“Who do you think is attacking us, Hera?” I asked, falling in step with her.
“Anyone and everyone.” There was no hint of fear in her voice, as usual. “We were first attacked by the Lukens. They had weapons forged with magic. So, it is safe to assume that the witches were involved.”
“Next, the vampires attacked us. Then, by that strange creature, we don’t know.” I listed out, toying with the locket around my neck. A sense of hopelessness gripped me. “You are right, Hera. We are being attacked by everyone.”
Letting out a frustrated sigh, I snapped, “Isn’t enough that we are going to meet those mighty dragons? Why do the others have to attack as well?”
“Don’t sound so depressed, Justin.” Hera said with a lighthearted chuckle. “We can handle them.”
“Why should we have to handle them? Isn’t this meeting important for werewolves, vampires, and witches alike? Don’t they all want to avoid a war?”
“They do, but they all want to do it as per their terms and conditions. They don’t want to accept the terms set by us.”
“I really feel that they are not worth your effort, Hera. We should just leave them to their devices. We could go far away and start afresh.”
“I don’t think that is a choice anymore, Justin.” Hera’s expression turned somber. “Our fates were set the moment we started this journey.” Something cold and sinister flashed in her eyes. “We are destined to meet the dragons.”
“If you say so…” I shrugged, walking a bit faster. “I feel like we will be buried alive before we make it to the foothills of Mount Vitus.”
Three days later, the pass opened to a stretch of path that was more towards rocky than icy. The mean temperature increased from sub-zero to a more bearable one. After walking for a few more miles, we reached a tunnel.
My steps faltered at its entrance. “It looks so dark and gloomy, Hera.” I stated in a wary tone and grabbed her hand. “This tunnel looks like one of those dark zones where you expect danger lurking. We should be more careful.”
Hera raised her hand and created a small flare using her magic. The soft blue flame illuminated the dark sector, revealing a vacant stretch. “See, there is nothing.” Her gaze drifted to our joined hands. “You can let go now.”
I squeezed her hand and tugged; struggling to keep my expression even. “What if this place is veiled with magic? We should stay together just in case….”
She burst into a peal of heart giggle, but didn’t comment. For a moment, I froze; mesmerised by her ringing laughter. It had to be the most beautiful sound in the world.
“Come,” Hera stated with a sharp tug. “If we get out of the tunnel on time, we will be able to see something very beautiful.”
“I don’t think there can be anything more gorgeous than the sight in front of me.” I said in a dreamy voice, rubbing the pad of my thumb over her hand.
“Don’t start with your gibberish so early in the morning,” she scolded, but her eyes lit up. Her lips slowly bloomed into a soft smile. Suppressing the urge to push her against the wall, I increased my pace.
We were already behind schedule. Delaying the meeting any longer could lead to more casualties. I was pissed earlier when those idiots kept on attacking. There was a time when I wanted the dragons to just burn everything just so they could teach those ungrateful punks a lesson.
But when I cooled down, I realised that my mother, Daciana and other people I cared about lived in the same world. A war would ruin their chance for a peaceful and happy life, too.
When the first rays of light became visible in the tunnel, Hera freed her hand and broke into a run. I adjusted the straps of my bag and hurried after her.
The sight that met my eyes made my breath hitch. The sun had just risen above the horizon; bathing everything in a soft orange glow. The large orb peeked out from the dense haze of fog; making it look like a ball floating in an enormous sea of clouds.
With a shrill cackle, a creature took off from the peak. It spread its wings and soared through the clouds. At first, I could only see a silhouette of the creature.
I pressed my palm over my eyebrows to get a clearer view. My jaws hung open in astonishment as my brain registered the beauty of the creature flying towards us.
It was larger than any creature I had seen. Its wingspan must have been at least forty feet. The green scales covering its body caught the orange sunshine and shone with a brilliant hue.
Its deep blue eyes pierced right through my soul; filling me with a sense of wonder. We were so awestruck by its beauty that we didn’t even realise when it was close enough to grab us.
A powerful gust of wing hit me as it flapped its wing. My right arm shielded my face reflexively while I grabbed Hera’s arm with my other hand.
Before I got the chance to think, the creature’s talons clasped around my arm. I gasped with horror as it lifted me right into the air. My gaze drifted to Hera to find that she was dangling by my other arm.
