It made two large swooping circles, drifting lower with each one. Its head was pointed down as its large, snake-like eyes searched for its prey. On the third swoop, it seemed to pause in midair, its great wings flapping, holding itself in place. The beast’s eyes narrowed as he stared straight at where they were standing.

  “How is it that there aren’t humans freaking out all over the place over a great big dragon being in the sky?” Lilly asked as they continued to watch the hovering beast.

  “The draheim are magical creatures. They can only be seen by those who believe there is such a thing,” Thalion explained.

  “Thalion, I noticed a small clearing about two miles east of here. I think it would be wise to lead the draheim there before we take it out.” Cypher’s eyes never left the sky as he spoke.

  “Agreed.” It was the last word said before the draheim took a nose dive straight for them.

  Cypher grabbed Lilly and threw her over his shoulder in one fluid motion as he took off.

  “Here we go again,” Lilly yelped and grabbed onto his waist to steady herself.

  The elves and Cyn were running alongside Cypher, having no trouble keeping up with the warlock.

  The loud swooshing of wings caused Lilly’s head to snap up. Her pulse raced as she looked into the eyes of one very ticked off dragon.

  “If you don’t mind, could you go a little faster, please?” She tried to yell as she bounced against Cypher’s back.

  “WHAT?” She heard him yell back.

  “FASTER! RUN FASTER!” She screamed.

  She felt Cypher pick up his speed and still the draheim seemed to be gaining on them.

  Lilly swatted her arms at the hulking beast. “Shew, shew, go on, nothing tasty here to eat.”

  Well, that didn’t work nearly as well as it does on the neighbor’s cat, Lilly thought. Her only consolation was that the creature had to stay just above the tree line. Its monstrous body wouldn’t fit in between the trees. Suddenly a ferocious roar filled the air.

  “MOVE!” Thalion yelled. The group began weaving in and out and around trees. Like a synchronized team, they moved with such fluidity that an onlooker would have thought them performing a well-rehearsed routine.

  “WHY ARE WE WEAVING?” Lilly hollered. The answer came without anyone speaking. A blaze of heat hit Lilly’s face as she watched the dragon rear its head back and blast fire from its mouth.

  “Are you freaking kidding?” She yelled, this time to no one in particular. “It’s not enough that it’s a huge, flying, nearly impossible-to-kill, dragon. No, it just had to have the added bonus of breathing fire!”

  “Well, it is a dragon after all,” Cypher, grunted. Lilly felt herself being lifted from over Cypher’s shoulder as he put her on her feet and she saw that they had reached the clearing. Cypher pushed her back into the cover of the trees and pointed at her.

  “Stay.”

  She crossed her arms across her chest as she glared at him. “I’m going to let that one slide since there is a gigantic freaking, fire breathing dragon flying behind you. Cypher swung around to see the beast diving into the clearing.

  Cyn and the elves had all raised their bows as they stood as a united front against the draheim. Before any of them could get a shot off, the dragon roared more fire at them. They dove in different directions barely avoiding the blaze. Cyn was motioning with her hands and her mouth was moving as she faced the now burning trees and foliage. Lilly watched in awe as a light shot forth from Cyn’s hands. The light wrapped around the fire, enclosing it in a shimmering cocoon. Immediately, the fire began to shrink until it was gone. The dragon’s head whipped around to Cyn and Lilly almost laughed at the comical expression on its face. She was sure that the beast would have yelled, “And who the hell are you?” if it had the ability to speak. The draheim landed and the ground shook under its great weight. The elves had spanned out and were re-notching their bows. But, before they could loose the arrows, the dragon turned abruptly, using his long powerful tail to knock them off their feet.

  Lilly covered her mouth as she gasped. “Ouch, that has got to hurt.”

  Cypher avoided the tail and finally fired an arrow. Lilly held her breath as she watched the arrow sore up, up and hit the dragon, only to fall uselessly to the ground.

