Dragon Legacy (8 page)

In the open now, which way should she go? The rocky walls of the hills drew her desperate gaze. She must climb to higher ground. She raced towards the hills, piles of rocks surrounding them. Maybe she could use them as stepping stones. The tallest hill hid a cave. She must investigate while she could. The slippery rocks would be difficult to climb; the cave would be safer. The narrow opening presented no problems for her slight form. She pushed her way in. The dark, damp cave forced a confrontation with her greatest fear.

A few tentative steps inside the cave, the dark, coupled with the clammy atmosphere, triggered Fleur's claustrophobia.
You shouldn't be in an enclosed dark cave,
her mind screamed.
Escape from a hideous death,
her subconscious retorted. Her mind in panic mode bordered on delusional. Her imagination ran riot, convinced the cave’s rock walls moved towards her. She screamed. The sound echoed around her and emphasized her solitary state. Her loneliness. She should have stayed outside and faced the demon. Her rapid, shallow breaths edged her closer to a meltdown as she hyperventilated. Dizziness disorientated her and nausea forced acidic vomit into the back of her throat. Fleur leaned against the damp cave wall and took a few deep breaths. Her panicked mind needed a pep talk. She saved herself from the demon. Now she must overcome her deepest nightmare.

Her mind drifted. Did Lukas realise about her abduction? Her traumatized stomach churned at her stupidity. He wouldn't care what happened to her. The search for the dragon egg would consume him. Confused and upset, her lack of self-esteem dominated as she doubted her value in his eyes. Lukas' mixed signals exacerbated her sense of inadequacy. She didn’t know whether his obvious physical desire for her signified deep emotion or instinctive lust.

Calmer now, her mind occupied itself with a myriad of self-doubts. She glanced behind her. No demon. Reassured, she peered into the cave's darkness. There must be another entrance. Braver, she walked into the cave's dark depths as her nausea and dizziness receded. A bat’s screech echoed around the cave. She started. Fleur skirted along the cave wall away from the screeches. Raw with strain, Fleur's eyes peered through the gloom. Her hands were skinned and scraped from the rough cave walls as she inched her way forward through the darkness. Water gushed ahead of her. Another reason for caution. Every step was fraught with danger from the poor visibility. The screech from the bats lessened as she moved towards the cave's center. With no visible light, Fleur couldn't orient herself. Her despondency grew with each labored step. She sensed another presence. Maybe the demon watched her pathetic attempts at escape. When exhaustion claimed her, he would attack. She shuddered at what might happen. Preoccupation with her imminent capture made her less cautious. Her next step held a nasty surprise. The path disappeared. Her foot hovered in mid-air. Fleur shifted her weight back onto her other leg. She teetered at the path's edge, but the balance she sought eluded her. She overbalanced and fell into the dark pit.

Like a spectator of a disaster movie disengaged from reality, Fleur watched her body hurtle into the dark abyss. She viewed her plunge into oblivion with incredulity. The air rushed past her, almost solid as it rippled across her skin and forced acceptance of her fate. The fast water flow deafened her. The further she fell, the closer she got to its source. She cried in fear, but the sound sucked back into her mouth with the force of her descent. Fleur fell into a deep pool of icy liquid. Her body absorbed the water’s full impact. It cut her like a knife, sliced her delicate skin as it pounded against her. Her mouth and nose full of water, semi-conscious and almost drowned, Fleur thought of Lukas in a lucid moment before the darkness claimed her. She regretted her naivety about Xavier. The life she imagined with Lukas would never be a reality.

The water pressure on Fleur's body pushed her deeper, and she couldn't gulp the air she needed. Her lungs burned, desperate for oxygen, which made her mind confused and incoherent as she fought the waves of dark oblivion. The icy waters swirled around her. She couldn't die here.
Wake up
. Partial lucidity returned. She looked around and her spirit plummeted. The water appeared deep and dark. She couldn't get any visual bearings. Her extended hands and feet explored the immediate area. Lost in a liquid vacuum, she searched for a rock or other solid object. Her body’s strength, deprived of oxygen, deteriorated. Her limbs found more watery space, no lifelines. Fleur's lungs hurt now, confused, as the lack of oxygen forced her into unconsciousness. She must survive and see Lukas again. Her heart rate increased in a last ditch attempt at oxygenating her vital organs. Her mind blanked.

