Page 102 of Crown of Slumber

But I had a dragon at my side. And once Aurelia was freed, she could help, too.

We could do this.

And even if the odds were against us, I would die before leaving Aurelia to this fate. The knowledge pulsed through me with quivering intensity. The conviction, the truth of my feelings for her, startled me.

I was in love with her. Desperately and hopelessly. I would do anything for her.

My grip on my sword tightened. I nodded once at Mal, who inclined his head, his golden eyes glittering with malice.

Together, we stepped into the room.

Tears streamed downmy face as I hopelessly thrashed against the ropes. Blood ran down my arms and legs from the restraints cutting into me.

I tried summoning my dark powers to no avail. I thought of the rage that had consumed me before I’d set the goblins on fire, or the burning sensation that swept over me when Fenn had marked me with the rune.

But nothing happened. I felt nothing but hollow inside. It was as if the air here stifled my magic.

I was powerless.

Awareness crept into the corners of my mind, and I froze, sensing a new presence. A presence I knew better than anyone.

The faint smell of sulfur met my nose, and I drew in a sharp gasp.

Mal.

I glanced around, unable to believe it. It was impossible; Malcouldn’tbe here.

But as I twisted my head around, I made out a dark shape looming near the entrance of the cave. The gleaming dark scales were unmistakable.

A surprised breath whooshed from me, and I almost laughed with relief. But Mal’s movements were slow as he crept forward, no doubt hoping to surprise the ogres.

“Hey!” I shouted before I could stop myself. The fabric in my mouth muffled my outburst, but several ogres stiffened from the sound nonetheless. I wriggled on the stone slab, trying to spit thefabric out, pushing it with my tongue. It slid down to my chin, and I shouted, “Stop! You have to stop this, or you all will die!”

A few ogres exchanged wary looks. The one in front who had spoken to me continued chanting, his eyes narrowing at me in suspicion.

“My power will obliterate youall!” I roared, my voice echoing and bouncing off the cavern walls. “I will destroy you! All of you! This place will burn, and I will only watch as the flames consume you.”

Two ogres shifted their weight on their feet, clearly uncomfortable. It made me wonder if they could understand my words, or if the shrill volume of my voice distressed them.

It didn’t matter. It was only a distraction.

Mal’s claws scraped on stone, and an ogre in the back turned at the sound.

I unleashed a scream, the sound ripping from my throat and splitting the air. The circle of ogres scattered, some diving for the ground, and others clamping their meaty fists over their ears. A few roared in agony. The leader surged toward me, eyes blazing as he tried to shove the fabric back into my mouth.

I only continued screaming, turning my head away from him. He slammed his fist into my jaw, and I groaned, my scream cutting off as pain split through my head.

Before he could shove the gag into my mouth, a dark shape barreled into him, tackling him to the ground.

Mal.

The dragon gnashed his teeth, snapping and snarling as the ogre’s thick hands clamped around his mouth to stop him from tearing off his face.

The remaining ogres sprang into action, rushing to their leader’s aid. I struggled uselessly against my restraints, desperate to help.

With a loud squelching sound, one ogre lost its head, and I froze, eyes wide. The creature’s headless corpse fell to the ground, revealing Fenn wielding his short sword, his expression twisted and murderous.

My breath caught in my throat.Fenn had come for me.

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