Chapter 35
Chapter thirty-five
Kai
“To be, or not to be.” -Hamlet
Ilet Ash firmly grasp my arm and tug me over to Seraphina, despite the pain pulsating through my body with every step.
While I long for a quick recovery, the thought of getting close to that woman unnerves me.
Her reptilian eyes are incredibly unsettling, as if they’re permanently fixed in her dragon-like state.
It’s incredibly freaky—as if she has merged her very being with the creature.
Ash is the only other being I know who possesses the ability to half shift. Shifting is typically an all-or-nothing transformation.
As Ash brandishes her dagger, a metallic glint catches my eye. The scent of blood fills the air, mingling with the faint smell of my own fresh cut on my palm.
“Hold on, not so fast, turbo,” I murmur, gently pinching her side.
“I can’t handle seeing you like this . . .” Ash complains, her form becoming more shadow-like as she stands there, waiting.
I eye the gold bands that have formed over her body. They’re fading gradually, as if soaking into her skin.
Seraphina slices her palm, and I watch, transfixed, as blood wells up, rich and red. The previous cut has already sealed itself, leaving only a faint trace behind. Her healing is almost instantaneous.
She extends her hand toward me, the fresh blood still glistening on her skin. I hesitate, my instincts screaming at me to hold back.
I don’t like blood magic. There’s something about it, something primal and unsettling that has always made my skin crawl.
Ash growls, low and fierce, the sound vibrating through the small space.
Suddenly, the golden bands marking her skin flare up, bursting into vibrant flames that dance along her body.
The sight is breathtaking and terrifying, a raw display of power that demands attention.
Her voice cuts through the crackling of magic, commanding and urgent. “Now, Kai.”
Smirking, I give her a wink and flick my attention back to Seraphina. “No funny business?”
She frowns and tilts her head in confusion. “Funny business?”
“Never mind.” I reach my hand out and grasp hers, feeling the warmth of her palm against mine.
Seraphina scrunches up her nose. “You’re very sick.”
I don’t respond because the moment our blood blends, it’s like setting off a bomb, igniting a symphony of small explosions in every nerve ending.
Waves of warm healing energy wash over me, erasing any lingering pain or injuries.
With each passing second, my breathing steadies, becoming effortless for the first time in hours.
The entire process takes less than a minute, and I feel completely renewed.
“Thank you,” I say, sincerity lacing my words.
I give her hand a gentle squeeze and step back.
“It’s nothing,” she replies, her tone modest, if not shy.
“It wasn’t nothing,” Ash interjects firmly. “You saved him.”
Seraphina’s expression softens, but before she can respond, I speak up. “Well, Seraphina, want to get out of here?”
She looks around at the desolate landscape of the Outlands and nods. “Yes, definitely.”
“Once we’re out of the Outlands and safe,” Ash says, gripping her hand, “it’s your decision if you wish to accompany us to our world and meet the men who want you to join them.”
Seraphina frowns, a hint of confusion in her eyes. “Men?”
“Yes, like me,” I say, squeezing Ash’s waist. “Only they are like you, dragon shifters.”
Seraphina’s skin shimmers and her eyes light up. “There are more like me?”
My heart aches for this woman, for the life she’s been forced to endure in the shadows. How long has she been hidden away here, in the Outlands, cut off from the world?
I glance at Ash, whose expression mirrors my own feelings. Her eyes narrow, filled with a mix of anger and empathy, and she turns her glare toward Seraphina, demanding answers.
“How long have you been here?” Ash’s voice is sharp, a reflection of the urgency in her question.
The woman hesitates for a moment, her gaze distant, as if recalling memories too painful to confront. “This,” she says, gesturing to the bleak landscape behind her, “is all I’ve known. It has been my home since I can remember.”
There’s a haunting sadness in her words, but also a hint of something darker, something that chills me to the core. The isolation must have been unbearable, lonely.
“She used my own blood to keep me trapped here,” Seraphina continues, her voice dropping to a whisper.
“The witches told me horrifying tales of those who searched out dragons and dragon shifters. She warned me that if I ever escaped, I would be hunted relentlessly by those who sought to control and exploit my powers. That I had no choice but to remain hidden.”
The weight of her confession hangs heavy in the air, and I feel a deep, aching sorrow for her, for the life stolen from her, and for the fear that has kept her imprisoned in this forsaken place.