∞

“
What have we done?” Jasmine paced.

“We couldn't stop her, Jasmine. Lukas cares about Fleur. Maybe she's his soul mate. He will protect her with his life."

“Let's hope you're right." Jasmine ignored her unease.

Zane leaned over the hole and moved the finer earth with his hands. As soon as he pushed one pile of earth away, another filled the hole. “This would be so much easier in my wolf’s body.”

Jasmine stared at Zane, her face a dichotomy of fear and intrigue. Curiosity won. “Is it dangerous when you become a wolf? Can I watch?”

Zane couldn't hide his surprise. “It's private. Dangerous if you get too close.” Jasmine's expression mirrored her disappointment. Zane gave in. "All right, you can stay, if you’re careful. Whatever you see, and whatever pain I'm in, you mustn’t interfere.”

“I promise."

“I mean it, Jasmine. I’m out of control when I transform. I don’t want you hurt.”

“I promise no interference.” Jasmine raised her hands in surrender before she almost covered her eyes with them. “Zane!”

Zane removed his clothes with no embarrassment. She stood transfixed.

He removed his shirt and dropped it onto a nearby gorse bush. He undid his belt before he released the buttons of his jeans' fly.

Jasmine sighed. She averted her eyes when she saw Zane's amused expression. He taunted her with his beauty, and she fell fast. She heard the rustle of his jeans as they hit the ground and the smoother sound of his boxers as they slid down his muscular legs. Her body heated. She wanted his touch and taste.

“I'm decent. You can look now.” She turned back. No sign of Zane, only his clothes hung from the nearby bush proved he'd been there.

“Where are you?”

“I’m behind a rock. At least it will protect you from me.”

“Aren’t you cold?”

“Frozen, but I ruin enough clothes when I shift spontaneously."

“I never thought..."

“I can’t talk anymore.” The last word sounded more like a howl. Silence followed, broken with the occasional inhuman moan when bones cracked.

Jasmine blocked the sound. It sickened her. The noises stopped. She heard a rustle followed by a snuffle from behind the rock. She moved a little closer in case he needed help.

Jasmine froze in mid-stride.

A large male wolf appeared in her path. It stopped and tilted his head to one side. She should be frightened. A beautiful, rich pelt of silver-colored fur covered the wolf's huge body. The wolf's intelligence shone in his silvery-blue gaze which examined her with interest. They moved warily towards each other.

The wolf stopped a few feet away from the woman. Her move next. Jasmine extended her hand, and the wolf inched forward. He sniffed at her fragrant skin. Jasmine laughed nervously as the animal’s breath tickled her fingers. The creature stepped back and sat on his haunches. He waited. It must be Zane. She tiptoed forward tentatively and touched him. He bent his head and she stroked him. He pushed his fur against her palm as if he enjoyed the caress. The wolf could hurt her. She mustn't treat it like a pet. When the adrenaline kicked in, she withdrew her hand. The wolf stood. Jasmine retraced her steps. She maintained eye contact. The creature sprang forward and knocked Jasmine over. She screamed as she hit the soft, grassy earth but laughed as the wolf covered her face with soft, warm licks.

Jasmine gagged as his strong scent hit her. Acclimatized, she relaxed. Zane would never hurt her. Point made, the wolf stopped his impromptu face wash and lay down at Jasmine's side. She ran her fingers through his fur. The wolf growled with reluctant pleasure.

As the earth's dampness penetrated Jasmine’s clothes, she shivered. “I can't sit here. We don’t all have a thick fur coat.” The wolf stared at her as she brushed the dirt from her clothes. He sprang up and waited for her at the hole. She followed him. He dug deeper with his front legs. When he stopped, she saw a small mound covered with earth. It shimmered against the dark rocks and soil.

“It's the dragon egg, Zane.”

The wolf growled in response. He snuffled her pocket. Jasmine looked down perturbed. “Oh, you want my phone. I better text the others and tell them about this.” The wolf nudged her hand. He flopped down at her side. She looked across at him. Exhausted, his eyes closed as he slept.

