks in a rush when Boris told us about the murder and left without a hair tie. I have the magic to keep a hair tie with me during a shift, but I don”t have the ability to produce one out of thin air, so I”m stuck with long, tangled hair that I know will end up being a bitch to comb out later tonight.
“Yeah,” Andrei growls, shaking his head as he steps forward. He watches my magic circle the girl once more before it rushes back into my hands. The smallest snap of a twig makes my Dragon snarl, and the hair on the back of my neck rises as I let the blue glow of my magic fade while keeping the small flame in hand.
We are being watched.
Andrei is only seconds behind me, his head cocking to the side as his eyes flash gold and claws lengthen at his fingertips. A growl erupts in my throat as I propel my flames toward the ground, making my men stumble back in surprise as my fire ignites, spiraling along the ground to form a perfect circle around our group. Adding my magic to the flames, I watch as the familiar golden glow shifts until the bright flicker of oily blue flames illuminates the dark forest around us.
Striding forward, I nod in approval as my men go on guard, blades in one hand and fire in the other, their keen eyes observing the forest. It”s Dimitri, the young Romanian prince, who nods at the tree to my left, his golden eyes flickering with Alpha dominance as I approach him. He may be a prick to work with at times, but his instincts are good. He may one day give me a run for my money as he grows older and stronger.
“It”s just a damn bird,” he scoffs, lowering his blade as he shakes his head. “I fucking hate these woods at night.”
My men chorus in agreement as I study the small black crow, my eyes narrowing on its form. It”s much too small for an ordinary bird, its feathers soft in appearance, and its eyes too intelligent for a normal animal.
“Dimitri! Lewis! Get the girl down and on horseback. Anton,” I snap, getting the attention of the only blue-eyed Dragon shifter here. “Fly overhead until they are out of the forest, then head to the chapel. Stay clear of all student paths to avoid gossip,” I instruct as I step closer to the blue ring of fire separating me from the crow watching us. I glare at the little creature, my lip pulling back in a snarl as the wind intensifies. A storm is coming, and with the chill in the air, I wouldn”t be surprised if we woke to snow cover in the morning.
“Shifter?” Andrei asks, stepping to my side. His eyes are still a bright sheen of gold, and I shake my head.
“No…” I trail off, confused enough to let my Dragon forward. Unease sits in the pit of my stomach as I watch the bird shift its little feet on the branch, head tilting, black eyes holding mine as if it”s trying to challenge me.
What the hell?
I lean closer, eyes narrowing as a gust of wind hits the bird, shifting its feathers and… A snarl bursts from between my lips as the sweet scent of cranberry and spice fills my nostrils, making me stumble back. A groan lodges in my throat as my cock thickens in my jeans. I can feel my eyes shift into those of my Dragon, my beast roaring in my chest as he crawls to the surface, tearing through all the defenses I have in place as my heart pounds furiously in my chest.
A mixture of excitement, arousal, and fear twine together as Andrei curses, his hands moving to steady my shoulders as I stare in shock at the little bird in front of me.
No way.
No fucking way she’s here! She’s home where I left her three years ago, under the protective eyes of her brothers. My thoughts trail off as I remember Gabe saying Atlas was coming to Silverwood to investigate the staff and shake my head. Gabriel Covington wouldn”t allow his sister to come here with the unknown dangers lurking in every corner of this place. No, Serafina is safe and over five thousand miles from here. Well, five thousand four hundred and sixty-three miles. I have it memorized. I have flown it more times than I care to admit. Not that she knows that.
My Dragon growls, and scales erupt up my neck. Smoke billows from my nose as I stare at the tiny shadow bird, wondering what the hell is going on. I am convinced that my mind is playing tricks on me just as another gust of wind hits. The rich scent of spiced berries fills my senses, and I slam my eyes shut, cracking my neck to the side as my toes curl in my boots, confirming what my Dragon already knows.
Mother fucker!
“Whoa! Is that bird made of smoke?” Andrei asks, voice a little higher than usual as his eyes widen. His words only fuel my anger, making me wonder how I never knew Fina could conjure her magic and form this bird.
“She’s not going to be able to sit for a fucking week!” I bellow as my hands curl in on themselves, my bones snapping and cracking as my Dragon pushes forward.
“I’m not going to lie,” my friend drawls, eyes locked on the crow, who I swear just narrowed its eyes at me. In the next instant, it spreads its tiny wings and takes to the air, and this time, I feel it. The dark magic that has been circling the area, just out of my reach. “That’s kinda a weird thing to say to a bird.” Andrei chuckles, setting his hands on his hips as he watches the bird fly toward the school.
“What is the name of the student who found the scene?” I grind out, seconds from losing the battle against my Dragon. He’s desperate to get out, and I’m not necessarily against the idea.
“Uhh, I don”t know. It was a professor who called Boris. The new guy, who started here a few days ago. Hampton… Hamilton… No, that”s not right,” he mutters with a frown.
“Hawkins?” I ask, my voice so deep even I have difficulty understanding it. Andrei snaps his fingers and nods.
“Yep! That”s the one.” Red-hot rage courses through me as I growl, magic erupting from me as I step away from Andrei.
“I’m going to kill him!”
“Why? Wait, what the fuck, Ry?” Andrei shouts, stumbling back as my body starts to grow, taking over the entire clearing.
I glance over my shoulder, finding that Dimitri already has the girl wrapped in a cloak and on the back of his horse as he mounts up. Good. They can finish this up. I have a girl I need to chase down and take care of.
With a roar, my Dragon bursts out, my skin shredding, my bones popping as my claws tear the surrounding trees to shreds, creating a space for me to take flight. I relinquish my control over him, happy in the knowledge we have a similar end goal this time.
“Find her,”I whisper into his mind as our wings unfold, my men shouting my name as we shoot into the starry night sky.