Page 107 of The Aurora Marelup Complete Saga Omnibus

Ellis almost chokes on his water when Klaus calls Aurora angel. Aurora’s eyes take on that ethereal glow. Before Ellis has the chance to put the glass down, Aurora freezes the water in his glass. “Be careful, marshmallow. You may float away,” Aurora says, then smirks. Her eyes fall on Alaric next. It’s his turn.

Alaric stands, and the room falls silent. He truly has the commanding presence of a king. Nicodeamus walks in and lays his hand on Alaric’s shoulder and gives him a nod. “All is in order; six species of dragon shall aid us in our attack. I will not name species in an open room, but we will have plenty of fire-power when we need it.” Alaric smiles and bows to Aurora. She smiles and shakes her head at him.

Carefully, Aurora slides off my lap only to lean on Dominik’s shoulders. “Thank you, gentlemen, for attending the meeting. Your contribution is most valuable in our future endeavors.” Aurora looks at everyone and claps her hands together once. “Okay, the meeting is over, and I need coffee.” Aurora climbs up onto Dominik’s back and smacks his ass. “To the kitchen!”

We all stare in silence, watching Aurora leave. “That’s our leader?” Jagger says under his breath.

We all heard him. Ellis, being closest, slams Jaggar’s head into the table on purpose, knocking him out cold. “Fucking cats. Why the fuck do we have them here? Shifty motherfuckers. We can’t trust them,” Ellis says, looking down at Jagger.

“Three hundred Tigers is three hundred potential problems. Nicodeamus, what’s your suggestion?” If anyone would have the answer, it will be the original Dragon King.

Nicodeamus looks at the dry erase board and starts calculating the numbers in his head. “We cannot allow those numbers to arrive here. If they were to turn on us at the wrong time, it could be deadly. I’ll handle it, don’t even mention that this conversation took place.” Nicodeamus’s features harden, and it’s suddenly obvious how terrifying he must have been in his prime. The old king leaves the room. With him, there are now more questions than answers.

Those that remain in the room watch Nicodeamus’s back disappear down the hallway. Not a single word is uttered between us as we look at each other. Alaric’s eyes cloud over for a moment before he and Dimitri move simultaneously to grab ahold of Jaggar and remove him from the room to points unknown. For now, I think I’ll head to the kitchen and catch up with my twin and mate.

CHAPTER 89

Erik

THE RECON –

Under the cloak of darkness,the night sky serves as our canvas as three mighty War Dragons soar through the air in perfect formation. Their massive wings beat rhythmically against the cool night breeze, propelling us forward with a sense of purpose and determination. It’s a sight to behold, the sleek, majestic creatures cutting through the darkness like shadows in flight.

We count ourselves fortunate that our queen has entrusted the War Dragons with the arduous task of carrying us to our destination. Their formidable strength and unwavering loyalty make them invaluable allies in our mission, allowing us to conserve our own energy for the challenges that lie ahead.

As we make our way toward the hidden Marelup castle nestled deep within the rugged mountains of Moldavia, anticipation courses through our veins like a wildfire. Fifteen of us have been chosen for this perilous mission, tasked withscouring every inch of the castle and its surrounding lands for any valuable information we can glean.

But our mission extends beyond mere reconnaissance. Tonight, we also have the important task of rendezvousing with the spies we left behind two weeks ago, gathering crucial intelligence that will aid us in our efforts to uncover the castle’s secrets.

As we draw nearer to our destination, the imposing silhouette of the castle looms ahead, shrouded in darkness and mystery. It’s a formidable fortress, its ancient stones whispering tales of centuries past, secrets waiting to be unearthed by those brave enough to seek them out.

In the distance, the imposing silhouette of the castle emerges from the clouds, its towering spires reaching toward the heavens like ancient sentinels guarding the secrets hidden within its walls. The sight is both awe-inspiring and foreboding, a testament to the castle’s storied history and the mysteries that lie waiting to be uncovered.

As Edgar and his team touch down in a secluded field below, we take to the sky, our wings beating against the air with a powerful grace. The night is alive with the sound of our flight, the wind rushing past us as we ascend into the darkness above.

High above the rugged landscape below, we spread out in search patterns, our keen eyes scanning the terrain for any sign of activity. The thermals are in our favor, carrying us effortlessly on invisible currents as we glide through the night sky, each of us searching at different heights simultaneously.

It’s a coordinated dance of movement and precision, our senses attuned to every shift in the air as we scour the landscape below for any clue that might lead us closer to our goal.

And then, at the base of the mountain, we spot it—the remnants of the tunnels that Nicodeamus spoke of months ago. The marking stone still stands sentinel over the entrance,a silent witness to the passage of time and the secrets buried beneath the earth.

But as we descend closer, we see that the entrance is now submerged beneath the waters of a natural spring, its once-hidden depths swallowed by the relentless march of nature.

As we cautiously circle over the dense cover at the base of the mountain, our keen eyes scan the rugged terrain below, searching for any sign of danger. The thick foliage provides ample cover for our teams, ensuring that they remain hidden from prying eyes as they prepare for the impending assault.

But amidst the tangled undergrowth, something catches my eye—a series of traps cunningly concealed among the rocks and foliage, poised to trigger an avalanche of rocks and mud at the slightest disturbance. It’s a clever strategy, designed to thwart any attempt at invasion and deter intruders from approaching the castle.

With a sense of urgency, I reach out to our Alpha, Arnulf, forging a mental connection that allows him to see through my eyes. I show him the traps, the intricate network of mechanisms hidden among the rocky terrain, and the peril they pose to anyone foolish enough to venture too close.

And then, amidst the silence of our mental link, I hear a feminine voice, smooth as silk, echoing faintly in connection with my Alpha. It’s a surreal experience, the sensation of sharing my thoughts and observations with another, and I obey without question as I change course and fly back toward the tunnels.

Several passes later, I’m instructed to resume my search of the mountainside, and I comply without hesitation, my senses alert for any sign of danger. As I circle the castle itself, a grim sight greets me—the road that once wound its way to the fortress has been utterly destroyed, the compacted stone roadway reduced to rubble by what appears to be explosions.

Huge holes and chunks are missing from the terrain, evidence of the devastating force unleashed upon the landscape. With caution, I continue my reconnaissance, circling the castle and landing on one of the lower windowsills to peer inside.

What I see confirms my suspicions—the first floor is submerged beneath at least six inches of water, a testament to the destructive power of the natural spring that feeds the castle’s moat. It’s a sobering sight, a reminder of the challenges that lie ahead as we prepare to confront the mysteries hidden within the ancient walls of the fortress.

As I fly to yet another window on the first floor, the room within appears to be relatively dry, save for a few scattered puddles that reflect the faint moonlight filtering through the glass. The air is heavy with the scent of age and decay, a tangible reminder of the passage of time and the neglect that has befallen this once-grand structure.

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