Page 93 of Mostly Shattered

There’s no time to hesitate. No time to run. This is my fight now.

I clutch the amulet in my hand, feeling its comforting weight. The warmth spreads through me, steady and pulsing like a frantic heartbeat, like it’s alive. The dragon’s power is inside it, a piece of Draakmar’s own essence, and it’s his heartbeat that I feel.

I know, without a doubt, that the dragon is connected to me now.

My heart hammers wildly, but I force myself to breathe. I step forward, my legs trembling as I hold my ground.

Draakmar lets out another deafening roar. In the split second that follows, he surges toward me, the ground cracking beneath his massive weight. His wings beat once, twice, creating gusts of hot wind that whip my hair into my face, and then he lunges forward over the bridge—his mouth open wide, fire pooling in the back of his throat, ready to burn mealive.

Oh, fuck.

Time slows.

I see the fire in his mouth, the deadly heat coiling in his chest beneath the black scales, the massive claws poised to strike. He comes straight at me, an unstoppable, furious beast of destruction. My instinct is to turn, to run, but I don’t. Instead, I pull the amulet forward on my neck, and with every ounce of strength I have left, I face him head-on.

“Do it,” I yell, my voice shaking but strong. “Come and get me.”

The heat hits first—a wave of blistering air that scorches my skin, making my vision blur with tears. But I don’t move. I can’t move. The amulet hums in my hand, vibrating with energy, and I grip it tightly, planting my feet as Draakmar bears down on me.

In a flash, he strikes.

His massive body crashes toward me, claws outstretched, teeth gleaming in the firelight. But just as he’s about to reach me, the amulet explodes with a searing red light. I can feel the power of it radiating through me, down to my bones, like a current of electricity surging out of my core. The light pulses outward, forming a barrier between me and the dragon, and for the first time, I see him hesitate.

The dragon’s claws meet the barrier with a deafening clash, sparks flying as his attack is stopped cold. He recoils, his molten eyes narrowing in confusion.He strikes again, harder, but the barrier holds, the amulet’s power pushing back against him. It hums louder now, like a living thing, like it’s feeding off my strength.

I drop to my knees.

Draakmar rears back, letting out a frantic roar. His wings spread, and his massive head tilts as if studying me. For the briefest moment, I can see the confusion in his burning eyes—confusion, and something else.

Fear.

I stare up at him, heart pounding, but there’s something else rising in me now. Not fear. Not panic. Power. It flows through me, through the amulet, connecting me to the ancient magic of this dragon, the piece of him embedded in the very thing that now protects me.

He pokes a claw forward as if to test what’s happening. The barrier shimmers under the touch, but it doesn’t break. The connection between us pulses, stronger, surging with each beat of my heart, each breath I take. And then I feel it.

I can control him.

I don’t know how I know, but I do. It’s like a whisper in the back of my mind, a soft voice guiding me, showing me the way. The amulet isn’t just a shield. It’s power. It’s control.

I take a deep breath, pushing to my feet. Thedragon snorts but takes a step back. Another pulse of energy radiates out from the amulet, stronger this time, and I move toward him. He roars loudly.

“Stop it,” I shout, my voice cutting through the roar of flames.

Draakmar instantly stops. His fiery eyes lock onto mine. For a long, tense moment, neither of us moves. I can feel the magic pulsating between us like a tether binding us together. My breath comes in shallow gasps, but I remain firm.

“Sit,” I tell him.

The dragon lets out a low growl, but his wings slowly lower, his massive form pulling back to obey. He’s listening to me.

I take another step forward, the amulet glowing brightly as I let it fall against my chest. The connection between us grows stronger, and I feel his ancient rage, but I also feel the weight of his long existence. He’s been fighting for so long, trapped in his own fury. But now he’s mine to command.

“Go back,” I say, my voice steady with concern for the beast. “Rest.”

The dragon hesitates, his molten eyes narrowing as if testing my resolve. But I don’t waver. I push the command through the connection between us, through the magic of the amulet and the power that ties me to him.

Draakmar lowers his head. His glowing eyes lockon mine, but the fire in them dims. I reach out to touch him, petting his warm cheek. He snorts and nudges my hand. I hold my breath, amazed at the moment. His wings fold against his sides, and with a final, low rumble, he turns away, his massive form retreating into the tunnels from which he came. He’s slower now, almost reluctant. I watch his large body amble past.

The fires around us die down, the heat receding as the dragon moves further away. I watch him disappear into the darkness of the tunnels, the sound of his steps growing fainter until, finally, there’s only silence.

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