Page 15 of Wicked Angel
“Yes, it’s true,” I said, my heart still hammering in my chest. “They’re growing and well protected. But people around me aren’t. I need that crystal in your cave to help me shed the magic that doesn’t belong to me.”
The dragon huffed out a breath, steam rising from his nostrils. “Dragons are rare. There are too few of us left. The return of more is a good thing.” He studied me for another long, tense moment, and then his gaze flicked over to Levi and the others, still poised to strike if the dragon made any sudden moves.
I dared to take another step closer, lowering my hands slowly. “You don’t have to fight us. We just need the crystal, and I promise, we’ll return it once we’ve used it. We mean you no harm.”
The dragon’s form shimmered, his massive body shrinking and contorting until he stood before us in human form. His human appearance was rugged, weathered, like a man who had spent decades living in the wild. He looked to be in his fifties or sixties, with sharp blue eyes and a thick beard streaked with gray. Despite his age, he had the kind of presence that filled the clearing, the power of his dragon form still thrumming beneath his skin.
“What crystal?” His voice was low, rough with age and suspicion.
“One that holds on to magic,” I said, not really sure. I glanced at Maggie. She had seen it in her vision. I had no idea what it was or what it looked like.
“Hm, t-the green one,” she stammered.
The dragon let out a huff, smoke coming out of his huge nostrils. “You think I’d lend such a treasure to strangers?”
I met his gaze head-on, my heart pounding. “I understand why you wouldn’t trust us. Who are we, right? Strangers invading your space and asking for one of your treasures? But we have no other choice. Without that crystal, I can’t control this power, and it could destroy everything I’m trying to protect. We just need a chance.”
The dragon shifter’s expression changed, a flicker of something softer passing through his eyes. He glanced toward the cave, then back at me, a frown tugging at the corners of his mouth. “And what will you do once you’ve freed yourself of the extra power?”
I hesitated, but only for a moment. “I’ll fight for my home, Elysium. My realm is at the brink of war and I think I can stop it.”
He studied me for a long moment. “I know what it is to want to protect your home … and to lose it.” He nodded slowly. “You have the eyes of a warrior… even if you carry a burden too heavy for one so young. Very well. But I will not simply hand over the crystal. We will seal our agreement with a blood promise.”
I blinked, surprise flickering through me. I hadn’t expected him to offer so easily. “What kind of promise?”
He stepped closer, pulling a small, ornate knife from the belt at his waist. “We cut our palms, let our blood mingle. You will return the crystal when your task is complete, or you will bear the weight of breaking the bond.”
“And what is the weight of breaking the blood bond?” I asked, my voice low.
“After a week without returning the crystal, you’ll experience growing pain that will only increase, to the point of madness.”
I stilled. That was a serious thing, but I had no reason to keep the crystal.
Levi cleared his throat and I glanced at him. “I don’t like this, sweetheart.”
“It’s not like we have a choice.” Taking a deep breath, I held out my hand to the dragon shifter.
He nodded approvingly and made a small cut across his own palm before offering me the knife. I followed suit, wincing slightly as the blade bit into my skin, and pressed my bleeding hand against his.
The moment our blood touched, I felt a rush of magic course through me, binding our promise like a thread of flame. The dragon shifter’s eyes flared with a brief flash of golden light, and then it faded, leaving behind the weight of the bond between us.
“It is done,” he said, stepping back and tucking the knife away. “Follow me.”
He led us into the cave, and I had to admit, it was impressive. Treasures were piled high on every surface—gems and gold, ancient artifacts that glimmered in the faint light filtering through the entrance. The air was thick with the scent of earth and old magic, the walls of the cave humming with latent power.
The dragon shifter rummaged through a chest covered in dust, muttering to himself as he searched. Finally, he pulled out a green gem the size of my fist, its surface smooth and shaped like a delicate shell.
“This one?” he asked.
Maggie nodded, her eyes transfixed on the gem. “Yes. That’s the one.”
He held it out to me. “The Stelen Stone.”
I reached out, my fingers brushing against the crystal. The moment I touched it, a pulse of energy shot through my hand, and I gasped, feeling the power contained within the stone. It was like touching a living thing, thrumming with ancient magic.
“Thank you,” I said, my voice barely more than a whisper. “I promise, I’ll return it.”
The dragon shifter nodded, his expression somber. “See that you do.”
