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Aeron whirls on him and I almost feel bad for the fury etched on the intimidating dragon’s face. Almost.
Otis’s eyes widen and he takes a few steps back. I half expect him to drop to his knees and beg Aeron for forgiveness. “Malix won’t be a problem. But if you continue to prove yourself to be so idiotic, you’ll meet his same fate.”
“Yes, sir. I won’t let you down,” Otis squeaks.
“See that you won’t.”
My mind is still on the ‘same fate’ part. What the fuck did he mean by that? Did he plan on hurting Malix? “You can’t touch him.” The words are out of my mouth before I can stop them.
Now it’s my turn to accept Aeron’s wrath. “Is that so? And what are you going to do about it, human?”
The bravado I felt only moments ago fades and fear takes its place. Aeron must see it in my face because he smiles. There is nothing friendly in the way he is looking at me right now. I’m a sheep and he knows it.
“That’s what I thought. Now, Rose, you have a job to do. Every single one of these dragons needs to be awakened. Otis will see to it that you do your job like a good little human.” Aeron reaches out to caress the cheek he slapped, but I jerk away.
“I won’t do it. I don’t fucking take orders from you.” I want the dragons awake and reunited with their families, but I’m not giving in to Aeron’s demands. We have to do this the right way and what Aeron proposes will drain all of my energy and more. I need to be alert, now more than ever with the sinister duo before me.
“That’s too bad. Otis, bring in our visitor,” Aeron commands.
Visitor?
I watch as Otis disappears up the stairs. He’s gone for only a minute, but it feels like a lifetime, and he’s not alone. As soon as I see her, the breath is stolen from my lips.
Mina is bound and gagged, with bruises and scratches down her arms and cheeks. Whatever they did to her, she fought and fought hard. Pride for my friend swells in my chest but it leaves too quickly because Mina is in danger.
Even now as Otis pulls her down the stairs by the chains around her wrists, she fights, but I note her sluggish movements and the way she is limping on her left side. “What the fuck did you do to her?”
“Another fun substance from a friend in another territory. It prevents shifting. Usually used on wolves, but Mina seemed like the best person to try it on. She did put up a fight, so I suppose she can be proud of that.”
“Let her go, she has nothing to do with this!” I think of Vivia and their son. Oh god, their son. Is he okay? Did they hurt him? Kill him? No…I can’t get distracted. I push those harrowing thoughts to the side and focus on my friend in front of me.
“She does, actually. She’s the unfortunate woman who befriended the false queen. She’s here to ensure your compliance.”
Before I can ask what he means by that, Aeron signals Otis and the weasel-man hesitates for the briefest second before his fingers and nails stretch into talons. Realization of what he is about to do hits me and I scream, “NO!” But it’s useless.
Otis slashes his talons across Mina’s face and screams fill the air. I don’t know if they are mine or hers, or a combination of both of us, but angry tears start rolling down my cheeks. Blood pours from the wound and Mina’s soft cries break my heart.
This is my fault.
I’m so sorry.
“Please. Don’t hurt her,” I beg, the fight leaving my body. This feels a lot like giving up. Maybe Aeron is right, I am the false queen. Queens protect their people, but my friend is hurt because of me, and my husband’s life is in danger. Giving in is the only option I have that keeps those I love out of danger for a little bit longer.
“What is that, My Queen? Are you ready to obey?” Aeron mocks me with my meaningless title and all I can do is nod. I’m afraid if I speak, only sobs will come out.
“I’m glad you see it my way. Perhaps you aren’t as stupid as I thought. Otis,” he barks at the other dragon. “Leave Mina down here. Oh, and ladies? Before you try fighting your way out of here, the chains around Mina are laced with the same substance we used to stop her shifting initially. Meaning, she is little more than human right now.”
Otis tosses Mina down the last few steps. She loses her balance and slides down the steps before she awkwardly catches herself.
Aeron no longer pays us any mind. He’s barking orders at Otis to remain with us while he keeps people away from the cellar. He’s gone shortly after, not sparing Mina or me one last glance.
For a moment, it looks like Otis wants to say something now that Aeron is gone, but I don’t want to hear his worthless explanations. “Malix will kill you.”
Otis bristles at the vitriol in my tone. He puts on a mask of indifference and says, “You have five minutes to get yourself together and then it’s time to begin your task. You know what happens if you don’t obey.”
I ignore Otis and reach for Mina. I read so much in the look she gives me. Fear, anger, hurt.
“I’m so sorry,” I whisper, unable to stop the tears as I pull the gag free from her mouth. I use the bottom of my dress to clean the blood off her face. She winces at my touch.
