Page 13 of The Exiled Dragon

Odessa's cries were heard in the cave, but I couldn't return. Running out, my pet ran behind me, thinking we were hunting. Odessa didn't know what or who I really was. She knew of Vampires; what would she feel about Dragons? That we are nothing but demons like the rest of the world she had come to know?

Stripping my leather vest, I jumped out of the cave in time. The black smoke trailed up my body, my hair sprouting into tiny feather-like tendrils while the scales exploded from my back. Fire breathed into the trees next to the cave. Pixies flew to the sky while my Dragon shook his head in a fury.

"Calm yourself,"I spoke into my mind. "We will scare her."My Dragon didn't want to stop; the heat of his heart warmed our body. We had much fire within our gut that needed to be extinguished before becoming too hot. Once too hot, our fire would burn us inside out. Stretching our wings, we took to the sky, leaving Razak behind. The small whimper was left to the ground while our body heaved itself upward.

Dragons often do not fly past the mountain, not wanting to bring attention to us, but this time my Dragon had plans that I couldn't deny. Fire breathed out of our mouth. Flying into the fire, feeling the heat of our scales, they turned red. At the bottom of the mountain, many Elves screamed my name, pointing, running to their homes. Ignoring them, we flew southward.

How much damage had this Duke done in the human world? Did he demand witches to bring humans as payment for something more? The question was, why? Why would he want so many humans and risk his own life? Bringing humans into Bergarian was outlawed thousands of years ago. Now that humans are paired with Selene, humans will slowly enter Bergarian. Only with fates leading them here.

If this was still the case, some guards stood at the only portal to Bergarian. How could the Witches be bringing so many humans?

There must be a new way of bringing humans to our realm.

My wings flicked a few times, only to feel the humidity of the air. To the south, a storm was brewing that would head north by nightfall. Before then, I had to be home to make sure Odessa was fed and her bandages were changed. My Dragon hummed, thinking of Odessa being home in our nest, wrapped in the furs that I had provided her.

A mate, how would they feel? My Dragon sang in my chest when she was near, and it had only been a day. What would it have been like if I were granted a mate? Would it be so much worse of an emotion? I don't think I could fathom the feeling my Dragon and I could take if I were granted such a gift. Maybe Odessa could be a chosen mate if she would have me.

I would prove that I could protect her and keep her safe from harm. That is, if she would take me after my Dragon displayed anger.

My Dragon growled, not liking the thought of her rejection.

Tiny rain drops fell on my leathered wings as we grew closer to Vermillion Kingdom. The Dukes and Duchesses lived just west of the palace; their homes glittered with majestic stones, gold, and ivory. However, this time, instead of eluding the light of their homes, the darkened kingdom held the smoke in the forest beyond the mansions.

A previous battle, maybe? The area was bare, just the stones that once housed a large bunker in the middle of the forest. The entire area was quiet. No Vampires came to look at the mysterious Dragon flying by; no one even dared to look out of their home windows. The smell of metallic coins reaches my nose. There was indeed a battle here, causing many guards to fight rather than seek Odessa as she escaped.

With no Vampires to be seen, I took my leave. Flying down, burning every house that belonged to a Duke or Duchess would only bring attention to the Dragon Shifter tribes. If there were any Duke out, just walking into the night air trying to find prey, I would rip him to shreds on the spot.

My Dragon was not sated even after our flight; he continued to growl and claw the air in frustration. The flight here did nothing but bring more questions instead of answering any. Odessa never gave the name of the Duke, not that she would know it. She was considered a blood bag and kept locked away. No information of where they were or who they were captured by would give a slave the feeling of helplessness.

There was one name. The Vampire who dragged her to the Duke's home. Master Enoch.

My Dragon shifted, just twenty feet off the ground while I landed on my two feet. My cloth covered me just enough so I could walk into Vermillion. I would certainly get some looks if anyone dared to walk the cobblestones, but I came here for one question to be answered. Once I received my answer, I would seek out the man called Enoch.

My bare feet walked into the main square. The stone was cold on my searing feet as I entered the center. A small child in rags was looking up and down the sidewalk. The child didn't notice me approaching; his uncovered feet loudly slapped against the stone.

"Little child," my Dragon growled. I felt the pinch in my throat; no doubt this conversation would lead my throat to bleed internally. The child looked up in horror at the voice emitted from me.

"No harm," we spoke. "Where is Master Enoch?" The child's bravery or ignorance struck me as bizarre, but I was grateful. He shook at first, but his finger pointed down the street to a tavern. I nodded my head in thanks, wishing I could give him a coin that I did not have.

The tavern was lively, windows covered in cloth with holes. Peering inside, there was one man with decent clothing on his body. "And then the little bitch slit the Duke's throat! He was furious!" My guess is that this man was Enoch, giving out such detailed information. "Let me tell you. He picked a good one. A fighter, she is. I knew it the day I brought her in. She took my fangs like a champ. I didn't numb nor heal the thing. On top of that, she was gorgeous, but the Duke swore off anyone to touch her. I couldn't believe he lasted as long as he did!" Enoch chugged a glass of fermented blood. Dribbling down his chin, he wiped it clean with his now dirty sleeve.

My claws pierced my skin. He thought of touching my Odessa.

While I watched him head to the door, murmurs, jokes, and jabs were spoken between Enoch and the patrons. Slinking into the shadows, my Dragon's instincts took over. Even though I was a Dragon, one of the strongest, my animal inside me liked to have fun with our prey. Since Enoch was the first to sink his fangs into my precious Odessa, he will be the first we kill.

Enoch pushed the door open with a groan. He was highly intoxicated by the way his breath hissed in the air. The rain dabbled more onto his cloak while he tied it shut. "Humans, humans, can't wait for a brandy with human blood. So much better," he mumbled, stumbling off the sidewalk. A horse and carriage went by, causing him to look upon the black bridled horse and carriage. "Stupid Baron. Can't even have his horse's hooves trimmed." He chucked to himself.

His steps were not straight as I followed. The clicking of his shoes grew louder while he traveled along. The rain picked up. Usually, that meant the scent would waver, but not with our nose. My tongue slithered out, using the reptile in me to sense my prey. He was oblivious, with no fear in his smell. Continuing to follow until the sun had set, he stopped at a side gate of a large mansion.

A Dukes' mansion.

One side of my mouth curled. Enoch's hand fumbled with the keys, cursing under his breath. Now drenched with the rain, my body edged forward, just behind the drunkard. I stood a good head taller than the bloodsucker; I would end this quickly, only because Odessa waited for us at home in a crying state.

My Dragon growled, fangs dropping suddenly, flipping him over on his back against the iron bars. Blood red eyes stared back at me, clenching his keys to his chest.

"The Black Dragon," he gasped. Finally, his senses kicked in; he smelled my Dragon's anger and saw my scarred face. The only Dragon to have scars as deep as mine.

My tongue slipped from my mouth, toying with the air, smelling his fear. My Dragon wanted to rip his body apart, piece by piece, but time was not on our side.

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