Chapter 45 Ashwiyaa
Chapter forty-five
Ashwiyaa
“Rewrite your narrative.”
Alarmed, I spin on my heels, and in an instant, my form dissolves into mist, my essence scattering like smoke caught in the wind. I surge forward, propelled by urgency, racing up the hill toward the house.
I frown as a car comes speeding down the gravel drive, a cloud of dust trailing in its wake.
The air crackles with tension and my instincts flare to life.
Without hesitation, I tap into my magic, letting it sift through the vehicle like tendrils of smoke, searching for the identities of those inside.
The moment of recognition hits me like a jolt of electricity—Penn, Demitri, and Alexander.
The SUV screeches to a halt a hundred yards away, and the doors open in unison.
The three brothers step out, all dressed in immaculately tailored black suits, their presence imposing, their expressions severe.
The sharp cut of their suits only enhances the intimidating aura that radiates from them, but it’s the intensity in their eyes that sets my teeth on edge.
A low growl rumbles in my chest, vibrating through my body as I stalk toward them, my fists clenched at my sides.
They shouldn’t be here. These are sacred pack lands, and their arrival is nothing short of an intrusion.
As I close the distance, their eyes flash with a dangerous warning.
The exposed skin on their hands and necks ripples, the unmistakable shimmer of scales appearing beneath the surface.
In the distance, a chorus of howls fills the air as several wolves shift, responding to the threat with primal instinct.
If this escalates, Lukas and Nesrin will be furious, and rightly so.
I can’t let a fight break out on their doorstep.
“What are you doing here?” I demand, my voice laced with barely contained fury.
Demitri is the first to speak, his tone cool and unbothered as he slips his hands into the pockets of his pants. “You’re late.”
His nonchalance only fuels my anger. “So? I have consistently done what was required of me without exception.”
“We expected you over a week ago,” Demitri snaps, his patience fraying.
I scowl, planting my hands on my hips as I square off with them. “When have I ever failed you?”
Their narrowed eyes bore into me, suspicion and distrust apparent in their expressions. I shift my gaze to Penn, the one I once considered a friend. “You doubt me?”
Penn doesn’t immediately respond, but the tension between us speaks volumes.
“Why are you late?” he replies instead.
“Oh, I don’t know. A sadistic vampire held me captive for days, feeding from my blood, pain, and misery?”
Demitri, unaffected, glares at me. “Where is she?”
“Who?” I say, playing dumb.
I’m pissed at them, and in turn want to piss them off.
Alexander shifts in an instant, his midnight-black dragon beautiful and deadly. Snorting, he advances on me, and I sense several of the pack drawing nearer. Shit.
I can’t let this situation get out of hand.
Where the fuck is Nesrin?
She’s good at placating dickheads.
Me . . . I’m good at taunting.
“You know what we’re talking about,” Demitri growls. His own body shimmers blue with his dragon scales, obviously feeling the pull to shift, but Demitri has more control than Alexander.
As my anger continues to simmer within me, a surge of adrenaline courses through my veins, heightening my senses.
My heart pounds fiercely, echoing in my chest like a war drum, while the muscles in my body tense and prepare for action.
A mix of frustration and betrayal rises within me, fueled by their lack of concern for my safety or well-being.
This only flames the fire burning within.
“You can easily match them in power,” a voice whispers in my head.
“Yeah, and what about strength?” I retort.
I know I can take them. But without any of Nesrin’s pack getting hurt? Yeah, I’m not taking that risk.
“Stop being difficult, Ashwiyaa. Gives us what we came for!” Demitri snaps, his command rolling over me.
Unable to contain my rage any longer, my bratty side takes over.
Without a second thought, both of my hands shoot up in defiance, my middle fingers extended in a blatant gesture of disrespect.
It’s an immature but satisfying reaction, a visual representation of my pent-up frustration and anger toward their obvious disregard for me.
With a swift, almost-silent motion, Alexander unsheathes his gleaming, razor-sharp claws. As they slice through the dirt, the ominous scraping sound echoes, and they leave deep gauges in their wake. The air crackles with a charged energy as he stalks closer.
I lift my chin defiantly, my anger and resentment igniting a searing fire within my chest. Shadows gather at my feet, dark tendrils curling and twisting like living entities, responding to the threat in front of me.
