Garrets voice turned serious. Not all dragons think that apparently.
No. I shivered a little as I rose and pulled the rucksack over my shoulders once more. The jungle seemed to close around us, reminding me why we were here. I guess not.
Riley walked back to us, breathing hard. He had tied a bandanna around his head to keep his hair back, but a few dark strands had poked out and stuck to his forehead. The white tank beneath his open, long-sleeved shirt was streaked with moisture. For the briefest of moments, in the shadows of the canopy, his eyes glimmered gold.
Warmth fluttered somewhere deep inside me, like a candle dancing in the breeze. The Sallithtahn, the life-mate bond, telling me that Rileyor rather Cobaltwas my Draconic other half. But it was weaker now. Barely a flicker, when before it had been a rushing, surging inferno of heat and desire. I had broken the Sallithtahn. I, as a dragon, had decided to be with someone else. To choose love over instinct. I suspected the Sallithtahn thing would never truly go away, and I doubted Riley would ever forgive me for rejecting him but, for now at least, the war and the threat of Talon took precedence over our petty squabbles and jealousy. We had to work together to survive. Alone, we didnt stand a chance.
Our guide says were almost there, Riley informed us, unscrewing the cap of his own canteen. Another forty-five minutes to an hour, according to him. He took a few quick swallows from the container, then raked a sleeve across his face. Man, I forgot how sucky the jungle is. Good thing Wes isnt here. Hed never stop complaining. Still have that compass, St. George?
Yes. Garret frowned slightly. Why? We have a guide.
Not anymore. Riley turned to glare at the guide, who was still hacking through vegetation and deliberately not looking at us. Theres some kind of statue marking the trail about a mile from here, and from then on, were on our own. He says the path keeps going, but he flat-out refuses to venture beyond that point.
Hes leaving? I scowled. That wasnt the deal.
Apparently it was. Riley replaced the cap and slung the canteen over his shoulder, his own expression disgusted. He said he would take us as far as he could. Well, thats as far as hes willing to take us.
Why?
Because, in his own words, beyond the statue is the territory of a god.
A chill crept up my back, even in the suffocating heat, and I swallowed. Then I guess were on the right trail.
Yep. Riley rubbed the back of his skull, looking both nervous and annoyed about being nervous. Never did like the idea of meeting a god. Somehow, I get the feeling gods just dont like me very much.
You? Garret asked, the hint of a smile crossing his face. With your complete disdain for authority figures? I dont see why that would be.
Ha, ha, laugh now, St. George. Well see how funny it is when were all piles of dust being scattered by the wind.
We started off again, walking single file down the narrow path, following our guide toward the territory of a god.
If possible, the jungle got even thicker, more tangled, with branches and vines clawing at us from either side of the trail. Our guide came to a sudden stop and murmured something I couldnt understand. Ahead, sitting to one side of the tiny path, a stone statue rose out of a cluster of vines and roots, the snarling visage of some scaly, horned creature peering out at us.
Riley cocked his head at the statue. Huh, he remarked. Is that supposed to be a dragon? It looks like a wild pig had a baby with an alligator.
I shook my head at him. Can you be any more irreverent? I havent been struck by lightning on this trip yet.
The guide turned, his dark face solemn in the shadows of the undergrowth. This is as far as I go, he said. From this point on, you only have to follow the path. I will wait here until your business is complete.
Riley frowned. I thought you said you served this master or god or whatever you call him.
I do. But I am simply his voice outside of the jungle. Only those who have been invited can step into his territory unharmed. Therefore, I will wait for you here. If you do not return by sunset, I will know you are not coming back. Now, go. He nodded down the trail. My master is not a patient god. It would be unwise to incur his wrath.
We went, slipping deeper into the jungle, venturing into the unknown. Into the territory of a god.
Almost immediately, I knew something was wrong. My dragon instincts stirred, edgy and restless, though I couldnt see anything unusual. But I could feel eyes on me. I could sense something watching us, stalking us down the trail, keeping just out of sight.
Garret moved closer, walking by my side, even down the narrow path. His eyes were hard as he murmured, Something is following us.
