Page 119 of The Vampire's Thirst
Matty slipped them on as he did a combo hop-run. They dodged a large group of their captors who huddled in an open field gawking at the flame-breathing beast, their mouths agape, eyes wide.
Alongside others, the two escaping males sprinted toward the tree line, glancing behind occasionally to see if their asses were on fire. No one in Arisen Dawn stopped them. To be honest, however, they were otherwise occupied by a dragon who preferred them as appetizers. Talk about the hand of Gahya. Though Dax wasn’t much of a believer, he was reconsidering his lack of faith.
At a fast clip, they raced through the woods until the sun was high in the sky. When Matty fell behind, Dax slowed.
The human caught up, bending forward with both hands on his knees. “I gotta rest for a bit. You go on.”
The Firebrand nodded when he slumped to the ground, flopping onto his ass. “I could use a break, too.”
“What did you make of the dragon thing?” Matty’s chest bounced with rapid short breaths as he stretched out.
“I have no idea. I thought they were extinct. Shows what I know.”
Matty scrubbed a weary fist across his hair. “Dragons. Damn.”
Dax opened his mouth to take in more oxygen. “I have bad news, though.”
“You mean worse news. Can’t wait to hear it.” Matty, still drawing deep breaths, curled an arm under his head.
“We’re not on Scath. We’re on a realm called Darque.”
“Why do you make it sound bad?” Matty twisted toward Dax to stare.
“Cause it’s populated with feral beasts. We put them here fifteen hundred years ago.”
“Tell me we have a plan.”
“I always have a plan.”
“What is it?”
“To stay alive and get to the Firebrand stronghold.”
“Does your plan have details?”
“No. Details only muck you up.” Dax stretched before propping himself up on both elbows.
“Since this is your battlefield, I’ll go with your plan. Just give me my orders.”
“Okay. Offer yourself as meat to any attackers so I can get away.”
“You’ll forgive me if I don’t like my assignment. I’m fondly attached to my ass.” Matty’s breath steadied though his eyes narrowed.
Dax pushed off the ground, did a three-sixty, and eyed the landmarks. “Time to boogie.”
Brushing off his pants, Matty stood. “Is there a good news part to this shitstorm?”
“Yep. We’re close to my commander’s hidey-hole. Food, drink, and communication devices are stored there since he and his mate were once marooned there.”
“You could have led with the info.”
“We’re not there yet.”
“You’re a cup-half-empty kind of guy, aren’t you?”
“Yep.” Dax slowed his pace for the next few miles of the jaunt as he explained how Skyler and Kole had been stranded on Darque when the warlock Uwrick blocked the commander’s D-chip. After a hunting party of gagan nearly killed him, they made it to a cave. Now, Kole always kept it stocked as a just-in-case place for the Firebrands.
When they arrived on the banks of a wide, turbulent river, the vampire pointed to the other side. “I hope you’re a strong swimmer, cuz we need to be over there.”
