Page 51 of Defy Me

Azy looked at her strangely. "What's that. Where did that envelope come from?"

Weird. "The lady Ciara called Mrs. Bohacek was just here and gave it to me."

"She was. Funny. I haven't seen her in forever." Jada opened up a box of homemade donuts and picked one out for each of them.

Yvaine gave each of the ladies a touch on the head to see if they were feeling alright. "By forever do you mean one minute ago?"

"Mrph, nope." Jada said with her mouth full. Girl after Yvaine's own heart, that one.

She looked over at each of the dragon warriors. "You saw her didn't you?"

They each shook their heads.

"Jett? Please tell me I'm not crazy."

He grinned at her and fed her a bit of one of Jada's donuts. "You're not. They don't see her or remember her if she doesn't want them to. I think it has something to do with her being a great, great something or other ancestor of theirs."

"Do you mean the White Witch?" Ciara asked.

"I have no idea. But she just gave me this. Does that answer the question?" Yvaine popped the box open and found a ring inside. But this was no ordinary ring. It looked like it was made of smoke or rather, shadow. The darkness undulated and moved in swirling circles. But every so often a red spark would go off inside making the whole ring shine like it was filled with a million embers.

Ciara gawked at the ring inside the box. "Oh my gods and goddesses. Do you know what that is?"

"A ring?" Seemed pretty obvious.

Azy glanced over at Cage. "It's a Wyvern's mates ring."

Cool. She was a Wyvern's mate after all. But the way they were all looking shell shocked it must have more significance than that. "What does that mean?"

Ciara stared at the ring, then at Jett, then at Yvaine. "Mates of Wyverns have to prove to the Wyr and to the other Wyvern's that she is worthy of being mated to a leader of the dragon warriors. The biggest part of that is a trial where the White Witch hides a ring that she has to find. Only when she does can they be officially mated and recognized as his true mate."

Cage shook his head. "I like you and all Jett and you're a great warrior, but there are only four Wyrs."

A super handsome guy walked into the kitchen. He smelled of smoke and Jett squeezed her hand. "Not anymore. We must recognize the Demon Dragons as our brothers. Jett has proven himself to be a leader."

Cage met this new guy with a handshake. "Match, you're here earlier than expected. Did you find Fallyn?"

Ooh. Yvaine new that name, but she didn't know who it was. She leaned over to Jett and quietly asked him. "Who is Fallyn?"

He hadn't yet taken his eyes off the new guy. The red fire in his eyes was getting stoked up and not in the good way. "The Black Dragon's daughter."

"So, your sister?" He should have mentioned if he had some other siblings.

He shook his head "No. I'll explain it later."

They'd missed part of the conversation between Cage and new guy, but they didn't look like there had been good news.

Cage spoke to new guy, but it was clear he was addressing the room. "This war has gone on long enough. I'm going to end it one way or another. Now that you've broken the curse, Jett. We welcome you into the AllWyr. The Black Dragon and Ereshkigal are weakened. Now is the time to strike."

Jett stood and pulled Yvaine up with him. "I appreciate your welcome brothers. But the Demon Dragon Wyr has a long road ahead and much to learn. Now is not the time to force them into battle."

Cage did not like that. Yvaine saw him stiffen and something change in his stance. She recognized the move from when Jett had taken on the mantle of Wyvern. She held up her hand and let a little of the magic between her and Jett flow into the room. That got everyone's attention. She nodded to Jett and he squeezed her hand.

"I will not force my Wyr into battle, but we can still help. The demon dragons can pass through the shadow. We will be your eyes and ears and get you intel on the Ereshkigal, the Black Dragon and his troops that are not a part of my Wyr. Bring me to the Annunaki and I will also tell you where Geshtianna is hiding."

The air in the room stilled and all eyes flicked between Cage and Jett. Match put a hand on Cage's shoulder. "Can your demon dragons also help me find Fallyn."

Jett nodded. "They can try. But she is as smart or smarter than anyone I know. It won't be easy."

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