Page 20 of The Dragon Shifters' Enemy
“You know that I love Iolaire,” Caden stated simply.“It’s my other half.My better half.Just like you are Valerius’. We have to talk about whatever this is.About the Behemoth.”
Flames fanned out in front of Raziel’s mouth.They were not aimed at him or Valerius, but appeared to be in reaction to the Behemoth’s name.
“Raziel,” Valerius spoke.His tone was troubled.“Is the Behemoth real?”
Simply by asking the question meant that Valerius guessed the answer.Yes, the Behemoth was real.More flames filled the air.
“Stop with the fire! Answer, damnit!”Valerius roared, showing some flames himself.
Yes,Raziel answered simply.The Behemoth is real.
Valerius shook his head almost violently.“Why did you not tell me?Why did you let me believe that such an enemy was some--some children’s tale?”
Because we destroyed it!Raziel roared back.
Both Caden and Valerius stood there dumbfounded.Caden had known it had to be something like this.The fear that Iolaire showed.The way it had trembled against Raziel.The way it had almost tried to deny what it was hearing.The Behemoth was real.The Behemoth was here.
“You and the other Dragon Spirits thought you destroyed the Behemoth, Raziel?”Caden clarified.
More fire spouted from Raziel’s jaws as it tilted its head back and let out a gout of flames in rage that it couldn’t keep inside.
“Evidently, not, if it is back.If it is here,” Valerius muttered.
Iolaire still had its head stuck beneath Raziel’s wing, hiding.
“Iolaire, please talk to us.What is it you are afraid of?”Caden asked.
Nothing!Do not ask anything more!Raziel bellowed, turning baleful eyes at Caden.
Valerius stepped between Caden and the maddened Spirit.“Would you strike against Caden?”
No!NO! But ask no more!ASK NO MORE!
Iolaire was already pulling its head out of the protective wing and letting out a shrill hoot at Raziel.The Black Dragon Spirit let out a roar of fear and rage.Caden was not afraid.It was not aimed at him.It was Raziel’s only way to deal with whatever this was.
Finally, Raziel answered,The Behemoth trapped our brethren to make itself into the beast that it was.But we destroyed it.We thought it and our brethren were gone.Destroyed too.But…
“But?”Caden asked.
We did not destroy our brethren, Raziel keened.Thankfully, we did not.
“Thankfully?”Valerius’ brows knitted together.
Iolaire… Iolaire was one of our brethren that was overtaken by the Behemoth,Raziel answered as it curled tighter around Iolaire.It was part of the Behemoth.It survived and came here.Iolaire believes--
And then Iolaire’s voice, so rare to be heard, rose up,I should not have come here, Caden.It is my fault that the Behemoth has come through.
Together
Valerius watched as Iolaire’s head lowered and it made soft hooting sounds, clearly feeling soguilty. Soresponsiblefor all the deaths and destruction that had occurred and would occur.
Did not know it would follow--that it could follow.Thought the connection was gone,Iolaire explained.Even though I could still feel something.Thought I was free.Thought it was over. Been so long. Thought it would be safe.But no.My fault.
“You arenotat fault, Iolaire!”Caden cried. “Valerius, tell Iolaire that it isn’t at fault!”
“Of course, you are not, Iolaire.You are the Behemoth’s victim,” Valerius reassured both his lover and the White Dragon Spirit.
Caden reached over blindly and squeezed Valerius’ shoulder in thanks.Iolaire softly hooted and looked at him out of grateful blue eyes, but its head was still lowered and its expression still sad.
