Page 66 of The Lost Child

Was she angry I had allowed a new witch of her coven to nearly die? Or was she angry that I didn't know how to mate properly? I had never felt so alone than I did in that moment. I was the only living member of my species, and the isolation felt so strong that I nearly choked on it.

I had no problem accepting Nerissa as my mate. I still wasn’t sure what it meant, but I would do anything to heal her, as she had done for me. I just didn’t know what to do.

“Tell me how to fix her. I will do it, witch,” I begged.

Her lips thinned. “My name is Alkdama. And while my knowledge of drakens is vast for these times, I do not have intimate knowledge of mating rituals. You will need to seek out your own kind.”

With a jolt I realized I’d left the old man back at the pirate island. I hadn’t even spared him a second thought at the time, knowing Nerissa was injured and needed my help. Should I go back and retrieve him? I desperately wanted answers about my past and to know who my mother was. What if he knew where I came from, or where I could find other drakens?

“My own kind. Where?” I asked gruffly, one claw lightly tracing down Nerissa’s upper arm. I didn’t like how still her chest was, even with the witch’s assurances it was a magickal sleep.

Was that a trace of a smirk on Alkdama’s lips? I didn’t like her. I hadn’t when we’d first arrived, and I didn’t trust her now. She did not have the same kind aura Nerissa did or the old man. Or even the young witch who’d brought us our food when we were here before. This Alkdama witch kept things hidden and secret.

“The draken homeland is on Lyoness, an island far to the north and off Dorea’s east coast. I have heard rumors the draken homeland was destroyed, however. There is a war up north, one my coven has fled. I cannot say if any drakens remain. If they do, they will be north.”

Her eyes shimmered with pain. Perhaps her secretive ways came from a wish to protect her coven. Her family. I could understand that.

“Did you lose many?” I asked, curious. Maybe her and I weren’t so different after all.

Her face tightened. “All. Except these few who fled south with me.”

Ah. That would explain much. “Killed in battle?” I wondered. The witches seemed very powerful when they set their minds to it.

Alkdama looked away. “Kidnapped by strange creatures, demons who prowl the lands up north. For what purpose? I cannot say. Where the demons did not tread, lykoses and vampyres killed everyone. The humans are enslaved.”

That threw me. Humans enslaved and creatures free? I tried to imagine myself as the one outside the cage, holding food and taunting my master, who lay filthy and unrecognizable in my old cave. I couldn’t quite manage it.

“I don’t want to bring her to any harm,” I argued. If what Alkdama said was true, I would be taking Nerissa into a war zone. That would not be safe.

But I needed to find these other drakens.

“I will go,” I said suddenly, the way forward suddenly clear. It was too dangerous to move Nerissa, and she was safe with Alkdama even if the witch didn’t care for me. I trusted her to care for one of her own.

“I will find the other drakens and learn what to do. I will save her.”

Alkdama nodded but bit her lip, an odd sort of guilt flickering in her eyes. She pulled a small dagger and quickly opened a small line on her forearm, bleeding immediately. She dipped one finger into the blood, then swiped it across my forehead before I could jerk away. I blinked and the wound on her arm was already healed.

“My blood will temporarily block the effects of your curse, but it will not last long. Do not let it wipe off, and you must return before the sickness overwhelms you again.”

She turned from me, her gaze lingering on Nerissa. “See Alina for food and supplies. Good luck.” Alkdama turned from me and knelt by Nerissa’s side.

I refused to linger or say goodbye, because it wasn’t goodbye. I was simply going on an errand, and I would be quick to return.

The young witch must have been listening because she was already standing by the fire with a satchel of food and a waterskin.

I raised an eyebrow at her.

“Grinda says I know things I shouldn’t,” she admitted with a small smile. “But in this, speed is what you need.”

I begrudgingly accepted the supplies. “What else do you know?” I asked, figuring it couldn’t hurt. I was quickly learning the information was far more powerful than muscles and iron, and even magicks.

Alina blinked, and the words rushed out quickly. “I know Alkdama is not pleased you half-broke the blood curse and are now tied to a witch of her coven.” She gazed at the ground, crossing her arms over her chest.

I chuckled. “I already know she hates me.”

Aline shifted uncomfortably. “Safe travels, then. The Mother be with you.”

I nodded at what sounded like serious words, and shifted my supplies until they settled comfortably against my body.

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