Az always struggled speaking through their mind link. He growled lowly in frustration when the words rattled in his mind, skipping over the chasm Bastian kept open constantly for them to use to communicate. It was like trying to hold onto water with a shattered glass cup.
What?Bastian said into their link.
Az felt, somehow, that the vampire was careful to keep Vale far away from their current conversation. The dragon did not need to be distracted, not when he was so volatile.
Since Bastian had spoken first, it was easier for Az.I’m going to climb first. Once I’m up, you follow. Stay back. I don’t think the nets will hold us both.
Bastian nodded.
Another flash overhead as the dragon circled, roaring into the night.
Az began to climb.
When he stopped at the top, hands wrapped around the edge of the ship, he held his breath, as if waiting for a blade to swipe down on his knuckles and cut them away. He held his head down to keep his horns out of sight.
Coming up,Bastian warned as the nets began to tug below him.
Az shifted, feet reaching for the side of the ship to relieve some weight from the nets.
They had to time it carefully. Even when all Az wanted was to rip through every being on this godsdamned ship to get to Luella. They had to be careful.
He waited. One breath, another.
The dragon circled. Fire lit up the sky, illuminating them—they couldn’t reveal themselves yet. Not with the fire. They’d be spotted instantly.
If only they could talk sense into Vale, but the dragon was far beyond reason.
Az hated to admit it, but he understood. The things he would do for Luella scared him—what he felt for herscaredhim.
But she didn’t need him to rip through the ship right now. She needed to be saved.
The fire dimmed as the dragon’s roar fractured into silence.
Now!Az thought.
And he tugged himself over the side of the ship, Bastian following.
Darkness blanketed the entire deck. Bodies moving. Shadows. He lunged to the side as a figure approached him. His hand slapped over a mouth, the other gripping the side of the being’s neck. He twisted.Crack?—
Az carefully laid the limp figure down to soften the fall.
They didn’t have enough time.
Vale’s dragon roared, and fire lit up the sky once more. That was all it took.
Screams joined the dragon’s roar.
"On the ship!"
"They’re here!"
"Prepare the cannons. Fire at the dragon!"
It was chaos.
Through the golden glow, Az swiped out at the first figure that approached. Even with the brilliance of the fire, Az saw the darkness of the male’s eyes. Umbra. He swiped out, fist cracking against the Umbra’s chest. He fell. Stomped his boot on a leg. Shattered the bone.
Another. Another?—
