Sky Warriors: Poleuthan's Thief (Sky Warriors Saga Book 1) (22 page)

She shivered, her breath coming out icy and dead. Her eyes traveled up from her quickly bluing, unresponsive fingers to the scene around her.

The world was frozen.

Showl’s mind was in a state of utter shock, as their souls brushed closer she could feel he was suffering from the same condition.

His eyes focused on Sora, frozen in flight, wings set back within the twister of still wind.

Ange trembled, too cold to be awed, confused, or startled. Showl roared out in determination. His wings lashed the still air, twisting he plunged for Sora, smashing into her frozen side and chomping into her back. The frozen dragon didn’t move, didn’t react, blood didn’t even leak as scales cracked under Showl’s fangs. He released her as they pulled out from the tornado, Sora’s body hung, suspended in the space Showl had released her in.

Pain pinched every molecule of Ange’s body, the freezing grasp had pulled up half way up her legs and arms, her lips felt like solid ice, breaking, she felt blood leak out, freezing to her skin. Only seconds had passed since the world had become still.

Ange’s eyes glanced up, to bewildering sight as the deadening cold continued to claw up her body, aching her bones to agony then emptiness, as her nerves deadened.

In the heavens, suspended in space where nothing should have existed was the
crescent of a planet. The visible landmass was lush as sea blue water rimmed the edges of the land, sparse clouds hung obscuring parts of the surface.

Darkness rimmed the world and Ange realized her vision was failing.

“Let it go, little thief!”
Showl screamed into her mind. “
Let it go!”

Ange trembled, her unresponsive fingers clutching the handles of the saddle as her brain commanded them to let it go but she could not move. Her frame trembled, locked in winter’s embrace as the smoldering sun within her snuffed out the light from her eyes, the heat in her body, and the life in her soul.

“Angeline, let it go!”
Showl roared into her mind, desperate, pushing for her to listen.
“Let go of the imperium universi, or you’ll die under its sway!”

“I don’t…know how…”
Ange replied weakly.

“You must only release it,”
Showl insisted desperately, his thoughts frantic with fear for her.

Ange swallowed with difficulty, pained by the slow death she was suffering. Her heart was slowing, beating at a lethargic pace as the power within swallowed rapidly the life that remained in her. Her thoughts darkened into silence as Showl’s mind engulfed her, brushing away her weariness, her cold, and agony.

She slumped on the saddle as reality vanished into the shadows of sleep.

The sun died making all darkness darker and the universe began to move once more.

Chapter
15: Palace in a Volcano

Insatiable cold, it would not be satisfied till all the warmth had been stripped of her. She didn’t know how long she had remained suspended in a cold dark world, shivering.

Slowly the ice began to melt, slipping off her skin, raising
horripilation in the trails they marked. A presence slowly engulfed her, brushing away the cold with a touch that was comforting and warm, thoughts murmured to her, whispering that she was safe.

Then it pulled back too soon, much to her dismay, yet faintly it remained at the edges of her thoughts, thrumming energy into her fatigued body, melting the cold rapidly away and helping her drift into fit sleep.

Awareness soon began to pester her, pulling her from soft snowy dreams to the present, to the waking world where voices argued quietly nearby. Making her aware of her outwear and numb body.

“Rex Showl, we are not the enemy here. You were not so stubborn and cold two-hundred years ago. Has solitude truly changed you so much?” a beautiful female voice asked.

“Or has your Soulbound?” asked a quiet and velvety voice.

“It does not matter what has changed me, Regina Grace. I came here only because we needed a safe place to rest where I could tend to her,” Showl replied calmly.

“Surely you do not expect us to believe she was frozen like a block of ice because of your carelessness,” cut in a masculine and powerful voice, deep and rich. “She is bonded to you, the cold cannot affect her from what I recall.”

Showl snarled infuriated. “I already gave you all an answer to that, Rex
Chrysaetos. I will not continue to repeat myself. Whether the explanation satisfies you or not is none of my concern.”

“
Saeto, leave the subject to rest. When they wish to be truthful with us, they will be,” Grace’s voice soothed.

Chrysaetos
snorted displeased but fell quiet.

“When Angeline wakes up and she still wishes to leave, we will,” Showl stated simply.

“The proud dragon I knew would not abandon his duties so lightly,” snapped Grace’s voice suddenly.

Ange felt her fingers ball up into a fist but she remained still, intent on listening.

“Nothing can be more important than your duty to this Council, Rex Showl. Surely you know this,” the velvety voice spoke in. “We are depending on you, we cannot allow this war to continue to wear on. We cannot stand by and allow you to ignore this danger so blatantly. There are more important matters at stake than our desires. If you are not going to help…”

“Are you threatening me, Rex Corvus? The life of my
Soulbound?” Showl hissed, Ange could almost hear his fangs lengthen.

