Battle Bond: An Urban Fantasy Dragon Series (Death Before Dragons #2) - Lindsay Buroker Page 0,9
wrenching free from their beds, and I flicked it away. As old as the windmill was, the floorboards were thick and solid, and I couldn’t pull up the rest with my hands. I had to keep using the sword as a crowbar. Aware of the seconds passing, I forced myself to be careful and methodical—and not cut my leg off.
Another thud came from below. Sindari trying to knock down the door.
“Don’t hurt yourself. I’ll be down as soon as this hole is wide enough.”
There isn’t much time. He sounded certain.
“What does that mean?” I snapped another board free. A bead of sweat ran down the side of my face.
I sense the dragon approaching.
I swore. “How far away?”
The dragon wasn’t within range of my senses yet, but Sindari’s range was greater than mine.
Three miles, maybe four. He’s flying this way.
I swore again and pried another board free. It clattered loudly as it landed. How well could dragons hear?
“Is someone out there?” For the first time, words reached my ears, as muffled as the crying had been and barely audible.
Sindari threw himself at the door again.
The hole was wide enough. I sheathed Chopper and scrambled down, willing my night-vision charm to activate, then wincing because there was still too much light filtering down from above, and it created a weird flare effect—and an instant headache.
Squinting, I clambered across the millstones to the opposite side of the basement. It grew darker as I moved away from the holes in the floor.
Directly under the ground-level entrance above, there was a short tunnel littered with pieces of stone that had fallen over the years. Sindari shifted aside, and I rushed forward, placing a hand on the oak door. The hinges were rusty but thick, and the wood was as solid as he’d promised. The zing of magic against my palm warned me of the enchantment sealing it.
“I’m here,” I called. “We’re getting you out.”
“Please, please, help us,” came the return call, a girl’s voice.
I prayed the kids truly were alive in there and that some magic wasn’t talking to me while beheaded children lay scattered among the upper levels of the windmill.
Two miles away, Sindari warned.
I closed my eyes and concentrated, willing the charm to unlock the door.
The enchantment broke, and the magical zing of electricity winked out. There wasn’t a latch or knob, so all I could do was stick my finger in an empty knot and tug, hoping that was enough. The door glided soundlessly outward.
Four dirty, gaunt faces peered at me, and the scent of urine and feces wafted out. The children—two boys and two girls—must have been locked in there for days. Their lips were cracked—hadn’t they even been given water?
“We have to hurry.” I waved them out. “And you have to climb.”
There’s not going to be time. Sindari had moved to the hole and peered upward. Unless you want me to distract another dragon. There’s no cliff to leap off this time.
He could turn this whole place into a bonfire while we’re in the basement. I helped the children out, wincing at how slowly they moved, their bodies stiff after being locked up for so long. The youngest girl paused to wrap her arms around my waist. It was touching, but all I could think about was that we didn’t have time. Later, there could be hugs.
My senses lit up as the dragon flew into my range.
A mile? I asked Sindari.
Yes. He’ll be here in seconds. Sindari bunched his powerful leg muscles and sprang the twenty feet out of the hole, landing lightly on the floorboards above. Dust trickled down between them. I’ll run into the woods and try to buy you time.
Thank you. Make sure to dismiss yourself before he can hurt you.
I will. You make sure to irritate him enough that he doesn’t follow me back to my realm. His tone was dry, but also concerned. Unlike most magical beings, dragons could instantly make temporary portals to the other realms.
I’m stealing his prisoners. I’m sure he’ll be pissed.
I hope so. If he’s taking prisoners, he’s not going to be as easy to deal with as the other dragon.
I almost scoffed at the idea of Zav and his cocky arrogance being easy to deal with, but Sindari was right. However arrogant he was, Zav believed he was one of the good guys. He hadn’t razed the city of Seattle to get to his dark-elf targets when he had the power to do so.