Dragon Blood 1: Pliethin (10 page)

Sitting in the backseat of Maira’s car, Amber leaned against Kade, wishing the weekended didn’t have to end. Or that she had to return to her grandmother’s house. But she had school tomorrow.

“Pull over at the rest area ahead,” Kade ordered Maira. “And stay with Amber. Take her home.”

Amber noticed the dragon from Saturday night was still flying above them. He had followed them the entire drive from the city and he wasn’t alone. There were three of them up there. “I’m not going to leave you behind.”

“I’ll have Brann with me.”

“Two against three. Not good odds.”

“Amber-”

“No! I won’t have you risk yourself so Maira can get me to safety.”

“I don’t know who’s up there. I can’t have them finding out about you. They aren’t young dragons. Or at least one of them isn’t. I had a sense of quite a few years when he tried to invade my mind. At least fifty years. Maybe even a hundred.”

“I’ll stay in the car. You take Maira with you. I’ll be fine.”

Kade stared at her thoughtfully. “Don’t go looking for trouble.”

Amber smiled. “I never go looking for trouble. It has a tendency to come after me.”

Kade frowned. “That’s why-”

“Kade! I’ll be fine. I’ll lock the doors and wait for you.”

Maira pulled up at the rest area, parking as far from the road as possible. “So, what’s the plan? All?”

Kade hesitated. Then he nodded. “All.” He unbuttoned his shirt and dropped it on the seat. “Lock the car and don’t go anywhere.” He pulled Amber to him, kissing her before he got out of the car.

Amber watched as the three of them shimmered into dragons and took to the sky. She loved watching them do that. Locking the car, she slid into the front passenger’s seat. For some reason it felt safer in there. It was probably because she had a better view of her surroundings. Winding the window down slightly, she breathed deep, picking up the scents in the area. Three familiar dragons, three strange ones. Reaching out with her mind, she felt them out there. They moved further away. She didn’t try to invade any of their minds. She wasn’t good enough for that. All she wanted to do was keep track of where they were.

The window of the driver’s door shattered, a fist reached for the keys, dragging Amber’s attention back. She stared at the hand in shock for a few seconds before fear kicked in and had her moving. Unlocking the passenger door, she jumped out. Pulling her shirt over her head, she threw it into the car through the still open door. If she had to change into a panther to escape, she didn’t want to have to explain to her mother yet another missing garment.

A man moved towards Amber, the car keys dangling in his hands. He grinned at her and threw them into the bushes at the side of the road. “What are you?”

Amber slowly retreated, warily watching him. She hadn’t even noticed him coming. She’d been too focused on the six dragons in the sky. For a split second she considered calling Kade, but she didn’t know what was happening up there. She wasn’t going to risk distracting him.

“Don’t you mean who?”

The man laughed. “I don’t care who you are. It’s the ‘what’ I want to know. We thought you were a young dragon at first. But there’s a mixture of smells. Prey, predator. Human, dragon. Something I can’t quite put my finger on. So what are you?”

Amber tried to ignore how much taller he was than her. How the muscles in his arms rippled when they moved and how broad his chest was. His legs were encased in dragon-leather. He looked to be in his thirties, but gave an impression of being much older. It was his eyes. Pale blue eyes that looked like they’d seen and experienced everything.

Fear skittered through Amber and she tried to rein in the panther. She’d learned it wasn’t only hunger that made her want to change. Strong emotions of any kind did. “I don’t know what you’re going on about.”

“Cat. I can smell cat.”

“Probably ferals in the area.”

“Come here, little kitty.”

Amber felt a tree at her back. She stepped to the side so she could retreat further. “Get away from me.”

“What’s wrong, kitty?”

Amber was glad cats could see in the dark as she stepped further into the trees at the edge of the rest area. She almost laughed when the thought of being late home and risking being grounded popped into her mind. That was the least of her problems. She didn’t even know if she’d make it home.

“Come on, kitty. Come quietly and I’ll call my people back and leave yours alone. Make things difficult…” he let the threat hang in the air.

Amber took a deep breath. Surely they could take care of themselves. Maybe. She ran up against barbed wire and quickly slipped through the strands of the fence and into an open paddock.

The man followed. “My patience is wearing thin. Now, what are you?”

“Human.”

“You lie.” The man leapt towards her, transforming into a dragon. Claws aimed at her, a blue and silver dragon attached to them.

Amber raised her hands. Balls of fire struck the dragon. He faltered and Amber leapt to the side, fire sitting in her palms, ready to be thrown again. She reminded herself to thank Kade for making her practice how to call the fire to her hands.

The dragon roared, landing on the ground as a human. “Where’s your Gold Warrior? Is he one of the ones up there?” He pointed skyward.

Amber shook her head.

“Why are Dragon Mages being made again? Who’s making them? How are they making them?”

Amber continued to retreat. The man continued to stalk forward. “None of your business.”

“I’m making it my business. Now start talking, mage.”

Amber wanted answers. This man had them. She couldn’t see him willingly giving them to her. “What’s your name?”

“Ronan. What’s yours?”

