Burned by Darkness - Alexandra Ivy Page 0,48

she demanded.

Char shrugged, showing an astonishing lack of concern for his master.

“He’ll continue to distract the bastards until we’re out of here,” he said, keeping a tight grip on her hand. “We need to go.”

“We can’t leave him behind,” she protested. “What if he gets hurt?”

Char snorted. “He’s a big boy. Trust me, he can take care of himself.”

She gave a grudging nod. There were few things that could actually pose a danger to a dragon.

Still, she couldn’t leave. Not yet.

“What about my father?”

Char studied her with rising frustration. “Unless you want the pleasure of killing him with your own hands, I’m sure the assassins will dispose of him once they realize he’s of no use.”

“No,” she protested. “I don’t want him dead.”

Char studied her with a baffled expression. “Why not?”

“My precise question,” Levet muttered.

“Shut up,” Char growled, his gaze never leaving Tayla.

“Hey,” Levet protested.

Tayla heaved a small sigh. She’d never make anyone understand.

“I can’t just leave him here.”

For a tense moment, Tayla thought the dragon might force her out of the tunnel. It wasn’t like she was strong enough to fight him if he decided to toss her over his shoulder and leave the castle.

Then, clearly sensing she would blame him if anything happened to Odel, he turned to tug her through the darkness.

“Baine is going to kill me…”

CHAPTER TWELVE

With long strides, Craven moved through his castle that was being methodically destroyed by the dragon flying overhead. Somewhere in his thick skull he knew he should be terrified. No one faced off against a dragon and lived to tell the tale. But it was fury that thundered through him as he stepped onto the rampart to discover Reece staring at the sky in horror.

Craven’s eyes flashed with crimson as he followed his companion’s gaze toward the massive creature that was belching fire. He hissed in fury. With each blast the bastard was turning the castle’s outer fortifications into smoldering piles of rubble.

“Shit,” he growled, watching as his five-million-dollar investment went up in smoke. “Does he have to destroy the whole damned place? I spent a fortune on this lair.” His hands clenched. “Not to mention the spells that are supposed to protect it. I’m going to kill that witch.”

The smaller male shoved back his long hair with fingers that visibly trembled.

“There’s not a witch in the world who has magic strong enough to keep out dragon-fire,” Reece muttered. “Maybe you shouldn’t have provoked the flying lizard.”

“Me? Don’t you mean ‘we’?” Craven growled, his heavy boots scraping against the stones beneath his feet as he lurched to the side. Damn the dragon and his blasts of fire. The entire place was shaking as if there was an earthquake. “We’re in this together.”

Reece shrugged, lifting a slender hand. “Sorry, but I’m sure you’ve heard the old saying that ‘there’s no honor among thieves’ and all that crap. Especially when there’s a dragon involved.” He waved his hand. Then, waved it again, and again. His eyes widened with fear. “Oh…hell.”

Craven smirked. “Problems?”

“I can’t form a portal,” the fairy mongrel breathed in shock.

Craven arched a brow. He’d specifically had the witch cast her spell so it recognized the fairy’s magic.

“Don’t look at me,” he said. “I have no ability to alter the spell.”

Reece glanced toward the sky. “The dragon must have blanketed us with his magic.”

“A pity.” Turning on his heel, Craven headed back toward the door.

He’d vaguely hoped he would come up here to discover the spells he’d paid out the ass to have wrapped around his property would be protecting them from the dragon attack. Now it was obvious the only option was to flee.

Not surprisingly, Reece was on his heels as he headed down the narrow flight of stairs.

“Where are you going?” Reece squawked, clearly forgetting his claim of every thief for himself.

“Unlike you, I actually planned for an emergency,” Craven informed him.

The fairy released a shaky sigh, the scent of his fear filling the air.

“You have a way out?”

Craven grimaced as he continued down the spiral staircase. He wanted to grab Reece by the throat and toss him out one of the narrow windows. Watching the treacherous fairy being burnt to a crisp might ease a portion of his seething frustration. Unfortunately, he couldn’t deny that the male had his uses.

Once they left the castle and were away from the dragon’s smothering magic, they would need a quick escape out of the mountains. What better way than a handy dandy portal?

He could use the imp, of course. But, he