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She stayed hidden behind the broken wall as Kell ducked into the courtyard and approached the blond-haired man with his eyes on his phone. Kell stopped two feet away before he looked up, shock on his face.
“Kell, what are you doing here?”
“Hello, Liev. I am here for a heated discussion with Breggar. Unless you wish me to remove your head along with his, I suggest you leave.”
Liev held his hands up. “I don’t want any trouble, Kell. My brother and I will find another place to stay.”
Kell moved his hand in an arc. “That’s what this is. A dragon hostel?”
Liev shrugged. “It’s better than some.”
Kell narrowed his eyes on the dark. “There are more of these places?”
Liev swallowed. “The stronger darks allow the weaker to stay with them. We work for them in return for shelter, food, and women.”
“Why turn dark only to take up a life of servitude?”
Liev looked down. “We were tricked, but it’s too late.”
“I am aware of the lengths Allorin went to turn our brethren. Go or challenge me.”
Liev turned and ran a few steps before he shifted. The black dragon was small compared to Kell, and as soon as he crested the ramparts, heading for the clouds, a second dragon joined him. Alana approached Kell as a third took to the skies.
She stared at them for a second. “Was it me, or was that the least scary black dragon ever?”
“I agree. Liev seemed to have some emotion, but he may have fed recently.”
“Maybe. Let’s find Breggar.”
They were heading to a large, curved oak door with rusty metal bracing when it opened and Breggar stepped from the castle wearing a long black flowing cloak. “It took you longer to get here than I expected.”
Alana smacked the rune at her wrist. It stung, but Breggar hissed. “I wanted you to enjoy your victory. It will be sweeter when Kell wipes the floor with you.”
Breggar laughed. “Your confidence in him is misplaced. My father was our instructor, and I have had far more training than any dragon alive.”
Kell formed a sword out of thin air and advanced on Breggar. The dark smiled before his sword formed in his hands.
“I have been looking forward to this.” Breggar swung his weapon toward Kell, but he stepped away as the whistle of steel met the wind.
Kell twirled and thrust his sword toward Breggar, but the wily dark diverted the attack easily and sparks ignited the air as the edges of both blades slid against each other.
Both dragons turned when a purple light began to form in the center of the courtyard.
Breggar hissed. “What is he doing here?”
Allorin stepped from the portal as soon as it was large enough. He looked like he had aged ten years since the last time Alana saw him. His purple robes were dirty, and his hair clung to his head as if coated in sweat. “Where is the artifact?”
Breggar growled. “It is mine. I never swore allegiance to you.”
Allorin laughed. “You think that matters? I have the power to obliterate you. Give me the artifact or die.”
Breggar lowered his sword. “You do not even know what it is, or you wouldn’t be here. It is a dragon claw and only a dragon can wield it.”
Alana detected the lie, but so did Allorin. “The dragon’s claw granted immortality. I sensed a disturbance, but I had no idea it was the claw. Your sacrifice will be noted, Breggar.”
Breggar huffed. “I won’t give it to you. It is mine and I will restore my color and my fertility with it. After I kill Kell, I will take his druid and bind her to me for all time.”
Alana’s stomach rolled, but Allorin laughed.
