Chapter 19 #2
“There’s no reason to be afraid, child,” a female voice assured her. “We are old friends.”
“Are we?”
“Don’t you remember?”
The glow dimmed to reveal the exquisitely beautiful woman wearing a translucent robe that did nothing to hide her muscular body.
Her long hair shimmered like silver in the moonlight and was topped with a diamond crown that was worth a very large fortune.
It was her skin, however, that revealed the truth of her heritage.
Even from a distance Wynn could see the faint outline of scales that looked as if they’d been dusted with the luster of pearls.
Oh, and of course, her eyes. They smoldered with crimson flames.
“You’re Gabriela,” Wynn breathed.
The woman cocked a brow, as if offended by Wynn’s casual reference. “I am Queen Gabriela, ruler of the dragons and empress of the demon races.”
For some reason, the arrogant edge in her voice scratched against Wynn’s raw nerves.
She should be delighted to have found this dragon.
Hadn’t they been searching for a connection to this female’s power for days?
They’d been desperate for any scrap of Gabriela’s magic that might help them battle against the corruption.
And here she was...in the flesh. Or at least, sort of in the flesh. Certainly she should be able to offer the assistance they needed. Not only to destroy the evil magic but also to rescue Azh and to take away the unruly dragon magic that was ruining her life.
Still, she felt more wary than relieved as the female towered over her. And maybe a little annoyed that Gabriela was peering down her slender nose as if Wynn were a meddlesome pest she intended to squash.
“Not my queen,” she said before she could stop the words.
The flames danced in the crimson eyes. “You will learn.”
“Learn what?”
Gabriela waved a dismissive hand. “We’ll discuss that later. We have more important matters to finish. You have something that belongs to me.”
Wynn was distracted by a shimmer in the corner of her eye.
Her gaze darted toward the gaping hole, tracing the slender strand of magic that was curling out of the darkness to connect to the back of Gabriela.
The dragon seemed unaware of the strange thread that kept her tied to the pit.
Or maybe she was too focused on Wynn to care.
There was something weird going on. If Gabriela was alive and well, then why had the corruption managed to seep into the world? And if she needed help, why hadn’t she reached out to the dragons?
Was this a trick? Maybe Gabriela was an illusion created by the corruption to fool Wynn into releasing it into the world.
“First I have questions,” Wynn said, ignoring the pounding urgency to demand the female track down Azh.
She didn’t trust this dragon. Certainly not enough to reveal that Azh was missing and unable to rush to her rescue. Plus, deep in her heart she clung to the belief she would know if Azh was in trouble. He felt...distant. But not in pain. As if he were separated from her by a thick layer of magic.
For now, she had to discover if Gabriela was real or a clever deception designed to destroy her. Or Azh.
Gabriela scowled. “Your questions can wait.”
“No.” Wynn folded her arms over her chest. “They can’t.”
White-hot flames danced around the dragon, as if she were preparing to punish Wynn for her stubbornness, then with a visible effort, Gabriela managed to regain her temper.
“What questions?”
“Were you the light that healed me after I fell into the pit on top of the hill?”
Gabriela offered a regal nod of her head. “More than that. I brought you back from the brink of death.”
Wynn shuddered at the memory of flames searing over her flesh and the unbearable pain that had felt as if it were sucking the very life from her. This female wasn’t lying. She’d been close to death when she’d plunged into the pit.
“How?”
“I shared my magic with you. It was the only way to repair such grievous wounds.”
Wynn took a moment to consider the explanation.
Did that mean the magical healing had created the crimson strand that was now causing havoc in her life?
But if that was the case, then why hadn’t she noticed it until the past year?
And what connection did it have to the corruption that was haunting her?
Just as importantly, did the fact this female had shared her dragon magic to save Wynn mean that this was truly Gabriela and not an imposter? That she really was the hero from legends?
Wynn remained wary. “Okay, now I know how. Now I want to know why.”
“Why what?”
“Why did you save me?”
