The 13th Prophecy (21 page)

Then, without a sound, the Omen narrowed its body and flew into the open roof. Kreturus stood there, stunned, staring at it. It landed between us, crushing the dead Dreanok with his massive claws. I didn’t care what Kreturus thought this thing was. It liked me, and leaving with him was better than staying here. As I climbed onto his back, I glanced around quickly. Eric and Collin were watching. Their wide eyes were focused on me. I only hoped this beast could take me where I needed to go and that they had the sense to meet me there.

The beast flapped his wings once, then twice, before we lifted off. It was then that Kreturus decided to move. His hand still held the ball of Celestial Silver. He spoke an incantation into it just as the Omen started to beat his wings. The silver ball glowed bright blue and was dripping with something. I could actually see it drip down onto the ground as it flew through the air at me. It would hit. I couldn’t stop it. My stomach clenched. At the same time the silvery ball left Kreturus’ grip, something moved. I couldn’t twist my head to see. The ball was coming too fast. It would knock me from the
dragon’s
back. At least, that’s what I thought it would do.

I was wrong.

The dripping blue ball flew closer and closer. We were barely off the ground. Attempting to use my powers to stop it, I tried and failed. Kreturus made certain that I couldn’t defend myself. On instinct I covered my face as the ball was about to collide with my body. But before my face was covered, a flash of cinnamon hair flew past. Shannon. Her body sprung from the ground, using
Martis
power to gain enough height, and was suddenly in front of me. The ball collided with her chest as her body flew in front of mine.

On contact, her skin hissed. Black veins
spidered
out, covering her body as she screamed. Shannon’s body stopped its arc through the air and fell. It was like she was hit by a truck filled with poison. Her body cracked as it hung suspended. Agony creased her face, closing her brilliant green eyes. One minute Shannon was close enough to reach out and touch. The next, she was laying on the ground convulsing. Her hair spread around her head like a halo. Her limbs twisted in unnatural directions. The ball forced her to the ground, crushing her bones. She no longer moved. Breath did not fill her lungs. Wide green eyes stared blankly, no longer seeing. The brimstone dust and sapphire serum Kreturus put into the ball worked its way further into her dead body. My jaw hung open, watching her, waiting for her to jump up—but she didn’t. The black lines continued to grow, covering her body in a black web of poison until there was no fair skin remaining. The fourth flap of the Omen’s wings put us out of the hole in the ceiling and into the night sky. As we lifted away, I felt the jarring sensation of Kreturus’ spell trying to hold me in place. The dragon turned his head and violet flames shot from his snout. The sensation stopped, and the spell broke. Clutching his back, I leaned down, pressing my body to the dragon so that Kreturus couldn’t try to hit me again.

As we flew, my eyes stung. Wind whipped my hair wildly around my face. Every living creature that normally inhabited the skies gave us a wide birth, wanting nothing to do with us. I was on the back of the only thing that frightened Kreturus. And he saw that it touched me. That was when the Demon King hurled the death ball at me. He realized the beast not only sought me out, but was familiar with me. I didn’t scream as it landed. I jumped on his back like we were buddies.

Pressing my eyes closed, I rested my face against the beast’s cold scales. Shannon. Why did she do it? Did Eric compel her to do that? Or did she do it on her own? I didn’t know what to think. I couldn’t think. It was too horrible.

And I had the feeling that revealing my relationship to this beast just changed the game. Kreturus would no longer be hunting me with the intention of sharing my maturing power. Next time he saw me, I’d die.

CHAPTER TWENTY

The Martis scurried like ants when he hovered over their camp. It was luck that we found it. I had been thinking of the location of their camp, wishing I could
effonate
there when the dragon arched his wings wider and banked into a rapid turn. It was long after that, that I spotted the glimmering tents. They’d moved. Either that or this was a different camp. I didn’t know what to do. We circled high above, away from the sentry, waiting.
Thinking.

I spoke to the dragon as if he understood me, although I didn’t think that was entirely true, “We can’t land. I don’t know why they told me to come here. Or if this is even the right camp...” my voice trailed off. Wind tugged at my hair and stung my face. It was so cold. And this gown did nothing to keep me warm.

On the third pass over the camp, the wind abruptly stopped, and I sat on the dragon’s back suspended in air. Turning my head, I looked for the cause. An angel was nearby, causing this—freezing time. Her voice floated across the empty space, “Are you ever going to land?” It was Jenna Marie.

Turning toward the source of the sound, I saw her. She was in the air, high above the camp below, standing next to me. At least she appeared to be standing. A rush of relief shone on my face, “You’re alive! I though the Dreanok killed you.”

She hovered next to me. I looked behind her, wishing I could see her wings. She replied, grinning, “Nope.
Long story.
Are you coming or going? I can’t hold time like this forever and the beast you’re riding is strongly protesting what I’m doing. He’s going to flame me if I don’t release him this instant.
Land.
Come inside. See you in a moment.” Then she was gone, and the wind burst against my cheeks again, tangling my hair. The dragon snarled as if he was aware of the entire conversation and pissed off that something held him still like that.

“
Shhh
,” I patted his back trying to sooth him. “She meant well. Don’t kill her, okay?” I was half joking, but part of me was seriously asking. I didn’t know how the beast would react. In response the creature roared, making the most bone chilling sound I’ve ever heard.

He descended, gliding in slow circles toward the ground. As the camp became closer, I could see Jenna Marie’s familiar face. Standing next to her was Eric with a smirk on his lips. I smiled crookedly at him. My eyes darted between Martis, searching for Collin, wondering where he was. I half hoped that Kreturus’ words were lies, but something inside of me said that they weren’t. Apryl died. Valefar killed her. Eric led them there. I already knew this. Somewhere in the back of my mind, I knew Collin was also responsible. I just didn’t want to admit it. But until now, I didn’t know he was there. Somehow, thinking of him actually sitting there, and watching the Valefar destroy her—it damned him more. Searching the camp for his beautiful face as we sank lower and lower, circle by circle, I wondered what I’d say to him. Did Collin think this was in the past? Would I let it be? Could I do such a thing? Forgive someone that much? I didn’t think so.