  Cypher looked at the arrow he had shot, that now lay on the ground. Before he had time to digest this information, he heard Lilly’s voice as she yelled, “Incoming!” He turned just in time to see the destructive tail headed his way. He lunged upward with his powerful legs and tucked into a roll as he cleared the tail and landed on the ground, rolling up as the motion carried him. He ran over to where Thalion stood aiming his bow at the neck of the draheim.

  “I shot him and the arrow bounced off,” Cypher told the elf.

  “You have to aim for its neck. It’s the only place where the protective scales can be penetrated.”

  Cypher growled. “You didn’t think to tell me that before we were dodging his fire and tail?”

  Thalion shrugged. “You’re a warlock; you should know these things.” He let the arrow loose and it flew with exact precision to the weakest scales of the neck. The arrow looked so small and insignificant when it pierced the tough skin, but the shudder that ran through the beast revealed the power behind the weapon. It roared in anger, stomping its feet, causing the elves to dodge left and right. Cyn narrowly missed being squished like a bug as she rolled under the dragon. The arrows began to fly in rapid succession as they took advantage of the distraction caused by Thalion’s shot. Fire flew from the beast’s great mouth and its body swayed with every arrow that pierced its neck. Cyn managed to run out from under its belly and began sending out more light that was magical to put out the flames before they could spread into the surrounding forest.

  As more arrows penetrated the draheim’s neck, it began to stumble, roaring, and thrashing wildly. Blood began to spurt from the wounds, showering down upon warlock, elf, and Fae alike. Lilly watched the beast weaken and part of her ached at the thought of the life leaving another living being. She unconsciously stepped out of the cover of the forest, wishing there was some way that they could spare the dragon, but knew it wasn’t possible. The draheim didn’t belong in this world, and, according to Cyn, it had been twisted into something evil. Evil could not be spared. It would spread like the fire that spewed from the jaws of the animal and burn down everything in its path. She hadn’t realized how far she had ventured from the trees until suddenly, a pair of glowing snake-like eyes had zeroed in on her. Lilly stopped in her tracks as the breath in her lungs became difficult to expel. She watched helplessly as, in an obvious last ditch effort, the huge draheim lunged for her, expelling flames from its mouth. Lilly’s blood was pounding in her head, muffling her hearing. She heard, no felt, the beast’s roar cascade over her. It fell before flames could engulf her and its jaws could snap onto her body. The monster hit the ground with a heavy blow, shaking the earth. The draheim let loose one more ear-piercing roar, which joined with the wicked flames before it came to rumbling halt a few feet in front of Lilly. Lilly’s eyes widened as she watched the flames rolling towards her. In her mind, she was yelling at herself to move her damn feet, but she just stood there. She closed her eyes as she felt the heat of the flames on her face, her hair blowing back from the force. She was sure that she would be fried to a crisp at any moment. All she could think was that she hoped that Jacque was all right and that she would live a long, happy life. She waited, frozen in place.

  After a few moments, when nothing happened, she finally opened her eyes. She could see Cypher running for her. The other elves surrounded the great beast, ensuring that it was no longer a threat. Lilly noticed that the beast still drew breath. She saw the flames flickering out, being held in midair just a few inches from her face. Protecting her from the flames was a bright shield of light. Lilly’s face broke into a huge smile as she turned her head to see Cyn aiming her hand at her. She gave Cyn a slight nod of thanks just as strong, massive arms wrapped around her, pulling her up until her feet no longer touched the ground. She pulled her arms out from the hold and wrapped them around Cypher’s neck.

  He buried his face in her neck, breathing deep, feeling her pulse against his lips. Alive, he thought, she’s alive.

  “Why didn’t you run?” He growled as he pulled his face back to look at her. Lilly’s breath caught as she saw the emotions swirling in his yellow eyes. “I was yelling at you to run Lilly. Why didn’t you run?”

