Hidden Wings

Chapter 11

   Hello again! I'm so sorry about the length of this chapter... It's so short! But I will try to make up for it by putting up the next chapter on Sunday or Monday... So stay tuned! Thank you!!! Every comment or vote you guys share with me touches my heart so much!!! Thanks so much for reading!!!!

Maria lept up and dashed outside with Spry hot on her tail. The guards were only a few yards above the trees, struggling to keep their hold on an enormous black snake without getting their claws tangled up in the loose ropes that were meant to fit a dragon, but not a shapeshifter. The snake writhed and turned its head, it's golden eyes flashing in the sun. Its fangs sank into one of the soldier's wings, tearing through the thin webbing. The soldier screamed in pain and started to crash toward the ground, smashing into trees on the way to forest floor.
   The serpent twisted toward the only remaining thing between it and freedom. The second guard looked scared out of her mind, paralyzed. The snake snapped its whole body like a whip and it was all the guard could do to stay away from its lashing tail. He released it, diving toward the ground.
   Maria stared in fright as she suddenly heard a strange whistle-hiss sound and the snake sprouted legs and wings and became the serpent-like form of dragon. The dragon immediately pivoted and started flying away, toward a section of thicker forest.
    "After him!" Angelica ordered. Most of the soldiers, except for those wounded, took off after Vycan, the silver and blue sky dragons quickly putting space between themselves and the others.
   "Stay here, you two." The queen commanded. "If they are successful, Maria, you will be back to yourself in no time."
  
                              * * *

Maria, Spry, Angelica, and all the wounded soldiers and nurse dragons had been waiting by the cave for nearly an hour by the time a watch dragon spotted the winged shapes in the distance, flying toward them.
   A few minutes later, the dragons touched down, holding Vycan securely by his arm, legs, and wings.
   "Release him." Angelica looked down her snout at Vycan, and Maria thought she saw a hint of fear in her eyes.
   The black dragon snapped at the gaurds as they backed away, then he turned, narrowing his eyes at the queen. "I did only what I promised I would." His voice was low, halfway between a growl and a purr. "And only because of what they did to me."
   "You killed my mother," Angelica whispered, blinking back tears.
    "One might say that was self-defense. She should have known better." Vycan flashed a spiteful smile that didn't quite reach his eyes.
    Angelica narrowed her eyes, digging her front claws into the ground as she fought to keep herself collected. "That doesn't excuse what you did." She hissed coldly.
    Vycan drew himself up out of his crouch and looked the queen straight in the eyes. "Then why don't you hate me?"
   Angelica met his stare for a moment, each looking on the verge of springing at the other. The guards stiffened, shooting venomous looks at the black dragon.
   The Queen took in a deep breath, then let it out slowly, as if she were letting go of her own emotions for the sake of the dragons watching her. "The cure," she murmured, flicking her tail at Maria with calm authority. "Tell us what it is."
   A puff of smoke escaped Vycan's nostrils.
   Angelica looked into his eyes. "I trust you, Vycan."
   The black dragon eyed her imperceptibly for a long moment that seemed to last forever, as if testing these powerful words to find the truth behind them. Finally, he lowered his gaze. Maria could see the answer in his eyes just before he spoke it, and his voice twisted into her heart like a serpent of fear.
    "There is no cure."