Chapter Fifteen
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WAR AND DUST. PESTILENCEand rage. Nanshe had been here so many times before, more times than she could count. So many times had she experienced the rage of the dragon as it had ruined many lands with its fearless fire and powerful claws. So many, many times had she witnessed countless people die and fall before it.
The dragon, the harbinger of time and power. Nanshe lifted her head, knowing what that golden dragon represented. Dragons were made of pure time and magic spatial control. They were bred to restore the balance, as the In Between was for the Fae realm and Human world.
Skuld had disturbed that tenuous balance when she wanted to gain more power than she was meant to have, or even deserved. And by doing so, her sister had made it so Nanshe—ever fated to be her rival—would have to step in.
Norns actively working within the human realm were subject to punishment. There were no exceptions.
This dragon, and the breadth of its powers, was the counterbalance.
Nanshe closed her eyes, trying as she might to block out the dragon’s screeches and bellows and remove herself from the heat pulsing over her skin as it blazed fire. She tried to stop listening to the screams of those dying, burned alive from the inside out.
She blocked everything she could, even her connection with her mate who was fighting to save those around him. For a moment, Nanshe gave herself over to the past, searching for the answer among the many layers of what had gone before. She would not leave these people alone to face this. She would do everything in her power to help save them.
When she found the thread, tears sprung to her eyes. “Hello, old friend. I know you're tired. So much has occurred. And even now, we need you. Come.”
Nanshe pulled on the glittering red of the past covered in spikey black. She yanked hard, bringing the essence of that power closer to her. It was not time yet for those to know exactly who the wolf was. They would not be able to handle it on top of everything else.
But she had to risk it to save Encantado for now.
A resounding howl reverberated inside Nanshe, and she lifted her face to the sky, dropping her hands palms up at her side.
“Welcome home.”
A scarred wolf with burnished red on the tips of her fur raced from Scorched Earth and into the open plane. Her teeth glistened white, her growl vicious and cruel. She was a masterful warrior, forged through pain and fire into a machine of absolute destruction. Her mind was fractured, and she could not remember the softness of her previous life, which made her the perfect killer.
Nanshe knew bringing something from a different timeline would get the dragon’s attention. Yes, the wolf deserved her retribution for all she’d suffered, but the dragon wouldn’t let it happen before it was fated to occur. Nanshe needed to restore balance and would try to stop the wolf from being seen by those who may recognize her.
Nanshe prayed this would be enough to bring the dragon close and allow everyone to attack. This wolf, who'd suffered so much unfairness during her existence, would be the harpoon with which to spear the dragon.
Those fighting moved out of the way as the wolf charged through Hollows, raking and biting with absolute certainty, targeting their soft underbellies or weak throats. Nanshe was breathless watching her. She was scarred and alone, coming to the aid of a city that had long forgotten her and tossed her away.
“That part of your heart is still true. Though you may be lost, you will be found. This, I promise you. It may not be time just yet, but this feat will make sureallwill remember you. Trust me.”
The wolf howled in agreement, lunging through more Hollows and protecting mages as she cut a path directly to Nanshe’s side. The wolf was much larger than other shifted wolves, fused with magic many of them did not have. She shivered, her black and red fur quivering in the air. As she rested on her large paws next to Nanshe’s side, ears perked up and paying attention, her tail pointed straight out. She guarded Nanshe from anybody approaching.
Nanshe buried her hands in the thick fur. “He will come. Just wait.”
The wolf vibrated with energy as Nanshe bent forward and whispered words into the wolf’s coat. Words of power and words of strength. Words meant to unlock this wolf, just for a few moments, to its full potential.
“Go now, child of death. Tear and rend.”
The dragon’s answering call to the threat was music to Nanshe’s ears. “Yes. Come closer, beast.”
The dragon swirled around before tucking its wings to its body and diving toward Nanshe and the wolf. Nanshe didn’t look toward Carlo as he and Torin yelled for her to take cover. She would face this threat head-on with the friend she’d called to her side.
