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He leapt into the air and soon disappeared, taking with him the feeling of safety he gave me.
CHAPTER EIGHT
I watchedthe dragon lord fly away until he disappeared over the tops of the trees. The moment he vanished, I heard a sound of footsteps behind me.
I spun around in time to see the man known as Sergio leap at me with his hands outstretched. I tried to twist out of his way, but he grabbed onto my arm and spun me around where he pressed my back against his chest. He clapped his other hand over my mouth and stifled the scream in my throat.
He leaned his lips close to my cheek and his low, growling voice wafted over me. “None of that now, or I’ll do worse to you.”
Sergio dragged me to the wagon and, at a nod from him, the women scrambled out of the wagon with rope and handkerchief in hand. I couldn’t help but get deja vu as the trio bound my hands and legs together. Sergio sprinted around the wagon and climbed onto the box while the women hefted me into the back. The pair dragged me into the rear and climbed in themselves, and the younger one slapped her hand against the sideboard. The carriage sprinted forward at a breakneck pace and rocked to and fro as we raced down the road.
My captors tucked me into a corner closest to the box and the older one shut the rear curtain. The younger one plopped herself down on the planks beside me and looked me over.
“She don’t look like much,” she commented to her companion.
Her older cohort settled down beside the curtain and peeked out before she sneered at her ‘daughter.’ “Just shows what you know. They don’t look any different from you or me, otherwise they’d be easier to catch.”
Sonya scoffed. “Like you would know. You ain’t never even seen a dragon bride.”
‘Maria’ glared at her younger accomplice. “Hold yer tongue, girl. I’ve forgotten more than you’ve seen, and I know I’ve seen a dragon bride. She belonged to Lord Torch up there in the mountains.” She jerked her head in the direction from which we sped. “He had her out on the streets some three years ago visiting everyone like they did before the price on her head got too big.”
My heart dropped into my stomach at the mention of a price on someone’s head. I stirred and the younger one clapped a hand on my shoulder. “Easy there. We’re not looking to chop off yer head. We ain’t paid to do that kind of dirty work.”
Maria cackled. “No, we’re just the kidnapping kind. Might popular trade now, what with the price for yer blood and all.”
Sonya leaned in and studied me. “Supposin’ we took a little bit for ourselves. Nobody’d be the wiser.”
“Supposin’ you keep yer mouth shut and stop thinking something that stupid,” Maria snapped as she sneered at her companion. “
The wagon hit a tall bump in the road and two of the wheels left the ground. I left the bottom of the wagon and one of the trunks fell on Sonya. She yelped and shoved the luggage off her.Her cheeks were red and her eyes fiery before she snapped her head around. “Mind the road, you oaf, or slow down!”
“Don’t you dare slow down!” Maria scolded him.
Sergio’s voice floated through the canvas that covered the front of the wagon. “Will both of you shut up? I’m gonna go as fast as I can, and yer comfort be damned! If that dragon catches this wagon we may as well roastourselvesover a fire, for all the mercy he’ll show us!”
A noise from outside made my heart leap with hope. Maria’s face was covered in worry as she drew the curtain aside just enough to peak out. Unfortunately, her expression relaxed and a crooked grin slipped onto her lips. “Looks like the others are here.”
Sonya craned her neck. “All of them?”
Maria opened the canvas and revealed the source of the noise. It was three horsemen. The trio thundered out of the woods to my left and raced down the road to flank the wagon.
“About time!” Maria shouted at them. “Did you get that trail made?”
One of the men sidled up to the rear of the wagon and nodded. “Just as you said, Maria. We rode all through the woods for several miles south. When he finds out our trail doubles back we’ll be long gone from-”
A terrible roar interrupted him. The sound came from several miles away, but echoed as loudly as if it was right behind us. The horses reared and shrieked, and the wagon came to a standstill as the steeds that pulled it thrashed in their harnesses.
Sonya pounded her palm against the rear wall of the box. “What the hell are you doing? Get going!”
“Yaw!” Sergio shouted as he cracked the reins.
The horses darted down the road and we drove even more wildly than before. The wagon rocked to and fro, and threatened to topple with each rock its wheels hit. I pressed my back againstmy corner to try to keep from bouncing, but I only succeeded in hitting my spine against the rear wall.
Another terrible roar came from behind us, but this time it was much closer. The rear rider still followed us, and at the sound he twisted around in his saddle. I glimpsed a shadow of something fly over the canopy and ahead of us. A fearful shout came from Sergio and all the horses whinnied and tossed about. The wagon veered off course as the steeds tried to pull it away from the flying menace.
“Whoa!” Sergio shouted, for real this time as the horses dashed forward.
The shadow swooped over the rear again and doubled back, but this time it dove beneath the branches of the trees. My mouth drooped open as I beheld a large dragon with gray scales and burning red eyes. He snapped his jaws at us and I counted two rows of fangs as long as half an arm and with tips as sharp as any dagger. The creature used his tail to steer him in the narrow gap as his wings flapped fast and hard, allowing him to catch up to us.