She hesitated then guessed it was only fair. “Amber.”

“Where’s your Gold Warrior, Amber?”

“Why do you keep asking that?”

“I’m not stupid. A Dragon Mage can’t exist without a Gold Warrior.”

Amber ignored the fear that comment brought. Can’t exist? Because it took a Gold Warrior to make one or because they died when the dragon did? She pushed that thought from her mind. She had far too many other problems to deal with right now. “What’s it to you, anyway?”

“Because I want my own Dragon Mage. You come with me and I’ll leave your friends alone. Help me take my lands back and afterwards you can return to your own dragon. Which powers do you have?”

Why did Ronan know about Dragon Mages when Kade didn’t? “How old are you?”

He shrugged. “Five, six centuries. Maybe more. Who pays attention to time when that much passes?”

Amber barely managed to control her shock. Dragons could live that long? All dragons? She didn’t have enough information to deal with Ronan. She was floundering. “Why would I want to help you?”

Ronan sniffed the air. “It was strange of you to choose a cat for your animal. Most mages are more practical. Hawk, owl, falcon. Something they can turn into if they should lose their seat. Why a cat?”

Choose. Amber was intrigued. Was it because of the cat hairs? Could she have picked something else instead? How? Would she be able to change what animal she could change into? There were so many questions she wanted answered. But she didn’t trust Ronan. “Quit trying to come close to me. Do you think I’m going to want to listen to anything you have to say when you’re doing that?”

Ronan stood still. “I’ll give you my heir. He has no mate. When I have my lands back, they’ll be his one day.”

Mail order groom? Not in this lifetime. But she couldn’t tell Ronan that. “I’m not patient enough to wait for your death.”

Ronan laughed. “A couple of centuries and I’ll be too old for battles. I’ll retire then.”

“I don’t like to share. Not interested.”

“I’ll help you take your own lands. Gold. Jewels. Name your price.”

She frantically tried to think of a way to escape. Nothing came to mind other than to keep him talking. “How did you lose your lands?”

“Treachery.” He shrugged. “It wasn’t the first time. But this time I haven’t been able to take them back. Which clan do you belong to?”

Clan! Amber bit back the hysterical laugh that wanted to escape. She felt like she was trying to find her way through an oil slick. She didn’t know how much longer she could stay on her feet. “I have all I need. I’m not interested in any of your offers.” Didn’t trust them, was more accurate.

“Are you saying there isn’t a single thing in all the worlds that you want?”

Worlds! She had to keep him talking. She was learning more by the second. Intriguing scraps of information. She wasn’t certain how they fit together, but it would give her more things to ask Kade about. “I have simple wants.”

“That I don’t believe. I can see from here the quality of leather used for your clothes. They wouldn’t have been cheap. Unless you’re from one of the clans who make them.”

“They were a gift from a friend.”

“You’re not the only one with powerful friends. I will have you. Join me willingly and life will be much better for you.”

“Amber! Where are you? What happened to waiting in the car?”

Amber felt a wave of relief at Kade’s angry words. She sent a picture of where she was, Ronan standing in front of her.

Kade swore.
“Get away from him. He’s a renegade.”

“What caused you to become a renegade?” Amber asked.

“I don’t see myself as one. Besides, I’ll be accepted once I have my lands again.” Ronan shrugged. “We’re a practical race.”

“That doesn’t answer my question.”

“Amber! Get away from him now.”

“Because cannibalism has been outlawed. They say we live long enough without needing to eat the hearts of our enemies. I was eating them long before they brought in their stupid law. I couldn’t stop without losing all the benefits I’d gained. A couple of centuries are nothing compared to how long it’s possible to live by eating them. What would you have done?”

Certainly not eat someone’s heart, but she wasn’t about to tell Ronan that. “Who knows? I haven’t been faced with that choice.”

“I’ll bring you the heart of the next dragon I slay. Then we’ll see what choice you make.”

Kade landed beside Amber. Brann and Maira dropped down behind him. They became human the moment they touched the ground. “Stay away from her.”

“You’re Kiani’s boy. I see her look in you. Who’s your sire?”

“Bredon.”

“Erilan Clan?”

When Kade nodded, Ronan looked at Amber. “You keep high company. Is he your Gold Warrior or is it one of his parents?”

“What’s going on?”
Kade didn’t take his eyes off Ronan.
“And get rid of that fire in your hands.”

Amber closed her hands, extinguishing the fire. “It doesn’t matter who my dragon is, I’m not interested in your offer. You’ll have to find someone else to help you get your lands back. I have other things keeping me busy.”

“Who are Erilan Clan going to war with? How many Dragon Mages do they have? When will it happen?” Ronan looked from Amber to Kade.

“That isn’t any of your business. Leave us alone. Go and help your people. They aren’t doing too well. My clan knows you’ve met with us. I wouldn’t do anything or you’ll have the entire clan after you. Think they’ll be willing to give up their mage?” Kade smiled mockingly.

Ronan stared at him a moment longer. “This isn’t over. I’d watch your backs if I were you.” He became a dragon and shot into the sky.

