A Deadly Duet by Amy Sumida

Author:Amy Sumida [Sumida, Amy]
Language: eng
Format: epub
Published: 2018-09-24T06:00:00+00:00

Chapter Twenty-Nine

“I didn't see that coming,” I muttered as I peered around a corner and into an enormous cavern.

We didn't need the lantern there; glowing lichen illuminated the whole cave nearly to the level of halogens. It was more than enough light to see the creature that awaited us at the other end.

“A dragon,” Declan huffed. “How last century; last, last, last century, actually.”

“And that's not a drachen or a ryu,” Torin noted. “That dragon is pure beast.”

“Those existed?” I asked as I remembered Darc's desire to make some dragons. How odd that I'd find one there.

“A straggler,” Gage said. “The rest of its kind is on Torr-Chathair.”

“Is this another test of strength?” Banning asked.

“No; I don't think that's what this is,” Torin murmured. “Look at him; he's just sitting there waiting for us. He must know that we're here, and yet he hasn't charged or roared or shown any kind of aggression.”

I stepped around the corner—fully into the cavern—and stared at the dragon pensively.

“Elaria!” Declan hissed. “His fire could reach you at this range.

“I'm fireproof, honey,” I said over my shoulder as I continued to stare at the dragon.

The beast was bright red; a color that increased a person's blood pressure just from looking at it. As if that was necessary with a dragon. His wingspan was wider than a public swimming pool and his claws looked sharp enough to shred concrete. But his eyes looked listless and sad.

“What's wrong, dragon?” I called out to it. “Is there anything I can do to help?”

It perked up and cocked its head at me. “You offer me assistance?”

“Sure.” I shrugged. “What do you need?”

“I'm lonely,” it said and sighed. “All I do is sit in this cave. I haven't seen sunlight in centuries.”

“Why don't you leave?” I asked it.

“The Shining Ones bound me here with spells.” It—no; he—lifted a leg to show me a massive manacle.

“Is she talking to the dragon?” Sir Carrick asked in amazement.

“If I free you, I'll need to get you somewhere other than Earth,” I said to the dragon. “I can't have you running around, scaring the humans.”

“As if I'd want to stay here,” he huffed and a wisp of smoke trailed out of his nose.

“Where would you go?” I asked it.

“My family went to another planet,” he said. “Somewhere Griffins rule. I think I'd like to go there.”

“Torr-Chathair.” I nodded. “I can get you passage.”

“You can?” He stood excitedly.

My consorts and our knights tensed, and I looked at them in surprise.

“What's your problem?” I asked them.

“Um, it looks as if it's about to charge,” Banning pointed out.

“He just said that he wants to go to Torr-Chathair.” I scowled at Ban. “He's excited; give him a break.”

“He said that?” Banning asked. “To you?”

“Are you deaf?” I countered.

“I don't think they can understand me,” the dragon said. “Not many speak the dragon tongue. I was surprised when you did.”

“Dragon tongue?” I asked it, and then I turned back to the men. “Am I talking in another language?”

“You can't tell?” Declan's eyes went wide.

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