CHAPTER TEN
TYNAN
My eyes turned toward the sun. The chilly, crisp air brushed the scales of my dragon skin and even through its reinforced, hardened surface, I could feel the difference in temperatures. I lowered my body, catching a ride on the warm thermal current, and for a moment, I could relax my muscles, letting the force of nature carry me forward. Then I felt something else. I moved my head, seeing Alina stretched out on my back. A familiar, warm feeling of comfort and security rose up from my chest. I spread my wings wider, enjoying this moment of peace.
“Wake up,” Alina’s voice called.
I looked back, but she was gone. Confused, I glanced ahead.
“Wake up!”
The tone of the voice changed, no longer soft or melodic. It was rough, and low, like it came from someone who indulged in heavy smoking. That brought the worst associations. It soundedlike Sage was right beside me. I frowned, finally opening my eyes.
Beside the bed stood the old man I remembered very clearly. The one who endlessly played on my nerves, and showed me his pointed dislike every time we met. Except now, he looked well put together, washed up and wearing a clean set of clothes. I looked around. I was in a vaguely familiar room, and the city drunk was right beside me.
“Sage?” I tried to sit up.
“Yes. Who else could it be?” he snapped.
He had trimmed his beard, changing the overall shape of his face. If I did not know him any better, I would never believe that the man who stood in front of me was homeless. But none of that mattered, he was still the last person I wanted to see.
“What’re you doing here? Where’s Alina?” I rubbed my eyes.
“That’s why I came. You have to stop her. She’s going to appear in front of the clan elders instead of you.”
“What?” I sat up and the whole room blurred in front of my eyes.
Cold gripped me from the inside, spreading through my veins. Already out of breath, I struggled to inhale. My heart threatened to shatter my ribs.
“She is brave, I give her that. Truth is on her side, yes, but she’s just a woman. A woman who is determined to face hundreds of power hungry, aggressive brutes.”
I stumbled out of bed and my legs gave way, I growled catching myself.
“Where is she?” I picked up my suit.
“She’s waiting for her idiot maid to bring her Rutherford’s sword. So hurry up! The gods are my witness, I protested, argued. You have to stop her!”
My hands shook as I buttoned my suit. Pain exploded in my shoulder, reaching all the way to my lower back when I laced my boots.
“Hurry up, will you? Don’t forget your sword!” Sage hurled at me.
“Why the hell didn't you stop her?” I shouted.
“I tried, she wouldn’t listen. And that stupid maid of hers was going along with her crazy plan. You need to get rid of that woman. She’s dangerous.” Sage followed me around the room.
A cold sweat had formed on my forehead. I clenched my jaw, fighting the burning ache in my limbs, and searched for my weapon.
“You don’t look very sharp.”
I glared at him, opening the door with force.
In the hall, I paused trying to remember the fastest way to get to the exit.
“Hurry! There’s no more time to waste!” Sage panicked behind me.
I rushed down the stairs, clenching Hanoch’s sword in my hand. If something happened to her, there was no way they would see the light of a new day. My beast roared deep inside. There was no line I would not cross. There was no depth I would not descend.
Finally, I made it to the main door. The servants pressed their backs to the walls, letting me through. Their faces pale andfrightened. I pulled the thick wooden door open wide, hitting the wall behind it. The explosion of scents that filled the fresh morning air assaulted my nose. Among them were the smells of grass and soil, smoke, and steel. It did not matter what our situation was, I was going to fight and die protecting her, and nothing else mattered.
