physical and mental strength, and Teju was exhausted. But how would they escape underwater if they needed a bubble then? The only one who could survive underwater was Serah, and what if they survived that ordeal only to have to battle the kraken or get stuck in Charybdis?
They heard a deep rumble beneath them. Her body vibrated, pulsing waves running through her as if the volcano had let a big belch. Teju pulled her close when the volcano let out an indescribable noise, shaking the tunnel harder, debris raining down on them.
“Alexi!” Teju held out a hand.
Alexi tumbled toward them, and Teju threw up a bubble seconds before the tunnel collapsed, the sound of the mountain raining down on them like a thousand angry dragons roaring in her ears.
Teju’s face turned bright red, his features strained, his limbs shaking, as he maintained the bubble with his wand. Rocks and dirt kept falling. Serah held tightly to his arm, letting him lean against her, hoping to share what little strength she had with him.
“I’m not sure how much longer I can do this!” he cried.
A crack formed in the bubble, and a rock pinged off her forehead.
Heart racing, Serah wondered if they’d all be buried alive. She thought of her grandfather’s lone foot sticking out from under the rubble. Nobody had mourned him. What would Draque and Ladon do if they found their lifeless bodies under a pile of rocks?
No. This wasn’t how their lives were going to end. She refused to leave her mates and eggs, but how could she stop the onslaught?
Another rock pinged off her head as the crack in the bubble widened. Teju was shaking so badly, he looked ready to pass out as he held the wand above his head.
She had to do something, but what?
The amethyst scepter, an unfamiliar voice inside her whispered.
She had no idea where the voice had come from, and she didn’t care. Closing her eyes, she held out a hand and called to the scepter. She had no idea what to do with it once it came to her, but she’d figure it out.
Despite the roar of the falling debris, and her aching shoulder as Teju leaned harder against her, she put all of her focus into summoning that scepter.
Come to me, she commanded firmly, her focus unwavering. Come to your queen.
When something hard and solid struck her hand, she looked down. The wand glowed bright purple through a covering of soot. Expelling a shaky breath, she held it tightly. I need you to save us.
The world spun and shook, and she felt as if her spirit detached from her body, leaving Alexi and Teju behind as she soared to the heavens.
Great goddess! What was happening?
* * *
Despite the burning in his wings, Ladon followed his brother, panting as they neared the volcanic island. Thickening smoke clouded his vision, and he glanced one last time at the water below. Fortunately, Charybdis had slowed to a near stop and shrunk considerably. All they had to worry about now was the volcano and Gae, if she still lived.
The black smoke pouring from the center of the island had become heavier, and it stung his eyes. Even though he was a fire-breathing dragon, the smoke that filled his lungs was thicker than he was used to and coated his tongue in gritty, bitter soot.
That volcano looks ready to blow, he projected to Draque.
I don’t care, he answered curtly, his attention focused on the island. We’re going after them.
Ladon didn’t want to turn back either, but when the crater began to heave and boil, fear threatened to overwhelm him. They were almost to the island when he saw the funnel contract and then expand with a bang so loud, it shook his insides.
Look out! he cried, as thousands of flaming rocks flew in their direction.
He flew for the water, crashing through it. Despite having thick dragon scales, the frigid water penetrated his flesh and chilled his bones. He and Draque sank beneath the surface, dodging falling debris as it hit the water.
Draque cried out when a rock sliced through his wing.
Wrapping his wings around himself, Ladon sank even deeper when a jagged rock scraped his backside. He looked down into water that was so black, it resembled an icy tomb. He didn’t want to die here. But when he looked up, he was dismayed to see the surface alight with flames. We need to get into a bubble, he said to Draque.
He shifted into human