The Prophecy Unfolds: Dragon Queen (23 page)

With
that I was thrown from her mind. Amrinth was taking no chances that
the magician would know a rescue attempt would soon be underway.
Weary from the effort needed to contact Amrinth over such a distance
I fell into a deep slumber.

It
was dusk when I awoke. All of my mates now assembled close by at the
small table in front of the fire. Talking quietly so as not to
disturb me. I sat up, prompting Vanda and Leon to walk over and climb
in with me. They greeted me properly with hugs and kisses.

If
we hadn’t had such a pressing engagement to organise this
wouldn’t have been all they did. Their breeches not disguising
their ardour! Time for a proper reunion later. We had a fight to
plan, or at the very least a rescue mission.

I
dressed speedily then we made our way to the main hall where
everybody that could be, was assembled. Food set out buffet style so
that people could eat and discuss the matter at hand. All would need
their strength in order to achieve our goal.

All
stood as I entered and I shooed them back to what they were doing.
Now was not the time to stand on ceremony, and I told them as much.

We
had began counting heads in anticipation of our departure the
following evening.

There
were twenty werewolves, not included myself and my mates. Alongside
of twenty- three dragon riders. Total number for the mission stood at
forty-eight, seventy at my reckoning when you included the dragons in
that number.

Tomorrow
all would take time to train together

Maps
were once again laid out,everyone gathered around discussing tactics.
Deciding where the best place for the dragons to land. That would be
far enough away that the werewolves would not be spotted. The plan
was for them to approach on foot stealthily using whatever cover was
available. Once the werewolves were in place dragons would attack the
automatons with fire while dragon riders would take out as many as
they could with crossbows. Clearing the way ready for the werewolves
to engage in the next prong of the attack.

It
was at this point I caught the werewolves attention. Reminding them
all that if they turned too soon their blazing eyes would be visible.
Giving them away before they could carry out their part of the
rescue.

Once
all the fine details had been decided dinner was retrieved and laid
out on the tables so that everyone may enjoy the remains of their
meal. A cacophony of noise descending on the room. After a while the
noise died down as everyone slowly drifted away. Zarina once again
accompanied by Matteo. Although as there were so few female
werewolves Zarina had been excluded from the sorti.We hugged and then
they left the hall hand in hand.

Patros
turned to me and said, “I want us to go and visit Sara and our
family. You could see Allysa too check that all this hasn’t
taken a toll on you. The stress alone can’t be good for the
babies.”

I
stroked his cheek gently. “Of course we can. I can’t wait
to see them all. I feel fine but if it would please you I will see if
Allysa can check me and the babies over while we are there.”

With
that we left the others to finish what was left of the food as we
made our way back to the lair.

Talos
already knew of our plans and soon Patros had him saddled and we were
on our way. I held on tightly, snuggled close as I could with my
pregnant stomach. A soft translucent blue glow visible surrounding us
with an aura. Landing in the same spot we usually did we headed first
of all to Sara’s. Patros must have told her we would be
visiting as the speed with which she answered was unbelievable.
Throwing her arms around both of us quickly followed by Andre, Pat
and Emilee. I heard Will chuckle and say, “ Let up a little you
lot. You will squeeze the life out of them.”

Everyone
pulled back then stepped back with a few sighs.

“
Sorry”
Sara said. “Been worried about you all. Especially you Alex.
Had a horrible feeling I might never see you again and then……”
she stuttered.

She
knows we might not be coming back from our mission tomorrow. I had to
tell her. She is my twin sister after all. The kids are just picking
up on the vibes she is giving off. Her and Will know our mission but
no one else in the village does.

I
kissed everyone in turn and gave Sara and Will especially tight hugs.
“Thank you. I’ve missed you all too. Now how about a cup
of tea for the pregnant lady and a place to put my feet up.”

Sara
fussed around making tea and sent Andre to fetch Allysa, as she was
aware that was part the reason for the visit.

Allysa
arrived with Andre and we sat around having a general chit chat
drinking our tea. It felt a bit surreal considering the circumstances
and the fact that we had such a dangerous task the following day.

“
Can
we use your bedroom Sara?” Allysa said.

“
Of
course you can. Do you mind if I watch Alex? You never know I may
even get to watch the babies being born.” Responded Sara.

Once
in Sara’s bedroom I took off my clothes and Sara found me an
old shirt of Will’s to wear to save my modesty.

“
My
you are growing apace now Alex.” Allysa observed as she
measured my stomach and listened in to the babies heartbeats.

No
scan for me to treasure like my friends back on Earth.

Sara
had a listen as one day she would also help out and be a midwife
herself.

“
Two
strong heartbeats there Alex. Those two are lively ones. I could feel
arms and legs all over the place. You look a little pale though. Are
you getting enough rest?”

“
I
have been busy of late but should soon be able to ease up soon with
luck.” I reassured Allysa.

We
returned to the main room and Patros chirped up. “We will all
make sure she gets plenty of rest. Be assured. With four mates to
look after her.”

