Daryn clutches her hands close and bows her head. Her breath is ragged and her back shakes.
Spent.
She’s spent by what she’s just done.
What has she done?
“Sebastian,” Jode says with an exhale.
Then a deafening roar pulls my attention up.
Ra’om is ripping down the sky, coming right at us.
CHAPTER 58
I swing into Riot’s saddle and tear toward Daryn. It’s a short distance, but Riot struggles. His gait is lopsided and he’s grunting with every stride. Dismounting, I reach Daryn in three strides.
“Gideon,” she says, tears brimming in her eyes. “It was supposed to be me! I didn’t know Bas would do that! It was supposed to be me!”
“We’ll get him back.” Sebastian’s scales are looped around my left arm. They give me hope that he’s still alive. “We’ll get him.”
Ra’om sweeps down from the sky, strafing the cabins and trees with fire. Ronwae and her scorpions attack with no fear of death. They were moments away from attaining what they wanted. Failure has driven them mad, but I’m no different.
Vengeance beats through me like a pulse. I’m blinded by it. I know I am. All I want to see is the destruction of the Kindred who are left. All I want to do is join Jode and Marcus in demolishing Ronwae’s scorpions.
Ra’om dives on us from above. Daryn and I lunge away, and Riot bolts. The dragon’s huge talons gouge the dirt where we’d just stood. He climbs into the sky, pumping his massive wings, his long tail stretched out behind him.
“He won’t stop,” Daryn says. Her tears are gone. Now there’s only fierce determination. In her hand is a small globe, alive with colors swirling inside it. I know it’s our cuffs, formed together. Our way back to Sebastian. “I have to get this somewhere safe.”
“And you, Daryn,” I add, because now I know. It’s not only the key. It’s the keeper.
Riot comes back to us, bobbing his head. His breathing has become short and raspy. Shadow is with him and she’s distraught, her movements jerky and her eyes wild. I know she’s searching for Bas.
“I’ll take her.” Daryn grabs Shadow’s reins. She steps into the stirrup and mounts the black mare. Shadow dances anxiously, but Daryn is firm and Shadow settles under her confidence.
“Daryn, wait,” I say, before she leaves. I take Riot’s reins. He jerks his head up, his amber eyes glowing with defiance. He wants to stay with me, but I can’t let him. Not with blood hissing from the gashes on his thigh. “Go, Riot.”
Daryn rides, and my horse goes with her, the fire rising over his legs.
Then I’m alone, surrounded by war.
Ready.
I see that Jode and Marcus have taken Ronwae down together. The red scorpion has no stinger. It’s been severed, along with both claws. Jode is pumping arrow after arrow into her body as she shrieks. After what Ronwae did to Sebastian, it’s not ruthless enough for me.
In the sky, Ra’om is easily contending with the two F-22s that have finally arrived. He twists and dives through the air, more agile than the planes. A perfect aerial predator.
I watch him as he sails down, blowing fire over the cabins, and I try to find his weakness. His eyes … his nostrils … the underside of his body … his joints …
You’re mistaken, Gideon. I’m protected there, too.
“You’re lying,” I reply, watching him high above. “But that’s okay. I’ll find a better way to kill you.”
He tucks his wings and plunges. In just seconds, he pulls up in the clearing in front of me with a thud that shakes the earth.
Ra’om unfolds himself, drawing up to his full size. There’s a challenge in his red eyes. Pride, in his erect posture and the curve of his long neck.
You should have accepted my offer when you had the chance.
I walk toward him. “You’re nothing without Samrael. He was stronger than you. What have you ever done but hide? You just show up for the glory. But there is no glory now, is there?”
Ra’om unfurls his neck and lifts his head high as he shuts his eyes. Fire tumbles from his mouth, rolling into the sky like a glowing orange wave. The sound of his anger penetrates through me, shredding across the woods and shaking the mountains.
I keep walking. “You know what I think, Ra’om? Samrael was never going to take you with him. He thought you were weak. He told me so.”
No. He’s my kin! Samrael is waiting for me. I’ll join him and when I do, I’ll take you with me. You’ll bow to me, Gideon. I will break you. You will be mine.
Pride, I think, as I keep approaching him. That’s his weakness.
Earned pride, Gideon. My pride is earned. You think you can defeat me with your sword and your one hand?
“Yes.” I lift my sword. “I don’t even think I need this,” I say, calling it back. “You’re just a giant lizard with wings. Except butt-ugly.”
Ra’om lowers his head and extends his long neck. I know what’s coming. It’s what I wanted.