  Lilly kissed him. He didn’t need her words, he needed reassurance she was there, with him, in his arms. Cypher held onto her as if his life depended on it. He breathed her in and drank her down with everything he had. All hell was breaking loose around them, but at that moment, there was just her and just him. Lilly finally pulled back and pressed her forehead to his as she tried to regain control of her ragged breathing.

  “I’m glad you’re alive too,” she grinned at him.

  Cypher closed his eyes as the images of what could have happened flipped through his mind like a gruesome horror movie.

  “Hey,” Lilly’s voice broke through his chaotic thoughts. “I’m here. I know I should have run and I was telling my chicken legs to get after it, but they wouldn’t move. I just stood there like I was eager to be barbequed.”

  Cypher’s lips lifted slightly, as he stared into her eyes. “So you’re okay?” He asked her gently, as his brow rose in concern.

  She nodded. “I’m good. How is everyone else?” She asked, looking over his shoulder.

  Cypher set her back on her feet and took her hand as he headed over to where Thalion and Cyn were standing. They all looked at the great creature lying before them, its breathing shallow.

  “Is there anything we can do to keep it from suffering?” Lilly asked.

  Cyn stepped forward and placed a hand against its huge head. The glowing eyes focused on her and Cyn could sense the peace that the animal was searching for. It didn’t like its existence any longer, didn’t want to be what it was.

  “Shh,” she told him, gently, “it’s over now. You can rest.” She sent a pulse of magic into him and with a final breath, he stilled.

  Lilly felt a tingling on her face. She looked down at her blood-soaked clothes, caked in bright red splatters that had fallen from the dragon. Her mouth dropped open as all traces of the beast’s life force vanished from her and her companion’s clothes, evaporating with a twinkle.

  ***

  “Still haven’t heard from Vasile?” Dillon asked Skender after a long day of training with the other wolves. Aside from a few fights between young wolves, over who was more dominant, things had been progressing smoothly. There was a sense of urgency and determination that kept everyone in the group focused. The Alphas had been sure to keep the wolves busy, rigorously training them daily, to near exhaustion.

  “No,” Skender’s voice was tense and Dillon could tell that the wolf was very worried.

  “I would like to say that no news is good news,” Dillon said, lightly.

  Skender continued to stare out of the window, into the trees beyond the mansion. Something was coming, he could feel it, and it was making his wolf restless.

  Dillon moved to stand next to him and brushed his shoulder against his. To a human, it would have been insignificant, but to the wolf in Skender, it was reassurance from an Alpha. That simple brush let him know that Dillon had his back. Skender let out a slow breath.

  “This is not my place,” he told Dillon.

  “Why? Because you aren’t an Alpha or Beta?” Dillon held his hands out wide. “You are in the exact position that you are supposed to be in and you are doing exactly what you are supposed to be doing at this moment, and you’re doing a damn good job I might add.”

  Skender turned to look at the American Alpha that he had grown to respect over the past couple of days, working with, fighting with, and learning to trust in battle. “You are a good Alpha, Dillon of Colorado.”

  Dillon laughed. “Go tell my wolves that.”

  “They know or they would not follow you, no matter how dominant you were.”

  Dillon gave Skender a slight bow of his head. “Thank you for that. Your Alpha will be proud to know how you have held things together, Skender. And, he will be back. Vasile is nearly impossible to kill.”

  Skender laughed then. “He’s too stubborn to die.”

  “His purpose in this life isn’t over,” said Dillon, growing serious.

  Skender’s head tilted with a slight frown slipping onto his handsome face. “How do you know?”

  “Because I have to believe that someone who loves his people so fervently and would protect them against all odds can’t possibly be taken from us when we need him most.”

  Chapter 14

  “My skin crawled as my wolf perked up. I knew something wasn’t right. She was too far ahead of me for me to reach her and even if I had, I couldn’t have touched her. So I had to watch what had only been an illusion created by my mind, now become reality before me.” ~Vasile

  “We’re only a few hours walk from the mansion,” Peri told Alina as they continued to keep the brisk pace that they had maintained.