“It’s okay. Just hang in there.” Hera mouthed. Wisps of magic flowed through my arm to the creature’s talons; securing us.
My heart jumped to my throat as the creature soared into the sky. It glided through the air, taking sharp turns and shaking its body every once in a while.
My heart thrummed erratically and my stomach clenched with a queasy sensation. This was a million times worse than a roller coaster ride.
If it weren’t for Hera’s magical binding, we both would have fallen into the deep valley. After a while, it started circling the mountain. When it had completed the third round, a shrill cackle sounded from below.
The creature started moving faster and faster, lowering itself with every circle it took. When we were about twenty feet from the ground, it just dropped us.
Hera used her magic to cushion the fall and somehow when we landed on the ground, we were standing upright.
“I didn’t expect you to last so long,” a pompous voice sounded, followed by heavy footsteps.
I raised my head and straightened my back to find a tall man with a husky complexion walking towards us. Towering over me by a good two feet, he looked well built and robust. He came to a halt about three feet away from us. His condescending expression drifting from me to Hera.
Hera bowed to him. “Thanks for the hearty welcome.” Her lips curved into a smirk. “That was a pleasant ride.”
The man’s eyebrows twitched as if in annoyance. “It wasn’t supposed to be pleasant.”
Hera laced her arm through mine and smiled. “We had fun anyway. So, I guess I must still thank you, Desmond.”
His eyes widened slightly. “How did you know?”
Hera’s eyes drifted to the creature hovering next to us. “The way it bowed its head indicated that you are in charge here.”
His expression soured further, and he snapped, “I didn’t mean that.” He gritted through clenched teeth. “How do you know my name is Desmond?”
“I might have made a wild guess.” Hera shrugged. “Or maybe I have a knack for knowing stuff.”
“I have heard a lot about you. Seems like they were right in some ways.” His eyes narrowed, and he circled around us. Coming to a halt in front of us again, he rubbed his chin. “I want to see if they are right about other things, too.” His eyes sparkled with a fiery edge. “Why don’t we have a duel before we talk, Miss Wereheretic?”
“I don’t mind….” Hera said promptly, making my heart skip a beat. Why did she always have to run towards her death?
I cleared my throat. Trying my best to keep my voice even, I spoke, “Hera has been travelling nonstop for three days. Don’t you think it would be unfair if you duel with her right now?”
“Would you rather kneel and grovel?” He snorted and shook his head in disdain. “And here I thought you were different.”
“Justin didn’t mean that, Desmond. He just wanted the duel to be tomorrow morning.”
His lower lip puckered and his forehead creased in deep thought. “Fine, we will fight in the morning.” His discerning gaze pierced through mine. “Don’t think that you have won. I just don’t want anyone to say that I harassed a beautiful woman.”
He tossed his head and wiggled his index finger at us. “Follow me. I will take you to my abode. You can get some rest there.”
We followed him into a cavern that opened into a tunnel. Weaving our way through the maze of spiky stalactites, we emerged into a small chamber.
Desmond pulled a lever, and the chamber dropped steeply. I gasped and grabbed Hera’s hand.
“How did you end up with this Timid mouse?” Desmond mocked, his condescending gaze boring into me. Hera crept to my neck in humiliation. Glaring at the man, I snapped. “I am not afraid. I was just worried about my girlfriend.”
“Girlfriend, huh?” The man eyed Hera with a strange expression. “Is that right, Miss Wereheretic? Is this timid rat really your boyfriend?”
My heart stopped beating, and I held my breath; waiting in anticipation for Hera to reply. She waved off the question. “I heard that dragons have a long nose.” Her lips curved in a half smirk. “I guess it is true.”
The man’s expression hardened. He was about to say something, but a loud thud drew his attention. He pulled another lever inside the chamber.
With a soft whirring sound, the walls parted, revealing a luxurious corridor. Lush, red carpet spread along the floor. The walls were gilded with gold and the pillars were carved with exquisite figurines.
Two men dressed in deep green robes rushed towards us and came to a halt ten steps away from us. Bowing from their waist, they stood there waiting for his order.
“Take them to the guest room.” He gave a curt command and walked away without sparing us another glance.
The two men led us to a room at the very end of the corridor. It was small but well decorated. The floor was lined with a deep blue carpet while the walls were gilded with gold.