Seraphina’s skin shimmers even more intensely, reflecting the multitude of emotions coursing through her. “But if you help me break the blood magic holding me captive, I can leave? You’ll help me get far away from here? I want to meet other dragons.”
The realization that there are others of her kind seems to ignite a fire in her eyes, fueling my determination to protect her at all costs.
“We will help you,” Ash states with conviction.
“How do we break a blood spell?” I ask warily.
Ash starts pacing, her hands twirling in her hair. “Breaking a blood spell can be a challenging task.”
I snort. “Everything is a challenge here.”
“Touché.”
“If we combine our magic, that should be enough to counteract the effects of the blood spell, severing the magical ties created by the witches,” Seraphina offers.
Ash gives her a sharp nod. “That should work, but we will need an incantation to break the spell—blood alone won’t suffice.”
“We could just kill the witch,” Seraphina responds again.
“It would be the most convenient option, but it would mean waiting her out, and I’m not staying here a moment longer than necessary,” counters Ash, and her attention shifts to the headless witch still sprawled out in the dirt.
“The sooner we are out of the Outlands, the better,” I huff.
Ash’s onyx eyes lift to mine, and she gives me a small nod. “Agreed.” Blowing out a breath, she turns to Seraphina. “Okay, I have a plan.”
As the two begin whispering back and forth, I walk around and survey our surroundings, my footsteps echoing softly in the eerie silence.
All my senses are on high alert as I remain attentive to every sight, sound, and scent around me.
This godforsaken valley is making my skin crawl with its unsettling vibe.
The feeling of being watched is undeniable, as if countless pairs of eyes are fixed upon us, yet their owners are skilled at remaining hidden.
I peer over my shoulder at Seraphina, her full focus on Ash as she speaks. I don’t know why, but I do not fully trust her; there’s an air of mystery that makes me question her intentions.
A sudden crackle of energy ripples through the air, a sharp, electrifying presence that tingles against my skin.
It’s unmistakable—Ash’s magic. It’s as if lightning has struck nearby, the very atmosphere charged with her power.
The hairs on the back of my neck stand on end, an instinctive reaction to the surge of raw energy that she exudes.
For a moment, I remain still, every muscle in my body tense and ready. Slowly, deliberately, I turn in her direction and cross my arms, my movements smooth and controlled despite the adrenaline coursing through my veins.
Ash and Seraphina stand at the mouth of the cave, their gazes fixed upon me, their hands tightly clasped together.
The sharp scent of fresh blood wafts toward me, causing my heart to race and my brows to furrow.
Although their lips are moving, their words fall upon deaf ears.
With caution, I inch closer, my eyes consumed by Ash’s shimmering golden markings.
Then my focus drops to the swirling black mist gracefully dancing around their feet.
It seems coming here has fully unlocked Ash’s magic, but I can tell she’s silently grappling with maintaining balance and control. I just pray this won’t be the tipping point for her. Because losing Ash is not an option for me.
Their voices rise and the incantation echoes through the valley, each word filled with purpose. Lifting their joined hands in the air, they continue reciting as the wind picks up and swirls around them both, tossing their hair everywhere.
I lift my arm, shielding my eyes as a surge of energy radiates outward, sending a pulse through the air.
A bright flash of light pierces the growing darkness, followed by a loud crack.
My skin tingles in warning and I feel my magic rise to the surface, the need to shift consuming me.
I clench my teeth, suppressing the overwhelming urge.
Too late, I sense another rise in magic and realize the witch has woken.
The ground beneath me shifts and I stumble sideways. The wind increases and the shouts from Ash and Seraphina rise over the howling gusts. I clench my fists and turn to face the witch; I can hold her off until the blood spell is taken care of.
“Out of my way, boy,” she hisses, fire burning in her green eyes.
“I take offense to that,” I reply, rolling my shoulders.
“Do I look like I care?”
“Obviously not.” I stalk forward, and the witch’s cunning eyes glint with wickedness, but I push down the unease that crawls up my spine.
Her lips start moving, releasing only faint whispers, but I know enough to understand her words are weapons.
I watch the air around her tremble, giving me a hint of the impending spell.
Reacting swiftly, I dodge to the side, narrowly avoiding its impact, and then lunge forward, causing her to lose balance as she tries to leap back.