“
Hmmm.”
Allysa said. “Perhaps having four virile mates is part of the
problem.”

I
blushed a bright puce and everyone fell around laughing.

They
might have a point there
I
thought

Yes
they may have
Patros observed

After
promises to visit again soon and arranging to come back and see
Allysa for a check up in two weeks time we said our goodbyes. Sarah
hugging and kissing us to excess.

We
held hands as we we strolled back to Talos. Then Patros pulled me
close giving me a passionate kiss.

“
So
nice to have you all to myself for a change.” Patros said out
loud. Kissing me soundly once more.

The
flight back to the lair was amazing as it was night time and I had
not flown at night before. With light pollution surrounding the area
of Manchester that I lived in I could see stars at night, but this
sight in front of me was ethereal. Thousands of pinpoints of lights
stood out against the inky night sky. The skies were clear and no
clouds visible. We arrived back in the lair and my mates were very
attentive as usual. Patros told them what the midwife had said,
giving them a good laugh too.

Despite
that, our love making that night was frantic and impassioned.
Powerless to prevent or predict what may happen the following
evening. Cleaving to each other, treasuring what little time we may
have. Hoping that we all might make it through and survive the coming
battle intact. Our bonds inviolable, but not of us was immortal. I
could only pray that each would be whole and alive by the end of the
night. Finishing up in a mass of arms and legs ready to settle for
the night.

Cocooned
in the arms of my mates, totally exhausted finally.

I
had a sense of dread and foreboding about tomorrow. An impression of
doom that continued to grow as I fell into a restless sleep.

Morning
arrived too soon and the bags under my eyes were now the size of
small suitcases despite my usual otherworldly appearance. My mates
were all noticeably concerned by my appearance.

Chapter
14.

The
day seemed to pass in slow motion. Breakfast dragged on as my feeling
of dread and black mood persisted. In my practice session I demanded
to learn some moves that weren’t purely defensive. Not able to
shake off the thought that I would need moves that were more than
that.

As
the time for our departure drew closer I tried to put on a brave face
as my black mood was affecting not only my mates but was so
omnipresent as to affect every person that I was connected to through
them. My cheeks hurt from the false smiles I ha worn.

Dusk
began to fall,everyone began to gear up as a sense of anticipation
and trepidation filled the air.

I
had to force myself to eat some morsels of food, as we sat down and
ate. Making excuses that I was experiencing morning sickness again,
but no one seemed convinced. Now feeling jittery, shaking a little
due to the nervous feelings I was having. Once back at our lair my
mates surrounded me as if by some unseen signal and we were
encompassed by a glowing blue aura that arced and formed around us.
The connections between us alive and palpable especially with Talos
being in close proximity. The entire room was illuminated bathed by
this magical glow when I realised the power generated had multiplied
exponentially. On a whim I sent to my mates and Talos.

Concentrate.
Give me your power. Now.

With
that they threw the power back toward me. My hair stood on end,
lightening shot across the room. Static crackled loudly as I began to
pull the power into myself. I threw my head back with a howl escaping
my lips.

Feeling
the energy building, building until it manifested as a ball of blue
ball of power that I now held in my hands. Resembling a small star,
brightly building in energy as if about to go supernova.

I
asked them to move away as I began to manipulate and play with the
ball. Tossing it gently between my hands Walking to the edge of the
lair I then looked out across the canyon. I needed a target but what
would be safest. Then, I spotted a small cliff jutting out from the
opposite side of the canyon. Far enough away from the other lairs as
to be fairly safe. Looked down and checked the floor of the canyon,
took aim and threw it like a baseball. My mates and Talos watched in
awed anticipation as it hit, exploded and the cliff wall blew out
shattered and fell down into the canyon below.

Finally
I had a weapon. I wasn’t sure how well I would be able to
control it, but it was something. Something I could use to defend my
babies, my mates, my people and myself. The magician would have no
clue these new powers were mine. Maybe even with practice the others
would be able to do this, who knew? Turning I was encompassed once
again by my mates as they held me, congratulating me with touches and
kisses.

Closing
my eyes I drank it all in. This moment in time would be etched in my
heart forever. Should anything go wrong later this evening, this may
be the last time we will all be together.

Time
flew quickly now and soon we were all assembled on the cliff top. The
atmosphere electric. A mixture of anticipation and nervous energy.

We
were ready.

As
we set off on our journey my thoughts became random, disjointed and
uncoordinated but I needed to control myself. Needed to calm down and
pull myself together. I was no longer the little girl that I was when
I first came to Syros. I couldn’t continue to be that scared
emotional being. My destiny needed me to be more than that. I needed
me to be more than that.

No
one was to speak out loud. All were to use our physic abilities, and
myself, my mates and Talos would act as conduits for the others.
First to lift off was one of the dragons and his rider that had been
in the scouting party. A few at a time they lifted off and followed
in a loose formation, spread out so as not to become too obvious to
the naked eye. The only noise being the beating of the dragons wings
as we rapidly approached our destination.