Lord of Destiny (The Dragon Demigods #6) - Charlene Hartnady Page 0,76

It can’t possibly. He’s just as OTT as Tri but in the opposite direction.

“I can’t believe it,” West says.

“I’m…I’m speechless,’ Trident mumbles.

“Pity we’re probably all going to die,” Barrett mutters.

“Big fucking pity,” Forge adds. “It’s not over until it’s over.” He raises his brows. “I’m going to take a whole bunch of those fuckers down with me.”

“Our calculated risk is through the roof.” Zale scratches the back of his head. “But I agree…no giving up here. I want to meet Bolt.”

“I have to get back to my family.” Night’s eyes are clouded with uncertainty.

“Why don’t you stay? You and Forge?” I say.

“What about me?” Lyre growls. “Not that I’m choosing to stay or anything, because I’m not.”

“You don’t have any kids,” Tri says. “Sorry. Also, you’re a surgeon, which could come in handy on the battlefield.” Again with the drama but he’s right.

“I’m in, then.” Lyre rolls his shoulders. “We should probably get out of here.” He looks up.

Maddox nods. “We should. I’m happy for you, West.” He smiles. “For both of you.” He glances at Tri, who is grinning.

Samuel grunts. He looks exhausted.

“I’ve always wanted a brother,” Tri laughs. “I have sisters…plenty of sisters.” He laughs harder. “Welcome to the family.” He hits West on the back. “My mom is going to fucking love you. You’ll have to come to dinner this weekend.”

“I’d love to.” I’ll be fucked, but West looks happy. He’s smiling.

“Let’s make it through the next few hours,” Maddox says, sounding gruff. “I don’t mean to be a downer, but… I’m just pointing out the facts, is all. Let’s focus and get through this.”

We all nod, taking off the rest of our clothes. Then we’re taking to the sky and flying. We go steady and easy. We want to save our energy. Not that it will do us much good, mind you. Still! I note that Trident and West are turquoise in their dragon forms. Another giveaway, if the birthmark wasn’t enough. I don’t know another dragon with coloring quite like that.

We fly for what feels like forever. I’m hopeful that we make it before dawn. I’m worried about what morning will bring for Raven.

I’m starting to get the feeling that we are close. There are dense forests below us. The same ones that Raven and I holed up in.

We hear wingbeats. Then there are shrieks of warning. Loud and shrill. From our left. From our right. We ignore them and follow the formation leader. We follow Maddox. He has taken the lead on this. He knows where we are headed, Raven is his sister and he knows this weyr.

“It’ll mean sure death for all of us.” Maddox’s words ring through my head as we fly. The sky is changing color on the horizon as the sun starts thinking of rising. It’s beginning to lighten a smidgen, hinting at the pinks and oranges to come.

We start to descend as they surround us. Five…ten…then as many as thirty-five. We remain calm and docile. We are not here to wage war. Clearly! That would be stupid since there are only twelve of us. Only twelve. I’ve been told that we’ll be outnumbered by twenty to one. Maybe more. We’re going to try to barter for Raven’s release. We’re going to talk. To have a fucking chit chat. Somehow, I don’t think that Tarek is a listening kind of guy. I don’t think he’s one for negotiating either. He makes the rules. He enforces them. It’s all black and white to him. This is his kingdom. His domain. We’re pretty much fucked, but still we fly. The drum of our beating wings is loud. It’s ominous. We have to try.

Maddox is going to offer himself up for his sister. His life for hers. I plan to do the same, even though I’m not part of this weyr.

Jarrod and Forge told our weyr what was happening and of our plans. Several of the men offered to join us. Colton, Forge’s brother, was among them. There were a couple more. Since this is madness – sure death, if Maddox is to be believed – we turned them down. It would have been different if a hundred men offered. We got seven…seven out of a weyr of hundreds. There’s still no love lost for us. That’s where the weyrs are all in agreement. Dragon demigods aren’t worth much. They won’t help us save the life of a single dragon shifter woman. Why? Because Tarek’s weyr doesn’t give them any trouble. They stick