Page 77 of The Lost Child

“You three are fierce fighters. I welcome any defense that will protect my coven,” Alkdama answered.

I frowned. “The pirate companies will be scattered and broken for quite some time. Maguire is dead, and my father. There aren’t many other companies worth note, just groups of a few men here and there who like to bother merchant ships.”

My eyes grew wide, a sudden thought occurring to me. “Alkdama, do you feel exposed here on the southern tip of Dorea?”

The leader of the blood witches furrowed her brow. “Yes. I fear every night when I go to sleep that the demon hordes will fall upon us from the north and carry my coven away like they did the first time.”

Nasi growled. “Demon hordes? I have met them on my travels. Great big hulking beasts that steal and murder, taking what they find and leaving nothing but blood behind them.”

Alkdama’s eyes shined with pain. “Where have you met them?”

Nasi sighed, resting his hands on his thighs. “Before I mated Kaida, I traveled north and east to return to Lyoness, home of the drakens. I encountered a few demons running through the woods, as well as human slaves and a water witch.”

Nasi gave a sad look to Canavar, who blinked in confusion.

“I thought you said the drakens lived on the island?” Canavar asked Alkdama.

Alkdama shrugged her shoulders. “As far as I’m aware, they did. I assume no longer, since they fell, and they are here.” She gestured at Nasi.

Nasi hung his head. “The island was swallowed by the volcano. Nothing but ash and death remain.”

Kaida leaned against his shoulder, giving him comfort. Canavar frowned.

I thought the answer was too simple and too tidy. “So … you’re saying all the drakens are dead? That can’t be right. There’s no way everyone was on the island at the same time when it erupted,” I pointed out, trying to be logical.

Nasi grunted, accepting my point. “Our warriors were on the continent fighting, but I don’t know what became of any of them.”

“But there’s a possibility there are other drakens out there, just scattered. Take you and Kaida for instance. You two found each other, and you found Canavar. There are probably many more like you out there.”

I turned excitedly to Alkdama, unable to contain my enthusiasm any longer. “The answer is simple, don’t you see? You want a more defensible home for the blood witches, and the drakens need a home base to rebuild their people, and have somewhere for more drakens to go once they’re discovered.”

Kaida shook her head. “What do you mean?”

I could have screamed it was so obvious to me. “We take the pirate island for the blood witches and drakens. We set up a new Lyoness.”

Kaida and Nasi stared at me, clearly in shock. Alkdama put her hands together, clearly thinking hard.

“This is the time to do it,” I pressed. “The pirates are gone and killed. There is no one left to challenge you for it. With three drakens and the powers of the blood witches, it’s ours for the taking. Right?”

Doubt filtered in at their lack of response. Had I missed something in my eagerness? A major detail or flaw that made it impossible?

“I think … that could work,” Alkdama said slowly, her eyes beginning to burn with a determined fire. “Yes, an island that is defensible. We can put blood wards around an island easily. Do you remember how to ward? The drakens always had a knack for it that we didn’t.”

She looked to Nasi, who ducked his head in embarrassment. “I have lost much from my childhood. Perhaps with your tutelage on blood magicks, I can remember what I saw others do.”

Alkdama nodded. “Yes. This is the way. All of you need instruction in your blood magicks. I do not mind sharing a home island with the drakens. We will be safer together as we rebuild our cultures.”

Canavar stalked up to her, fangs bared before anyone could stop him. “No blood curses,” he growled, using every bit of his large frame to leer over her.

To her credit, Alkdama only took a half-step back, instead of a full one.

“And no deals with pirates either,” he continued, every muscle tight with aggression.

Her lips tightened into a thin line. “Fine,” she allowed.

“If she participates in building blood wards, that means she won’t be able to do anything that harms anyone living on the island,” Nasi lectured. “Does that satisfy?”

Canavar huffed, and turned abruptly from Alkdama.

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