A Fifth Daughter [Book 2: The Dragon Warrior]

Chapter ~ 10

~ Chapter 10: Demon, Demon, On the Wall... Wait! That's Not Right ~

I threw up again this morning but as soon as my heart had calmed down I felt the difference. I felt clean. The air was crisp in my lungs and nearly burned my throat. My eyes had lost that hollow, demented look and with all the sleep I've gathered I'm starting to look normal. Nyt stood in the doorway nodding.

"Guess we can pack up now." Was all he said.

Snow comes to nearly my waist but Nyt walks forward like it's nothing, so I follow his shuffling steps. I blink at the sight beside the red barn and cock my head curiously. I'm not sure what to think of them. Two elk, each the size of a draft horse, stand tethered to the fence. Their bronze coats glow in the rising sun and their antler racks both number in the teens.

"These guys will make the traveling easier." Nyt adjusts the saddle on one and straps down the bag he'd carried out from the house. I stand still and watch them. They're not horses, and they don't have wings, but I'm still apprehensive to mount one. Nyt pauses in his work and eyes me. His voice comes out nearly harsh. "I can't believe you ride dragons and yet are terrified–" he shakes his head "–no, you're petrified to even think about mounting a horse, or something resembling a horse."

"I've ridden horses." I mutter, staring at the ground.

"Yes, but I wonder how long it took for you to convince yourself to get on it."

"Not long actually."

"Then what has you so hesitant now?"

I finally look up. I can feel a darkness in my own gaze as I stare him down. "I don't know." Each word comes out like a whip cracking. Heat brims in my palms.

"Then what do you know?" He snaps.

I don't understand why he's on the verge of yelling. It's as if he's been holding back and is finally about to break. I wonder what he's capable of. I wonder if he feels his powers crawl like spiders through his veins like I do. It's built up over the past four weeks and now it wants to be free.