Dragons Over the Emerald Grotto by Gary Darby

Author:Gary Darby [Darby, Gary]
Language: eng
Format: epub
Publisher: Gary Darby Books
Published: 2023-07-06T16:00:00+00:00

33

Wind Storm sailed through the air with his foreclaws outstretched toward the snakehead. He feared that his strength was such that he couldn’t leap far enough. But even if he didn’t, he hoped his landing would distract the snakehead long enough for Melody to rouse and evade the vicious monster. To Wind Storm, all that mattered was Melody escaping; his death didn’t.

He didn’t even try to open his wings to help lengthen his jump, as he knew that was a fruitless effort. Instead, he stretched himself out as far as possible, a low growl rumbling in his throat.

Storm kept his eyes on the prize—the beast’s sinewy but vulnerable neck. If he was to stop the beast, that was the only possible answer.

To his utter surprise, Storm found he wasn’t short in his leap. Instead, he came down perfectly onto the vile creature. With a savage snarl, he wrapped his mouth around the monster’s neck and bit down with all his might.

Wind Storm’s weight and impetus carried them both to the ground, where they skidded along the rocky ground. The thing shrieked as Storm’s fangs sank into its fleshy neck. It staggered to its feet, whirled, thrashed, and flailed its wings as it tried to throw Storm off.

Storm held on for dear life, knowing that if he let go, he and Melody would die seconds later under a stream of toxic poison.

The snakehead went to the ground and began to roll over and over, trying to dislodge Wind Storm. The beast craned his head as far back as he could, trying to spray Storm with its acid. Still, Storm held on, his fangs sinking deeper and deeper into the beast’s flesh.

The monster all but curled up on itself, using its front and back talons to claw at Wind Storm, but Storm wouldn’t let go.

Then, Storm heard above the snakehead’s squealing, “Hold on, Stormy, I’m coming!”

A second later, Wind Melody slammed her mouth over the beast’s neck right next to Wind Storm and bit down as hard as she could.

The monster’s neck ripped apart a moment later, sending Storm and Melody stumbling backward. Storm hurriedly pushed himself to his feet and spat out fleshy fragments from the snakehead.

“Yuck!” Melody said as she did the same. “That is the foulest taste ever!”

“Whaaa—?” Storm mumbled as he used a claw to pull out a bit of snakehead caught in his fangs. “Don’t care to dine on some nice, juicy snakehead roast?”

“Funny dragon. I’m no cannibal.”

“Snakeheads aren’t real dragons.”

“No? Then what are they?”

“They’re—they’re stinkin’ vermin; that’s what they are.”

“Then, I’m no stinkin' vermin eater, either.”

Melody came over to him as a softness entered her eyes. “You saved me, Storm. Again. You took a Proga arrow for me.”

Storm shrugged a little shyly. “Wasn’t a Proga arrow. It was a scummy snakehead.”

“Same idea,” she murmured. “Thank you.”

“Welcome,” he answered and then said, “you best get back to the company; they may still need you. I’ll catch up.”

“You sure?”

“I’m sure.”

Wind Melody hurried from under the tree, spread her wings, crouched, and sprang into the air.

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