Chapter 8 The Call
The Call
Caden and Iolaire shifted into human form before him.
Valerius wrapped his arms around the young man.
Valerius was shaking. When did that start?
Since he lost them earlier that evening.
He’d been shaking since then on some level.
Now he felt like he was coming apart, but he had to keep it together for a little longer.
By the spirits, has it only been a few hours?
Valerius kissed the side of Caden’s head fiercely, kissing every bit of skin he could reach, as he held Caden tightly to him. Likely too tightly. But Caden was now a Dragon Shifter once more and he was just a man. He couldn’t hurt Caden physically
“I need to fly Chione to the sun?!” Caden asked against Valerius’ neck. “Can we fly that far, Valerius?”
Immediately, Valerius recognized his mistake and pulled back to explain himself more clearly, “No, no, not to the sun, but into the sunlight on Earth. The sun is already rising on the east coast. You need to fly her there. It’s the only way she’ll heal from the Behemoth’s poison.”
“All right. We can do it. Iolaire and I can do it!” Caden nodded, but still looked overwhelmed. Valerius knew he had never flown that far. “Can--can you come with me?”
“Yes, of course. But you’ll have to carry me, too,” Valerius told him with a slight smile.
Carry? He had never been carried except by the swarm. How he longed to fly himself! Would he again? Yes, yes, he would. And soon.
“Don’t you have to stay in the throne room until Raziel returns?” Marban asked.
“No, he doesn’t. Landry was reunited with her body out there. So the moment that Raziel returns to its lair, we’re all good,” Caden said.
Valerius had thought the same thing, but he hadn’t been sure. In a way, it would be a relief to not stand and wait helplessly in the throne room for Raziel to return.
“Landry’s okay?” Rose asked.
“Oh, yes, I forgot! Landry is free of the Behemoth and hanging in the Emporium eating stale Cheetos and wearing loads of warm merch. Her brothers are not so lucky. They’re encased in ice over… there! You can see them both,” Caden said.
The White Dragon King pointed to the two frozen figures that were surrounded by curious onlookers. A few of those onlookers were taking pictures or video while others looked prepared to start kicking the downed figures. That was not good.
“Marban, Rose, you need to keep order here while Caden and I are gone. People are angry and they look to want to take it out on someone.”
“Understood, my kings!” Rose said with a half bow to both of them. “We’ll handle it!”
“One benefit of being a Swarm Shifter is that people run,” Marban added with dark amusement.
“Oh, and of course, there’s Jasper.” Caden stepped on Jasper’s back. The Humans First leader had been attempting to crawl away while they weren’t looking. “He needs to be kept right where we can see him.”
“I’m a victim! Not a criminal! You can’t keep me here! It’s false imprisonment!” Jasper gasped under Caden’s foot and flailed his arms to the sides.
“You are a traitor, Jasper Hawes,” Valerius’ voice was dark and deep and unyielding. “You will pay for your crimes against humanity and Shifter kind. All will know of the deaths and destruction you caused in your vain quest for power.”
“People will know that I did what I did because--”
“You’re a hypocrite,” Caden finished Jasper’s statement for him. “And that will destroy your fans and followers, Jasper. Because they’ll know that all this time you just wanted to be a Shifter, but you simply weren’t worthy.”
Jasper snarled and spat, but there was a haunted look in his eyes that told Valerius he knew that Caden was correct. Losing adulation would be the end of Jasper’s influence.
“We’ll keep things steady until you return,” Marban said. “Now, go save Chione.”
Both nodded. Caden shifted without any hesitation, which just showed how much he had grown in such a short time.
He gently curled a giant claw around Valerius.
Valerius tried to enjoy every moment of this instead of desiring to shift and fly himself.
This likely would never happen again as Raziel would be with him soon.
So he relished Iolaire’s cool scales against his bare body.
He ran his hands over the deadly claws that were so careful not to even prick him.
And he let out a delighted laugh when Iolaire took off into the night sky.
His stomach dropped to his feet as if he were on a rollercoaster.
Iolaire snorted in delight, but then was dead serious as they flew to the bridge and Chione.
They saw her under that silvery wrap. There were half a dozen doctors around her, not to mention Ngoye, Simi and… the rest of the Dragon Shifters. Esme was on her knees--no mean feat for a woman her age--and holding Chione’s hand. Anwar was on Chione’s other side doing the same.
