Page 13 of Crown of Envy

“A dragon,” Lisa whispered.

Shit. Shit. Shit.

My stomach churned with fear and adrenaline, but I pushed it aside, focusing instead on the task at hand. My mind raced, and a cold sweat broke out on my forehead. Maci was coming, and I knew she wouldn’t be coming alone. She must have an army of demons with her, their dark forces ready to descend upon us.

They were after the mirror, that much was clear, but fierce determination surged through me. We wouldn’t hand it over without a fight.

CHAPTER EIGHT

As we rushed into the room, our gazes locked on the mirror. The surface shimmered and rippled, and slowly, an image began to take shape. At first, all I could see was a dark, looming shadow, but as the picture clarified, my heart nearly stopped.

It wasn’t Maci or a horde of demons but a majestic purple dragon soaring through the sky. Its scales glittered in the sunlight, and its powerful wings beat the air with effortless grace.

Zara had been hovering around the mirror. Her brows furrowed as she stepped closer and tilted her head. “Is that…”

“A purple dragon. It’s Chelby,” I whispered. “The queen of the Court of Blossoms.”

Damon released a low whistle. “Well, I’ll be damned,” he muttered, running a hand through his short, spiky hair. “Never thought I’d see a friggin’ purple dragon, especially one that’s a queen showing up on our doorstep.”

A wave of relief washed over me, followed quickly by a surge of confusion. Why would Chelby be coming here, and what did her appearance mean for our quest? I glanced at the others, seeing the same questions reflected in their eyes.

I swallowed hard, my mouth suddenly dry. Whatever Chelby’s arrival meant, one thing was clear. Our journey was about to take an unexpected turn, and the stakes had gotten even higher.

Damon crossed his arms, his jaw clenching. “Well, looks like we’ve got our work cut out for us,” he stated gruffly. “If a dragon queen’s involved, you can bet your ass this ain’t gonna be a cakewalk.”

He turned to me, his blue eyes intense and focused. “We’ve got this, Sawyer. We’ve faced worse before, and we’ll face worse again. And if Chelby’s on our side, we’ve got a powerful ally in our corner.”

“Wait a minute.” Zara’s eyes widened as she pointed at the mirror, her voice trembling with excitement. “Is that a guy on a flying horse?”

I nodded. “That’s Jonas, her mate, and his pegasus, Zeus,” I explained, my heart quickening at the sight.

Brody’s brows furrowed, his mouth set in a grim line as he headed outside. “Something’s wrong,” he muttered, his steps quickening.

We were all right behind him. High in the sky was a dark shadow. The elegant purple dragon descended with Jonas and Zeus close behind.

Chelby landed behind the manor, her massive form casting a shadow over the grounds. In a shimmering instant, she shifted into a naked woman that resembled Aphrodite coming out of the shell, her skin glistening in the sunlight. I averted my eyes, remembering that when shifters changed from their animal form, they emerged in their birthday suits, leaving nothing to the imagination.

Jonas slid off Zeus and wrapped Chelby in a cloak. “We’ve got some news for you.”

I stiffened, waiting for something dreadful.

Chelby stepped forward, her gaze heavy with foreboding news. “We’ve discovered the location of the catacombs,” she whispered. “But there’s a catch.”

Damon’s eyebrow arched, a sardonic smirk at the corners of his mouth. “Of course there is,” he drawled. “What is it this time?”

Chelby drew a deep breath. “The entrance is hidden within the Forest of Shadows. It’s cursed, and some people have disappeared into the catacombs, never to reappear. It’s protected by ancient magic and traps.”

She reached into her cloak and produced a small, ornate box. The intricate carvings on its surface seemed to shift in the flickering torchlight. “You’ll need this.” She pressed the cool metal into my palm.

I ran my fingers over the box, feeling a faint vibration from within. “Inside is a compass that will guide you through the forest,” Chelby continued. “But only if you’re pure of heart.”

With trembling hands, I opened the box. The golden compass inside pulsed with an otherworldly light, its needle quivering as if alive. “What’s the catch?”

Chelby’s gaze bore into mine. “The compass is enchanted. It will lead you true, but it will also test your resolve. If any among you harbors ill intent or deceit, it will lead you astray, directly into the traps.”

Damon growled. “Great, more magical tests,” he spat. “Anything else we should know?”

Jonas stepped forward, his weathered face grim. “Yes.” He nodded solemnly. “There are creatures within the forest that will try to deceive you. They can take on the appearance of your loved ones, your worst fears, anything to throw you off course.”

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