Kade turned to Amber. “What the hell were you thinking? Are you mad? He’s even eaten the heart of one of his sons. Do you think someone like that is sane?”

“You wear the skin of dragons. What’s the difference?”

“Would you eat a dragon heart if he brought it to you?”

Amber shook her head, taking a step back from Kade. She’d never seen him so angry. Or look so dangerous. “I didn’t know how to answer him. I’m not crazy. I was trying to stay alive.”

“You were grilling him for information.”

“Maybe.” It wasn’t like he told her anything.

“Get back in the car.”

“He threw the keys.”

“Go and find them.”

Amber glared at Kade. “You find them.” She spun, striding across the paddock. There was a slight tremor in her limbs as fear gave way to relief. Her eyes watered and she blinked. “Damn night air,” she muttered.

“Amber-”

“Leave me alone, Kade.”

Kade grabbed her arm, pulling her roughly against him. He pressed her head to his chest. “I was terrified I wouldn’t get to you in time.”

Amber’s nose was filled with the smell of blood. She pulled away from Kade, her eyes scanning his body. “You’re hurt?”

“A scratch.”

“Where?”

“Amber-”

“Where?”

Kade turned. “A scratch.”

Amber gasped at the gash that went from one shoulder to the opposite hip. Blood seeped from it. “You have to-”

Kade faced her again. “Forget it. If I let Maira stitch me I won’t be able to transform again tonight. Not with that many stitches. Come on. We have to get out of here before Ronan comes back.”

“At least let someone clean it up.”

“Fine. There’s a first aid kit in the car.”

They strode to the car in silence. Maira had the kit sitting on the bonnet when they arrived back, Brann’s leather backpack open beside it. She quickly wiped the blood away and frowned as she inspected the wounds.

“What are you doing?” Amber asked when Maira removed the belt from her pants.

“Hold the edges of this deepest section together. The belt should stop it from gaping too much when he transforms.”

Amber pressed her hands against Kade’s skin and then moved them together so the jagged edges of his wound met. It looked worse now the blood had been wiped away. A trickle of blood seeped from the lower part of the wound. Amber pressed her hand against the spot, trying to hold it together as best she could so it’d stop bleeding. It felt like a shock from static electricity.

Kade swore, pulling away from her. “What do you think you’re doing?”

Maira inspected Kade’s back. “Whatever it was, do it again.”

“Not likely!” Kade rounded on Maira.

“It’s sealed,” Amber gasped.

“What?” Kade reached behind him, gingerly touching where Amber had placed her hand against his wound. He met Amber’s eyes. “Do it again.”

“I don’t know what I did. I was worried about the blood still coming from your wound. I placed my hand on it and tried to stop it from bleeding.”

“Found the keys.” Brann strode towards them holding the keys up. He looked at each of them. “What’s going on?”

“Our mage is healing Kade.” Maira took the keys from Brann.

“No I’m not. And don’t call me that. I’m not a mage.”

“Ronan is one of our oldest people. If he says you’re a Dragon Mage, then that’s more than likely what you are. Now heal my back so I can get up there and we can put some distance between us and Ronan.” Kade gestured towards the star studded sky.

Amber sighed heavily. “Sometimes I really hate you,” she muttered as she placed her hand on his back.

“No you don’t. Now stop sulking and figure out what you did last time. We’re out of here in five minutes, wound or not.”

Amber emptied her mind, mimicking her actions from before. Nothing. She concentrated on the blood. The smell of it filled her senses and her mouth watered. She frowned in disgust as she pushed the panther away. Electricity. That’s what it had felt like. As if she’d welded it together. Energy instead of heat in her hands. She yelped as the energy flowed between them.

Kade turned, throwing his arms around her. He grinned. “I knew you could do it.” He kissed her quickly. “You can finish it later. That was the worst of it.” He pulled away, leaping into the sky and becoming a dragon before Amber even had a chance to think let alone speak.

Maira straightened from brushing the glass off the driver’s seat. “Everyone in. Let’s see how fast this car can move. Kade says it’s all clear ahead.”

“All clear?” Amber sat in the back of the car. She stared at the blood on her hands.

Brann threw her a damp cloth from where he sat in the front passenger seat. “No police, speed cameras or other drivers in the way.”

Maira grinned. “Better buckle up.”

Amber wiped her hands and quickly pulled the seatbelt on. She glanced at the speedo and looked away as the needle kept moving even though it had reached a hundred kilometres. Did she really want to know how fast they were going? Wind rushed in at her from the broken window. Scents bombarded her. But she couldn’t smell any strange dragons. Only Kade was out there. She hoped it stayed that way. She looked down at her hands. Her hands that could kill and heal. What other surprises would they have for her? She closed her eyes, and her mind. No more thinking. Life was far too complicated. She felt like throwing something and screaming. She didn’t want this. None of it. Got a life, like it, going back. Yeah, right! She was beginning to think that was an impossibility.

An image of Ronan standing in front of her staring at her with his pale blue eyes came to mind. He’d called her a Dragon Mage. She had no idea what that meant, but had a bad feeling it would only bring more problems.