Tez had Chione’s head cradled in his lap while Kaila stood over him, hands on his shoulders as if to give Tez greater strength.
Jahara was by her feet, eyes closed, but lips moving as she said a prayer.
Mei stood nearby with her arms tightly wound around her chest and her eyes haunted.
Illarion paced like a caged wild creature.
All looked up at the sound of wings flapping.
She’s still alive! Valerius thought with a hope so strong it felt like it might burst out of him.
Iolaire did not land, but instead lowered itself to a distance where it could scoop Chione up from the bridge, a silver blanket wrapped around her.
The Dragon Kings and Queens all stood up.
Illarion offered Esme a hand up, which she accepted after a moment’s surprised hesitation. They called out his and Caden’s names.
“We’re taking her to the sun!” Valerius called in an explanation.
There were nods and calls of agreement and luck. Then they were flying to the east as fast as the White Dragon’s wings could take them.
Earlier...
Raziel circled the unconscious Dragons on the ground.
Had the red one stirred? What about the orange or purple?
Was that a flash of white out of the corner of Raziel’s eye?
No. Iolaire was the only--the one and only--White Dragon and was safe in their lair, which Raziel wished to be.
The Behemoth was gone. These Dragons were gone.
Iolaire curled against its chest and beneath its wings.
Iolaire’s purring vibrating through its body and filling its ears.
Valerius’ mind and body and soul there, too.
And Caden’s as well. Their family would be complete then.
But no.
They had to wait.
Mephous flew close to Raziel, their wing tips nearly touching. Raziel’s head snapped towards the Green Dragon. While Iolaire could come so near, Mephous could not. The Green Dragon blinked lazily at Raziel as if in affection. Raziel blinked back in confusion.
You do not know, but I saved your Valerius. Not once, but many times, Mephous slithered out.
Raziel narrowed its eyes. As if Valerius and I have not saved you and Illarion enough times?
It’s true, Zephyra said as the iridescent Purple Dragon flew near. Illarion and Mephous were as good as their word to you, king of kings.
Valerius and Illarion are becoming friends! Lana enthused as the Turquoise Dragon flew beneath Raziel, flipping onto its back to look up at Raziel’s great form.
I threatened them with death if they did not keep Valerius safe, Raziel muttered, but was a little surprised and maybe something more.
Your Valerius was brave when he was alone, Mephous said, surprising Raziel further. He would not give up through pain or threat of death. He trusted us. He made Illarion… Here the Green Dragon paused and a strange emotion rippled across the green scaly face, believe in himself again.
Hard to admit, Scylla rumbled, but true. Illarion acted heroically.
Heroes normally die, Xipil remarked, its flame-like body darting across Raziel’s flight path, but not near enough to get in the way, only enough to cause the air current to bob. But Illarion did not appear to care about that.
And you did not either, Evren, a silver shadow, glided above Raziel. It was you and Mei who told us to go to the throne room and what could be done to end the Behemoth and save everyone.
Xipil tossed its antlered head, but there was a gleam of pride in those dark eyes. Only because Mei would have died and I would have been enslaved if I did not. That is the only time to be a hero. When you have no other choice.
No, no, you did it because you love us! Lana flew circles around Xipil who gave the Turquoise Dragon an affronted look. I bet you still have the charm that Iolaire made you in your lair!
Despite Xipil’s red coloring, Raziel could have sworn the Red Dragon blushed.
I’m right! Aren’t I right, Eldoron? Lana asked the Gold Dragon.
Eldoron was flying a little ahead of them, preening in the sunlight, wanting them all to see its fine golden scales. It lazily turned its head as if it had not noticed that they were anywhere near it.
Oh, what? I wasn’t listening, Eldoron remarked.
Lana dive bombed the Golden Dragon, causing Eldoron to let out a screech of surprise and annoyance before flying away. Lana! You made me appear foolish and--
You were still beautiful even when you nearly fell from the sky, Eldoron, Zephyra chuckled.
Well… I suppose that’s true. I gave you all a sight to see, Eldoron responded still sniffily but slightly mollified.
I thought I was looking at the sun, Evren began, but it was just your big butt in my way.
Evren?! My butt is not big! Eldoron cried, aghast.
The other Dragons laughed, even Raziel chuckled smokily. Eldoron was so easy to rile up.
Your butt is big, but it is a beautiful butt! Lana told the Gold Dragon, which just had it narrowing its eyes at her.
Not helping, Lana! Eldoron wailed.