Page 19 of The Dragon Shifters' Enemy
“It would be a lot easier if there were a Behemoth responsible for all our problems,” Esme stated dryly and shook her head.“Because the other things are much harder to deal with.”
“Oh, there’s still a lot of normal unrest outside of this Behemoth guy,” Rose told her.“Don’t you worry.”
She chuckled and patted Rose’s arm.“Yes, dear, you’re quite right.”
As Caden watched them all continue to discuss this matter, he looked at Iolaire and Raziel.Iolaire had been completelysilentabout Behemoth.Wouldn’t the Spirits know if such a creature really did exist?Though they had not known about one another so maybe…
Iolaire, what do you know of the Behemoth?Is it real or not?
Iolaire just let out a soft hoot that conveyed nothing, but… sadness?
Iolaire, what is going on?What do you know?Why are you sad?Caden asked.
But his Spirit was resolutely remaining silent.
This isn’t right.Something is wrong.
Caden plucked at Valerius’ arm.The Black Dragon King immediately turned to him from Anwar.There was a frown on that handsome face.Concern too.But also disbelief.Yet the growing unease and alarm in Caden’s breast could not be denied.He couldseethat Iolaire and Raziel were holding something back.Maybe a lot of somethings.And they had to figure out what those things were.
Valerius, come with me to the throne room,Caden begged.
Valerius’ forehead furrowed, but he nodded.He would come.Caden felt a wave of love for the Black Dragon King.He trusted Caden implicitly and would do whatever Caden wanted.He would always have to be careful about this.So much power should not be tapped easily.
Conversation continued amongst all the Dragon Shifters, his family and friends while he and Valerius managed to slip out.A few saw them go.Marban, Chione, Rose and Tilly to be sure.He laced his fingers through Valerius’ and led him quickly to the throne room.
“Caden, what is it?”Valerius asked as he was pulled behind Caden like a kite.
“Iolaire is acting strange,” Caden strove to explain this feeling.“It’s hiding things.I can feel it.It’s been silent since talk of the Behemoth.”
“Despite what I said to Anwar, I do not believe that there is a Behemoth,” Valerius huffed.“That is simply a story told to scare humans and Shifters alike.”
“Where did the sculpture go?”Caden pointed out. “It was there and then it wasn’t.Anwar is sure and I think, like you acknowledged, that means something.”
“I--I don’t know.I admit what Anwar showed us was unnerving.But I do not believe that some--someuber-Dragonhas made its way here to destroy the world!” Valerius’ voice rose as he spoke and that told Caden that while Valerius did notwantit to be true some part of himfearedit was.
“You feel that the Behemoth isn’t real because the Spirits have never said anything to you about it, right?”
Caden glanced back at his beautiful lover.Valerius was frowning.Even scowling he was gorgeous and Caden felt his heart throb.
“Yes.”
“Did Raziel tell you about Dragons having mates before Iolaire arrived here?”Caden asked.
That frown deepened and Valerius’ lips flattened before he answered, “No.But that is…”
“Different?How? If nothing else, that’smoreimportant to tell you than an uber-Dragon,” Caden pointed out.
They’d made it to the throne room’s doors.He shouldered them open.The lights were low.The mirror was in the shadows.The throne was dark.There was no Claw.No audience.Just the two of them.
Actually, the four of us.
And that was why Caden had wanted to go to the throne room.Their Dragons needed to be made to talk.It was time for whatever they were holding back to come out.Caden wanted Valerius and him to be the first ones to hear it so that they could decide what to do next before going to the others.A plan was better than simply opening the floor to suggestions.Every Dragon would be too busy butting heads, at first, to really absorb what was happening.Caden feared they didn’t have much time.
Caden drew Valerius to the center of the throne room so that they could see their Dragon Spirit counterparts clearly in the mirror.Raziel was curled around the much smaller Iolaire.The White Dragon’s whole body glowed softly like moonlight on water amidst the darkness of Raziel’s black scales.Raziel’s eyes--flaring embers--could be seen and fires illuminated its head.Iolaire’s head was hidden inside Raziel’s right wing.Its blue eyes glowed like stars. Caden extended his and Valerius’ linked hands towards the Dragon Spirits.
“We’re in this together,” Caden stated.
Valerius glanced from him to the Dragon Spirits and back again.He was frowning.He saw that there was something not right with the Dragon Spirits too.Sulfurous fires slithered between Raziel’s sharp teeth as if in warning.Whatever it was that the Spirits were hiding, Raziel did not want to speak of it.Raziel tucked Iolaire tighter against its massive form.
