The Dragon's Scale [COMPLETE]

12.2 || Nightly Visit

A memory tugged at Josh from his first full day at the Sanctuary. Maraand his dad had sat in the living room of their new quarters, discussing how shestayed with Cale and his parents. Therehad been a final name Josh's dad had started to say before Josh slammed thedoor. He had thought nothing of it then and always figured Cale was an onlychild.

But Boomer wouldn't lie, and Josh realized why Peter looked familiar stepping out of the portal. He looked like an older, more ragged Cale.

And he was a Shadow Knight. With Eli near him.

"It's very simple," Peter said. "I got to the Sanctuary by walking through a portal, just like anyone else. As for why I feel like a Shadow Knight..." He shrugged, the edges of his cheeks pulling back with a smile. "I'm sure you know how the bonding process works."

"I'm not playing games with you, Peter." Metal scraped across wood.

"Ah ah ah. I'd be careful if I were you." Peter wagged a disapproving finger with one hand and placed the other on Eli's shoulder.

Josh shifted the weight to his back leg to switch to the offensive. Trust in Xander or not, this pile of dragon dung wasn't hurting his little brother.

Last time you tried to save someone, you almost died. There it was again. His own voice becoming a serpent that constricted his body and hissed in his ears. Let Xander handle it. You'll only make a mess of things.

"Nine years old, if I had to guess," Peter said. He moved his hand along Eli's shoulder to curve around the base of his neck. "It's a fragile age, don't you think, Xander?"

A gust of wind burst from the room. Josh grabbed the edge of the doorway to avoid toppling down the steps. Peter stumbled back, pulling Eli robotically along with him.

"That is enough." Xander spoke slowly, his last word accompanied by another, stronger gust of wind.

Peter took a second step back, but he remained unflinching before Xander. "You're right," he drawled. "I think it's time we moved past the pleasantries of this little reunion."

He held Eli still with one hand and brought the other a few inches from his head. Black fire erupted around Peter's hand, blazing in the air mere centimeters from Eli. A tendril blew to the side from the shifting wind. Even in the bizarre state, Eli screamed when the flame licked his cheek.

"Stop it, Peter!" Xander barked.

A cry of his own rose in Josh's throat as the need to slam a fist into Peter's face surged through his veins, but the words refused to come out. When he tried to rush forward, he realized his voice wasn't the only thing disobeying him.

His body didn't move.

The wind vanished as abruptly as it appeared, and Peter's fire calmed. Such a contrast to the way Josh's heart raced in his chest. He eyed the flame-engulfed hand. No longer burning Eli, but still too close for comfort, and Josh couldn't get his body to do anything to stop it.

Boomer, why can't I move?

"Good, you're making the smart choice," Peter said. "Now stay still or the boy pays." He removed his hand from Eli's neck and fished for something in his back pocket.

Boomer had yet to reply. Josh's pulse thundered in his ears as he reached for his dragon.

Empty darkness met him. Frowning, he pushed against it—

The ogre lumbering over him. His life moments from being stolen from him. Him helpless, utterly helpless. Beaten, sore, exhausted. Moments from death.

Josh's breaths shuddered as the memories slammed into him. He mentally jerked from the bond like it had bitten him. What was going on?

Peter produced two silver bands from his pocket, pulling Josh out of his own mind. He tossed them in Xander's direction. The bracelets clanged against the floor.