*

The silver wolf dug the hole and moved the small rocks covered with dark earth. Zane revealed the dragon egg. He rubbed his face against her hand. Jasmine ran her fingers through his luxurious silver fur as she whispered excitedly in his ear, “Is this it?”

The wolf growled in response. He stepped away and allowed her better access. She leaned forward and peered into the hole. Earth covered the dragon egg, but its vibrant turquoise, almost-transparent shell shimmered.

“It's so beautiful, but it doesn’t seem real. I'm afraid it will disappear if I touch it.” The wolf opened his mouth. Jasmine's temper spiked. He was amused. “Don't laugh at me. I’ve never seen a dragon egg before so cut me a break.” In response, the wolf lay opposite the hole and stared at the large black rock in front of him. He moaned as if in pain. His shiny fur glowed luminescent. Its magnesium brightness increased until she looked away. Minutes later, the wolf disappeared and a naked, sleek, muscular man lay in front of her. She gasped, “Not again.”

Zane’s clothes still hung on the gorse bush. She threw them to him. “Get dressed. The others will be here soon. Mum said five minutes when I texted her. She must have met up with Lukas again. I wonder if Fleur is there, too.” Zane caught the clothes and dressed. Jasmine looked away; the man had no shame. She couldn't ignore his masculine beauty, tall, lean with wild, silver-blonde hair. She could imagine a future with this wolf. Dressed now, Zane walked across to her.

“So now we’ve found the dragon egg, we wait for Lukas.” He walked her towards a flat rock. “Let's sit down.”

He pulled her onto the damp rock. She didn't notice the rock's wetness. The heat in Zane’s wolf-gaze warmed her. He arranged his graceful body next to hers and embraced her in his strong arms.

“I don’t want you chilled.”

No danger of being cold, more of overheating. She didn't argue and leaned against him, content.

*

Lukas stopped. Stones and loose earth scattered across the path where he stood too debilitated for further movement. The pain in his head was sudden and intense. Random emotions coincided with each thump inside his skull: distress, horror, despair. The angst's source was unclear. He looked at Grace when she touched his arm with her tiny hand. He saw her eyes glaze as the pain filtered from his subconscious. She confirmed his suspicion.

"It's Fleur. She's frightened. She's in danger, Lukas."

Lukas couldn't speak. The impact of Fleur's message devastated him. Inside her head, he saw what she did. There couldn't be any doubt. Their psychic union was indicative of the symbiotic tie found between soul mates. Lukas' fears grew. The beep of a text echoed around the hillside, an alien noise amid the wind, rain, and screeches of birds. Grace read the text.

“It’s Jasmine. They’ve found the dragon egg.”

“Is Fleur there?"

“They didn't say. I'll ask."

“Tell Jasmine you’ll be there in five. Let’s hope it’s not a trap.”

Grace texted. Lukas quickened his pace, still uneasy. Lukas experienced a sharp burst of pure power as he crossed the final few feet of stony path. A vision of Fleur appeared in his mind. She looked ethereal, more delicate than he remembered. The image niggled at him. She looked like an angel. Was she hurt, or worse, dead? His head filled with pain, like a migraine at full-tilt. His breaths were shallow as he drew the necessary air into his lungs. His subconscious queried why he couldn't breathe. The vision receded, but left him shaken and shocked. Fleur fought for every breath. Impotent anger filled him; he didn't know where she was.

*

The weather deteriorated. Mother Nature already feared the dragon egg's loss. Xavier crouched behind a rocky outcrop, invisible from view. He could maintain his human form for short periods. The inner demon exerted its power at will. Xavier's complete meltdown left him frustrated with the outcome. Fleur knew he'd impersonated Lukas. He reverted to his demonic form in front of her. Somehow, Fleur eluded him. He followed her into the wood as she fled from him, but lost her. The tangle of twisty trees shielded her. She escaped before he reclaimed his human persona. The inner demon revelled in his destructive fury. He would recapture Fleur and strip her of her clothes and her humanity. She would beg for death before he finished with her. He smiled. Revenge calmed him, controlling the inner demon. He must find Fleur and desecrate her in front of Lukas. When the dragon begged him for her release, his lust for retribution would be satisfied.

