Page 130 of Jay's Silence
My armor cracked. I slipped my hand into my grandfather's.
“My children call me Tukaqu,” Tukaqu said. “Welcome to the family. Let’s hope we live through the coming battle to argue over the dinner table.”
CHAPTER FORTY-SIX
JAIYANA
Isat with my legs crossed at the start of The Hunt. Even my clothing was a similar style, just darker: blacks in place of tans. Instead of having pockets full of survival equipment, I made myself battle-ready with knives and a revolver I’d jacked out of a shifter’s collection. An eerie, tense silence replaced the excited, hopeful atmosphere I’d burst out of the medical tent into months ago. My mates stood out of sight in the forest surrounding the clearing with the dragons they’d picked to fight at their side.
I spent most of the morning meditating, searching for my magic, or whatever extra happy, supportive thing I needed to say to myself. But the more I searched, the less my fingers tingled, and now it was too late. I had to rely on my allies, the dragons I’d met on this crazy adventure.
“You’re going to take care of his selfish ass, right?” Tia asked, a tear on her cheek.
Tyson’s little fire dragon ex was, if possible, more adorable in person, with breasts that could mesmerize an army. Although a twinge of jealousy pinched, that was it. Tyson wasstill a selfish ass, but he’d grown, and more than choosing me, he chose to be his own dragon.
“I’ll do my best.” I cocked my head to the side. “I’m honestly surprised you came forward for this.”
Tia lifted her chin. “I know the royal wing like the back of my hand. I was Tyson’s mate, Ryker’s confidant, and Doctor Raba called me when he needed help. I’m not a fighter, but I’m still a dragon and your best option. I will find the orphans’ blood, tonight.”
I smiled, shaking my head. “If only everyone had the confidence of a fire dragon.”
Tia beamed.
I pulled myself out of the recent memory. Tia had come through for me, and my secret trump card now lay in wait. My earpiece connecting me to all the essential players crackled.
“Marshmallow roasting has begun,” either Ofri or Obadiah said.
I had no idea which one of the ancient earth twins had ended up with the earpiece. Both led the earth dragon strike team in fire territory. Other strike teams confirmed, including the air dragons. I was skeptically hopeful.
It was always a unique feeling, knowing a massive battle raged while I sat in the quiet. My skin buzzed. If I had my magic, I could have sent my consciousness into the air and watched, just like Brad had done to me. As it was, I had to use my imagination. Dragons of every color stormed fire territory and the small village Ryker had kept hidden deep in the eucalyptus forest. Their goals were to kick up shit. Show Gorm his limited control and secure every one of Ryker’s special forces so they couldn’t hurt themselves or others—a much simpler task said than done—and only accomplishable if the god came to me.
“Release Tyson,” I said. “Let’s invite our main guest to the party.”
The slightest movement rustled the trees on my far left. I couldn’t see Tyson, but he should be able to see me. I called on all four elements and sent them racing toward the ground as if preparing to launch a massive assault.
My earpiece cracked. “Oh my God,” Tia’s voice shook. “I know I’m not supposed to talk on this until, well, but I found Doctor Raba.”
The phone in my pocket buzzed, and I withdrew it, not breaking my dramatic but useless display of magic. A message from Tia popped up with a picture of Doctor Raba, gutted like a pig and hung on a wall of deep mahogany. I had no doubt it was Gorm’s work. Most likely, he’d used his ‘Doctor Raba art piece’ to subdue the dragons under the good doctor’s control. I tried to feel bad for the mage, but I couldn’t. Even if he’d done good things, the only reason he did them was to benefit himself.
Are we any different?
I dropped my phone.
You just exist. Every day, you go through the motions, but that’s it.
Like the dragons, I hadn’t embraced the changing world. Not really. I’d upgraded my technology and checked off all my boxes, but instead of finding a place, I’d attached myself to people and lived off their love. Like a fucking vampire. No wonder my dragons didn’t like my accountant.
Do you stake a vampire or fuck a vampire?
It depends on the book genre.
So, Jay, are we any better than Gorm?
Don’t be so dramatic, bitch, we didn’t use blood magic and enslave a bunch of people.
So…yes?
If not having a life goal makes you as bad as Gorm, then eight billion people are about to be really upset.