“He’s not threating anyone!” snapped a furious female voice. “You’re the one that’s not explaining yourself to us! How can we help if you won’t trust us?”

“Calm down, Amaris,” a voice of authority commanded, yet there was agreement in the voice.

“Ileana…” Amaris complained, still seething.

“She is right, Rex Showl,” Ileana continued. “I hate to be blunt, but I will be. As much as I hate the idea of killing one of our own-”

Showl snarled. Grace’s snarl matched his.

Ileana, continued on, ignoring the growling and interruption.

“I will have no choice but to give the command, Rex
Glacies. You’re a liability to us out there, the Adherent are persistent, and once they find out you’re on your own, they will not give up till they capture you both. Do you want them to make Angeline a Silent? Torture her till you break or you both die?”

Showl was silent, Ange could feel his mind was turbulent and troubled.

Ileana’s logical voice gained a note of sorrow as she continued. “And I am sure you recall Sora. They can do the same to you that they did to her, Rex Showl. And you know I cannot allow that,” her voice became hushed. “Do not make me kill you both. Do not force my hand, Rex Showl. We cannot afford to wait another eight hundred years for you to be reborn and bound and hope you will help us end this war.”

“Then let us go,” Showl whispered vainly.

“I cannot do that either,” Ileana replied sadly. “I am sorry. Please reconsider your position.”

Ange was tired of hearing Showl allow himself to be bullied for her sake.

“Sheesh, you make me sound so damn selfish,” she
spoke into his mind, she had the satisfaction of startling him and feeling him tense up through their bond.

Footsteps quickly approached as a weight sunk into the bed next to her back.

“How long have you been awake, little thief?” Showl whispered into her ear, concerned.

“A while,” Ange replied loudly, annoyed as she opened her eyes. “I couldn’t believe my ears when I heard you allowing others to bully you around. I must still be sleeping.”

Showl sighed in relief, she could feel him appreciate her attempt at humor to lighten his dark mood thought it failed to work to his regret.

“How are you feeling?” he asked gently.

“Tired,” Ange sighed. “And I just woke up too,” she added crankily.

“I’m sorry we disturbed you. Rest if you still feel weary,” Showl suggested.

Ange shook her head, curiosity took her as she gazed about the strange and alien room. The walls were chiseled white marble, as the walls curved up the room an ornate frieze traveled around the upper part of the round wall that touched the ceiling, depicting many dragons in flight. A strange metal figure at the center bemused her, four dragons hung from the ceiling by their tails, facing away from one another yet twisting around each other’s bodies and held orbs in their front talons. They were inlaid with silver and gold, gems in their eyes. The furniture on the white marble floor was made of strange marble, gray black and white swirled in rings on the marble’s surface, with legs and supports of curling dark metal with designs of dragons and other animals and flowers.

Even the bed was made of the same twisting steel and the mattress was the softest thing she had ever laid on, she felt she could sink into the luxurious cushions and fall asleep for hours. A night stand was nearby and to her astonishment was an ancient lamp in the shape of a wilted lily, metal petals curled closely around what she suspected was a sol gem.

There were shelves as well, with a few dusty books but mostly empty, next to a desk with modern pens to her surprise and another lamp. Across the room from the desk was what looked like a fireplace protruding from the wall, two dragon busts decorated the columns at the top. To the right of the fire place was a mannequin, made of materials she couldn’t identify. And to the left of the fireplace was a closed decorated white wooden door.

“Do you like your room?” asked an excited voice.

Ange’s eyes snapped warily to the six figures standing just within the open arch doorway in the round room.

She could tell the three dragons apart immediately from the humans, though she was startled to see the humans have fair skin and faces like a portion of their dragon’s overwhelming beauty had rubbed off on them.

Hu, guess Showl was telling the truth. They can’t all be that naturally good looking!
Ange thought feeling putout.

Showl’s voice chuckled in her mind. “
Give it time, little thief. In a few years you’ll be making other mortals envious.”

“I doubt it,”
Ange snorted.

She recognized the two girls that helped them fight off Sora. Now they wore casual clothing and to Ange’s surprise they looked like sisters.

The first girl had dark brown hair, a little shorter than Ange’s hair, tousled and slightly curly. Her eyes were a reflective and bright chocolate brown that danced with mischief and spirit, and her face was open and friendly. Her posture was confident as she stood next to a tall figure that made her seem petite. Her body build betrayed years of physical training and to Ange’s eyes she seemed flexible and quick like a seasoned thief or assassin.

