Page 58 of The White Dragon Revealed

Iolaire made a low soft moan of regret that anyone would take life so easily. The White Dragon Spirit then started to circle a field to land in. They were far from anyone or any structures. They could easily be seen by the bomb unit coming from Reach, but far enough away from anyone that they could easily take off if curious onlookers approached. They would not allow anyone to be hurt if they could help it.

Iolaire softly landed on the tilled field. Their claws dug deep into the rich earth and the scent of living things rose up to their nose. Both of them gazed down at the member of the Faith still clutched in their claws. The person was breathing heavily--actually hyperventilating--and trying to move, but was unable to.

Let’s find out who this is, shall we, Iolaire?

Iolaire twittered in agreement. They reached over with their left clawed forelimb and delicately pulled the hood back. Long blond hair covered the Faith member’s face. There was a sprinkling of gray in it. But even without seeing her face, Caden recognized her.

Her name was Jennifer Pascal. She was a woman in her mid-fifties who often spoke in a low, whispery voice and had eyes full of zeal when she talked about the wonder of the Spirits. He remembered, specifically, one visit she’d had to his house where she’d encountered a spider and had insisted on carrying it outside instead of smooshing it like his mother had wanted to do.

But here she was.

With a bomb.

Trying to killpeople.

She looked up at him out of those eyes which were wide again, but this time with fear instead of wonder. He almost relished that. She should be afraid. If she was going to hurt people then she was his enemy! He tilted her back so that he could see the detonator hanging five inches below her fingertips. She must have dropped it which was why she hadn’t detonated herself like the one that Valerius had caught.

“White Dragon,” she said in that same whispery voice he remembered. The voice she’d used when asking Caden for a second glass of lemonade.“Oh, White Dragon, you are so beautiful. So precious. Yes, you are worth it all.”

They shook her with anger and her head snapped back and forth. Frustration filled him as he wanted to shout at her but could not, “WHY? WHY DID YOU DO THIS? WHY WOULD YOU DO THIS?”

He guessed he knew the answer. She hoped that some of the people that were killed would bond with Spirits and be saved. Those that weren’t… Well, they didn’t matter evidently. There would be more Shifters in the world. It didn’t matter how many humans were lost for their gain.

Caden!Valerius called to him.

Iolaire!Raziel cried to the White Dragon Spirit.

Their neck swiveled around to see Valerius shift into the massive Black Dragon just outside of the Gash. Valerius must have shifted back inside the Below, raced out of the Gash, and then shifted again. Both Caden and Iolaire’s spirits lifted at seeing them.

“The Black Dragon,” Jennifer squeaked and he felt a tremor go through her.

He didn’t blame her fear at the sight of Raziel. Seeing the Black Dragon approach was like seeing a fire-breathing locomotive stream down the tracks. Valerius was to them in seconds as Raziel’s massive wings sent them through the air like a rocket. They landed nearby, digging deep furrows into the earth as they skidded to a halt. Immediately,Raziel was moving to Iolaire. It pressed its forehead against Iolaire’s. It reminded Caden of how mated swans greeted one another. The Dragons gave a deep sigh of pleasure as if it were a relief to touch.

He could feel Raziel’s hot breath and the stink of sulfurous fires, which wreathed the Black Dragon’s mighty fangs. Iolaire fluttered its wings in pleasure and twittered at Raziel who let out some deep purring sounds from its throat. For a moment, both dragons closed their eyes.

Caden, are you all right?Valerius asked.

I’m fine! What about you?Caden cried.There was another bomber, wasn’t there?

Not just one. Three. Kaila has caught the other. She will be joining us shortly,Valerius explained.

A third!

Iolaire’s eyes opened as they heard another set of wings flapping. Sure enough, Lana was coming towards them. Lana’s iridescent aquamarine colored scales made it appear as if part of the Caribbean ocean had taken flight. She landed heavily near them with another Faith member clutched in her left clawed forelimb. Caden was grateful that, like Iolaire, she was small enough to get through the Gash. From the crumbled rocks that still dusted Lana’s broad shoulders though, he could see it had been a much tighter fit for them to get through.

The three Dragons regarded one another. Lana’s bright yellow-orange eyes sparkled with mirth as she took in the swan-like activities of the Black and White Dragons. He could almost hear Kaila’s laughter. Finally, Lana surprised them all by lowering her head to both Iolaire and Raziel. After a moment, Raziel inclined its head curtly.

Iolaire stepped over to Lana and gave a twitter of greeting. Lana lifted its head, eyes widening with surprise and then pleasure, before Lana let out a sound similar to that of a dolphin. More twittering from Iolaire. The two of them were talking though Caden could not understand them. They pressed their cheeks together as if they were old friends. They only moved away from one another when Raziel’s massive head lowered to break them apart, evidently jealous.

Did Raziel just have a jealous moment there, Valerius?Caden laughed.

I think so!Valerius sounded amused.

Lana chirps too loudly,Raziel suddenly muttered and there was a slightly embarrassed, affronted tone to its usual grumble.

Oh, right, Raziel. Nice try there! You just want Iolaire all to yourself!Caden told the Black Dragon Spirit.

That just had Caden laughing harder, which he knew was partly from hysteria. Someone had died. So many others nearly had. His mental chuckles quickly faded away.

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