Wings of Fire: A New Regime (Book 3)

Chapter 19

 Nerves were creeping in Bermuda as she walked into the hut, feeling the burn of Jeweldreamer's gaze on her. If he did anything- it could end in Bermuda's death. Or worse, he and his freinds' deaths.

Think, Jeweldreamer.

It's so amusing listening to your hopeless thoughts. But they're giving me a headache.

Another relaxing wave hit Bermuda, and it buried her thoughts in syrup. She walked into the hut.

The nine leaders turned and stared at her, holding scrolls and maps.

"Oh!" Shiver said after a moment. "It's Bermuda! She's back!"

"Welcome back! Oh, dear, you're thin." Carmine said, excited flames bouncing off her wingtips as she came up to Bermuda. Saline grumpily stomped out the sparks.

"Do you're friends know you're here?" Worldkeeper asked.

"Yes," Bermuda said.

"Gosh, you need some food!" Carmine said, reaching for a roasted chicken leg. Bermuda took it.

"We thought you died," Saline said. The SeaWing cracked a rare smile. "Glad you're home."

Oh, this is awful.

Arghh, stop your stupid thinking. It's hard to control you and my soldiers seperately.

And your soldiers?

"Attack!" Someone called from outside the door, and talonsteps came running up. All nine leader whipped their heads towards the door.

But the dragon who entered wasn't a random stranger. It was Jeweldreamer, his talons shaking and tears brewing.

"Stop her!" he cried, pointing an accusing claw at Bermuda. "She working with Aconi! I hear it in her mind!"

At that moment, screams ripped through the air.

Three of the leaders tackled Bermuda, crushing her with their weight. She squirmed for a moment, and then felt an immeasurable amount of strength course through her bones.

Thanks, Aconi.

She easily threw off all three dragons, and then her talons carried her outside. Aconi's thirty dragons, Glass and Soldiers, were attacking the town. A building was already on fire. Jasmine and Jeweldreamer were nowhere to be found.

Bermuda ran, and felt the heat of her fire blast, lighting the dry grass on fire. It raced across the earth, catching the hut from where she had just been standing ablaze.

The leaders fled, and Carmine launched herself at Bermuda, on fire.

Panic gripped Bermuda's heart as the flaming mass tackled her. But she managed to not feel any pain- the burns and claws just bounced right off of her.

My job is done, Aconi. Why am I still here?

No answer, but Bermuda started running down the path. The edges of her vision were blurrier, and the sounds around her began to muddle together. The only thing Bermuda could hear was her rapid breathing and her pounding heart.

Suddenly, her body jerked, and she tore down a path. She tried to focus on what was ahead of her, and her heart dropped.

Jeweldreamer stood in the middle of path, panicking to his friends. Jellyfish looked up, and Bermuda saw a fear she would hope she'd never see again.

Jasmine turned, fury crossing her face. "How could you?! What is wrong with you?!" she screamed, but Bermuda couldn't respond.

Please, Aconi. Don't make me do this.

I'm afraid that's not an option.

Please!

Shut up, Bermuda.

Another wave hit her, scattering and drowning her thoughts.

Bermuda couldn't close her eyes. She couldn't look away, there was nothing she could do but watch and feel.

Feel her claws dig into Jasmine's shoulders.

Her tail slice Jeweldreamer's chest.

Her teeth buried in Jellyfish's soft spot on her tail.

She couldn't stop herself from watching the blood pool in her talons, the pain and betrayal in her friends' eyes.

She couldn't stop herself from listening to the snap of Iodine's arm and the cries of pain from Cloudy.

Why are you doing this to me?!

MOONS ABOVE, BERMUDA.

Please.

Is it not obvious? This was the plan from the start. Since I had my claws on your mind, I knew how I was going to end you and your friends. I could easily kill them myself, or send my guards.

But you, you would make it a spectacle.

You would bring them down to their knees, and they'd die not trusting one another.

They'd die thinking you were against them the whole time.

And you'll die by your friends' talons.

The last thing you'll see are your friends' bodies killed by your claw, and the rage in your friends' eyes as they kill you.

You are-

Aconi didn't get to finish her sentence, because Jellyfish flipped, swinging her thick, powerful tail, and beat Bermuda over the head.

Everything tilted, quite painfully, and it all went dark.