Page 158 of Centaur Bolt

The hoofbeats echoed louder, and now, there were shouts. The older of the Centaurs willingly leaped through. Isobel dragged me into the dancing energy, and the gate shut behind us.

We stood upon a polished floor in Brock’s stronghold. The Sorceress’s eyes flashed as she glared at Brock. “So much for your information sources. How did we not know Marcus was at the colony?”

The bronze Dragon’s eyes glowed. “He couldn’t have been there long.Mysources are at the academy.Yourswere at the colony.”

Red energy surged around the Sorceress. “Dammit. If only I’d been prepared, we could have grabbed him too.” She turned on me. “This is all your fault. The fact he got away. The leak of our hideout location…”

Her rage lashed out. Agony suffused me from the collar, spreading through my body and mind. I dropped to my knees.

Brock came up beside her and stroked her arm. “Don’t break him, Icefire. We need him, and they only got the dregs of the army. You were smart enough to pull the best first. It’s not a great loss.”

The bloodmagic eased up. I fought for every breath, while the children struggled in strong Dragon arms. Long equine legs thrashed and booted their captors as they cried out.

The youngster with the ornamental metal around his throat heaved against the arms holding him.

“Let her go!” he hollered. His attention was entirely on the girl the neighboring Dragon wrestled with.

Brock advanced on the struggling children. “Control yourselves,” he hissed. “Or we will throw you in the dungeon with the monsters.”

Their eyes widened in horror, and a few stopped, but the redheaded young male only struggled harder.

Isobel redirected her focus, ripping the power from me to seize control of them. Their cries stopped as if someone had thrown a switch.

“That’s better.” Brock ran a finger across his throat. “But I would have enjoyed silencing one of you.”

“If I didn’t need what Rafael can do—” Isobel’s voice dripped rage, but through my pain-blurred eyes, I saw her straighten and turn away from me. Before she plastered on a smile and addressed both the willing, older students and the frightened children.

“Welcome,” she said, “to your new future.”

Bree looked from the children to Isobel. “You promised we can make a difference.”

Vic grinned. “And you also promised us power.”

“You will bring about a change,” purred Isobel, “and have more power than you can even imagine.”

“We be able to save the realms.” Bree rejoiced as she met the Sorceress’s gaze.

“And so much more.” Isobel’s eyes gleamed crimson.

Vic drew himself up tall, and squared his broad young shoulders, before he grinned, and said, “History will write our names in the stars.”

Isobel smiled. “Yes,” she said. “It shall.”

TO BE CONTINUED…

Because it’s never good when Isobel smiles…