Though, it is appropriate for some of these fools. We are draken; call us what we are. And yes, my brothers and sisters will not harm you. Come, and hurry. The slavers are coming.
Somehow, a well of bravery opens up in my soul, and I rush forward, trusting the word of this creature I do not even know.
You do not know me, but you and I are connected now. You will see in time.
I approach the massive red dragon now standing beside the wall that keeps them contained.
Climb on my back,she instructs.
“What?”
Do as I say. Or die. Your choice.
Haze walks past me, just brushing my shoulder as he does. He carefully climbs from the draken’s foot, up its massive leg, and onto her back. Then, he turns back and holds out his hand to me.
I blink three times but then decide to just run with the insanity of this entire situation. It’s that or die, like Amora said.
Once we are standing on her back, the red draken stretches her neck up until her jaw finds a ledge to rest. My God, how big is she?
Haze climbs carefully up her neck, using his hands and feet this time, and quickly hops from her neck to the ledge.
“Your turn.”
I attempt to follow suit, but not without struggle. I slip on my second step, and the glistening red scales slice through the skin of my knee. I hiss and slide down to her back.
Haze leaps to me. “Are you okay?” He pants.
I nod, fighting tears. I’m so tired. So confused. So afraid.
I thought I was going to die. I was ready for it.
The world needs you yet, young one. I need you.
She needs me? This glorious creature needs me? What a strange thought.
Her body hums beneath me.Glorious, hmm?
“I’ll help you,” Haze says, holding out both hands.
The hands that killed Lucca. I swallow against the hate, that emotion will not help me right now. Hand in hand, Haze slowly climbs backward, up the draken’s neck, pulling me one step at a time. I almost lose my balance, but he steadies me with ease.
And then, he curls his arm under mine and around my waist. “Jump with me.”
I want to refuse. I want to curl up in a ball. But then, I feel Astella’s coin against my skin and the strange inhuman rumble of the draken who said she needs me.
“Okay,” I whisper.
We bend together. “Ready?”
I nod. And then, we leap to the stone’s edge. Our feet land with a thud, and then I’m panting in his arms.
I hate him, I remind myself. I’m not going to fall for this again.
He is a needed ally. Trust him while you must. Discard him when it is fitting.
I close my eyes and nod. My heart aches. But if it is my role to keep fighting, I will.
“We are nearly out, but they will be searching for us, and I cannot promise—I don’t know if we’ll make it. But I need you to know, if they find you, do not ever reveal what just happened to you.”
