Chapter 11 The Heart of the Dragon
The Heart of the Dragon
Krispin
My dragon wanted blood. These little pissants thought they could touch what was his. I was the top predator here, and I would destroy any that even breathed a bad word toward our mate.
"We did not know, oh great King," a sniveling voice said.
I looked down to see it was one of the elders that had been sitting in agreement with Atticus; now he was bowed down on his knees, begging for his life.
Suddenly, I didn't feel Ben. I turned to look, and a beautiful woman stood over him and Roarke. Both lay unconscious. She smirked at me, and with a wave of her hand, the three of them disappeared.
I roared and my dragon took control. The ground shook with my unfettered rage. The stone pillars of the puny circle fell. None were safe. Burn the sky! my dragon whispered. Kill them all and reclaim what is ours.
I launched into the air and let loose a brilliant blue flame that enveloped the night sky. Some gargoyles tried to take flight but were quickly enveloped in the fire and burned to ash. They would all feel the wrath of the Sacred Flame.
The elders scrambled, trying to flee to get to safety.
My friends fought beside me and let loose attacks on all those still standing.
My eyes sought the elder who had started this all, Atticus.
He would pay for his deception. He was not there; he was missing.
I called to Devin who was in a like rage, pulling the heart out of one of our gargoyle attackers.
"Where is Atticus?" I rumbled.
"I saw him flee behind a wall of gargoyles!" he called back.
I let loose another roar as I took to the sky again, searching, hunting my prey.
I didn't see him, but I saw the next best thing, Bazer.
He was attempting to flee, as many were.
I swooped down and landed in front of him.
He recoiled and tried to take to the sky.
I swatted him with my tail, and he flew toward the ground.
He tried to get up, but his leg was at an odd angle.
He was trying to crawl backward to get away from me.
He yelled as I brought down my mighty claw, caging and pinning him down. He was going nowhere.
"Where is my mate?" I snarled.
He whimpered. I snarled again, "Where is my mate? Do not make me ask you again."
"I don't know. Atticus didn't tell me that Harper was taking him!" he cried.
"Who is Harper?"
"She’s a witch. She’s Atticus's whore, and the one who gave me the Keneke. I was just supposed to kill a bloodsucker so Atticus could cleanse our race and start a war. Then I would get back my clutch." He cringed as I tightened my hold.
"Where would Atticus go? Where does this witch live?" I demanded.
"He'll kill me if I tell you."
"I’m going to kill you. It’s just a matter if it’s swiftly, or torturous—and believe me, I will make it agony for you. Perhaps I’ll start by plucking those puny wings from your back," I growled.
His eyes rounded as he realized that he would be losing his life today. "If you let me live, I’ll tell you everything. I’ll take you to them," he pleaded.
"And if you don't tell me, I will torture you and make you wish you were dead," I said as I lifted one of my long, sharp claws and brought it down, piercing him through one of his wings.
He yelled in agony. "Please, please stop! There is a clearing just east of here. It's the witch's land. No one goes there. Her magic wards protect and surround the area. You won't be able to find it without me. I'll take you. Please, just stop!"
I lifted my claw off him and yelled to Basil, who stood by, "Pick him up, secure him!"
I shifted back into my human form, stepped forward, and grabbed Bazer. "You will take me to him now."
I turned to Basil. "Where are the others?"
"Devin and Elder Sonod are attempting to track Atticus. Cameron and Jackson are over by the circle with guards loyal to Sonod."
We walked toward the destroyed circle, and Bazer grunted in pain from his still broken leg.
"Shut up!" Basil barked, dragging Bazer by the arm.
We approached Cameron and Jackson. Cameron had a cut over his eye and Jackson had scratches on his stomach.
"Cameron, get the car. This piece of shit is going to lead us to Ben and Roarke," I said.
Hold on, my Cardia. I'm coming for you, I thought.
Ben
Hold on, my Cardia. I'm coming for you . Those were the words that flitted into my mind. I groaned and tried to shake my head as I opened my eyes. Where was I? What happened? I quickly touched my stomach. My son was still there. I sighed in relief and looked around.
I was in a large circular, barren clearing which had a stone like altar in the center. I continued to scan the area and saw Roarke, bound in chains, to my left. He seemed unconscious.
"Harper, what the hell are you doing?" an angry voice I recognized said.
"Your little bloodsucker is the Dragon King's mate, and he's pregnant with the beast's child. I need him to draw the dragon here, so I can take his blood. Not only will his blood make me all powerful, but I’ll get my revenge on him for killing my father," a woman's voice replied.
