Clutch of the Demon (3 page)

I have never heard of a human with that ability.
 

"Have you ever met a human that's telepathic?" she challenged.
 

Her bravado wavered when rockets of flame poured from the dragon's mouth. Cara took an unsteady step towards the pool, but a talon flashed out and knocked her off balance. She let out an enraged squawk and placed a hand over her throbbing ribs. She froze when she found the dragon's face in front of her again. His scales were so shiny that she saw a dozen mini reflections of herself. There were two horns perched on his head and lethal spikes ran down his spine. Ghostly wings flared out and filled the cave. Cara's mouth dropped in an O of awe.
   

What is this favor you want from me?

Cara thought of Sky running through the fields, laughing. Everyone that came into contact with Sky fell in love with her. At five years old, Sky sensed turbulent emotion in others and with one touch, could cleanse their soul. Sky was a beacon of hope and part of the next generation of healers. She
had
to live.

"My sister is going to die," Cara whispered.
 

For several seconds, the dragon didn't respond.
 

And?

"
And
the world will be a less brighter place if she isn't in it!" With all the conviction she could muster Cara said, "If you have the ability to heal her, I beg you to do it. She's five-years-old. She doesn't deserve to die."

What shall you give me in return?

Cara's breath hitched. "Anything."

You're rash.

"I don't have time!" Cara snapped, nerves stretched to the breaking point. She was in pain and so tired she could barely think straight. She was arguing with a creature she'd only seen in children's books and she could hear an invisible clock ticking. She didn't have time. "I don't care what your price is. If you need to kill me to spare her life, do it."

Brave words.

She went rigid at his taunting tone. If he were toying with her before he killed her, she would say what she needed to. She would be the mouthiest thing he'd ever eaten.
 

"My whole life my mom's tried to teach me that I can't change the world. She wants me to accept that Sky is going to die and I
can't
." If the dragon thought she was a stupid, emotional human, she didn't care. She loved her sister with every fiber of her being and wouldn't stop until she found a way for Sky to live. "If you aren't going to help, kill me now. Otherwise, I have places to be. I won't stop until she takes her last breath and I don't have time for games."

Silence in her mind. The dragon's eyes were so piercing, she was afraid he would see straight through her to the taint on her soul.

"If there's any good left in you, it should be for Sky."

His alien features were gruesome and foreign enough to turn her stomach. She wondered if he wanted her to beg, but she discarded that immediately. He would grant her request or not and there was a big possibility that he would kill her any moment now. As the silence continued, beads of sweat dripped from her forehead. This had to work. If it didn't, Sky would die and take Cara's heart with her.

I will grant your favor.

Chapter Three

Cara bowed her head and whispered prayers of thanks under her breath. She didn't care about her ribs or the fact that her wetsuit was soaked with blood. Sky would live. That's all that mattered.
 

I ask for a life in exchange.
 

She expected no less. No good deed went unpunished, right? She nodded and waited for the deathblow, but nothing happened. She looked up and once more, was caught and held by those serpentine eyes.
 

"You have to do a ritual or something before you kill me?"

You need to feed your sister my blood for her to be healed. You will be able to see her one last time.
 

Joy was an unstoppable fountain in her chest and she beamed at the forbidding dragon and babbled, "You're so k-kind. T-thank you."

You will return here.

She nodded vehemently and held her hand up like a girl scout. "Yes, I promise."

The dragon let out an angry hiss.
You seem very willing to die.
 

"Everyone dies," she said philosophically.
 

You promise to return here?

"Yes."

I will be with you the whole way to ensure you keep your end of the bargain.
 

She gulped. "You're coming with me? Won't everybody freak when they see you?"

I'll be in your mind. I can see what you see. If you stray, I can force you to come back to me. I won't be merciful.
 

She blanched and hesitated before she asked, "You can read minds?"
 

No. Do you have something to hide?

Cara shook her head quickly. Being able to see her family one last time was a priceless gift she hadn't expected. She didn't care if she had to hold the dragon's claw through the airport. Sky would live to the age of six and beyond. That was all that mattered.
 

You agree to these terms?

"Yes."

My blood will heal your sister. It's on your left.
 

Although there had been nothing beside her a moment before, she now saw a glass vial with a cork at the top. Its contents glowed.
 

And for you.

Talons gripped her face and she froze, knowing they could puncture her skin like a tomato if she flinched. Talons applied pressure and her mouth dropped open in reaction. She saw another talon coming towards her and held her breath. 'What are you doing,' she wanted to scream. The tip of one talon dipped into her mouth and she tasted something sweet before he released her. She gasped as her ribs snapped into place. Tiny cuts on her feet healed and the tips of her fingernails that popped off during her mad scrabble down the tunnel reformed. Exhaustion vanished and she felt as if she could take on the world. She got to her feet. The wetsuit felt like a straitjacket, but she wasn't about to strip naked in front of the dragon.
 

"Thanks," Cara said and realized that amazing taste must have been his blood.
 

You have money to travel?

Cara was startled by such a practical question from a mystical beast. "No."

Here
.

A stack of money in US Dollars and Euros landed at her feet. Her mouth worked soundlessly before she got out, "It's too much."

You can give the rest to your family.

Cara was so taken aback that she stared at him open-mouthed for a minute before he bared his teeth. She stooped and swept the money and glass vial into her backpack. She made sure the zip on the pack was tight and once more whispered a spell so it remained waterproof. She had the vial of blood and money and with one drop of dragon blood, felt as if she could fly to the top of the Cliffs of Moher.
 

Triumphant and jubilant, she asked, "Can I leave now?"

