"Night and Ice Do Not Mix" *Winterwatcher*

Chapter 24

"Hey," a soft voice called. "Wake up."

Winter opened his eyes and was greeted by gentle jade eyes.

"It's almost midnight. We should get going."

Winter looked around and saw Qibli and Kinkajou already up.

"Um, do we have anything to eat?" Kinkajou asked. "I'm starving."

"We can find food as we go," Qibli said. "That way, we can hunt and do our mission at the same time."

"What are waiting for then? Let's go!" Kinkajou yelped excitedly.

"You're too late," a menacing voice growled behind Winter. "Much too late."

The dragonets whipped around and saw her. Winter stood paralyzed, his eyes wide with unbelief. All four dragons stood stunned.

"Bu- bu- but- but- but you died!" Winter burst out.

The dragon grinned evilly. "That was only an ice copy of me whale scum. I never knew you could be so easily tricked."

Winter just stood there, a million thoughts sprinting through his head.

"Are you okay Winter?" Moon asked softly, her eyes bright with concern.

"Aww, how simply adorable!" The dragon cooed. "An IceWing with a NightWing, how simply wonderful." The female dragon circled the partial winglet and her scornful eyes burned into Winter's.

How can this be? I saw with my own two eyes, she died right in front of me!

"What are you doing here?" Qibli growled. "You were never invited."

"Ah. Yes. The SandWing. The one who attacked me."

Qibli growled angrily in response. "Answer me!"

"I do not have to answer to a lowly SandWing," The dragon huffed.
All the dragon did when she saw Winter's baleful glare was smirk. "I merely just want to get someone important back Winter.
She said will let him go if I slay the Jade Winglet, especially the NightWing. I do have a choice to kill you though Winter. I'd rather not, but if I must, than I must."

"You sound different," Kinkajou blurted out of nowhere. "You used to be so cool and everything, but now you sound like some old dude. You know,
since you're being way more reasonable."

"Moon," Winter said quietly so only the mind reader could hear him. "Can you sense her thoughts?'

The NightWing shook her head despairingly. "No. It's as if there is a wall of ice pushing me back. I can't get through."

"You will not succeed." Winter made eye contact with the dragon. "Because I will stop you."

"Really?" The she-dragon sneered. "This will be a fun battle indeed. Bring it on!"

Winter saw a figure swoop down from the edge of his vision. Qibli. The SandWing attacked straight on with Kinkajou on his tail. Is Kinkajou really gonna fight?

Qibli struck his poisonous tail at the dragon, hitting her left wing, leaving a burning hole in it. The dragon retaliated, snapping her jaws at the SandWing. Kinkajou swooped in and unhinged her jaw and aimed her venom at the dragon, burning her other wing. Orange rippled across her red scales as she fought. The duo attacked together, the dragon on her side, panting.