Page 25 of Ignite the Infernos

I shrug. “I think we’re about to find out.”

I set my binocs back in the supply crate and retrieve a pair of gloves with reinforced armor on the palms and fingers.

“When Vasu’s replacement gets here, tell them to record every move the drakes make. I want updates every ten,” I order.

“Yes, Scioness,” both Craith and Vero confirm, and with that, I grab onto the zip line and fling myself off the roof.

My feet touch sand sooner than I’d like, but the wind against my face and the speed of the fall are a soothing balm against the annoying austerity of physics. All the guards that’re usually assigned to the perimeter of our wards have been called in, and it’s eerily quiet across the sands of our camp. I rush to the stack’s entrance, the cadence of my steps sounding angry as I stride through the hallway that leads to the dining hall.

The air is thick with anticipation, and worried murmurs spill out of the dining hall like the steady chirps of a cricket’s song. I hesitate at the threshold. This is my fault. I should have said something to Enslee when I accidentally opened the bond with Aeson. We should have been preparing for this outcome all morning, and yet I kept my mouth shut. Why?

I massage my temples and work to slow my hammering heart. Stupid, twitterpated, pain in the ass bond. Aeson and I have only been apart for a handful of days, I didn’t think it would be this insistent already, or that I might subconsciously sabotage things to bring him closer. I shove that thought away, not wanting to even consider the possibility or the ramifications.

With a deep breath, I force myself to step into the dining hall. Instantly the chatter dies and silence sweeps in to takes its place. Long tables and filled chairs dot the room, and I find Enslee where she always stands when she’s about to address all of us. Olinta and Amadi—two members of her Flight—flank her, their eyes scanning the small assembly as though they’re expecting trouble.

The silence is unsettling, but not more so than every eye in the dining hall tracking each step I take to close the distance to my twin. Enslee gives me the signal to say whatever I’m here to say, out loud, and Olinta makes room for me so I can stop next to my sister and turn to address the room.

My heart thrums in my chest and I feel oddly aware of every breath and blink as everyone waits for me to confirm what they already know.

“Our timeline just imploded,” I announce evenly. “The Horde is here.”

The dining hall explodes with reactions, anger, bugled challenges, fear. I wait until it quiets down again before continuing.

“There are only two dragons here for now, but they’re setting up camp, I’m sure it won’t be long before more arrive.” I turn to Enslee. “We need to move the designated survivors before that happens.”

The room collectively holds its breath, as everyone’s attention transfers to my sister.

“They have loam hounds,” I add as Enslee considers the information. “If we’re going to evacuate through the tunnels, we need to do it now before they fill up with the dwarves’ dogs and our skies are overrun with dragons.”

Enslee stares at me, her gaze silently communicating her surprise that this is actually happening. We’ve all prepared for this, but preparing and executing are two very different beasts. Enslee blinks, and resolve fills her light green eyes.

“Do it,” she orders with a regal nod, and I turn back to the Syphons and wyverns waiting in the dining hall.

“With my missing Flight, things are going to be tighter than we anticipated,” I announce, ignoring the ache that flares to life in my chest. “Those of you leaving will do so with only three wyverns as protection. I wish we could spare more, but the remaining four will be needed to give you as much of a head start as we can.”

I expect objections, but there’s a cold acceptance that washes through the room. Seven Syphons, three adult wyverns, and three children will flee to a secret location as part of backup plan that will keep our kind from being wiped out in the event that the rest of us are killed when we come out of hiding.

It’s phase two: hide the last of our hope, abandon the Scorch, and confront The Horde. We have a little more work ahead of us than we thought, so we’ll have to pivot, but that’s never stopped us before. Pride blankets me like a warm cloak, as I take in each of the gathered wyverns and Syphons. Love and appreciation fills the craters in my soul. We’ve all been through so much, but we’re ready. We’ll do what we have to do.

Enslee steps forward, her chin raised and her shoulders back. “For sixty-two years we’ve survived the unsurvivable. The slaughter of our kindred. The Scorch. The curse. Everything meant to destroy us has failed against our strength and resilience. This will be no different. It’s time to divide and conquer.”

Fists hammer down on the tables in unison. The resonant boom of support and agreement has goose bumps climbing up my arms and across my shoulders.

“Each of us has a role to play. For some it’s to stay safe and hidden. For others it’s to infiltrate The Horde where we’ll execute the final phase of our plan. For sixty two years we’ve trained and waited, and now the wait is over.”

Another anchoring boom fills the room, and it’s as though providence herself is whispering promises of justice and retribution in our ears.

“We will find our affinities!” Enslee declares. “We will reveal! We will take back what was stolen from us! And the ones that’ve betrayed us will pay!”

The dining hall fills with a cacophony of shouts as fists pummel tables and boots stomp the floor. Enslee smiles, and I can’t help but mirror it. Shrewdly, we observe the display, one question on both of our minds: Which one of you will suffer alongside the dragons for your deceit?

Enslee raises her hands and the din lowers. “Until we see each other again, spark the flames, ignite the infernos, and ash the embers.”

By the time she gets to the second directive, every Syphon and wyvern in the dining hall is bellowing each word like the vow it is. The Syphons will either claim their rightful place in this world . . . or die trying.

Chapter 13

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