Page 34 of Ignite the Infernos

“You want to go at that barrier with a scalpel or a grenade?” Ogdan asks, and I consider the options.

I could get some readings, try to identify the magic or tech at play here, and take it down, or I could just let a dragon rip it apart with their bare claws. I look over at Chastain, who’s quietly chanting, “Grenade, grenade, grenade” like it’s his Naming Day and he’s hoping to manifest his most anticipated present.

I can’t fight my smile for another second, and its appearance sends a ripple of eager anticipation through my remaining Wing. “Let’s send a dragon in to investigate.”

Chastain’s arms shoot up in the air in victory. “I volunteer!” he shouts, and then Tove clips him upside the head.

“That’s a job for a Thrasher, wind for brains,” she scolds. “You know, the ones with impenetrable armor, uncanny powers of perception, and an unhealthy addiction to adrenaline.”

All eyes drift to Karis, and a slow smile stretches across the Thrasher’s face. “Count me in.”

“All right.” I clap once, recalling everyone’s attention. “Tove, cover his six. Chastain, you’ll fly recon. The rest of us need to be ready for a breach. Ever may not come willingly, and I suspect she’s not alone in there. We could easily be up against wyverns and other revealed Syphons.”

I debate for a moment if I should call in reinforcements, but the only other dragons I fully trust with this would be my brother and his Wing, and Lorn is still tied up with the Conclave.

“Capture orders?” Ogdan requests.

“Ever is priority. We capture her and then expand the targets. I want the wyverns we suspect are here for questioning, so no killing unless it’s a you or them situation, got it?”

Affirmative responses sound off all around me, and then Ogdan starts to assign positions around the dunes.

“I can’t wait to see her face when we crash into her little hidey-hole like, Honey, I’m home!” Chastain hoots, rubbing his hands together in eager anticipation as he shuffles out of the tent with Tove and Karis.

I track their silhouettes as they move farther and farther away, until their visages explode into massive dragons. My attention snags on the dunes again, and I wonder if Ever is watching. I’m not sure if she’s hiding underground or over it, but she has to know we’re here. Has she accepted her fate, or does she have more tricks up her sleeve?

“Move out,” Ogdan barks, pulling me from my thoughts.

The tent is empty of everyone but me and the Wing Leader, and my drive to hunt and capture is rattling against the chains still holding it back. I move to leave and find Ogdan’s hand pressed firmly to my chest.

“I know better than to ask you to stand down for your own safety,” he tells me. “But I am going to ask you to stay back and trust us to do what needs to be done.”

I don’t know if he can feel my muscles tense in objection to his suggestion or if he’s recognizing the argument now sharpening my gaze, but Ogdan shakes his head and exhales a resigned sigh.

“We’ve underestimated her enough, my Heart,” he tells me seriously, and my eyes flick back and forth between his imploring gray stare. “We don’t know who or what might be waiting for us in there, and if they’re half as capable as your Syphon, this situation could turn on us like that.” He snaps his fingers. “I don’t think Ever wants to hurt you. I don’t think she wants to hurt us, but who’s to say how the others with her might feel? She thought we were the enemy. That could still be the case for any other Syphon or wyvern in there.”

The argument I was preparing to launch crumbles to ash on my tongue. I consider Ogdan’s words and study the concern imprinted on his face. As much as I reject the notion of putting my people in danger while I enjoy the safety of an observation deck, the point he’s making shouldn’t be ignored.

“Should we wait for Lorn and his Wing, or call in other backup?” I question, suddenly doubting my instinct to move quickly or risk losing Ever again.

My second looks over at the dunes contemplatively. “No, as long as you’re safe, we can handle anything thrown at us. I feel the same way you and the others do: We either move it or lose it.”

I snort out a laugh at that, and Ogdan’s smile is smug.

“You win,” I concede. “I’ll hold off and assess the situation thoroughly before engaging . . . just this once though,” I tack on, and Ogdan chuckles and nods his approval.

“Let’s go get your girl,” he teases, darting away before I can retaliate.

I step out of the mouth of the tent and position myself close enough to respond if anyone needs help, but not so close that my safety will be a distraction to my Wing. Dragons circle the dunes, and anticipation heats my blood. I let go of the confines of my form and give in to the power that centers all that I am.

My bones grow heavy and start to lengthen, and my skin stretches and hardens into impervious scales and armored plates. My skull reforms and sets, allowing my teeth to elongate into razor-sharp weapons. My vision shifts; it sharpens and grows stronger as my hearing amplifies and my sense of smell augments. Horns replace hair. Wings sprout from my back. I stretch their lengths with a satisfying rumble and then shake off the lingering sting of my reveal.

I stand guard as my Wing takes flight and prepares to breach the unknown. Dragons drift around the dunes in a purposeful holding pattern while they claim their positions and prepare to end this hunt once and for all. Karis drops out of the rotation, the sun gold against his rich umber scales, and Tove follows, her deep green form gliding gracefully just above the Thrasher.

“Moving in.” Karis’s voice sounds in my head.

“Got you covered,” Tove confirms, and the others sound their confirmation as they lock in their positions.

“Crack it like an egg,” I urge with a rumbling growl, and I finally rip the chains off my need to hunt, chase, and obtain.