Yeah, I whispered back. My hand twitched, wanting to reach for the Glock hidden beneath my shirt, but I didnt want to give away that we knew we were being stalked. Should we tell Riley?
He knows, Garret replied, keeping his gaze straight ahead. His posture was calm, but I could sense the tension in him, ready to explode into action. Stay alert. Be ready to move when it happens.
As he said this, we entered a clearing, and figures melted out of the undergrowth. Tall, slender, with only a strip of cloth tied around their waists, they moved like ghosts, making virtually no noise as they stepped forward. Before we could say anything, they had surrounded us, and a dozen bone-tipped spears were leveled at our hearts.
Garret
Two weeks earlier
I stood in Gabriel Martins office, watching as the lieutenant walked into the room with a slight limp. He shuffled around the desk, then sat down with a grimace and eyed me across the wood. I stood calmly at attention, mostly out of habit, until he waved me into a seat.
Sebastian, he greeted as I settled into the chair. Youve come from the infirmary, yes? How is St. Anthony?
The same, sir, I replied. Tristan St. Anthony still lay in a coma, unmoving and unresponsive, much as he had the past two days. The fact that he was still alive at all was either a testament to his hardheadedness or his extremely good luck, for many of his severely wounded brothers had not survived that first night.
Stubborn bastard. He would have to make things difficult. The medic is going to give me an earful about moving him, Im sure. Martin half smiled, then shook his head with a sigh. Were leaving, Sebastian, he went on, sobering as he looked at me. Were too exposed here. Our numbers have been depleted, our defenses broken, and Talon still knows where we are. If they attack again, there is no way any of us will survive another round.
Yes, sir, I replied. Id suspected as much. Martin was right to leave, to gather the remaining soldiers and retreat to fight another day. We couldnt stand against Talon, not like this. I didnt like the idea of abandoning the base to the enemy, but I knew we had little choice. Where will you go?
Somewhere Talon wont find us. Martin sighed. The Order has several locations throughout the country, emergency safe houses that are meant to be used as a last resort. Weve never had need of them, until now. I plan to fall back to one of them, regroup and see about contacting the rest of the Order. If anyone in St. George survived, theyll be doing the same.
Somewhere Talon wont find us. Martin sighed. The Order has several locations throughout the country, emergency safe houses that are meant to be used as a last resort. Weve never had need of them, until now. I plan to fall back to one of them, regroup and see about contacting the rest of the Order. If anyone in St. George survived, theyll be doing the same.
Do you think there could be other survivors?
God, I hope so, Martin said. We cant be the only ones left. There have to be otherseven a handful is better than none. Talon couldnt have destroyed every single soul in St. George. What about your dragons? he asked. What will they be doing?
Riley is planning to leave, as well, sir. For the past two days, the rogue leader and the other dragons had been staying in the empty officers quarters at the far end of the compound. There were too few St. George soldiers left alive to even think about harassing them, but the dragons stayed deliberately isolated from the rest of the base. Dragons being allowed on St. George soil was still an alien concept to most of the soldiers, and neither Martin nor Riley wanted to take any chances. Soldiers were not allowed to venture to the dragons side of the compound, and the rogue leader had forbidden any contact with the rest of the base. Riley himself stayed as far away from the soldiers as possible, his inherent distrust of St. George and the desire to protect his underground making him reluctant to interact with humans, even Martin. Only Ember went between the two sides without fear, acting as a liaison between dragons and St. George, relaying messages and updates to them both. There had been hard eyes and wary glances whenever she walked across the yard or into a room, but so far there had been no real problems with having a dragon stroll freely through Order territory.
Of course, the remaining soldiers having seen the red dragon lead a counterattack against the horde that would have otherwise destroyed the base didnt hurt. Perceptions were changing. Slowly. Many of the soldiers attitudes had downgraded from openly hostile to merely suspicious. No one but Martin had spoken to Ember or the rest of the dragons since theyd arrived, but no one had openly threatened or mocked them, either. It was the best I could hope for.
