Wings of Fire; The Assassin

Chapter 28

"That won't go. I need that SkyWing, and you need the NightWing. I don't think it would be too good for her health if... I don't know...

Something happened to her."

The dragon pulled out a knife and ran one claw down the blade slowly. Bubble bit his tongue trying to hold in a hiss. Diamondback raised his tail threateningly.

"If you even put one claw on her, you will be wishing that you were never born."

The red dragon just shook his head and raised one talon gesturing to stop talking. The knife was still in their talon, but they seemed like they wanted to drop it or something.

"Just show me that my sister is safe," Diamondback said with his voice cracking from grief and worry. The SkyWing assassin nodded and turned around, still holding the knife with a tight grip.

The dragon disappeared intothe shadows again and came back a little while later with Artemis limping behind him. She had blood trickling down her back and tail, which was now bound uncomfortably to her side in order to keep her venomous barb from stabbing him. Her wings were bound together, clearly in order to prevent her from flying away.

Bubble looked away, not wanting to see the look of pain and despair on her face. He started to cry. This was his fault. It was his fault that all his friends were in danger like this. It was his fault that Artemis had been hurt like this. He needed a plan because he did not want to just stand by and watch this all go down. He did need to take into account how much he has already put his friends in danger. He did not want to put them in any more danger, but he might have to in order to save them.

Diamondback was about to run over to his sister, but then the hooded dragon pulled the knife and held it against Artemis' throat.

"Ok. Do you want the SkyWing princess? I will get her to you by tomorrow night."

"Didn't you get my letter? I said tonight, by midnight."

Diamondback continued the argument, while Artemis slowly inched away. Bubble realized that Artemis must have read Diamondback's mind, and he told her to get away from the assassin.

Boris shifted slightly in the bushes, which rustled loudly. The assassin looked over at the bushes and studied them intently.

He started to approach them when Bubble jumped out of his tree and landed behind Diamondback. They both quickly looked over at who it was and Diamondback looked shocked.

"Bubble! I told you to stay! Why are you here!?" Diamondback shouted at him.

"I know, I know. I was just wondering why you were leaving the school so late, so I followed you." Bubble lied. He didn't want the assassin to know that others were told about the threats.

Just then while everyone was distracted, Artemis leaped away from the assassin. She started to run as fast as she could to Diamondback and Bubble. Time slowed down, and seconds felt like days. The assassin looked over to see his hostage was running away.

Wasting no time, the assassin pulled his knife out of its sheath. The sharp glinting blade was fully exposed, and the dragon raised his arm. The knife was thrown directly at Artemis' heart, which caused Bubble's heart to stop. His blood ran cold, and he felt like he was pitted from the inside. He was empty.

Not Artemis! Please, NO! I will do anything to save my friend! If only I could trade places with Artemis, or stop the knife.

Without thinking any more about what to do, Bubble acted. He had a way to stop that knife but at a price. He was going to use one of the most dangerous gifts he inherited from his father.

"NO! STOP!" Bubble shouted commandingly. The knife stopped mid-air, and stayed there, floating.

"What in the?" the assassin questioned. There was a face of absolute terror. Clearly, the assassin did not expect that. Not like anyone did really.

Everyone froze where they were except for Artemis who continued to run, while tears of fear, sadness, pain, and joy fell from her eyes. Artemis made it to Diamondback and hugged him.

Just then, everyone jumped out in front of the two hugging SandWing NightWings. The assassin hissed, backing up. They jumped into the air and flew off at full speed. Because they were SkyWing, they were out of reach before anyone could react.

Bubble was about to race off after the assassin, but before he could even move, the entirety of the events finally caught up to him. He was exhausted. His legs buckled under him, and he fell belly first into the cold soft forest floor.