The dragon didn't reply for a few moments and she wondered if he changed his mind. He crouched over her and she heard the ominous hiss of metal scales. He stood proudly, neck arched and wings tucked neatly on his back. He looked invincible and she wondered how he could stand living in a cavern when he was so obviously meant to be in open space. Maybe he liked it down here?
 

You will return to me as quickly as possible, Cara. If you tarry, I will punish you severely. Do not make me regret this bargain.
 

"I swear I'll be back as soon as possible." She opened and closed her mouth, unsure if she wanted to know the answer to her question.

Ask.
 

She swallowed. "How are you going to kill me?"

She sensed that the dragon was amused, but she also thought she could fly. She must be getting delusional buried beneath tons of water and stone.
 

You are not coming back to die. You will remain with me as long as I am trapped here.

Cara's eyes widened and her mouth opened to speak. He was all-powerful and
trapped
?
 

Go!

Despite the questions winging through her mind, she rushed over to the pool. She lay on her belly and took a deep breath before she slithered in with her backpack. The cold didn't bother her this time. Knowing there was an opening at the other end, she kicked with all her might, which was considerable because of the dragon blood. She was probably stronger in this moment than she'd ever been in her life. Her eyesight was so clear she didn't need to conjure light. She replenished her lungs with a quick spell when she blasted out of the tunnel. It took several minutes to reach the surface despite her best kicking and stroking skills.
 

When she broke the surface of the water, she was immediately picked up by a wave and slammed into the cliffs. Head ringing, she ducked beneath the water and used the cliff to push off from. She swam out before she came up for air and tried to get her bearings. She paddled around the cliffs and couldn't believe that in her weakened state, she had managed to swim out so far from the beach. Desperation and love could accomplish anything, she thought and couldn't keep the smile off her face as she made her way to the shore. The cliffs were still covered in mist, but she sensed a lot of time had passed since she left the beach.
 

When she walked onto the rocky shore, she quickly stripped and changed into her clothes and boots. She checked to make sure the vial was safely padded and the money was dry before she scrambled up the muddy hill like a new recruit in the army.
 

You are very reckless.

The voice startled her. She lost her footing and slid halfway down the hill before she caught herself.
 

"Sky doesn't have time," she said out loud.
 

You're going to kill yourself if you're not careful.

Cara barely refrained from saying, 'Yes, Dad.' She didn't think the dragon would appreciate that. She started up the slick trail like a Billy goat released into the wild for the first time. The dragon blood gave her an odd sense of euphoria, strength and clarity. She lost her footing twice and felt the dragon's aggravation both times. She made her way to the top and once she cleared the zigzagging path, ran along the edge of the cliff. Her legs burned from the exertion, but she didn't care. Speed was her friend.
 

You're going to kill yourself.

Cara didn't respond to the dragon's surly growl. Her mother's affinity with the earth sang to her with each step. The fog was so thick, she thought it would catch her if she fell over the edge. Her heightened eyesight pierced through the mist. The hike from the Cliffs of Moher to the village of Doolin should have taken her three hours. She made it in half the time. She jogged through cow pastures and jumped fences while the sun hid behind the clouds. She sensed it was early morning and ducked into a cafe. Thankfully, none of the tables were filled. Two voices argued in the kitchen. She slipped into the bathroom and observed herself in the dingy mirror. Her hair was a tangled mess and her clothes were filthy and torn. She had a streak of mud on her face and her lips were curved into a broad smile. Using damp paper towels, she tried to wipe off as much mud as possible. She managed to look presentable after she produced a plastic comb from the backpack and whispered a spell to clean and repair her clothes. When she walked out of the bathroom, the server behind the counter blinked in surprise.
 

"Didn't even see ya there, lass. Have a sat," she said.

"Oh, I'm not here to eat. Just needed to use your restroom," Cara said.
 

Even as the server brightened with excitement, a dark voice in her head commanded,
Eat
.
 

"You're an American?" the server asked.
 

"Originally from Montana, but I travel a lot," Cara said and tried to ignore the voice that repeated,
Eat
.
 

"What brings you to Ireland?"
 

"I came to see the Cliffs of Moher."

The server clucked her tongue sympathetically. "The weather hasn't been cooperating, has she? On a clear day, the cliffs will take your breath away."

"I'm sure," Cara said distractedly and looked around for a clock. "Would you mind if I borrowed the phone to call a cab?"

You need to eat.

"Len always comes in here to grab a cup of coffee. You can catch a ride with him." The server tilted her head to the side. "You sure you don't want a bite?"

I'm fine
, she snapped at the dragon and didn't care that he could kill her with a thought.
 

The effects of my blood will wear off and you'll collapse. You need to take care of your body. Eat.
 

"Len will be here in about ten minutes," the server said with a friendly smile and held up a menu. "The first cup of coffee is on me if you'll tell me about Montana."

Cara inwardly sighed before she sat at one of the tables. "What's good to eat here?"

As soon as she boarded the airplane headed back to the States, Cara opened up a notebook and began to write. She poured her heart out into the journal, writing advice and praise for every milestone Sky would come to without her. Cara was glad the old couple beside her passed out as soon as they lifted off. Cara didn't bother to look out the window as they left Ireland behind. She would be back soon enough. She wrote until her hands cramped and her eyes were so full of tears that she couldn't see. After flexing her hands, she wrote letters to her mom, reassuring her that all would be well.
 

Hours passed and people got up from their seats to use the restroom and pace. Cara went to the bathroom for tissues and when she got back to her seat, closed her eyes and tried to relax. She'd done it. She found the Ancient and he agreed to her bargain. Sky would be healed and with the money the dragon gave, her mom would be able to pay off Sky's medical bills.