Page 142 of Haunted

I focus my darkness. I must recover my strength. Playing with Cephias when I have a greater task to accomplish is foolish.

Hostility reaches me from where Aneirin protects Cephias in the middle of the battlefield, an emotion more forceful above all the turmoil around us. The emotion of blood boiling for justice.

By hurting Cephias, I’ve pissed off Aneirin.

Caedryn! I hear him through Cephias. You coward!

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All around, the battle rages. King Sieffre and his men retreat into the mountain pass between kingdoms and hold their position. His son, Kelyn, fights beside the king. It should be a straightforward matter to annihilate them. Any moment now.

My war machines are smoking at the edge of battle. General Gethen’s army is scattered. As more dragons charge into the fray, they slaughter the rear of Gethen’s infantry, smashing men aside with their deadly claws.

I use my flagging strength to fuel my fury. My purpose is renewed when I feel my daughter’s approach. I send for her, feeding my essence to her across the expanse. She is here to face me. I might as well propel her onward.

Seren breaks off from the rear of their formation and heads toward me. Her stone is around my neck with Cephias’s, and I send her a flash of her mate sprawled on the ground, unconscious.

When she roars, her pain echoes across the battlefield for everyone to hear.

I’m dismayed when I sense Aneirin’s determination and anxiety approaching. He wants to fight.

Come at me!

Ahnalyn reaches me first.

Seren’s claws are poised for the kill as she zooms forward. She’s going to plow me over. I don’t flinch, only move next to the magically bound man beside me.

A smirk curls my lips as Ahnalyn realizes who it is.

Both of your fathers are here to greet you, Ahnalyn darling.

“Seren, no!” Ahnalyn cries. “That’s my father. Slow down, or you’ll kill him!”

Seren slows, and when she lands, she lashes out with her tail. I push it aside with a powerful energy thrust. Seren loses her balance, nearly throwing Ahnalyn off, but regains her footing by gripping the ground. A deep growl rumbles from Seren’s throat.

“You’d be dead before you tried another attack.” I nod to my child. “Ahnalyn, daughter, I’m so glad to see you again.”

Owein squirms beside me and pries at his throat, drawing Ahnalyn’s attention. He’s bound by only my darkness, which slowly crushes his trachea.

“Let him go! Why’d you bring him here?” Ahnalyn hisses as she slides off Seren’s back.

“Insurance. It would seem the dragon riders have the upper hand.” I laugh and spread my arms apart, looking into the sky. “Not for long.”

The surrounding air fills with static as I open a conduit and channel the elements. Grim clouds form over the battlefield, casting everything pitch-black. A torrential downpour follows a low rumble of thunder. The landscape sucks up the moisture, and visibility diminishes to nothing with the heavy sheeting rain.

Ahnalyn screams. “Stop this! Stop this right now!” She swipes at the water streaming down her face.

I shout an ancient command in the Creator’s tongue. Dozens of lightning bolts light up the sky. They strike several dragons and drop them to the ground.

“Stop! You’ll kill them,” she shrieks.

“That’s the idea, Ahnalyn, my darling.” I blink back the rain blinding my vision. “If I can’t have a dragon, I’d rather see the rest of them dead.”

This is a lie. I’d rather see them all under my command.

Light flares across the darkness as riders and dragons take the battle to the field. The torrent and the lightning flashes are too dangerous for flight, but the storm continues to pound. Thunder booms. The commotion is deafening, but it doesn’t stop the fray. Men continue as unbidden, ferocious animals.

I cannot hide my pleasure as Gethen’s men rally.

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