Day of Reckoning

STORM

The beginning of the end was upon us. Dragons flew through the sky, choking the brightness of the midday sun.

I hoped they would choose to rest and recharge. Perhaps they could revel in a beautiful sunset or enjoy a bountiful feast.

Sadly, for some, it would be their last day to do such things.

I watched as the Twin Leading Breeds from each horde transformed into their human bodies.

The four twins approached me but kept distance between themselves.

“We’re here,” Loch growled. “Though I’m still not sure why in the hell we agreed to this in the first place.”

I smiled at his fake aggression. He could puff his chest all he wanted, but he knew as well as I how important today would be.

“You’re here because your life depends on it,” Dane replied

Loch looked as if he was about to lunge at the other set of twins. Hael placed a firm hand on his brother and held him back.

“If we beat Xander, there will be plenty of time to show them who really runs Requiem City,” Hael replied.

Sadly, he was probably correct. Their alliance could only last for so long. If Xander was defeated, an all-out fight for supremacy of this region would take place.

Though if the curse was broken, the dragons would no longer be bound to this territory. With Xander gone, they could stretch their wings and fly to the ends of the earth.

Nothing would hold them back!

“Are you sure that we’re ready?” Aneurin asked.

“It feels like only yesterday you taught us how to become dragons,” Dane added. “Tell us the truth. Can we take on Xander and his school of slayers?”

They wanted the truth. But all I could give them was hope. The visions only showed me that we could make it this far.

It was now up to us to decide our fate.

“There is no more time,” Silver said. “Unfortunately, providence does not wait for us.”

Maddie and Summer had been talking in the distance, allowing their mates time to discuss the details of the battle. They walked up together, and I joined in on the discourse.

“Don’t tell me you’re actually scared,” Maddie said.

She was looking at Loch and Hael with a devilish smile. Maddie had a strong will of her own, but even as she joked, I sensed an uneasiness in her voice.

“Quiet, rat,” Hael growled.

“Don’t talk to her like that,” Summer replied.

Dane and Aneurin waved Summer to their side and placed her between them.

“Let them say what they will,” Dane said. “They aren’t fond of people trying to talk sense to them.”

“The only talking we’ll do is on the battlefield,” Loch snarled. ”Sure, you can run your mouths. But can you fight?”

“You’ve seen more than once what we’re capable of,” Aneurin responded.

“~Children!~” Silver shouted.

The four twins looked at her with disdain.

“Save yourselves for the dragon slayers,” I said.

I looked at the position of the sun. It was at its zenith in the sky. We would need to move soon

“Ready your hordes,” I warned. “The time has come.”

MADDIE

I was as scared as I’d ever been. Hiding my fear behind a mask of belligerent pride had always helped.

But today just wasn’t the same. Nothing I said or did felt right. The words I spoke every time I opened my mouth felt small and petty.

Hael and Loch were silent as we made our way back toward the Requiem horde. Without a word to anyone, they transformed into their giant dragon forms.

Loch

Climb onto my back mouse.

Maddie

Thought I was nothing but a rat.

Hael

You are whatever we say.

Maddie

Guys, I’m worried about today.

Loch

There’s nothing to fear. This is our fate.

Hael

Climb on and hold tight. We won’t tell you again.

~Great.~

I hoped this wasn’t the last conversation we’d have. They were strong dragons who could hold their own, but what I saw during the wedding played in my head over and over. They were not the only ones who could put up a fight.

~Please, please, don’t let them die.~

I didn’t know who or what I was praying too. I just hoped that whatever heard me would listen.

I climbed up Loch’s black scales and held on tight.

Summer was already on the back of Aneurin’s dragon. She gave me a wave, and I happily returned it.

I'd finally found another woman who understood what I was going through. But if today went Xander’s way, I’d probably never see her again.

I’d do everything in my power to prevent that from happening.

ZAYDA

Xander University was conspicuously quiet on the eve of a battle. Xander had tried to keep today’s events a secret, but it was impossible to hide.

He’d taken the only man I’d ever loved from me. His own hands destroyed the panacea I’d worked my ass off to make. He even kidnapped me to keep me on his side.

And I’d let him…

But I refused to let him take Xythor to battle without saying one more goodbye.

I walked across the campus, assuming that Xythor was still in the laboratory. No one forbade me from setting foot on university grounds, but I still didn’t want to be seen by Xander or any of his minions.

A group of students gathered outside the chapel caused me to stop and watch. They looked to be sharpening various swords and trying on suits of armor.

The preparation for battle had already begun.

I hid behind a statue of a dragon slayer felled long ago. It was enough to give me some concealment as I watched the students.

Xander wasn’t anywhere to be seen.

But there was someone else I recognized…

~Xythor!~

His godlike figure would be hard to miss among such slender students.

I continued to watch him, unsure if I should allow myself to be seen.

That was when I saw them…more robots!

Except these ones weren’t like Xythor; there was no human element to their figures at all.

These robots were pure metal and already transformed into their dragon-like forms.

The blueprints I'd found in Xander’s laboratory had been brought to life…

And they were fucking huge!

My thoughts quickly drifted to Maddie and her mates. I hated Loch and Hael with a passion, that was no secret.

Still, I couldn't help but worry about what would happen to my friend if they were killed in this battle.

Maybe it was for the best…

If dragons were wiped from this earth, who would shed a tear?

My old friend, no doubt…

But her tears would only be used to water the new world Xander would create in their absence.

LOCH

We flew through the sky as one massive entity. Hael and I had never dreamed of building a horde.

Now that we had one, it was hard to deny the breathtaking power we possessed.

Storm

We’re nearing the university!

Loch

How will we be able to enter? It’s impossible with the curse.

Hael

Do you feel it? Something’s different.

Silver

Hael’s right. I can no longer sense the force field that usually encircles the campus.

Storm

Xander and his dragon slayers are waiting. They’re calling us in…

We followed Storm as he made his descent.

For the first time in ages, I could feel my stomach twist into knots. The battle was nearing…and I didn’t know if I was ready.

Maddie gripped my scales tightly, holding on for dear life. I just hoped that I’d be able to feel her touch again after whatever happened next.

MADDIE

Loch touched down just outside the campus, and I jumped off. I sprinted toward the university's stone walls, not wanting to be left out of the fight.

Sooner or later, they would need me; I just knew it.

Summer eventually caught up and ran alongside me.

“This is fucking crazy,” she said.

“Welcome to my life,” I replied.

We found an open gate under an archway and followed it inside.

Just as we were about to make our plan of attack, a horrible, metallic roar filled the air.

“Holy hell,” Summer said. “Look at that!”

I followed Summer’s finger as she pointed to the sky.

Hordes of dragons were taking flight—and they weren’t part of our dragon alliance.

They were robots!

My jaw dropped in terrified awe.

Xander really had been waiting all along for the Requiem and Dusk hordes to arrive.

How did he have so many dragons?

I grew instantly sick at the realization of my own question.

The Dragonstone…

In my pursuit to learn more about my mother, I’d handed over the one thing that Xander needed to defeat the dragons.

And it was all because of me.

I looked around the campus, trying to find a better vantage point.

On the other side of campus was a young woman staring at the sky just like Summer and I.

It was Zayda…

And she was on Xander’s side.

I returned my attention to the sky. The hot afternoon sun was eclipsed by the dozens of dragons taking flight.

A battle was about to begin.

We’d all chosen our sides.

Next would come the fire, the blood, and the death.

Only one question remained…who would emerge from the ashes?

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