Chapter 13 #2
She looked over her shoulder at Rian. Without speaking a word, he knew what she was asking and nodded for her to continue.
Turning back to Kayne, the princess leaned forward and hugged the golden dragon.
Normally, seeing his mate in the arms of another man, especially a dragon, would’ve sent both man and beast into a jealous rage, but this time Rian understood and would thank the brethren in his own way when they were safe and topside.
“All right people, we can all hold hands and sing Kumbaya when we see sunshine and green grass.” Then to the other golden dragon in the room.
“Kayne, I’m damn glad you’re back. Life was getting really boring being the only golden left.
We’ll catch up later, ‘kay?” Not waiting for an answer before calling to everyone, he added, “I don’t know if y’all noticed, but thundering hordes are headed this way.
I’m thinking they’re not taking too kindly to us killing their Chancellor.
It’s just a guess, but let’s not hang around to find out, cool?
” Lance already had his pack on his shoulder and was heading toward a tunnel at the back of the chamber.
“Do you know something we don’t?” Rory hollered.
“Yeah, where ya’ going, you big pain in the ass?” Royce added.
Answering over his shoulder, Lance yelled, “The opposite way of the beasties after our asses. Care to join?”
Brannoc laughed aloud while grabbing his gear. “The big jerk is actually going the right way. Go figure.”
“Then let’s get the hell outta hell,” Declan said, making everyone laugh while he looked confused at their amusement.
Rian stopped beside Drago and Kayne and asked the Assassin while grinning at the golden dragon, “Think we oughta take this guy home.”
“Damn straight, lead the way, boy.”
Rian had to laugh as he grabbed Audrey and lifted her into his arms. Who other than another dragon would call a hundred and sixty-five-year-old man ‘boy’? His mate struggled a bit while complaining, “Put me down, Rian. I can walk.”
“I’m well aware you can, but we’re gonna be doing more than walking and not only will you not be able to keep up but your poor feet have seen enough abuse.” Kissing the tip if her nose, he continued, “Just let me do this, please?”
Sighing loudly, Audrey said “Okay,” a second before the Dragon Leader swung his mate around until she was riding piggyback and yelled, “Hold on.”
Using their enhanced speed, the dragons followed Lance and Brannoc as they led them down one long, dark, passageway after another.
They passed all manner of creepy crawly beings and beasties that defied all the laws of nature, but none tried to stop them.
As a matter of fact, more times than not the evil little creatures cringed and backed away.
Even traveling almost faster than the eye could track it seemed to take forever for the group to reach the large granite statue of Hades sitting on his Throne of Skulls with Cerberus, the King of hell’s three-headed dog, at his feet.
Setting Audrey down, Rian pulled out the journal she’d stolen from Adramelech all those years ago and opened it to the last page.
With no way to communicate with the witches topside, the Dragon Leader had to hope they’d remained nearby and would feel their dragon magic working the spell.
Just to be certain, he asked, “Lance, Jace, Royce, Liam, Drago—can ya’ll try to contact your mates. Tell them we’re here and we’re about to blow this pop stand.”
Nods from them all and the familiar buzz of their mate mindspeak had Rian trusting in the Universe and Fate to take care of them as he prepared the exit ritual just as Kyra had taught him.
Unwrapping the bronze mesh from the silver box holding the Focus Stone, the Dragon Leader opened the lid and placed it at the feet of the statue of Hades.
He then poured the Mountain Ash and purified salt mixture from the leather bag Kyra had given him in a circle around the huge sculpture and box.
He looked around, found Kayne, and said, “Come on over here, you big demi-god, you. We were supposed to have to call your given name to free you from the silver coffin, but you took care of that on your own. A story I’d like to hear when we get home and you can actually speak more than a few words at a time.
For now, I’m thinking we’re gonna need that name as the catalyst for this spell. Kyra said I’d know it when I found it.”
“I believe you are right,” Maddox agreed from somewhere behind the Dragon Leader.
“Oh! And your fire is said to be the only thing that will light our way topside. You up for it?”
Kayne nodded and moved to stand beside Rian.
Moving on, the Dragon Leader turned to Audrey, knelt down, and squeezed Adramelech’s blood from what was left of her cotton frock into a tiny brass cup he’d pulled from his pack.
“This seems like the most powerful demon blood we’re gonna get.
Thanks, sweetheart.” He kissed her quickly on the lips as he stood and referred to the journal and the piece of paper Kyra had written his instructions on.
“Shit!” He spat.
“What’s wrong?” they all asked, pretty much in unison.
“I forgot to get the hair from the belly of a hellhound,” he ran his fingers through his hair trying to come up with any other answer than going back to the cavern where they’d just slayed Adramelech.