“I couldn’t allow you to die.”
Wynn glanced toward the decrepit cottages that looked as if they’d been empty for decades. Perhaps even longer.
“Obviously lots of people have died around here without you saving them.”
Gabriela looked genuinely confused. “I had no interest in them.”
“But you were interested in me?”
“Of course.” Gabriela stepped closer, the flames continuing to dance over her shimmering skin. “You called to my magic.”
Wynn would have fled if she wasn’t stuck in place. The dragon didn’t have Azh’s nuclear aura, but it pressed against her like she was caught in a massive vise. Each pulse of power felt like it was going to crush her, making it harder and harder to breathe.
“How could I call to your magic? I don’t have any.” Wynn struggled to think clearly. Not easy when she was being squeezed to death. Then she abruptly realized why such a powerful creature would be interested in her. “Ah. Because I’m a Void.”
Gabriela shrugged. “I don’t know what that means. I only know I was lost in the darkness and you offered me salvation.” She stepped closer, bringing a painful blast of heat to add to Wynn’s discomfort. “You are the vessel I will use to escape this prison.”
“Prison?” Wynn glanced toward the gaping hole. Her brows drew together. Was the strand connected to Gabriela thicker? It was certainly shimmering brighter in the moonlight. Was that what was keeping her stuck in this place? “I thought you willingly sacrificed yourself to close the rift?”
A cunning expression rippled over the beautiful features. “Of course I did. I would do whatever necessary to protect my people,” she insisted. “But now it’s time for me to leave this place so I can be the leader they need.”
The smooth explanation only reignited Wynn’s original suspicions. And it wasn’t just a petty jealousy of Azh’s fascination with the stories of Gabriela’s valor. There was a burning hunger in the female’s eyes that spoke of raw ambition, not concern for her people.
“So you sacrificed yourself, but now you want out of your sacrifice?”
“My people need me to control the corruption,” she snapped. “I’m the only one capable of keeping it from infecting the world.”
Impossible to argue with that.
“How did it get loose?” Wynn demanded. “Didn’t you seal it on the other side of the rift?”
The crimson eyes narrowed. “The seals began to weaken centuries ago. I did my best to keep it contained, but it must have attached itself to you before you foolishly fled from this cavern.”
Outrage threaded through the pain that pulsed through Wynn’s body. “Are you blaming me for the corruption invading this world?”
“You shouldn’t have run away. It’s exactly what the evil wanted you to do.”
“If that’s true, then why didn’t I sense it?”
Gabriela peered down her slender nose. “You’re a mortal. How would you know if you were tainted?”
“I’m not human,” Wynn argued. “Besides, I can feel and touch your magic.”
Gabriela made a sound of impatience, the flames snapping and sizzling around her stiff body. She obviously wasn’t accustomed to anyone questioning her.
“The evil obviously disguised itself so you wouldn’t realize you were infected by its madness,” she snapped.
Wynn tilted her chin, refusing to back down. “I’ve seen creatures who’ve been infected. They’re all glowy and gross. I think I would notice if it was inside me.”
“You know nothing.” The earth trembled beneath the force of the dragon’s anger. “How else could the evil appear wherever you happened to be? It had to have some means of tracking you.”
Wynn’s mouth parted, but the words froze on her lips as she swiftly reviewed the short conversation she’d had with this dragon. She hadn’t mentioned being in close contact with the corruption.
“Wait. How did you know it was tracking me?”
There was a tense silence, as if Gabriela was caught off guard by the question. Then, with a shrug, she took another step forward.
“We’re connected by my power inside you. I could feel when you were close to the magic.”
Wynn hissed. The searing heat was becoming unbearable. Along with the sensation of being crushed. She wanted answers, but maybe it was time to consider how the hell she was going to get away from this dragon. She needed Azh to determine who she could trust.
Covertly she attempted to move her feet, not surprised when they were still trapped in the magic.
“If we’re connected, then why didn’t you help when the corruption was attacking me?” she demanded, trying to keep the dragon distracted as she sorted through her limited options.
