Page 50 of The Dragon Queen

The sight fueled a fire of anger that already burned at full capacity. My mind felt his right away, felt it the second that rider had been crushed in Inferno’s talons. But it was hazy and weak, like it was a newborn rather than an adult dragon.My name is Calista, and this is Inferno.

The dragon turned his head to look at me, and when it lost its focus, it fell several feet before opening its wings again and steadying himself.

Inferno dropped down to meet his gaze.I CAN’T FOCUS ON THIS AND OUR SAFETY. YOU NEED TO HANDLE THE COMMUNICATION.

I understand.I focused on the aquamarine dragon.King Bolton of the Southern Isles was slain, and a new ruler took the throne. He made an alliance with the dark elves to enslave you and all of your kin. The remaining free dragons of the world have flown here to rescue you. You’re free to do as you wish, but if you fight with us, you can save more of your kin.

The dragon looked around like he didn’t know where he was.How much time has passed…?

Over twenty years.

He looked around at the battle, dragons fighting dragons, riders snatched from their saddles.

I understand this is overwhelming, but please help us. What is your name?

He hovered there as he continued to look around.I—I do not know.

Now I understood how binding the magic had been. Every dragon had basically been asleep these last decades. They seemed to have no memory of what had transpired, just the bleak realization that everything had changed.Help us. Take down the dark elves that ride your brethren. They wear hoods, and their skin is the color of storm clouds.

I understand. He opened his wings and turned away to chase down the riders I described.

Good. Let’s hunt down more.

With so many dragons in the air, it was hard to recognize the flow of the tide of the war, who was winning and who was losing. Inferno snatched more riders from their saddles and crushed them in his iron grip. I was able to convince most of the dragons we freed to fight for us, but some of them had panicked when the magic had disappeared. They fled from the fight, and we didn’t pursue them.

“Should we check on the harbor?”

THE DARK ELVES ARE MORE IMPORTANT.

“Yes, but the soldiers and the citizens are the next line of defense if we fail.” I looked to the top of the cliffs where the castle was situated. Fire was visible, consuming the trees in the courtyard. “And I wonder how Talon is doing.” I didn’t reach my mind to Khazmuda out of fear of interrupting a crucial moment.

IF KHAZMUDA NEEDED MY HELP, HE WOULD ASK FOR IT. BUT LET’S CHECK ON THE BATTLE BELOW.He flew toward the sea, flying over the village and the fires that burned on the ground. It was chaos everywhere so the details were hard to distinguish, but I could see our army invading the city. Some of them began the long march up the path to the castle, which would help Talon once they arrived. The others were headed toward the east, where the dragons were fighting in the sky. I assumed Ethan was down there arming all the citizens.

IT SEEMS THEY’RE OVERRUN.

“I think so too. That means this battle is ours—” It happened so fast. One moment, I was in the saddle, and the next, I was ripped from his back and yanked into the air. I saw the sharp talon surround me and watched the light disappear. I sucked in a breath as I prepared to be crushed by the force.

CALISTA!

The talons closed altogether, so there was no light. In the dark skies, I could see nothing when I tried to peek through the cracks between the claws. It was just black, sheer and utterly terrifying. I tried to push the individual fingers apart and get free, but I couldn’t.I can’t get out.

HOLD ON.

There was nothing to hold on to, but I also didn’t need to hold on to anything because I was trapped in a cage.

I’M GOING TO HIT HIM HARD. WHEN HE’S OFF-BALANCE, YOU NEED TO GET OUT AND DROP. I’LL CATCH YOU.

I can’t get out, Inferno. I’ve tried.

USE YOUR SWORD. CUT A HOLE IF YOU MUST.

You’re right.

GET READY.

I pulled my sword from my scabbard and gripped it in both hands. My entire body tensed in preparation for the attack, knowing I wouldn’t expect it by sound or sight. It would just happen, and I would be flung around.

Then it happened, a collision so hard that I smacked against a wall and hit my head. The talons loosened but not enough for me to slip out. The hit made me disoriented, made the world blur. I spun around, the sky on the ground and the ground in the sky. But then I grabbed the sword and slammed it down, stabbing it through the flesh before the beginning of the nail.