They form into wisps, then solidify into serpentine shapes—snakes of pure shadow, their sinuous bodies coiling and poised to strike.
The air thickens with tension, the darkness around me coming alive as my magic prepares to defend.
Alexander steps closer, his eyes narrowing as he observes the swirling shadows.
His black wings spread wide, casting his own shadow over me in a show of intimidation.
His posture is confident, unyielding, as if he expects me to back down.
But I’ve known him too long to be frightened by his presence alone.
“You’d really kill me?” My voice is low, a growl rumbling from deep within my throat, the words laced with equal parts disbelief and anger. “We’ve known each other for two hundred years, Alexander.”
For a moment, his expression flickers, the briefest hint of something—regret, perhaps—crossing his face before it’s gone, replaced by his usual stoic mask.
The shadows around me pulse with emotions, the snakes hissing in agitation. But Alexander doesn’t flinch, doesn’t retreat. Instead, he stands his ground, his dark reptilian eyes locked on mine.
“Well?” I snap.
A primal roar erupts from his throat, echoing through the forest. Leaves rustle, branches tremble, nature itself holds its breath.
I don’t take my eyes off Alexander, but I know Demitri has a hold on Penn. My magic rises swiftly in retaliation, black mist pouring from my body and rolling over the ground, engulfing the area. The mysterious golden bands cover my body, glowing and shimmering on my dark skin.
“Ash, we are on our way. Don’t do anything to provoke them.” Kai’s firm voice resonates through my head, soothing the ache in my chest caused by these three asshole dragons. I’ve been so consumed by my anger I didn’t sense their approach.
When I open my mouth to speak, my voice takes on a unique timbre. “I’ve gotten stronger since I left. Something changed while I was in Faerie.”
Alexander’s large black reptilian eyes blink at me, his head lowering as he prepares to strike.
I raise my voice so the wolves and shifters around me can hear. “Northwest pack retreat,” I command.
I sense their hesitation and confusion. But I can’t fight knowing they could get hurt. I can’t have that weighing on me.
“NOW!” A wave of magic accompanies my words, and they turn and flee toward the houses.
The air grows heavy with an almost tangible weight as I begin to chant, the incantation spilling from my lips like forbidden whispers.
Shadows gather around me, pooling into a dark mist that swirls with a mind of its own, my spell spiraling toward him.
His scales ripple and his chest puffs out as he tilts his head, narrowing those inky eyes on me, and I see the exact moment when he realizes my actions.
Without warning, he rises, his movements fluid yet commanding, a predator unchallenged.
His massive wings unfurl with a deafening snap.
The force of them surging outward creates a thunderous gust of wind that tears through the air, sending dust and debris flying in chaotic spirals.
The spell I had so meticulously crafted shatters like fragile glass, its fragments dissipating into the air as if they had never existed.
Suddenly, a dark silhouette swoops overhead, and I look up, shielding my eyes from the sun.
A deafening roar shatters the air. My jaw drops in awe as I stare up into the sky.
Above, a magnificent golden dragon gracefully circles, its pale hue almost shimmering like pure white.
Its colossal wings span wide, creating a gust of wind that brushes against my skin.
The dragon abruptly changes course, veering left before descending toward the ground.
With a thunderous thud, it lands before me, its wings unfurling dramatically as it unleashes a furious roar directed at the brothers.
The ground quakes beneath us as the golden dragon charges toward Alexander, stopping only an inch away. To Alexander’s credit, he stands his ground and doesn’t so much as blink.
Out of the corner of my eye, I catch a glimpse of motion.
I snap my head toward it, and there is Talon, steadily making his way over.
Fear instantly floods my chest like a crashing wave.
The safety of the baby dragon is paramount.
In response, a surge of magic courses through my veins, igniting a dazzling display as my bands glow brightly.
“Talon, please keep away.”
Talon pauses abruptly, skidding in the grass. His head tilts inquisitively as he looks at me.
Did he hear me?
Before I can say more, the majestic golden dragon gracefully shifts, causing a swirl of glittery dust to settle on the ground around her. Seraphina now stands with a fierce glare where the golden dragon was, her hands firmly planted on her hips.
“No harm comes to Ashwiyaa. If you harm even one hair on her head, I’ll bring my wrath down upon you.”
I’m speechless.