Her very limited options.
Gabriela clicked her tongue. “Obviously I’m still trapped by the magical barrier that surrounds this place. Once I’m released I promise you’ll never be in danger again.”
Wynn wasn’t comforted by the promise. “How do you intend to get released?”
“I’ll store the remainder of my power inside you, and once you’re away from this place, I can take it back.” Gabriela curved her lips into a smile that sent a chill down Wynn’s spine. “We’ll both be free.”
Wynn sucked in a sharp breath, recalling Gabriela’s explanation for why she’d rescued Wynn from the bloodthirsty coven.
“That’s what you meant when you said I could release you from your prison.”
“You are the only vessel capable of containing so much magic.”
Wynn shook her head. “I don’t want it.”
“It won’t be yours for long. Once my power is fully transferred I can escape through the barrier and reclaim it. You’ll be free to return to your life.”
“And if I don’t want to be your vessel?”
“You have no choice.” The smile widened as Gabriela waved her hand toward the gaping hole. “I’ve gone to a lot of effort to bring you here.”
Effort? What did she mean? The strand of magic that was growing inside Wynn? No. A tendril of smoke wafted through the air. A residue from the fire that had smoldered beneath the cauldron that was now at the bottom of the pit. Along with the witch who’d been haunted by the dead.
“Charlotte.”
“She didn’t have the power to shatter the barrier, but she was able to give me a small opening to reach out to you.”
Wynn felt a pang of sympathy for the poor witch who’d been tormented into believing her coven was calling out to her, but it was quickly smothered. She’d worry about the various people the female had used and abused once she had some much-needed distance between them.
“That’s why your power suddenly started interfering with my magic,” she said, allowing the darkness spell she’d tapped into earlier to flow through her blood.
She wasn’t sure it was going to do anything but piss off the dragon, but it was all she had.
She had to make it work. “And that was how the corruption got out. It was you.”
There was a surge of white-hot air as Gabriela spread the translucent wings that she’d had tucked against her back. At the same time, her eyes blazed with a fiery determination.
“It doesn’t matter. You’re finally here where I need you and it’s time to put an end to my confinement.”
“No.” Wynn held out her hands as if she were pleading for mercy. At the same time, she prepared to release the spell. “I’m not going to take any more of your magic. Not until I know for certain who and what you are.”
“You don’t have a choice.” Gabriela snapped her fingers. “Come here.”
Wynn smiled. “No one tells me what to do.”
Releasing the spell, Wynn felt a surge of relief as the magic abruptly cloaked them in a thick darkness that not only hid her from view but shattered the invisible bonds holding her captive, as if Gabriela had been distracted by the unexpected attack.
Her relief, however, was brief. Turning to flee, she gasped as a wall of crimson flames erupted from the large rocks that formed the circle. The heat blasted through the air, searing against her skin that was still raw.
Wynn snarled in frustration. Unless she was willing to walk through dragon fire, she was trapped.
Spinning around, she could start to see the crimson outline of Gabriela. Dammit. The female was using her magic to cut through the thick shroud of darkness. Any minute and she would have battled through the darkness and Wynn would be completely at her mercy...
Wait. Wynn was distracted from her fatalistic thoughts as another faint glow pierced the shadows. It was a silvery light coming from the ground.
Briefly confused, Wynn suddenly realized the glow was coming from the pit where Gabriela had been hiding. The one that had recently swallowed Charlotte and perhaps even Azh.
It was the last place she wanted to go. But then again, did she have any choice? Right now she was caught between a dragon who intended to shove her full of magic before ripping it out of her, or being turned to ash by the inferno of flames.
Sucking in a deep breath, Wynn gave into her rash impulse, darting toward the open pit and diving in.
If she was lucky, she would find a tunnel beneath the ground to escape. If not...well, it wasn’t the first time she’d faced death.
She just hoped that her sacrifice kept Gabriela trapped in this place for another thousand years.
The bitch.