The Dragon Hunter

22

Luna motioned for Axel and Quin to follow her. The corridor was deserted. Axel was beside her in an instant, chewing carefully on a clump of wolfsbane. She rolled her eyes.

"What was the plan again?" He murmered, so close to her face she could smell the sickly sweet scent of his breath.

"Get Nyx out. You heard Mendax, the shadow walkers will hold him in the lower levels until they can decide what to do with him," she hissed back.

"Why isn't Minx here to help?" Quin whimpered, clutching her hand. She didn't shake him off, instead giving him a quick squeeze in response.

"She is. Her and Jags are...doing stuff."

Axel raised an eyebrow as they started to jog down the corridor, footsteps ringing out far louder than Luna would have liked. "Stuff?"

"Yeah," she nodded, taking a sharp left and stopping as they reached a staircase resending down into darkness. "Stuff."

~

Minx sat between Jags and Alistar, uncomfortably waiting in silence for someone to talk. Vienna had summoned everyone, but Luna had taken that as an opportunity to go snooping. Now her and Jags were left to pick up the pieces and cover for them.

"What's the plan?" Ramsipia asked lazily.

"Shut up," She hissed back under her breath. Alistar shot her a funny look before turning his gaze back to Mendax.

"Where are the others?" he purred. Vienna nodded too, watching Mendax carefully.

Ramsipia chuckled. "Does he know?"

"I said shut up!" She growled.

Alistar bared his teeth, hackles raised as he fixed her with a merciless gaze. Instantly her lips were sealed, pretending to take an intrest in the frescos painted across the wall's and ceiling. She recognised them from the creation story Charlie had told her all that time ago. Finally, Alistar turned away to listen to Mendax.

"I have no idea about Axel, but Luna said Quin wasn't feeling well and she'd be taking care of him back at their quarters," He replied, shooting her a worried look. "Minx?"

"Think of something convining," Ramsipia offered.

Minx rolled her eyes and took a deep breath. "Axel told me he'd be in his room thinking up a plan to combat the clay army."

"Fetch him," Vienna commanded, nodding toward Alistar. He stood up and Minx's heart dropped.

"Think of something! Your cover will be blown of he goes!" Ramsipia howled, so loud it made her head hurt. "Quickly!"

"We'll come too," Jags piped up, ruffling his fur and leaping to the ground beside Alistar. "Less distractions for you two as you talk it out. Come on Minx."

Mendax looked like he wanted to protest, but Jags was already gone. Alistar's hackles raised as he turned back to Vienna for guidance. She waved him away, her necklace clicking gently with each movement.

"Be gone then, let your leaders converse uninterrupted," She sighed. Mendax's eyes darted between Minx and Alistar before settling back on Vienna.

"Very well, but no dilly-dallying! Be back within the hour."

Minx saluted, doing her best to ignore Ramsipia's attempt to hide his laughter. She didn't understand what was so funny, reminding herself to ask him later. "Yes sir."

She followed Alistar out of the room, listening as the heavy doors slammed shut behind them. Jags was already waiting for them at the end of the corridor, standing on his hind legs with his hat tilted at an angle. Alistar growled, prowling up to look over him.

"That wasn't funny," He snarled, taking another step closer. Jags didn't even flinch, instead closing the distance between them. He reached up under his hat and pulled something out. Alistar froze.

"Good boy. I have to say, you shadow walkers did a good job hiding yourselves from me. Luckily, I have my ways," He chuckled, slipping a golden chain around Alistar's neck. "Its not only dragons bound to the symbol of Meden now, is it."

He pushed his way forwards, standing in front of Minx. Jags' eyes were glazed over, shining with a pale red light. "Minx."

It took her a moment to catch on. Jags had slipped Axel's medallion around Alistar's neck. She could just make out the bronze three headed nestled in the sea of black fur. "How did you-"

"Not important, but I'd like to thank you. Without you, none of this would be possible," He laughed. Jags' voice was no longer his own now, it had changed into something just as familiar.

"Ramsipia?" She choked. He laughed.

"Now you get it. Though he," He pointed towards Alistar. "Would call me something else. The Lycanthoropes call me Tumesama. To the shadow walkers I am The Ending. To the cryptids I am the life giver and to the Mystics I am the one who utters prophecies."

Alistar whimpered, muscles tensed as he struggled to break free. An ear piercing scream rang out from back in the hall, like a dying animal. Minx gulped.

"There's a traitor in the society. It wasn't Charlie, it was me," She choked. "I brought you into Meden's house."

Next came the sound of Mendax screaming, a blood curdling shriek cut short as something started to throw itself against the doors.

He waved her comment away. "It takes many small holes to sink a ship. Not that it matters anymore. I am awake now. I have seen the mountains. I have seen everything. All of the guardian's are under my control, I have no need for the likes of these anymore," With that Jags fell forward, slamming face first to the ground as the sound of the doors splintering open rang through the air. The voice continued in her head, deep and rasping. Minx clawed at her ears, ripping away scales until purple ran along her face. "I have the power to control everything and wipe this world clean. I am the dark earth. And you, Blackthorn, are mine."

~

Ohhhhh! Cliff hanger! Sorry for the shorter chapter, but I thought this was the best place to end it for now.

Last update before the end of the six weeks, and this book recently hit 600 reads! So thanks! It means a lot to me that people are actually reading this, so I'll say it again, thank you so much for reading! And as always, I'll see you in the next part! XD