Chapter 30: Chapter 30

SILVER

Without my hearing or seeing, a weight that comes from nowhere pushes me down from above when claws slam down on either side of my small, lithe Dragon body.

I feel teeth around my throat, and a larger, heavier tail keeps mine weighed down beneath it. I’m in a choke hold that could kill me. One crunch of that huge jaw, and I won’t be able to breathe.

So, I only have one more chance at escaping. Misting to my human form.

The moment I mist, I hear jaws snap shut behind me, and I know this situation is now deadly serious.

I mist to the caves, where I can only transform into my human form as I reach a quick dead end. The cave has become narrower the deeper I travel.

So now I’m stuck with nowhere to hide as I stand naked, my eyes trained on the end of the cave, simply waiting for the Dragon to pursue me.

I watch in terror as a large outline of a Dragon appears at the entrance, but obviously it will not fit the small cave I chose to hide within. I reach down and pick up a sharp rock as my weapon.

And then in a puff of almost invisible magic—the Dragon is gone.

I can’t see any mist either.

All I have is a feeling that the game isn’t over.

It certainly isn’t when a hand clasps my wrist, squeezes it, and steals my only weapon.

The stone is lifted and pressed to my throat just as another arm wraps around my middle, trapping me back against a familiar chest.

“Storm!” I call out in joy and sudden relief, looking over my shoulder to see my mate. “I should have known you’d scare me to punish me—~eep~!”

I shut up when he presses the sharp stone to my skin a bit tighter until it breaks, and a slither of warm blood drips down my neck.

“Unbelievable,” Storm growls and lets me go, dropping the stone. As it clatters, I spin and place my hands on my hips.

“I don’t care that you tried to scare me; I’m just glad you came.” I grin, but Storm does not smile.

“That was a lesson in fear, pipsqueak—because in the Tempest Lands, Dragons hunt Dragons; Dragons ~eat other~ Dragons.”

Storm’s golden eyes are furious, just like the Broken Fire leaking fast from his cheek.

“Hmm. How did you get that?” I ask, reaching up my hand to the Broken Fire while trying to change the subject.

Storm raises his hand and clasps my wrist in a tight grip. “You think you’re so smart,” he growls. “You’re not. In fact, we’re going back home, right now.”

“I don’t want to go back to the Lost Horde until we spend some time alone together,” I blurt out really quickly while jumping from foot to foot to keep warm. “Please?”

“Two options, pipsqueak. We go home, and I punish you in a forgiving land. Or we ~stay~, and I punish you in an unforgiving one. Your choice,” Storm smirks with evil intent.

“The outcome is still the same, either way.”

“Show me around before we return,” I beg. “Please?” I make sure my violet eyes are as wide as they can go.

“I beg you, Storm, I really do. Let’s do a crash course in real Silver Breed activities. Even if it’s a short time.

“Show me how to fly, how to see, how to be a Silver Breed in these unforgiving lands, as you call them.”

“So eager to learn it all in one night?” Storm questions rhetorically. “You are both cute and adorable. Now choose an option before I do.”

“Obviously, I choose to be punished here. I don’t care about the punishment, Storm. I just want to spend some time with you in the Tempest Lands,” I explain myself honestly.

“It was Risen’s idea, and maybe she was right. Let’s give this a shot.”

“Here is how the punishment works, pipsqueak.” Storm keeps holding my wrist, ignoring my chills and my statements of reason, as he instead threatens me with slow words.

“In this extremely unforgiving land, I’m going to have some fun with you. The punishment is a game. A learning game. One you won’t like. It’s called…who can murder more.”

“Umm…okay?” I wait for the punch line, but apparently there isn’t one.

“This part of Tempest territory is known to me. Death Canyon is home to many Dragons left out here to fend for themselves. Young reckless Shadow Assassins. They will try to kill you.

“They try to kill each other. In this Canyon, Dragons come to fight each other to the death. You will fly through the Battle Plains, and every time a Dragon tries to kill you—you must kill them.

“Before I do.”

“So is this really a game, or is this a lesson about murder? This is a joke, surely.” I try to smile to lighten the mood, because Storm’s eyes are very serious and unblinking.

“Actually, pipsqueak, it’s a lesson in sex and power. My old home…is at the very edge of Death Canyon. It’s the place I used to rule. If you survive the first part, you will see my home.

“Maybe not much of it, because when we get there, I am going to fuck you while I’m still covered in the other Dragon’s blood.

“Are you ready, pipsqueak? Are you ready to be defiled completely?” Storm asks.

“What you speak of is murdering for fun and having sex afterward like it’s completely normal,” I whisper after pausing for a moment to consider his words.

“It is normal, Silver… It’s normal in these lands to be that way. I wasn’t even aware such actions were considered barbaric until I left the East Lands and found the sun.” Storm grins. “I’ve already scared you; I see it in your eyes. Perfect.”

“I’m waiting for you to tell me which parts you were exaggerating…but you still look very serious, and now I’m just confused.” I take a small step back and look him over.

“Why would you love taking another’s life?”

“I’ll show you,” Storm says. “I’m done talking now, pipsqueak. It’s time to go.”

“What if I refuse?” I ask.

“I’ll kill double the number of Dragons I plan on killing for you today if you refuse to participate. Either way, blood is coming.” Storm’s expression switches to neutral as he loses the smile.

“You chose a very bad path coming here, Silver… So now, you have made your bed…and you shall sleep in it.”

I stay quiet as I consider his words and his expressions.

I wonder if this is just a lesson in fear, still.

As strange as it is, I decide to call his bluff.

Storm isn’t a random killer or a thoughtless and evil Dragon. I know he makes most decisions with sense and moral consideration.

This whole thing has to be a farce or at least an attempt to scare me out of my wits.

I decide to take the challenge, hoping the reward of outwitting Storm is worthwhile.

“I’m ready,” I finally say. “I decided I’m going to listen to you now, Storm. Let’s go…?”

“Hunting.” Storm has the word ready, and it flows out naturally like he’s said it many times before.

“Hunting,” I try saying, just to see his reaction at my positivity.

Storm still looks neutral…but assessing.

Farce or not…something tells me this punishment isn’t going to be easy.

I have a feeling that I won’t really know how bad it can be until I face the music.

I won’t know how evil or murderous Storm can become.

I won’t know.

Until I actually see it.

And now, with that very thought…I am scared.

Whatever I see next will be indicative of his worst characteristics.

So if Storm is evil in any way—I am about to see it.