Page 10 of Lyric

I screamed again, my fists pressed to the sides of my face, my body turning around and around.

Would I see death coming for me? Would I know when I had finally died? Maybe it would be like passing out. Like sleeping. Finally. And never waking up.

As Coltan’s shadow drew over me, wings bringing the dust of the clearing up and around me like a phantom whirlwind, I heard another distant roar.

I watched Coltan rise up just before he landed, turn his head and look in the direction of the sound.

I took that split second to dart away, screaming into the thicker trees.

Maybe, just maybe, I’d live a little while longer.

5

Lyric

Lyrican and I flew from Tsu’s offices and toward the distant forests. Even with Lyrican’s lingering pain, we moved quickly. He was still the fastest dragon in the world.

Technically, I supposed we were running away. When shifted, he had autonomy. He could decline an examination, or to fly. He had free will just as I did as a human.

I knew where we were headed. Back to the roost. It was Lyrican’s favorite place, and I'd admit that roost was in a beautiful, secluded area.

When we reached the nest, built within the bends and angles of one of the lushest trees we could find, we landed gracefully. We had spent years building it, modifying it, and making it strong. It was a flat-ish platform made of woven branches and abandoned logs. It measured thirty by thirty feet. Over time, we had brought things to the nest to make it comfortable. Blankets. Metal food storage boxes. We’d constructed a lean-to like shelterfor me when I wanted to take my human shape. The canopy of other trees also protected us from most of the weather, though my dragon did not feel the cold or the heat the way my human skin did.

Lyrican was not only a fast flier, but he was also graceful. He landed smoothly without upsetting any of our collected things. He furled his wings and immediately hunched down into the soft springiness of our roost. He bowed his head and turned his snout beneath one of his wings.

A weariness passed through us. It was as if we had just finished a race and hadn't taken any breaks. I hadn't realized how tired my dragon was. Not just physically, but mentally. He was a sensitive beast, not talkative, seeking peace whenever he could.

It was still light out, but we fell into a deep sleep.

The next thing I knew, we were startled awake by a human screaming. Lyrican swung his head up, crawled over to the edge of our platform and looked down.

At first we saw nothing. Then there was the sound of wings.

Looking up, we saw a huge dragon circling overhead. It didn't look like he had spotted us yet. Suddenly, he went into a deep dive. He crashed through the tops of trees about fifty feet from us.

More screams came from down below.

Lyrican lifted his head and sniffed at the air. Omega. The scent was strong. Was this dragon hunting a human? Out here in the deep dark woods Lyrican called home?

Omega in danger. Hurt. I will defend.

Before I could create any mental response, he jumped off the edge of our roost. I thought he would fly down through the branches toward the omega, who had come into a clearing. We could see him now, running naked through brambles, scared to death.

To my surprise, Lyrican headed in the direction of the big dragon.

Lyrican, what are you doing?

Of course he didn't answer, and I felt as if I was hanging on for dear life as he charged the other dragon who was clearly in a frenzy.

We took the stranger by surprise, catching him with our claws as he dived through the trees.

He whirled around, the whites of his eyes showing, fangs bared. A fireball swept over us but Lyrican’s armor deflected it.

The two of us immediately locked in a tangle of claws, scales and wings.

One moment, my dragon had been fast asleep, and the next moment adrenaline pumped through his system, and we were in a fight.

We turned and turned as we fell through the thick foliage. The ground bumped hard. We landed on our side against one wing.

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