The Monster's Caress - S.E. Smith Page 0,75

use it to stop me. Promise me, Nali,” he said, cupping her hand around the dagger. “I need your solemn promise.”

“Asahi—” she whispered in horror.

“I would rather die swiftly than turn into a monster that would harm you or anyone else,” he quietly replied.

He leaned down and brushed a kiss across her forehead. She briefly closed her eyes and tightened her grip on the golden dagger’s leather sheath. Could she do it? Did she have the strength to harm Asahi?

“I—promise,” she forced out.

Tears burned her eyes when he tenderly caressed her cheek with his knuckles. A rueful smile curved his lips, and he nodded to the dagger. She looked down at it.

“Do me a favor and don’t pull Mr. Gryphon out unless it’s absolutely necessary. His constant talking is annoying, not to mention distracting. Just don’t tell him I said that or he’ll never stop complaining,” he said.

Her laugh was strained, but she nodded.

“Stand back,” he advised.

She moved back, her worried gaze never leaving his face. He stood perfectly still for several minutes with his hands together in front of his broad chest. His breathing grew slower, deeper and more measured.

She watched in fascination as he gracefully moved in a fluid kata that looked almost like a dance. He traced measured, graceful arcs with his hands as if he were embracing the world. He moved one foot in a circle and the rest of his body followed. She parted her lips in awe. She could almost imagine the wind moving under his command. It was the most beautiful thing she had ever seen.

Goddess, please help me save him, she silently pleaded.

Valdier:

The Hive

Carmen released Creon’s hand when they entered the mammoth cavern. Her heart pounded with fear and desperation as she surveyed the deserted interior. The soft golden light did not immediately reveal her daughter.

“Phoenix! Phoenix, sweetheart, where are you?” Carmen called.

“Phoenix!” Creon shouted from behind her.

Their voices echoed throughout the cavern. Harvey bounded forward along a wide path through the rocks. Carmen hurriedly followed the symbiot.

“Carmen,” Zoran called to her.

She ignored him, breaking into a run. “Phoenix, where are you?” she urgently yelled again.

She rounded an enormous boulder and stumbled to a stop. In front of her, a wide river of gold flowed through the center of the cavern. She observed the river’s flow, following it to the far end and a nearby staircase—where she saw the fading ghostly image of her daughter in dragon form as she flew through a portal at the top of the stairs. “Phoenix!” she screamed.

“Carmen, wait,” Zoran hissed, grabbing her arm.

She jerked free and transformed. Creon was already flying toward the Gateway. Her tail struck Zoran as she lifted off the ground.

Creon, catch her! she pleaded.

The fire of a mother’s love filled her, driving her dragon to fly faster than she ever had before. The Gateway was closing. Creon was almost to it when a roaring hum and a wave of gold surged up from the river. Long bands of gold shot outward, wrapping around Creon’s dragon and pulling him away from the rapidly closing gateway.

A cry of rage erupted from Carmen along with a torrent of dragon fire. Out of the corner of her eye, she saw spears of gold shooting out from the river like deadly missiles. She attempted to evade them, and Harvey flew between her and the spears, roaring when the long, golden shafts struck him.

She was almost to the platform when Zoran grabbed her from behind. Twisting, she cried out in shock when she saw Zoran’s larger dragon gripping her by the wings. The force of his midair tackle sent them spiraling downward. Zoran turned them at the last second, taking the brunt of their impact with the stone floor. They rolled across the floor, sliding several feet before they stopped.

Carmen’s frantic gaze remained glued to the Gateway as it vanished before her eyes, leaving a solid wall of rock outlined by an arched doorway. She shook uncontrollably, and a well of pain rose inside her until she thought her heart would break. Her pain turned to fury when she looked at Zoran. With a loud bellow, she rolled to her feet and launched herself at him.

“Release me!” Creon ordered, struggling to break free of the bonds holding him.

He had transformed seconds earlier, hoping the move would allow him to escape, but the restricting bands merely adjusted as his body changed. The sound of Carmen’s furious roar made him wince. He twisted around, trying to see her.

“I need to