Page 62 of Ever Dark Academy, Vol. 7

The Kaly power allowed the dragon to move on its own, just not fly. At least not yet. He sensed something within it, within the Kaly power, that might allow him to trigger some abilities the dragon had once had or even greater ones. But he did not have the skill or knowledge yet to attempt this. So his Ashyr power was needed.

“What does it want? It’s not attacking,” Natasha pointed out as one of her hands sought Lawson’s.

“Not yet,” Lawson grunted.

“It is angry,” Dani whispered and nearly retreated from that step she’d taken. Her right hand lifted to her chest and laid against her breast as if she was going to pray.

“Let it be angry. Let it attack. We will take it down!” Lawson’s eyes narrowed.

“How exactly would you do that?” Xandria scoffed. “Lions can’t fly, can they?”

“It will bat you away the moment you leap at it,” the male Ashyr snidely added.

“Then grab it with your Ashyr powers and bring it down to earth for us!” Natasha snapped.

She wasn’t wrong. If they all worked together, his creation wouldn’t survive long. He needed to encourage them to go away. Run away. Flee.

He doubted Legion would retreat. They were too single-minded about things and Ryder was a prize–or prey–they thought that they were entitled to have. But if he could thin out the crowd that would help.

And I don’t want to hurt Dani.

The long neck curled as the dragon regarded those who were on the island. Its head–filled with teeth the size and sharpness of razors–regarded the people. Blue-white eyes burned with menace.

“All right. If this is a Kaly joke or some kind of new creature… we can take it down!” Dani cried and he felt her power burn inside of her. “Xandria, Karn, help me bring it down!”

The two other Ashyr flanked her. Their hands fisted at their sides as they anchored themselves to the ground. The Mer weapon spun around towards him, too. He had no idea if it could affect the dead. But he wasn’t going to chance it.

It’s not their power they are using. It is mine, he reminded himself. These three are mine and they will obey me.

“Altogether, prepare to bring it to the shallows where our Weryn friends can rip it apart!” Dani commanded.

No, he said.

But he sent it over the bond he had with Dani. She blinked and confusion clouded her features. She had heard him. But it couldn’t be him. Because he was dead. Though he could not communicate telepathically with the others, he reached for their powers. The embers in their chests were like the one in his, only much smaller, and he closed a mental fist around them.

Xandria gasped and curled forward. She put a fist to her chest. “Ah! What’s happening?”

What is mine is only loaned to you, he sent. You will not use it here.

Dani spun around, looking about wildly. “Who–who is that?”

Karn was next to fall. He let out a groan and went down onto one knee. “My power! God, what’s wrong? I feel like someone is closing their hand over my heart!”

And in a way he was. If there was a physical part of them that contained the power, he had a hold of it.

Not exactly like Armageddon, but… yes, I see. I see so much more. Their souls. My power. I can… this is amazing. Kaly never said… No wonder they are so powerful, Grayson thought with wonder.

“What is wrong with you all?” Lawson growled. His nostrils flared. His fangs were even more apparent than before.

“Who are you?” Dani whispered. “Who–”

You will leave here, he said, not answering her. You will leave.

“Why should–”

You will LEAVE! Grayson sent.

Dani clutched her head and let out a pained moan. She nearly fell over. Blood came from her nose. She patted at her with her fingers and stared at the crimson with shock. Her head shot up again and she started to retreat.