The man beside her was obviously a dragon, he wore a loose fit black shirt and pants like the girl, Ange guessed he was the black dragon that had battled Sora. His human figure was just as intimidating as his dragon form but in a completely different way. His pale and fine face was serious and pensive, his dark black layered hair was a thick tussled mane that reached past his shoulders, and his eyes gave Ange the chills. They were white, a sharp white that seemed to be able to see every facet of her being, of her soul. Powerful, intelligent, unblinking eyes set in a marble perfect face that showed no expression. He was as tall as Showl, his body more lithe but just as powerful in frame.

Ange’s eyes traveled to the next pair, the second was only slightly taller than the first girl, probably only by an inch. Her hair was the same dark brown, curling down to her shoulders and framing her heart shaped face, her eyes were a dark chocolate brown, serious and somber, not as light hearted as the other girl’s eyes. She still wore pieces of her white armor with filigree gold weaving through the hard plates. She was the only one among the humans to still have weapons strapped to her hips, two long swords, one on each side of her belt. Her body build was exactly like the other girl’s. They looked very similar.

Behind her stood an intimidating and eerie beauty. The woman was as tall the other dragon, her face was sharp with high cheekbones and very feline curves rimed her entire body, her autumn fiery eyes had the sharp and
analytical ferocity of a merciless raptor as she gazed at Ange and Showl. Her posture was very proud and regal, as her straight white hair draped past her shoulders to her middle back. She too like the girl next to her wore parts of her armor over her white shirt and leather pants, a strange weapon with a long chain hung on her waist.

The next pair were robust shapes, the human had gold slightly waved hair draping down to his shoulders while his cerulean eye caught the light in an alluring manner. His frame was wide and strong as he stood next to the tallest dragon in the room, they were nearly the same height, dwarfing all the other people in the room. They did not have the dexterous shapes as the other four and by far had the greatest musculature and athletic
physique of the entire group. The dragon was only slightly taller with dappled brown and gold shades in his layered hair that streaked back away from his face to the back of his neck, whilst his deep tawny aureate eyes stared unblinkingly at them. In their eyes Ange saw immense intelligence, not just brute brawn.

The short haired girl took a fluent step forward till she was close to the bed, Showl stood up and stepped back as the girl sat by Ange.

Ange’s eyes flickered to the black haired dragon that tracked the girl with his striking eyes, seeming disgruntled and never taking his eyes off her.

“Do not reveal anything about the battle, little thief. We need to talk before we decide on anything, we cannot divulge sensitive information if we wish to get away.”

Ange sent him a thought of agreement, not so much as glancing at or indicting that they were speaking mentally to one another.

“So, do you like it?” The girl smiled expectantly.

Ange gazed about the room one more time and frowned. “It’s…very nice.”

The girl frowned confused. “You don’t seem too pleased…”

Ange smiled warily. “I’m sorry. It’s beautiful, but I‘m not used to such luxury. It’s a bit overwhelming,” she admitted, her skin itched with uneasy like she had been caught in a noble’s house that she had intended to rob.

The girl nodded in understanding. “I was a bit flustered too when I first saw the Dragon Palace,” she admitted. “Growing up on a farm, this was all too fancy from I was used to.”

Ange smiled, liking the girl instantly. She felt she could be great friends with her.

“Oh! Manners, sorry!” she laughed extending out her hand. “My name is Amaris, call me Amy.”

Ange grinned wider and took her hand in a solemn shake. “Call me Ange, its short for Angeline.”

The girl smiled widely, seeming very pleased. “Is your name too old-school for your taste too?”

Ange giggled as they released hands. “No, it’s just that when I was a little girl I could never pronounce it correctly, so I went by Ange instead.”

Amaris laughed amused before she stood up suddenly. “Let me introduce you then!” She spun around half way to face the somber faced others in the room by the entrance.

“That broody one over there is my partner Corvus, don’t let his looks deceive you, he actually very nice and the smartest one here to boot,” Amaris pointed out fondly with mischief. “So if you’re ever stuck with a puzzle or you want to know some useless fact, he’s the guy to go to.
That is after you go through me
,” she winked with a serious and possessive gleam in her eyes.

The black haired dragon, Corvus, snorted and smiled slightly, turning his gaze away from where he leaned casually against the wall.

Ange gawked amazed at the momentary smile, she figured it must be a rare expression coming from him.

“Oh, and that there is my big sis, Ileana. I call her Ana though,” Amaris winked deviously at Ange as her sister sighed annoyed and nodded her head in greeting. “Careful, she’s real serious, a stickler for following the rules, and not good with jokes,” she laughed.