“The dragons sure have a deep love for gold,” I commented, placing the backpack on a chair.
Hera grunted absentmindedly and slumped to the chair opposite to me. “What do you think about Desmond?”
“Apart from being an arrogant prick?”
She chuckled, “Yes, apart from being an arrogant prick.” Her expression turned thoughtful. “I wonder if he will turn out to be a good ally.”
“Sorry? I didn’t understand.”
The deep frown on her forehead smoothened, and she shrugged. “Nothing. Let us just rest for now. We can talk about it later.”
I grabbed a quilt from the bed and spread it on the floor. “You take the bed.”
“It’s okay, Justin.” Hera said, climbing onto the bed. “There is enough space for both of us.”
“But….”
“Don’t worry, I am too tired to make a move…” Hera said, her eyes twinkling with mirth.
My face flushed, and I stuttered, “I… I didn’t mean that… I… just….”
“Just sleep while you can, Justin. We have no idea what Desmond will do after the duel.” A groan left her lips, and she tossed over to her side, leaving enough place for me.
I clenched and unclenched my fingers several times. The temptation to be so close to Hera was too alluring to ignore. With a frustrated grunt, I climbed on to the bed and laid down beside her.
My heart fluttered as I tossed from one side to another. We had to spend a lot of time together during the journey, but I didn’t know what Hera thought of me.
When I had introduced myself as her boyfriend, she had changed the topic wittily. Was it because she had no feelings for me? Did she also think that I was good for nothing?
“Stop overthinking.” Hera’s groggy voice sounded, and she turned to face me. “If you keep tossing and turning like this, I won’t be able to sleep.”
I reached over and patted her head, “Sorry…”
She nodded and closed her eyes again. My gaze drifted to her soft lips. No! I couldn’t do this. I couldn’t stay in such close proximity to Hera and just sleep.
I got out of the bed quietly and walked out of the room; my footsteps echoing in the silence of the corridor. The tapping of the footsteps seemed so loud that I ended taking them off. I didn’t want to draw unnecessary attention.
Walking through the maze of corridors, I found myself in a large hall. It was decorated a bit differently, with only black furnishing. Even the walls were gilded with some black metal rather than gold.
Creeped out by the weird ambience, I was about to leave when I heard some footsteps. My heart skipped a beat, and I slid behind one of the statues.
Moments later, Desmond walked inside with another man dressed in a deep blue robe. The sash that acted as a belt was strung with an assortment of black stones.
I almost gave myself away with an audible gasp when I saw his eyes. I recognised them. Even though they looked way too small now, I had no doubt that those eyes belonged to the dragon who had carried us here.
My gaze drifted to Desmond. He could shift into his dragon form too, right? An intense sense of dread gripped me. What if he decided to fight Hera in his dragon form? Would she be able to handle that?
“Why do you want to waste your time dueling with that weakling?” The blue-eyed man questioned, his face contorting with disdain. “Is she really worth your time?”
Desmond’s eyes lit up and his lips curved in a smirk. “I don’t know if she is worth my time, but it is certainly going to be fun.” He reached over and placed his hand on the man’s shoulder. “You should come and watch, Adrian.”
His expression soured. “I would rather go and hunt down those shameless wolves. Don’t they have any real men in their packs? How can they send a woman to negotiate?
“She is no ordinary woman, Adrian. She is known as the wereheretic. There was once a time when all the werewolves, vampires, and witches were desperate to catch her.”
Adrian’s eyes widened in shock, and he gasped. “That girl; she is the wereheretic? How is that possible? Didn’t the Lycan King execute her?”
“That is what we thought.” A long, deep sigh escaped Desmond’s lips. “That is what everyone thought….”
“If she is the wereheretic, why is she here? Didn’t she have some sort if feud with the werewolves, vampires and witches?”
“We will find out during the duel.”
“What if her objective is different from ours?”
“I will kill her by the end if the duel.”
“And what if our wants coincide?”
The man’s lips curved in a slight quirk. “In that case, I will kill her after the deal.” He shrugged and added in a dead tone. “Honestly, it is just a matter of time.”
My heart went numb and the sense of dread gripping me intensified. F***! These guys were insane! We should never have agreed to come here.
I felt like tearing my hair and shouting, but I held back. I had to warn Hera and if possible, we had to flee before sunrise.