Shadow Wings (The Darkest Drae Book 2)(94)

Tyrrik kept up the fire for at least a minute but only caught another dozen or so Druman. Flames devoured the dry grass, and the fire jumped from tree to tree. I studied the tendrils between us, relieved when the strength of black in the strands of our bond still appeared as strong as ever.

Tyrrik.

I’m okay, Ryn. Where’s the Phaetyn?

I’d been so caught up with what was happening with Tyrrik I’d completely forgotten about her. I drifted lower and found her at the far end of the valley, about to begin climbing the next range. Four Druman had slipped passed Tyrrik and were bearing down on her again. She’s got four Druman on her tail.

Please, stay up there.

Why was he saying please? The word added desperation to his request that made my skin crawl, and I couldn’t help glancing back. Tyrrik raked his talons clean through another cluster of the monsters. My tail twitched as two launched onto his back and turned to catch ropes.

Mistress Moons. They intended to capture him.

Tyrrik bucked and twisted free. He caught one of the Druman in his mouth, biting him in half and spitting the severed body at another one. He stomped on several more before unleashing another stream of liquid flame.

I drifted lower, tearing my eyes away to line up the Phaetyn below.

Do not land yet.

His request came too late; I’d already made up my mind. There are only four going after her. I’ll just go low enough to swipe her up.

Ryn, let me clear them away. Don’t come down yet.

I closed my ears to the apprehension in his voice, making no effort to change my descent. Would the seventy Druman on his other side wait patiently while he dealt with these four? He was being irrational. Tyrrik, there’s no time.

I angled farther down, shooting like a lightning bolt toward the small party of Druman.

Ryn—

I glanced once more at my mate. He was still battling though his head was turned toward me. His anxiety ripped through me, but I’d committed myself. I was determined to see this through. We needed the Phaetyn girl . . . no the Phaetyn needed the Phaetyn girl, and we needed the Phaetyn. More than that, my kinship to her and her mother demanded I do all I could to save her. I wrenched upward, pulling my upper half back into the air as I’d seen Tyrrik do, and I landed on my hind quarters, between the Druman and the Phaetyn girl, poised and ready.

My silent approach must have stunned them, and I seized the advantage. I whipped my tail one way and then the other, lashing out with my spikes. The lead Druman dodged, but I connected with the torso of the second, and he launched into the air, flying far off to the right.

The leader advanced on me, and I snarled at him, baring my fangs. He dodged, advanced, and landed a punch to my left foreleg. Startled by the Druman’s strength, I halted my advance long enough for him to dart past me.

I roared my frustration and twisted to catch him. Snapping a wing out, I caught him on the back of his head. He dropped to the ground, and before he could stand, I stomped my back foot. His bones crunched under the weight, and he thrashed for a moment before his body stilled.

I hoped the Phaetyn girl was running.

Talons, Tyrrik said, reminding me of my other weapons.

You’re supposed to be focused on your problems, I shot back. He still had plenty of Druman to deal with, far too many. I focused on the two remaining Druman before me.

These looked nothing like the Druman in Irdelron’s castle. Those Druman looked human, clean, kempt, civilized. These crossbreeds looked like animals. Their hair was matted and filthy. Their aketons were torn, rumpled, and stained. And the feral look in their eyes made me feel like they were the predators and I was prey. No freakin’ way. I was Drae. A fierce hatred for their kind pulsed through me. I didn’t care if these creatures were slaves to their alpha; I didn’t care if their violent tendencies were enhanced or encouraged. I hated them.

With an earsplitting roar, I reared up. The Druman inched forward, and when I hesitated, they took the bait and rushed me. Just before they attacked, I dropped down, slashing my talons sideways in front of me. Like deadly blades, my claws cut through their flesh and bone as if their bodies were softened butter. Their dark blood gushed, pooling on the rocky ground, and their bodies heaved and then fell still. The Druman stood no chance against Drae. I bellowed my triumph.

Well done.

The strain in Tyrrik’s voice startled me, and I couldn’t help glancing in his direction. He released more flame, but the fire did not extend as far as it had, nor did it burn with the same intensity as it had before. The flames were red and dull, no longer bright and vibrant, and the deeper reds, oranges, and whites were gone. I turned inward, studying the bond between us.

Terror doused me, and I stood ramrod straight. How was that possible? In only a few minutes, the inky black had waned and faded to a hazy gray.

Are you okay? I asked, my alarm holding me captive.

Don’t get distracted.

Too late.

A Druman landed on my shoulder, startling me back to the fight. A heavy pressure pounded on my left and then my right side. The pressure and movement made it impossible to determine if there was one or two of the creatures on me. I mimicked Tyrrik’s earlier movements, bucking and twisting, but the Druman clung tenaciously, and I couldn’t dislodge him.

Tyrrik’s roar rent the air, but he was surrounded by an unrelenting horde and unable to help me.

The Druman crawled up my back; I could feel him pulling himself higher, using the bumps on my spine to aid him. I shook my body, arching and whipping my tail, but he continued to climb. Another Druman appeared and ducked under me to get to the softer side of my underbelly. I shuffled to find him, but he rained blow after blow upon my body. Blistering pain made me see stars, and I screamed.