Chapter Eight #2
The ground beneath the creature shuddered, and then slowly, the scales started to peel away—one by one—like obsidian petals falling from a decaying flower.
They rose into the air, then drifted toward me, encircling me in a slow orbit.
The claws came next, wrenching free with a series of bone-deep cracks.
Next, I focused on the bones, separating a few from the sinew and flesh, loosening the spine like a string of snapped pearls.
Levi strode toward me, his golden hair stained with blood and dirt. “What are you doing?”
I didn’t answer. He’d see soon enough.
Without a word, I dismantled the beast into its rawest parts, the bits and pieces spiraling around me in lazy circles. Some I put aside for future gear. But some I drew closer because I had a plan.
Using this new magic should have weakened me. Instead, I felt empowered. Ever since touching the forest deep within me, my powers had grown—evidenced by the shadow tendrils and wings. I wanted to see what I could do with it.
My gaze flicked to one of the long, curved, rib bones now hovering in the air—smooth, pale, and streaked with shimmering black.
It called to me in a way that felt…personal.
As though it knew exactly what I was thinking and approved.
Like it wanted me to fashion something useful out of it. Fulfill its destiny.
I cocked my head to the side. Then I reached for the nearest scale. It was broad and the blackest of blacks. The perfect guard. A claw caught my eye next. Sharp, sleek, wickedly curved. A pommel, maybe?
My idea took root. I closed my fist, ordering my magic to obey and shape the image forming in my mind.
Hellfire ignited in my fist, flames flickering over my fingers. Then it shot toward the bones and heated the scale and claw, fusing everything together in a hiss of magic and flame.
The rib bone bent midair, reshaping itself to the image in my mind. The scale melded around it, wrapping and reinforcing until a blade started to take shape.
Piece by piece, I called the strongest fragments to me and snapped them in place, fusing them together with hellfire. The blade gleamed as it came together—curved, deadly, beautiful. It shimmered faintly with the same unnatural sheen of the dragon, tempered now by my will and fury.
I reached out.
The sword slapped into my palm like it had been waiting for me all along. It was heavy but balanced. A perfect specimen.
I gave it a lazy swing and grinned when it sliced through the air.
Eliza let out a low whistle. “Damn, girl. You just built a sword out of a dragon.”
“That was horrifyingly hot,” Calyx muttered. But everyone ignored him.
I twirled the blade once, letting the light catch the curve of its edge. “My father can send all the monsters he wants. I’ll just send them back in pieces.”
The sword thrummed in my grip like it agreed. Like it’d happily found its new home.
“I didn’t know you could do that,” Levi commented, his voice awestruck.
I shrugged. I hadn’t known either, but that hadn’t stopped me from trying.
Nor would it stop me from making more. From the leftover parts, I fashioned three new blades—one for each warrior in my group—and a set of daggers for Eliza.
They all walked toward me, their eyes practically gleaming with excitement as I handed each of them their new weapon.
Rathiel gave his a few practice swings, his brow smoothed into awe. That awe soon vanished when he turned to me with a frown. “First the shadow tendrils, then new wings, and now new weapons? Your magic is growing stronger.”
“So it would seem,” I said. “And I’ll take it, because right now we need all the help we can get.”
He gave a slow nod. “You aren’t wrong. Just…be careful.”
Calyx strode over before I could respond, and the two immediately began sparring, careful not to smash their new blades together.
I merely shook my head, then glanced at the dragon’s remains. “We need to replace our supplies. Harvest whatever meat you can.”
Even before the attack, we hadn’t had enough food to feed a thousand hellspawn. The dragon meat would help, but since I still intended to resurrect my army, it wouldn’t be enough.
Thankfully, I had a solution for that.
I turned to Calyx. “Outposts. How many are nearby, and which is the closest to us?”
Calyx gave a lazy shrug, his eyes studying his blade.
“We’re currently about half a day’s walk from Ashmere Basin.
Which means…” He threw a thumb over his shoulder and pointed behind him.
“…we’ve got three outposts nearby. All mid-sized or larger.
If Lucifer hasn’t abandoned them, then they’ll have rations, weapons, all the fun stuff. ”
I considered his response and eyed his damaged wing. “Can you fly?”
He shrugged, then shook it out. “I’ve had worse.”
“Good,” I said, taking him at his word. “Because you’re going to take me to the closest outpost.”
“Is that so?” Calyx asked.
I shared a glance with Levi, whose eyes glinted as he smiled.
He likely knew exactly what I was thinking because we’d done this before.
Hit-and-run tactics were my favourite. I loved bleeding Lucifer’s supplies dry.
After all, his dragon had stripped us of ours.
It seemed only fair to return the favour.
“Map it out,” I said. “Everything you know. All three outposts, and I’ll choose the best one. Then you and I will go scout it out.”
“And me,” Rathiel said, his tone firm.
I hesitated, then shook my head. “No, Rath. You’re staying here. With the others.” He took a step toward me, his expression instantly darkening. I lifted a hand, halting him. “Please. Someone has to be here in case there’s another attack.”
“Oh, ouch,” Eliza grumbled. “And here I thought Levi and I were quite capable of taking care of ourselves.”
I gave her a sympathetic smile. “You’re the most capable siren I’ve ever met.
But Levi looks dead on his feet, and you have an injured arm.
Calyx and I are simply going to scout the outpost. We’ll be there and back before anyone notices our presence.
That doesn’t take three people, especially now that I can fly again.
But if Lucifer sends another of those dragons, you’re going to need as much backup as possible. I won’t risk losing anyone else.”
Eliza sighed, but she nodded. “I get it.”
Unfortunately, one member of our group most definitely did not get it. Rathiel stared at me, anger and hurt simmering in his eyes. “You’re going to trust him to watch your back?”
“Dick,” Calyx muttered.
Rathiel ignored him, his gaze locked on me.
“I’m trusting myself,” I told Rathiel. “Calyx is just the guide.”
“And if he hands you over to the soldiers manning the outpost?”
“Oh, feeling the love here tonight,” Calyx commented. “Why not just drive that dagger deeper into my back, brother?”
“Shut up,” Rathiel growled. “Lily—”
“Rathiel, I need you here. Alright? I need you to trust that I can do this.”
His eyes searched mine, his lips a grim line. Finally, he said, “Take Mephisar with you.”
“No,” I said. “If there’s a watchtower or anything like it, they’ll spot him immediately. This mission requires stealth. All we’re going to do is scout it out, get a feel for numbers, and come back. Okay?”
He was silent for a long beat. Then finally, he gave a tight nod. Not agreement, but acceptance. Without a doubt, I knew I’d have to answer for this later, when we were alone. But for now, we all had jobs to do.