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A screech rings out around us, making me pause as panic consumes me. It’s high-pitched but deep all at once, a sound of dominance, not fear, and I know it’s what’s got Ari all worked up.
“It can sense your presence because she touched the barrier. You need to go.”
“No, I’m not leaving you.”
“What is he saying?” Figgins asks, and I start to feel irritation creep up my spine. I don’t have time to keep repeating every last thing.
Fuck.
“He thinks the creature knows we’re here because you touched the barrier.”
Her hand quickly drops away like it’s been burned, but if what Ari says is true, it’s too late for that now.
Another screech burns through the air, and I’m quickly surrounded by my men.
“Raven, if it’s not safe, we can’t stay,” Creed states from my right, scanning the forest for the creature.
“I’m not leaving him, Creed. Not until we have some way of saving them, at least,” I insist, worry sinking its claws into my flesh as I scan the forest once again.
Purple, blue, and green iridescent colors shimmer to the far right, I spot it around Brax’s wide frame. “Over there,” I say with a gasp, watching as the colors pounce through the trees.
I can’t make out what it is, which only stokes more fear into my veins.
“Raven. Go,”Ari orders, but I continue to ignore him. He’s moving in the next moment, his feathers and fur rustling with the wind from his speed.
At first, I think he’s running from the danger, but when he doesn’t change course or dart away from the shimmering iridescent colors, I realize it’s the complete opposite.
“Ari, no!” I yelp, and the creature turns my way, freezing as its dark gaze connects with mine.
Blacker than black eyes pierce mine, scales shimmering in the light that breaks through the trees. Paws with claws like steel curl into the moss beneath it as its body ripples with every breath it takes.
“What is that?” I whisper, my heart racing in my chest.
“I-I… I think it’s a… it’s a Drake.”
I tilt my head to find Figgins, who is rooted to the spot and gaping at the creature as intently as I am. “A Drake?”
She nods. “A wingless dragon. I’ve never seen one in my life. They’re mythical, not of this land. Or at least, I thought they weren't,” she rambles as her trembling fingers lift to her mouth.
It screeches again, gaining my attention as it leaps through the air toward us. We should run, we should hide, we should definitely get the fuck out of here, but we’re all frozen in place, taunting destiny as it barrels toward us through the trees.
I grab hold of the back of Brax’s t-shirt, choking on my own breath as it pushes off the ground and leaps toward the barrier separating us. I’m certain it’s going to break through the ward with ease, but before I can find out, it’s catapulted sideways as Ari launches himself at it.
“Ari,” I breathe, hearing him grunt as the Drake continues to screech, but this time, it’s not a dominant call; it’s one of pain.
Ari doesn’t stop there. He refuses to give the Drake even a sliver of a chance as he attacks. It’s too much, but my eyes are glued to watching them.
“Don’t look, Raven.”
“Ari,” I manage, unable to find the words.
“Don’t look, please.”
Fuck.
Fighting my internal need to keep my gaze fixed on him, I focus on the emotion pouring into me from my familiar, letting it guide me forward so my forehead rests on Brax’s back as I cling to his t-shirt.
I may not be able to see, but the sounds tell a pretty good story, and when pain aches through my limbs, I know Ari has been hurt, too. But any chance I have to panic over it is short-lived when a piercing cry rings out from the Drake before silence follows.
