Page 70 of Blood and Bone

“My God, that’s terrible,” Eoghan said softly. “Did your enemies kill them…the dragons from earlier today?”

Invictus nodded and for the first time, when his eyes flashed with that brilliant orange circle, Ari saw the sadness there. It was terrible to see the pain etched all over the big dragon’s features. He couldn’t imagine the agony of learning that some enemy had simply decided they wanted his land, his cave, his wealth or whatever he had, and had come in and taken it, killing his family at the same time.

“My clan was very small and my enemies knew this. They waited until I’d joined Severin to visit the grizzly bear shifters to inquire about purchasing jade, and they invaded my home, killing everyone including the babes in the nursery. After I returned with jade to begin adorning my own home, I discovered my family. I buried them and came here to beg companionship with Severin,” Invictus said, glancing at Severin. “I was broken but this man has been a friend to me. He’s offered me solace and shelter ever since that horrible day.”

“I’m so sorry for the loss of your family, Invictus,” Eoghan said. He turned to Severin. “And your clan? Where are they?”

Severin shook his head. “I am the last of my clan. My family was killed off centuries ago and I took refuge on this mountain where I was alone until Invictus came to stay.”

Ari could see the pain in the dragon’s eyes. He couldn’t believe that both shifters had found each other in their questfor companionship. “Are your enemies the same as the ones who killed Invictus’ clan, Severin?”

The dragon nodded. “Yes, the very same.”

“Why can’t they just come in and take your treasure away from you when you’re not here?” Eoghan asked. “I know you don’t stay here all the time. You came to meet us, and you’ve been flying over the grizzlies’ reservation for the last four years. At least that’s what they told us.”

“Yes, we’ve been flying over their reservation since the breakdown in negotiations,” Severin said, frowning. “Our hope is to get more jade from them to continue this project, though, it’s nearly done. I already have enough to finish.”

“Okay, so you don’t need more and it seems like a dangerous thing to leave the caves especially if your enemies are out there waiting to kill you,” Ari said. “I don’t understand.”

“I am stockpiling jade as well,” Invictus said. “At least I was before my family was killed. Someday, I might want to build another palace and I’ll use the jade I buy from the tribe.”

“Why?” Eoghan asked.

“A little while ago, you asked why my rivals don’t just come in and steal my treasure,” Severin said.

“That’s right,” Eoghan said. “Why wouldn’t they do that when you’re busy elsewhere?”

“The jade you see here prevents entrance to the cave from anyone other than myself and those I invite.”

“Protects?” Ari asked. He stared for a few seconds as the two dragons nodded before looking at Eoghan. “Magic?”

“Yes,” Eoghan said. “I’ve heard of something like it before but I’ve never met anyone with a protected object, which is how I’d categorize this jade and I’vecertainlynever heard of magic that has the power to block entrance to a cave.”

“The jade possesses very specific and powerful magic for anyone who has been able to claim it,” Severin said. “Colt Wilkins knew of this which is why he kept raising the price each time I went to buy it.”

“Wow, that’s…that’s kind of crazy,” Ari said. “How do you think he found out about this magic?”

“My mate told him of it,” Invictus interrupted, drawing Ari’s attention. “It was inadvertent but after the fact, there was nothing to be done. Wilkins kept doubling the price each time we went back after that.”

“What a bastard,” Eoghan said.

“In more ways than one,” Ari agreed.

“I sincerely hope you can come to an equitable agreement with the rest of their tribe now that Wilkins is out of the picture…hopefully for good,” Eoghan said. “So, these rivals—enemies—who are they?”

“They come from a Russian clan. They migrated east and lived in Alaska for centuries. With global warming, Alaskan snows have begun to melt…whole glaciers have begun cleaving off skyscraper size chunks into the sea, so…our enemies migrated south,” Invictus said. “When they found Mount Shasta, they spotted my mate and he inadvertently led them back to our caves on the other side of this mountain. Since I hadn’t protected them with jade, the beasts simply strolled on in and wiped out my family.”

“It wasn’t your fault, Invictus,” Severin said. “You were in the process of getting the jade you needed. They were monsters and you were doing what’s right. You will have your revenge someday, my brother.”

“It’s a terrible story,” Eoghan said. “I’m so sorry that happened.”

“Yes, it’s terrible,” Invictus said, “and now, all hope is lost unless we can find a way to destroy them. I’m afraid it will takean army of men to kill them, but no one will come to our aid. Humans are too slow, and they will burn too quickly and as you both know, we’ve never been friendly with other shifters.”

“It’s hard for you to trust others,” Eoghan said.

Ari watched Eoghan but as he did, an idea began forming in his head. He turned back to the dragons. “You say the humans are too slow to be able to fight a dragon.”

“Too slow and…no offense, but way too weak,” Severin said.

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