Sadly, there were a few whose hatred had not waned, who despised the dragons and thought the Order should shoot them, and me, in the head while they had the chance. Thankfully, Martins authority over the Western Chapterhouse was absolute, and he was respected enough to be obeyed, even in the face of what would be considered extreme blasphemy. It didnt stop the men from talking, but it did prevent an all-out rebellion.
Martin rubbed his forehead. Go to your dragons, then, he stated. Talk to them. Find out what they intend to do. I wish I could promise them protection if they came with us, but you know the Order as well as I do. The soldiers here are one thing, but if we meet other survivors, Im uncertain I can convince them to listen to me, regardless of what happened.
Which is why well be leaving before we start getting shot at.
We turned. Ember and Riley stood in the doorframe, gazing at us. The rogue leader had a grim, almost defiant expression as he faced Martin. Ember gave him a brief, annoyed look before slipping around to stand beside me.
What Riley means to say, Ember broke in as Martins eyes narrowed, is that our people are nearly healed, and we should probably find a safe place for them before Talon comes after us again. If you are going to try to bring the Order together, its not a good idea for us to stay around, at least not initially. I dont think theyll be as...understanding as you have been, Lieutenant.
Riley smirked. I thought thats what I said.
We ignored him. Thats what I suspected, Martin replied, nodding. Understandable, of course, given the circumstances. When do you intend to leave?
Tonight, Ember replied. In a few hours actually. Jade and the others are well enough to travel, so well be leaving after sunset and driving through the night. You wont have to worry about us anymore.
Martin pondered this, then looked at me. And you, Sebastian? he asked, as Id known he would. Will you be going with them?
His voice wasnt angry or accusing, but my stomach tightened all the same. I could hear the hidden meaning behind his words. You are a soldier of St. George. This is your home, with the people who raised you. You belong here, with your brothers. You belong with us.
I hesitated only a moment, then nodded. Yes, sir.
There is no way I can convince you to leave with us? Martin continued, and before I could say anything, he added, We could really use your help, Sebastian, especially now. Your knowledge and expertise on the enemy is what kept us alive that night. Well, that, and the arrival of your dragons. One corner of his mouth quirked, very slightly, but just as quickly, he sobered. Id like to have you with us, Sebastian. I cant order you to come, of course, but St. Georgewhats left of it, anywaycould use all the help it can get.
Im sorry, sir, I answered firmly. But I dont intend to join the Order again. Id chosen my side, and St. George was no longer home. Though a small part of me wished I could go with him, if only to be a voice for the dragons, to continue the call for change, I knew beyond a doubt where my loyalties lay.
I see. He sighed again, but nodded. Well, take care, Sebastian. I dont know what the Order will do after this, if there is an Order around to do anything. But... His eyes shifted to Ember. I do know that things are going to change. For better or worse, Im not certain yet. He reached into his desk and pulled out a burner phone, then handed it to me over the surface. Take this, he said as I reached for it. It has one number on it. Use it if you need to contact me for any reason. Somehow, I have the feeling our paths will cross again.
Before I could answer, there was a knock, and Martins gaze rose to the door. Yes?
Sir! A soldier stepped into the room, pausing to give Ember, Riley and me a wary look, before turning to Martin. Lieutenant, he continued, the guards intercepted a man outside the gate. He wont say who he is or where he came from. All we could get out of him was that he has a message... His gaze shifted to Riley and Ember. For the dragons.
Riley
Well, this day had gotten weird.
A man was sitting quietly at the table in the conference room, flanked by soldiers of St. George. He was lean and bony, wearing a simple shirt and dark pants, and his skin was tanned and leathery. His hands were folded in front of him, his dark gaze staying fixed on the wooden surface until the four of usmyself, St. George, Ember and the Order lieutenant, Martinapproached and stood at the tables edge, facing him.
I am Lieutenant Martin, the officer began in clear, official tones. Current commander of the Western Chapterhouse of St. George. Who are you? What is it you want here?
At his voice, the man finally raised his head, his expression calm. But his gaze wasnt for the lieutenant, but for the red hatchling standing beside St. George.
Ember Hill, he said in a soft but perfectly audible voice. His dark gaze slid to me. Ex-Agent Cobalt. My master sends his greetings.