  “Are you trying to make a point or do you just feel the need to point out our current position in an effort to create small talk?” Alina raised a single eyebrow at the Fae.

  “Alina,” Peri said in a mock sigh, “where is the sweet, compassionate Alpha female we all know, and love?”

  Alina snorted. “She got locked in a closet when it became vividly apparent that our males would need to recover from their trial before they can kick the witch’s butt. And, in order for them to do that they all need a good swift kick to the ba—,”

  “Language,” Vasile growled, from several feet behind his mate.

  Alina held her hand up in the air and, much to everyone’s utter surprise, gave her mate the finger.

  “Did she, did, I mean seriously, she…” Jen sputtered, as she looked back and forth between Alina and a growling Vasile.

  “Yes, yes she did.” Jacque laughed.

  “It’s official, Alina. You’re my hero,” Jen shot a fist in the air with a loud “Whoop!”

  After several minutes of the girls chattering back and forth about Alina’s retaliation, the group became quiet. They walked in silence. Soon, the only sounds were their breathing and the crunching of the ground beneath them. The air had grown still without so much as the rustling of leaves and the bird’s song that had filled the darkening sky had become silent. The silence was broken by an earth-shattering scream, and then another and another.

  “ALINA!” The sound of Vasile’s voice rose above the screams of the females as they, one by one, collapsed.

  Peri turned as she watched the last one fall. It was so fast, between one breath and the next, and all six of the mated females were writhing on the ground. She closed her eyes and felt the energy around her. Dark magic was clearly at work.

  Costin was behind Vasile when he heard the screams. He didn’t have to see Sally to know that something was happening to his mate. He felt his own heart skip a beat and nearly stop when he saw her small form hit the ground. It was happening again, only this time it was real. She was screaming, tears flowing down her cheeks as she wrapped her arms around her midsection. He ran for her, not worrying about where his feet landed. All he could see was her; her brown hair spilled carelessly across the ground, her tan skin taking on a green tint even as her lips were turning blue. He fell to his knees before her and reached for her. When his hands touched her, he felt a pulse of electricity rip through him and throw him back. He cried out. A chorus of cries rang through the air as the other males tried to touch their writhing mates. He looked over to Vasile and saw that the Alpha looked as helpless as he felt.

  “PERI, FIX THIS!” Vasile growled.

  “Don’t you think I’m trying, dammit,” the Fae yelled back. Her lips moved quickly and the stones of the Fae had appeared in her hands.

  Peri reached for the magic of her people, the magic in the stones, and she tried to fight against the darkness that was weaving a spell around the females. It was a twisted web that kept getting tighter and tighter. When she realized she could not break it she decided to focus on trying to break the pack magic that kept the males from being able to touch their mates.

  “Peri, what is going on?” She heard Adam’s voice next to her but didn’t open her eyes.

  “Desdemona, she’s done something to the females, I can’t fix it.”

  “Yet?” Adam asked, desperately.

  “I don’t know, Adam. I’m trying to figure out a way to allow you males to touch your females. If I don’t I’m afraid that I just might be facing my death in the freaky glowing eyes of an Alpha.”

  She didn’t open her eyes, but she knew that Adam was no longer standing beside her. Peri squeezed her eyes tighter and sought out every ounce of magic inside her ancient being. It wasn’t enough.

  Why won’t you help them? Peri reached out to the Great Luna. They’re your children, why are you letting them suffer?

  She didn’t expect an answer, but she got one.

  Evil exists in their world and because of that, they will face many trials. Pain will be their friend all too often, but it is how they handle those trials and what they do with the pain that will determine who they will become. I love them too much to cripple them by removing this thorn. Allowing them to endure struggles is not because of a lack of love. It is because I love them that I allow them to struggle so they might gain the strength to do what is necessary. The wolves have free will and they can choose to depend on me as their creator. They can choose to ask me for help or they cannot.

  Peri frowned. And, what about the times you don’t help? What about the times your answer is no?