Page 20 of Tamed By Air (The Nature Hunters Academy 4)

“I think it pertinent that we continue to monitor what the light royals are doing,” Radagast offered. “So far, they seem to be lying low.”

“Fine,” Viscious bit out through clenched teeth. “For now, we will wait and see what they do.” He turned his back on them and again stared out the window, making it clear the conversation was over. After the battle, he’d decided it might be good to blend into the human population for a while, so he’d left his comfortable home in the mountains, and he’d taken up residence in a Las Vegas penthouse. The heat suited him, and many of the humans that occupied the city had questionable moral compasses, which he, of course, appreciated. Though he still needed breaks from the constant noise and did retreat back to his home from time to time. Viscious heard movement behind him and saw the other royals’ reflections as they opened portals.

When he was alone in the room, Viscious pulled out his cell phone. At least the humans were good for some things, like this nifty time-saving invention. It kept him from having to send his minions out to summon the acolyte he needed to speak with. He scrolled through his contacts and tapped the one marked “Tucker.”

“Sir?” The boy picked up after one ring.

“Tucker,” Viscious said, “I’ve received news that the elementalist you saw taken into the dragon realm during the battle has since exited. But the female who rode the dragon has not. You are to go to the Devil's Heart and watch for her. Report to me immediately if she emerges. If she doesn’t appear, continue watching and text me an update every twenty-four hours.”

“Can I take her if she does come out?” Tucker asked, his voice raising an octave as he leaned forward.

“No,” he said coolly. “You will gain her trust. She’s a witch, so we need to know how powerful she is. Then we can figure out how to best utilize her.”

“On it.”

“Very good. Do not fail me—again.” Viscious hung up without waiting for a response.

He slipped his hands into his pocket and continued to watch the people below him. Viscious loathed being stagnant, especially when they’d made such progress in their fight against the light royals. Now, three hundred years of planning and progress had been erased. But Viscious could be patient again. It’s not like he had to worry about time running out. He was immortal, after all. Though there were times when death seemed preferable to dealing with the incompetent idiots that surrounded him.

“Patience,” he told himself softly, and Viscious knew he’d have to repeat that mantra often while planning his next move. He wasn’t yet certain whether the plan would happen with the cooperation of the other dark royals, and he wasn’t sure he cared.

ChapterSeven

“Apparently, stupidity is a disease. And one that we humans seem to enjoy having. Maybe we don’t enjoy it, exactly, but having it must not bother us enough to come up with a cure. And I’ve discovered there are exacerbating circumstances, not the least of which is having a soul bonded. One minute, you think you’re a reasonable, intelligent witch, and the next minute, you meet your soul bonded. Suddenly, you realize you’re an idiot. From then on, every decision you make becomes dumber and dumber.” ~Rory

“For what it’s worth, I think you’re being very brave, Rory.” Kimba stood beside Rory at the portal to the dragon realm. “It takes a very–”

Rory held up a hand, interrupting the dragon. “Can it, fire-breather. I’ve heard your pep talks, and they leave much to be desired.”

Kimba rumbled next to her, and Rory knew the damn dragon was laughing. Rory wouldn’t trade her beast of a best friend for anything, but sometimes Kimba drove her insane.

“What are you going to say to him?” Kimba’s massive bulk shifted as if the dragon was anxious. Rory wondered whyshewould be anxious when it was Rory who would be traveling to the human realm. It was Rory who had to search for her soul bonded. It was Rory who had pushed him away and then attempted to prevent him from leaving by bringing down a mountain on top of him. She would be lucky if he would even look at her, let alone accept her apology.

“I don’t know,” Rory admitted.

“I’m sorryis a good place to start.”

“If you weren’t a dragon, I’d punch you in the face,” Rory said, without taking her eyes from the portal. Her stomach churned at the thought of going back into the realm where she’d lived as a member of a witches’ coven. She couldn’t fight back thoughts of the woman who she’d thought was her mother. The possibility that any witches might be left alive filled her with dread. She didn’t want to be associated with people who would do such vile acts. And yet … there was a part of her that was drawn to that darkness. That part was locked away deep inside, but lately it was trying to rise to the surface. She knew it was a desire to have the same kind of power that Danni had possessed. “No,” Rory said firmly under her breath. That was not who she was, and it would not be who she became.

“Rory,” Kimba said gently. “Look at me.”

She turned to look up at the closest friend she’d ever had. Kimba’s eyes were so expressive, and Rory could see love and concern in them. She swallowed down the lump in her throat and blinked back tears before taking a steadying breath.

“Your future is not set in stone,” the dragon said. “The path you once walked does not dictate where your feet move now.” Kimba lowered her head and carefully pressed the front of her muzzle to Rory’s forehead. The dragon breathed out a puff of air that smelled like smoke. “From here on out, you mustreallythinkbefore you make a choice, because the darkness inside of you wants dominion. Do you understand?”

The tears Rory had tried to hold back fell down her cheeks. She nodded her head against Kimba’s muzzle.

“You cannot let the darkness win,” Kimba continued. “You have everything to gainandeverything to lose, depending on what rules you. Find your soul bonded. Together, you both need to make this right. And if you need me for anything, all you need to do is say my name. I will hear you.”

Rory frowned and pulled back to look at Kimba. “How?”

The dragon’s lips drew back in that weird dragon smile. “Dragon’s bond. Don’t you know?”

Rory shook her head. “No. In many ways, I’m still dragon illiterate.”

Kimba chuckled, her massive chest making a rumbling sound. “I’ve been trying to educate you, but sometimes you have selective hearing.”

Rory rolled her eyes. “Yeah, yeah. Don’t dodge the question. What do you mean, dragon’s bond?”

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