Page 103 of The Death King

We have the same objectives. It’s an opportunity you should take, because what you’re doing now is benefiting no one, not even yourself. There is no peace with guilt. There is no happiness with despair. What you’re doing isn’t living—but existing. Choose not to help us, and we’ll continue on our way. But you’ll stay here and never know the outcome of the battle because you’ll still be here in this cave—existing.

Khazmuda spoke to me privately. She’s good with words.

She is.

A stare-down ensued, the mighty red dragon staring at her while she stared back. A dragon’s thoughts were hard to decipher because they didn’t have facial expressions like humans did. I couldn’t always tell how Khazmuda felt by looking at his face.

A solid minute passed, and words weren’t exchanged. Then Inferno spoke. I WISH TO SPEAK TO CALISTA—PRIVATELY.

You can communicate without us.

THAT’S NOT GOOD ENOUGH.

I’m not leaving her here alone?—

It’s okay. I’m not scared.

Maybe she wasn’t, but I was.

I PROMISE I HAVE NO ILL WILL TOWARD YOUR FEMALE COMPANION. AND I’VE JUST HAD LUNCH—SO MY HUNGER IS SATIATED.

“It’s okay,” Calista said. “Really.”

I looked at her over my shoulder. “I don’t like this.”

“How can we ask him to trust us if we aren’t willing to trust him in return?” Her green eyes flashed with an intelligence that she’d shown before, but never as brightly as she did now. “I’m not scared.”

“It’s okay if you are…because I would be.”

She continued to hold my gaze, utterly fearless. “I’d take this dragon over General Titan any day.” She grabbed on to my arm as she lifted her leg from across the saddle. Then she climbed down, dropping to the cave floor on a pile of bones that seemed to have belonged to a bear. It was picked clean. She gave me one final look before she nodded toward the ceiling.

I’m worried…

Inferno is an honorable dragon. He’ll keep his word.

Why do you think he’s honorable? We hardly know him.

He’s always told us the truth—even when it’s cast him in a bad light. He’s chosen to hide in a cave instead of save his people. He may be cowardly, but he’s also honest. I don’t know why he would lie to us now. Besides, Calista is bony and an undesirable choice of meat.

I disagree with that last part.

She’ll be fine, Talon.

I hesitated, looking at Inferno for another moment. If you’re certain…

I am.

Then let’s fly.

Khazmuda pushed off the ground and launched toward the top of the cave, flying up over the bonfire to the opening far above.

My eyes were down on Calista, where she stood and watched us slowly rise out of the cave. Good luck.

Thanks…I think I’m going to need it.

18

CALISTA