“Not really,” she replied, her eyes glued to the approaching giant. “But I’m right behind you.”
We leaped into the air and flew straight at the monster’s jaws and eerie, glowing eyes. It hissed and reared back its neck to strike, mouth opening to show curved ivory fangs. As we drew closer, it lunged, snapping at the air as we veered aside and split up to go around it. Snarling, it whirled, huge jaws agape as it snapped and swatted at us, like we were giant scaly wasps buzzing around its head. Gunfire still echoed somewhere behind us as the soldiers of St George continued to pump rounds into the enormous dragon. Thankfully, the bastards’ aim was better than their manners, though I still expected that, at any second, one of us would get caught in the crossfire. Thankfully, I was so busy trying not to be crushed by a gigantic clone dragon, I barely had time to worry about being shot by overzealous dragonslayers. I dodged a taloned forepaw nearly as big as my head, darted between two buildings and heard the clone smash through the wall as it followed, tearing out chunks of brick and mortar as it forced its way between. I landed, spun around and immediately had to leap away as those curved claws raked a two-foot gouge into the earth.
Shit. The thing was fast as well as big. I ducked, dodging the teeth that snicked shut inches from my head, saw Ember bound forward and rake both claws down the monster’s back leg. It snarled and whirled, swatting at her, but stumbled a bit from being hamstrung, and she bounced back out of reach. I darted in, slashing its flank with my talons, and it hissed—whether in pain or annoyance I couldn’t tell—and spun on me again.
Well, this is fun. I dodged a nasty blow to my skull and saw Ember leap at its back again while it was distracted. But it was wise to her methods now and sidled away from her talons. Whatever you’re planning, hurry up, St. George. We can’t keep harassing this thing forever.
And then it happened. The thing lunged with a roar, snapping at me. I swerved to avoid those snapping jaws of death but didn’t see the claw coming until it smashed into my ribs. I heard something snap and was flung away, crumpling to the ground and rolling several feet before I came to a dazed stop.
Gritting my jaw, I tried to push myself upright, but then someone jammed an invisible knife between my ribs and I sank back with a hiss of pain. The ground rumbled beneath me, and I looked up to see the Adult looming closer, a snarling Ember clinging to its back, ripping at its shoulders. It ignored the red hatchling, its blank silver eyes fixed on me as it stalked forward to end my life.
Oh, that’s great. I’m going to be eaten by a dragon. Wait till Wes hears about this.
Something streaked past me in a silvery blur. Mist flew straight into the dragon’s face, sinking her claws into its eyes and muzzle. The Adult bellowed and reared back, shaking its head, trying to dislodge the dragon clawing at its face. Mist snarled and refused to relent, beating her wings for balance as the clone roared and flailed.
Finally, with a mighty fling of its head, the clone hurled the silver dragon into the air. She spun gracefully midfall, flapped her wings and flew toward the armory. From its back, Ember leaped skyward, as well, just as a black, armored truck slammed full speed into the Adult dragon, knocking it to the side. It let out a screech, the first real sound of pain I’d heard, as the truck plowed straight into a wall, crushing the dragon between several tons of metal and brick. Blood streamed from its mouth and nostrils as it gave a defiant scream and thrashed violently, tearing at the vehicle with tooth and claw before it finally freed itself. Soldiers rushed forward, firing their weapons as the huge dragon staggered, stumbling forward in an almost-drunken manner. Blood poured from its mouth in streams as it turned in a confused circle, staring blearily at the humans swarming around it.
Finally, with the last groan of a dying giant, it collapsed to the dusty earth. For a moment, it lay there, panting, still confused as to what was happening to it. Then the silvery eyes turned dark, the great jaws stopped gasping and the enormous head slumped to the side as the vessel shuddered one last time and didn’t move again.
I slumped to the dust as cheers rose around me. I would have joined in the celebrating, but I didn’t particularly feel like shouting, or moving, at the moment. My side throbbed; each breath sent a stab of pain through my obviously broken ribs. Lying here and breathing as shallowly as I could seemed like a pretty good idea.
With a creak, the door of the truck opened and the soldier staggered out, his face a bloody mess. Instantly, Ember launched herself over the dead clone dragon and flew to his side. Her eyes were worried as she leaned in, wings half-spread in alarm, and the human gave her a tired smile, probably assuring her he was fine.
Oh, sure. Go see if the human is all right. Don’t mind me; I’ll just lie here and try not to bleed on everything.
A shadow fell over me, and Mist landed a few feet away, blocking my view. “That,” she stated, peering down at me with glowing blue eyes, “was probably the stupidest thing I have ever seen anyone do, dragon or otherwise. Now I know how you’ve avoided Talon for so long—pure dumb, crazy luck.”
I chuckled, but it turned into a painful, raspy cough. “Uh, pot meet kettle,” I said, not bothering to move from the dirt just yet. “If it was so crazy, why did you come and help us?”
She sniffed. “I was told by my employer to aid you in battle tonight. He made it very clear that he did not want you or Ms. Hill to die.” Her chin rose defiantly. “My orders were to prevent that from happening, in whatever way possible.”
“Ah. So it was just orders, then.”
“Of course.” Mist rolled her eyes, but she wasn’t looking at me anymore. “I take my job very seriously, Cobalt. You wouldn’t understand.”
“Sure.”
Clenching my jaw, I pushed myself to my feet, grimly observing the battlefield and taking stock of our losses. The dead vessel, outlined in moonlight, sprawled like a black mountain in the center of a war zone. Bodies, both soldier and dragon alike, lay everywhere. Most of the dragon bodies were clones, but here and there, brighter scales glinted among the dull metallics, and a cold, sickening lump settled in my stomach.
Stupid, brave hatchlings, I thought, just as my gaze settled on a small brown dragon, crumpled between two larger clones. My heart sank. Remy. And now he would never tell stories again.