Page 188 of Song of Her Siren

My heart took off at a race. “No, Blaze!”

“I have to.” He turned his gaze to the sky as another dragon cried out before being flung onto the beach. “Nobody flies as fast as me.”

“Take me with you,” I pleaded, panic tightening my chest.

“No.” His eyes shone with moisture as he dragged his knuckles down the side of my face.I love you, he projected to me. He kissed me hard, breaking away from me too soon, jumping into the air in a blur before I could stop him.

I turned to Nikkos. “I have to go!”

Nikkos gritted his teeth. “Not without me.”

I’ll take you, Goddess.Isa’s dark voice reverberated in my mind.Let me magnify your powers. Radnor is getting too bold. That beast is going to kill my mate.

She flew toward the battlements, landing just outside the umbrella.

“This way!” I called to Nikkos.

He followed me, using his wings to shield me from falling debris.

He flew me on top of Isa, and I’d just strapped into the saddle when Drae ran from beneath the curse chamber, wildly waving his arms.

“No, Shiri!”

I grabbed on to the pommel. No way was I letting Blaze attack the beast without my help. “We’re going, Drae. You can either come with me or stay here.”

“Go!” He waved us away. “I’ll follow.”

Nikkos wrapped his arms around my waist before Isa jumped into the sky. I looked over my shoulder, catching Drae’s eyes as he followed us.

Isa flew wide circles around the demon king’s heads. The creature must’ve recognized us, because all seven serpent heads spun toward us, hissing like venomous snakes. The beast released the wall, jumping into the sky, those translucent bubbles around its heads jiggling with the movement. If we were able to pop them, I could use my siren voice on the monster.

I clung to the saddle and Nikkos held me tight when its massive batlike wings displaced the air and blew us back.

Hang on!Isa projected as we spiraled through the air.

Nikkos flew off her back with a cry, spinning in the other direction. Panic gripped my chest when I lost sight of him. I lost sight of Drae and Blaze, too, and I worried they’d been killed.

Radnor roared, latching on to the beast’s barbed tail.

Hearing a snap, my heart caught in my throat when Radnor let out an agonized roar, flying across the sky like a falling comet.

Isa’s mournful wail reverberated in my mind.

I clung to her scales.Tari will heal him as soon as we defeat this monster, I tried to reassure her, though I prayed Radnor wasn’t already dead.

Hovering in front of us, the beast threw back all seven heads, letting out several roars, then focused on me with hooded eyes.You should’ve left me in your mate’s body. I told you you’d regret it, Princess.A dark, thunderous laugh cut through the thick, humid air.Now you will die!

A tremor coursed through me at the sound of his oily voice in my head. How was he able to mindspeak me?

A blur of black feathers swarmed around the demon, a burst of flame, a flash of steel. Blaze! The monster furiously flapped his wings, trying to attack Blaze as he continued his assault, slicing open the flesh of its exposed necks.

This was my chance to destroy the beast. I rubbed Isa’s scales, praying it worked. I gave a start when Nikkos landed hard in the saddle behind me, gripping my waist.

“Nikkos!”

Never mind me.His booming voice echoed in my head.Focus on the monster, Shiri. You’ve defeated him before. You can do it again. He’s the same demon, just in a different body.

I swallowed, focusing all my attention on my magic while rubbing Isa’s scales. The magic gathered strength in my chest and fingers.

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