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Some say it was the Fae, Isa said on a sigh. Some say it was a human witch who summoned the first demons. We will never know. It is why witches are executed in the human lands. They believe that the demons are attracted to magic, and without magic the demons will disappear. What they don’t understand is that only magic can destroy these demons. The humans are defenseless without us.
After Shiri filled our mates in on everything, she gave me an unsettling look before saying, “And we won’t be able to fight the demons, either, if Thorin takes our memories.”
Being overtaken by Thorin was my greatest fear. I swallowed back a knot of panic while smoothing trembling hands down my robe. “I fear the mind spinner won’t stop until he has me in his clutches again.” I gave my mates a hopeless look, the thought of separating from them again driving a blade through my heart. “That tea I drank last night—will it also protect our memories?” I asked Isa, unable to keep the rattle of panic from my voice.
Her heavy jowls turned down. It should, but there are side effects with prolonged usage.
“Like what side effects?” Shiri asked.
Isa looked her over with an assessing gaze. Your magic will be slower.
I leaned against Ash for support, my legs weak from the panic that coursed through my veins. “Slower as in weaker?”
Slower to gather strength, Isa answered. It’s also a calming tea, so it slows everything down like a sedative.
“But it will for sure protect us from the mind spinner’s spells?” I asked, needing more reassurance.
It should, Isa said, shadows falling over her features, at least long enough for you to strike him down.
I shared grim looks with Shiri and my mates. “Then we have no choice but to take it.”
The dragoness nodded. In the meantime, let’s get this demon out of Fachnan’s spawn. Enso is ready to make a sacrifice for his goddess.
Isa turned her snout into the air and let out a series of grunts. Thousands of wyverns flew from the treetops, blackening the sky with their flapping wings. Then two broke from the pack, swooping toward us. The rest flew back toward the trees, rattling branches and scattering leaves while scrambling for an open branch.
When the two wyverns landed before me, I recognized Bea with her inky black hide. I didn’t know the smaller, gray one, though I assumed him to be Enso. He was missing half a pointy ear and had scars down one side of his face, though he had loving eyes that reminded me too much of Beau when he looked at me. They both sidled up to me, whimpering, and then purring when I scratched their leathery necks.
Icy cold fear leached into my veins at the thought of hurting another wyvern. This little wyvern was Beau’s cousin. How could I take his life so easily? And who decided Helian’s life was worth more than his? Then again, I wanted that demon out of Helian. The thought of him stuck in that cage forever filled my heart with dread and depression. Goddess, help me. What was I supposed to do?
Tari
I PACED IN FRONT OF the temple, trampling the soft grass underneath my thin slippers while waiting for them to bring Helian, still so conflicted as a heaviness weighed on my heart. Enso didn’t make my decision easier as he followed at my heels like a lovestruck puppy, his mannerisms reminding me too much of Beau. And though I didn’t speak his language, I could feel his longing for acceptance in the marrow of my bones. I imagined his life as a wyvern hadn’t been an easy one. The runt of the pack, he’d been bullied while desperately seeking acceptance and love. By sacrificing his body for the mate of a goddess, he believed he could finally earn that love. What a horrible way to gain acceptance. I couldn’t do this to him, though Isa said I would shame him if I refused his sacrifice.
I nervously twisted the hem of my belt around my fingers as the last of the sun’s rays disappeared behind the trees. Isa had lit a fire, and my family stood around it, their gazes darting between Enso, me, and the shadowy wyvern figures perched on the tops of every leafy tree, the thick limbs swaying beneath their weight. Only my daughters seemed unbothered, too preoccupied with climbing all over Triss like she was their personal playground. Triss rolled onto her back like a puppy, her tail slapping the ground while she made playful grunts.
My heart caught in my throat when I heard the rattle of chains and footsteps echo from inside the pyramid. I stopped pacing, giving Isa a pleading look. “I feel like we ask too much of Enso.”
Enso is a willing volunteer. She eyed me coolly from beneath heavy lids. He is honored to serve his goddess.
How do you know this? I asked, still not convinced this was the right decision. Can you mind-speak wyverns?
They have a simple language, she said, but, yes, I can mind-speak with them as well as other dragons. Speaking to a wyvern is like a Fae speaking to a child.
Helian stumbled out of the temple wearing a wrinkled and soiled gray robe, his bare feet caked in dirt. He was being dragged by two broad-shouldered satyrs in gray robes.
“Don’t let her do it!” His eyes flashed red and his voice was deeper than I remember. “The wyverns will kill Enso after it’s done.”
A shiver coursed through me, for I knew that was Helian’s demon speaking. It took me a moment to process what he’d said. “What?”
“Look at how they stare.” The demon in Helian nodded toward the treetops where thousands of wyverns stared down at us like devils surveying the pit of hell. “They’re ready to pounce.”
I gasped, clutching my throat. “Is this true?” I asked Isa. “Will the wyverns kill Enso?”
No. She puffed up her chest, her nostrils flaring. That is a cruel and dishonorable death. I will kill him with my dragon fire.
I gaped at her. “What?”
She shook her head, clucking her tongue. Did you think I’d let a demon have wyvern strength?