My heart sank lower with each descending pass. The dragon was cautious, hesitant to land. I wasn’t sure why. Then it dawned on me. If this thing was the Omen, crossing his path had dire consequences. I cupped my hands and yelled down, “Clear the area, except for Eric.” I would have said Collin, but there was no trace of him. The Martis scattered. Jenna Marie, paused, but did as I asked. As soon as they left, Eric stood in the clearing alone. The dragon dropped out of the sky, landing lightly on his feet. Twisting my body, I slid off his back and into Eric’s arms. Stumbling, I landed my feet. Eric pulled me closer to him, to steady me. The dragon snorted a huff of hot air, warming my frigid skin and then took off. He disappeared into the night.

Eric’s hands were on my face, tilting my head up as he examined me. It was as if he expected me to be broken. I swatted at him and he stopped. Smiling, he said, “I wasn’t sure how you’d get here. Your pet followed you from the Underworld, huh?” He released me and stepped back.

I glanced over my shoulder, looking at the spot where the dragon had been. Ignoring his comment, I asked, “Eric, have you ever heard of the Omen?” His expression changed. His eyes darted into the sky, looking for the creature that was just standing before him.

Snapping his gaze back to me, he asked, “You think that was the Omen?” His voice rose, a tad higher than normal. Shit. Eric knew what it was. It seemed that he didn’t think it was possible until I suggested it.

Jenna Marie walked up behind me. “I’m guessing it was. It’s why he didn’t want to land. He didn’t want to cross paths with more people than he already had. That’s why you were able to stay, Eric. It wasn’t because you and Ivy are friends. That had nothing to do with it.” Eric bristled at her words. I was uncertain what had offended him. Jenna Marie stood before me. Golden blonde hair fell in her face. She made no attempt to push it back. Studying her, I noticed her downcast gaze. She didn’t look up.

Suspicious, I stepped toward her. Limp blonde hair dangled from beneath her flowered cap. The wind blew mine, but hers didn’t move. It clung to her face like it was weighed down, so it would stay in place... to conceal something. Reaching out, I moved my hand toward her face. Jenna Marie didn’t move at first. She just watched my hand move slowly toward her. When my fingers touched her hair, ready to move it away, her fingers wrapped around my wrist in a death grip and yanked them away. “Not today,” was all she said, and turned walking back into a tent.

A gust of chilling wind blew hard, kicking up the fallen snow as it rushed past. The wind was bad enough, but when it pelted me with snow I couldn’t stop shivering. Glancing at Eric, I asked, “She didn’t die? What happened to her?”

He nodded, his eyes darting toward Jenna Marie’s tent. The question was on my face, about to be asked when he replied, “The Dreanok scarred her. It didn’t heal. I don’t know why.”

Shivering, I wrapped my arms around myself. I stared at Eric for a moment. It was odd that he was the one here to welcome me back. It was strange that his were the arms to catch me and hold me. His amber gaze locked on mine as we stood there, in the frozen air, gazing at each other. I didn’t know what to say. And I was afraid to ask what I wanted to know. Did he sacrifice Shannon so we could get away? I broke the gaze and glanced away, rubbing my arms.

“We better go in,” I said, turning to follow Jenna Marie.

Eric’s hand shot out and grabbed me, spinning me around and into his arms. He was warm and I was so cold. I didn’t look up into his face until he spoke, “I didn’t make her do that. Shannon moved of her own accord. If Kreturus was trying to kill me, it is possible bloodlust would have made her move. But nothing but
her own
desire saved you.” His fingers tangled in my hair as I looked up at him. The words he spoke made me feel crazy. I didn’t know whether to be happy or sad. Shannon had already been dead to me. She betrayed me. But I couldn’t accept it. And when I finally did, she sacrificed herself for me. Eric spoke, breaking my thoughts, “You realized that Collin was there the night Apryl died. You realized it before now, didn’t you?”

I pulled away, my jaw hanging open. I wanted to say yes, but my expression clearly said no. Eric’s gaze rested lazily on my face, watching.
Waiting.
When I spoke, I didn’t answer him. Instead I asked, “Where is he?”

“He didn’t think you’d want to see him. Plus his origin is questionable, so they wouldn’t let him into the camp.” Eric saw my face light up with fury. What did he mean questionable? Collin was like me. None of us were Valefar. As I started to growl a retort, Eric reached out and grabbed my lower lip so I couldn’t speak. Irritated, I tried to pull away, but he held it, jerking me closer to his face. “You think I care what he is? Or what you are for that matter?” he released my lip. I didn’t move. I just stared at him.

“What do you mean?” Warm breath slid out of his mouth. He was so close to me. The anger that was trademark Eric was gone. Or I was looking past it. I wasn’t sure.

“At one point it mattered, and now it doesn’t.” His tone suggested
a finality
, ending the conversation, but I didn’t understand. He turned to walk inside.

Tugging his arm, I yanked him back around, “Wait.” Eric stopped, looking down at me with an expression that was unreadable. “I don’t understand. What do you mean?”

Eric’s gaze lingered on my lips while I spoke. Then he replied, “Ah, but I think you do.” Leaning closer, he pressed his lips next to my ear. He opened his mouth, like he was going to say something, but thought better of it and snapped it shut. As my mouth opened to ask him what he was going to say, he pressed his lips gently to mine, and pulled away quickly, grinning slyly. “You ask too many questions.”