He found the cave entrance once he regained his human form. His senses told him she would not run there. He doubted she would she enter the dark cave alone. Not a solitary creature by nature, he reasoned Fleur would seek her friends' protection when she escaped from him. He must know if they had found the dragon egg yet. He retraced his steps and looked around. No sign of Fleur. The red-haired witch and the wolf-shifter sat on a flat rock alongside the hole, deep in conversation. Xavier listened. The demon clawed his insides. It wanted out. The crunch of small stones underfoot alerted them to his approach. The couple looked round. He followed their gaze and saw Lukas and Grace.

“You've found the dragon egg,” Lukas said as his gaze scanned the immediate area. "Where's Fleur?" He squatted and removed the last grains of earth from the dragon egg. The shell's color intensified to a vivid turquoise as Lukas removed it with care.

“You know Fleur's not here.”

Xavier slipped away before the dragon sensed his presence and the storm broke.

*

Lukas sprang up. “She must be," his clipped voice evidenced his suppressed fears and temper. His gaze darted around as if Fleur would materialise before him. He sensed the presence of evil: Xavier.

Jasmine met Lukas' imperious stare.

"She left with you about an hour ago, before we found the dragon egg."

“She didn't.” Lukas paled until the blood vessels under his skin gave it a green hue. "Xavier must have her. This is the first time we’ve spoken since breakfast.”

Zane glanced across at Jasmine.

“She's right, Lukas. Fleur left with your doppelganger.”

Lukas’ inner dragon roared with fury as Jasmine and Grace nodded in reluctant agreement.

“I don't understand why he abducted Fleur, the only human, when he wants power.”Jasmine said.

Lukas slammed his hand against a rock in impotent fury. His last memory of Fleur when she kissed him goodbye flooded his mind. His heart shattered. The demon would steal her innocence and her humanity. If Lukas ever got her back, it would be as an empty shell. The dragon fire within seared his organs. Xavier would demand he relinquish the dragon egg for Fleur. He couldn't sacrifice the fate of so many for one woman.

*

Xavier watched the dramatic scene unfold from a safe distance. He hid behind the huge tree he’d used earlier. Lukas' arrival meant he couldn't capture the dragon egg. Now, he and the others knew about Fleur. Except, of course, the abduction failed. She roamed free, somewhere in the hills. Lukas' distress betrayed the depth of his bond to Fleur. If danger threatened his soul mate, this bond ensured her safety came at the top of Lukas' priorities. Xavier needed Fleur and the advantage she would give him with Lukas. He must return to the cave. An inhuman cry of fury disturbed him. He enjoyed the dragon's pain with elation. He risked a brief virtual voyage into the dragon’s psyche. His aura radiated negative energy. The choice Lukas faced: save his soul mate or fulfill his mission. Xavier didn't cloak his own aura. The angry cries stopped. He stared at the rocks; there was no sign of Lukas.

“Lost someone, Xavier?”

Escape impossible, the furious dragon man slammed him against the tree trunk. His bones cracked. The onslaught repeated with greater force, and his head and neck rocked on his shoulders. A human man would have lost consciousness, but the demon absorbed every punch as his face lost shape and definition. The inner demon fed on Lukas' hate and his pain. It poured its poison into Xavier. He retaliated against Lukas, forced him down. His kick didn't affect the dragon man's rock-hard muscled body. He focused his blackened eyes through the blood that gushed from his head wound. He aimed a kick towards Lukas' head. The dragon roared in pain. He shook Xavier's throat.

*

Xavier writhed. He gasped for breath.

“Lukas, stop.”

Lukas paused. “Why? He’s a demon. I’m in my human form. I can’t kill him, but he can suffer.”

Zane's wary approach betrayed his wolf heritage. He restrained Lukas with a firm hand on his shoulder.

“Calm down, rationalise. He can’t tell you where Fleur is if you obliterate his mouth.”

Zane’s wise words infiltrated the red haze in his mind. He looked at the demon's damaged face. Faint traces of classical Italian bone structure remained under the blood and swelling. With a supreme effort, he harnessed his primitive inner dragon. Although Xavier's death would fulfill his mission, it wouldn't appease his need for revenge. If he lost control, Fleur' chance of escape would be lost too. He needed answers from Xavier before he killed him.