"That was not part of the plan, witch!" Atticus yelled.
"Don't worry. You’ll still get to kill the vampire and have your war. Only it will be a little delayed. Besides, the only way to kill the vampire now is with a Marbhtach Spear—the ancient dragon killer," she explained.
I looked and saw she held a long wooden staff with a blade on the end.
The blade was rounded, and the metal was dark black and yet gleaming.
It wasn't a metal I had ever seen before.
This had to be magical. Right where the blade met the staff there was a metal figure of a dragon, made of the same metal as the blade.
"Why in the world would I need that to kill him?" Atticus asked.
"He's carrying the beast's child, and if that is not enough, he drinks the beast's blood. In essence the bloodsucker is like a dragon, and his skin can’t be pierced unless it's with a dragon killer," the woman, Harper, responded.
"Now, shut up. I need to get the trap ready for the beast when he comes," she snapped.
"Now see here, witch, you may be a good fuck, but you’re just that! You do not order me around," Atticus snapped.
She whirled around and backhanded him, causing him to fly to the ground.
"You fool. You’re nothing but a puppet, a means to an end. Just like the other dicks I’ve had. Let me tell you a story," she said as Atticus lay on the ground, unable to move.
"Many, many years ago before you were born, I lived in the most beautiful place.
It was an island in the sky. It was the most magical country you could imagine.
A land full of dragons, witches, and humans.
My father was a great mage. He discovered that dragon's blood could increase his power and allow him to become immortal and the most powerful mage known.
" She paused as she placed the spear on the altar and poured a liquid over it.
"He left my mother and seduced a dragon, the rightful heir to the throne, and together they proceeded to combine their magic using the dragon's blood.
They shared some of that blood with me. Not a lot, but enough to make me immortal.
Then they made their way to claim the throne.
As they killed the royal family, that beast you saw today let loose his fire and killed my father and his mate.
So, you see, I will get my vengeance, and none will stop me. "
She continued to walk around the altar chanting as Atticus still lay on the ground where she had thrown him. Magical power surged toward the stone. The wind swirled around Harper, causing her hair to rise and lifting her body so she floated. She continued to chant with arms spread wide.
From the corner of my eye, I saw Roarke move. I looked at him. He had broken the chains and was glowing red. He moved toward me, but as he got close, a lightning bolt landed in front of him. We turned to see Harper grinning and holding up her sparking hands.
Roarke turned to face her, his body glowing a brighter red.
She fired another bolt at him again, but this time it reflected off the red glow.
The glow grew brighter. Then Roarke shifted into his dragon and let loose a giant roar.
The red glow that had surrounded him as a human now enveloped his dragon.
It looked like a thin wall of fire that protected him.
"I am Roarke Dìon Rìoghail, Royal Guardian Protector of High Garden, and you will not touch my charge," he growled.
Harper screamed and launched a barrage of lightning strikes from her hands.
The red glow around Roarke grew stronger as the lightning bounced off him.
Unfazed, Roarke opened his mouth, and a stream of fire blasted out.
Just as it was about to hit Harper, she shrieked and lifted what I thought must be a magical shield.
I heard another roar, but this one was in the distance; that was the sound of my beloved.
Krispin! I cried out in my mind. Hurry, she's trying to kill Roarke.
I’m on my way, my love. His growled response echoed through my head.
Suddenly, Devin and Elder Sonod broke through the tree line, making their way to where the battle was taking place. In the sky, I saw another stream of fire shooting toward the witch. This fire was a pure blue flame, and it shattered Harper’s magical shield, and the impact sent her flying.
I was so engrossed in watching the battle I didn't notice Atticus had gotten up.
I saw him just as he was charging toward me with the spear in hand.
I turned, closed my eyes and yelled. I waited for the impact, but it never came.
Opening my eyes, I saw Roarke with the dragon-killing spear sticking out of his underbelly. I cried out.
Devin rushed up and cut Atticus's head off with his vampire claw. I turned back to see what was happening with the witch. She had lost the advantage and stood no chance against Kris. She let loose a scream and disappeared.
I rushed toward Roarke, who had shifted and was cradling his stomach. Devin held Roarke’s head in his lap.
"Come on, firecracker, you can't die on me. We have to bond, and we’re going to live a long, happy life," Devin cried.
Roarke lay there gasping, looking into his mate's eyes as tears fell from his own. "Sorry, love. I don't know if I'll be able to. I’m glad I met you," he breathed out, closing his eyes and losing consciousness.