Deep in thought, Rian’s eyes shot to his youngest brother when Rory laughed aloud. “Lookie here. I have just what the witch ordered. Hair from the hound that tried to eat me.”
The Dragon Leader looked at the blood soaked tuft of hair in Rory’s hand and then the wound on his arm that seemed to be getting worse instead of better and said, “Damn, I’m sorry you got hurt, but thanks for keeping some of the beast. And you make sure Niall and Sam look at that arm as soon as we get back. ”
“Yeah, yeah, yeah, I’ll be fine,” Rory teased, but Rian could see the pain in the lines around his eyes and the tension in his mouth when he spoke.
“Do what Rian says, Ror, or I’ll have to kick your ass and I really just want to see Kyra…alone…for about a month or so before I have to deal with you again.”
Laughing at his brothers’ bickering, he read through the journal entry and Kyra’s notes one more time. When he was sure everything was in place, he cast the Circle of protection as he’d been taught and called the Guardsmen to attention.
I’m getting to be a pro at white witchcraft, something I never thought I’d say.
“We’re ready. Step to the line, hold hands, and repeat after me.
Dear Universe, Goddess of All, God of Heaven, the Guardians of the Corners and the Elements, and the Sun God Lugh, hear our request. We humbly ask your favor upon our return to the Earth.
We ask for your Blessing, your Power, and your Guidance. ”
Turning his head, he looked at Kayne and said, “The one known to us as Kayne, our brother in arms, in blood, and in fealty. We call upon your fire and the power given to you by your father, the powerful Lugh. We humbly ask you, Daibheíd MicLugh, a thabhairt do dóitéain! Guide us home!” Rian was glad Drago had known Kayne’s given name because the golden dragon was still having difficulty speaking.
A flash of light—not lightning, but an actual ray of sunshine—shot from the Focus Stone in all directions, filling the cave with its bright cleansing light and momentarily blinding the Guardsmen.
An explosion of thunder shook the cavern, holding the tribute to Hades, and as their vision cleared, Kayne walked towards the Focus Stone, lifted it over his head, and gave a mighty roar as a brilliant stream of pure dragon fire shot from his mouth.
The trembling of the ground beneath their feet grew, making it difficult to stand.
Watching the statue of Hades tipping from side-to-side, Rian was just about to order a retreat when the stone figure cracked in a perfect line down the middle and the two pieces slid apart, showing a brightly lit corridor.
Kayne’s fire immediately ceased and the Guardsman hit the floor, unconscious once again.
The scent of wildflowers and nature assaulted their senses. Rian scooped Audrey up at the same time Drago threw Kayne over his shoulder and together, they exited the cavern following their brethren.
Speeding toward home, the tunnel they were following made an abrupt turn into a stone wall.
The Guardsmen immediately began to draw their swords, ready to take the wall down, but Rian called out for them to wait.
He remembered Kyra telling him there was always a hidden, last step to every spell, especially when dealing with pure evil.
Pushing his way through his brethren, he had an idea.
Approaching the wall, he saw the emblem of Persephone and knew he was right.
The writer of the journal had said they had to have a love greater than the evil they faced and there was no doubt in the Dragon Leader’s mind that what he felt for Audrey was stronger and more powerful than anything even Hades himself could drum up.
Letting Audrey slide down his body until her feet touched the ground, he pulled her close, took her hand in his, and placed their joined hands on the symbol.
Looking deep into her eyes, he said the first thing that came to mind.
“I love you more than life itself. You are the very air that I breathe. Without you, I would cease to exist. I thank the Universe with all my heart and soul for you and vow to give all that I am to your happiness and wellbeing.”
As soon as their lips met, the earth shook, a gust of wind tore around the cave, and every one of them was lifted off their feet and thrown through the air.
Caught in a cyclone, one by one the Guardsmen disappeared through the stone wall as if it wasn’t there, and found themselves floating in total darkness.
Rian held tight to Audrey as he felt her panic rise.
The low grumble of Kayne’s gravelly voice shot through the darkness, “Scaoileadh dúinn go talamh!” immediately followed by a flash of dragon fire and the sensation of falling.
Grunts and groans accompanied the thuds of bodies hitting the ground. Rian opened his eyes to shrieks of delight from the witches. The mated Guardsmen were reuniting with their mates as the others checked out everyone else.
Looking down at Audrey, he immediately jumped to his feet and yelled, “She’s not breathing! Oh my Heavens, help me!”
Running toward Niall as fast he could, he stopped right in front of the Elder Healer as Royce shouted, “Rory’s breathing but he’s not responding and he’s hot to the touch!”
Damn! Took me less than a day to kill both my mate and my brother. Some Leader I turned out to be.