Page 242 of On Wings of Blood

There was a shuddering roar. I watched Blake’s eyes widen.

But I already knew what was happening. Maybe part of me had known all along.

I watched Blake turn his head just in time to see the black dragon’s stone shell begin to crumble and the ancient beast beneath begin to move.

Layers of rock slid away from the dragon’s body, revealing sleek, midnight-black scales.

It shook its wings free from the debris, unfurling them with a powerful snapping sound.

With another, earth-shattering roar, the black dragon stretched its wings wide, blocking out the moonlight.

The sight was horrifying. Utterly magnificent. Utterly terrifying.

I pushed against Blake. “Move. Blake, move.” My voice was hoarse, desperate, and this time, he did as I said.

I scrambled to my feet, my body weak. I shook my head a little and stepped towards the dragon.

He was looking back at me.

The creature was immense. Seeing the skulls had been one thing. This was another.

His wings stretched wide, every inch covered in shimmering black scales, an impenetrable-looking armor.

His eyes were deep-set, reptilian, glowing like embers in the dark.

His head was long, graceful, and crowned with dark, spiraling horns.

He lowered his head slightly and his jaw parted, revealing rows of razor-sharp, white teeth.

My heart raced, but still I took step after step towards the dragon.

Then I heard him speak.

“Thank you for waking me.”

I froze. He was speaking in Classical Sangrathan, his mind to mine.

“I didn’t wake you,” I replied, my voice trembling slightly. “I think perhaps there’s been some mistake.”

“No mistake.” The dragon’s head tilted slightly, eyes narrowing as he regarded me. Despite his massive size, there was an elegance to his movements. “You spoke the words. You severed the binding. You brought me back.”

“I don’t understand...” I began. Then my thoughts flew back to the incantation I had performed in the very same courtyard, months ago. The one I had used to break the soul-binding.

“By blood and breath, by night and sky,” I whispered. “The binding of souls I sever.”

The dragon inclined his head slightly.

“Let what was trapped be freed to fly,

No longer bound forever.

From heart to soul, from blood to bone,

Let life return where stone has grown.

What’s locked away, now shall take flight,

Awakened be the soul tonight,” he recited. “Old words. Powerful ones.”

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