Chapter Ten
1642 Words
The group left the coven house, their next stop Dracini Island. Brigid and Rhiannon were full of dread over what they were about to have to say to Lillith and Nervem. They knew that this would be a terrible blow to them.
When they got to the island, Justin was awed by how beautiful it was and how tall dragon humans were. He could feel how uptight everyone was, but he was more worried about Freya and Bardik, they have lost both friends and brother. He couldn't imagine what it is like for them, he just hoped he could help them. He unconsciously hugged the brown bag tighter to him, the weight of it surprisingly light.
The council decided it would be better to cut to the chase, and shortly after arriving at the keep, broke the news to Lillith and Nervem. They took it as well as they thought they would.
Lillith sat on the nearest couch, crying softly, "What do you mean my son was taken? I just got my daughter back only to lose my son? This is just like when she was taken! And you still have yet to inform me as to why MY DAUGHTER WAS TAKEN BY THE COUNCIL!" she finished the last part yelling at the two women in front of her. Nervem was standing beside his wife, his eyes flashing from amber to deep gold indicating that his dragon was begging to be unleashed.
Justin was clearly frightened by the fierce display of anger in front of him. He stepped back, trying to keep out of the way, he stood beside Freya, trying to help keep her calm. Of all of the people here, she truly had the most to lose, Bodhi was her brother, and Alev, well, to Justin it seemed like Alev was someone that Freya could love and have forever as he has for Clara.
Brigid and Rhiannon were speaking with the dragons trying to get them to see reason and calm them down. Bardik was in the room, he noticed Chusi sitting on a chair, her face was ashen. He went to her, his feet moving on their own.
He stopped in front of her, "Chusi, are you okay?" He asked her gently, reaching out to touch her. She stiffened at his touch.
"I'll be fine, thank you," she said. She didn't want to feel any connection with anyone right now, even though all she wanted was to sink into his warm embrace. She wanted to feel that comfort, but she was afraid that if she did, she would lose him too. There were too many questions that needed to be answered and until that happens she wasn't getting too close to anyone.
Bardik let his hand drop to his side, Topor was snapping at him for letting her go so quickly. "She needs us right now you stubborn ass."
Bardik scowled inwardly at his wolf, "No, right now, she needs someone that will give her the space she needs. We will let her know we are here for her, and that will have to be enough for now."
He looked at Chusi and gave her a small smile, trying to assure her that he would do everything he could to save her brother. "Well, if you need me, I'm here for you," was all he said to her.
Chusi sat there quietly, Storm, her dragon angry that she left that handsome wolf walk away from them, "Why did you send him away?"
"Because, I don't want anyone near me right now, Storm," Chusi said groaning when Storm stomped off.
Chusi watched with interest when her father finally noticed Justin standing in the corner trying to be unnoticed by everyone new in the room. Her father and mother stood over Justin, well everyone did on the island, for one, mythical creatures were usually taller than most humans, but dragons were most definitely the tallest. Her father was trying to place where he has seen Justin when her mother said to him.
"You smell like a hunter. What are you doing here?" her eyes were flashing a deep purple, meaning her dragon wasn't far beneath the surface.
Chusi smiled when Freya jumped between the three telling her parents that Justin was indeed a friend. Bardik was there in a flash as well, ready to defend both Freya and Justin. They all had questions about this man, and why he didn't think like a normal hunter.
Her mother warned them. "My son is in danger right now, Freya,. If your friend betrays us, you will all be sorry," the word friend making her mother's mouth twist.
Justin spoke this time, "Ma'am I am here to save two friends. I have no desire to continue what my father's ancestors started all those years ago." He was hoping to reassure the king and queen, with his words, but was unsure of how it sounded, even though he really did mean it.
It was then that Chusi noticed the satchel hanging from Justin's shoulder, hanging across his hip. She hoped that his word was true because if that was what she thought it was, all the mythics were going to be in a lot of danger.
Before they all got to the isle, the elder council laid a spell on Justin to cover his scent from the demons, and if they were being honest with themselves to protect themselves from him, if he wasn't going to be true to his words.
They had a small chuckle at his expense when he was worried that he smelled bad. With Freya gently explaining what they meant.
Chusi caught the last part of her statement, telling him that he should be able to smell them as well.
When Justin admitted that he couldn't really do that, but could occasionally see 'light around people' that piqued Rhiannon and Brigid's interest. They knew that they would have to see about this young man, and why he was oh so different than the other hunters.
When they reached the isle, Bardik and Chusi took up the rear of the group, between the two their heightened senses would be beneficial if the demons were to attack them from behind. But, right now, it seemed like all the two of them could do was argue quietly.
Bardik was worried that she had shown up, he didn't know much about her abilities, although Hyptu said she was a fierce fighter in both her forms. Bardik was worried that she would be injured.
"I'll protect the rear, you just let me know if you see anything," Bardik said.
"You do realize, I don't need your protection, right?" Chusi snapped at him, her anger at the situation was going to the wrong person, but she didn't really care right now.
"I will protect everyone here, Chusi, that includes you," Bardik replied back tightly, he was trying to keep himself in check with her. Now wasn't the time or place for arguing, the demons could feel all of the turmoil, they thrived on it.
"I am here to save my brother, you wouldn't understand," she whispered at him furiously. How could he understand what it's like? He's never lost anything so important to him?
Bardik sighed softly, she would never know what it's like to lose something to a fire, but maybe someday he would tell her.
"I haven't been able to be here for my brother or my parents for the last twenty years. And that wasn't my choice. So. Butt. Out," she said biting off each word at the end.
All he said to her was, "It's my job to protect people." After that, they continued on in silence. They knew what was about to happen.
The feelings of unease grew as they were making their way deeper into the isle. Chusi and Bardik's senses were on high alert when suddenly they heard it, a body-less voice greeting Freya. At his words, all the mythics that could transform were doing so. All that could be heard for a minute was the popping and snapping of their bones, followed by their growls and snarls once the transformations were complete.
Justin was in awe of everything going on around him, and he vowed then and there to never believe another word from his father's mouth again. He was so astounded by the changes that happened before him that he never saw the demon coming to attack him. Esmy, who has been in her owl form since arrival, screeched loudly in warning, as Freya came to his aid.
It was then that he decided to open his bag, with Freya worried, because she just now realized what it was.
Storm and Topor were following closely behind Freya as she burned a path for them when Topor was bitten by a demon. Storm's heart was in her throat at the sight of him in pain, but her anger grew and she blew a massive amount of fire from her mouth killing demons, then when she repeated the process this time, blowing ice and snow freezing the remaining demons in their path.
Freya complimented Chusi, "Thanks, but it's Storm. We need Brigid, Topor's been bitten."
While they were attempting to tend to Topor, who had now transformed back into his human, Justin approached.
"Brigid, these were in my father's bag will any of them help?"
Storm was watching all of this with interest noticing the sword Justin was carrying.
" This man is going to be very interesting to watch, " she said to herself.
- Writer
