Draegon Rider History (Draft 1)

Chapter 22

A displeased emotion crossed the eyes of Dion, fleeting but it was there. His eyes not leaving Parker's back. Quirking up an eyebrow I clear my throat to catch his attention. His gaze resting on me after a moment. "So you had some news regarding Vesper and Vex, our brother."

"Oh yes. Vesper has created a new weapon that will change the genetic molecules within both humans and draegons forcing them to become slaves with only the sole purpose of serving him. He recruited your brother with the promise of destroying your bond to Sage and killing her. I am still not sure what his part is within Vesper's plans but I assure you I will find out."

"Do you know how close he is to finishing his weapon?"

"A few months to a year at most. It is not much time at all." His eyes gravitating towards Parker.

"That doesn't give us much time." Panic beginning to set in. "Please inform me of Vesper's plans as soon as you find them out."

"Of course, that goes without saying. Now if you please excuse me." Dion trotted around my surprised form, heading for my brother with determination.

Parker had been roped into playing with some hatchlings, as he had not found his draegon until today he had taken up playing with the hatchlings. Giving the mother's a break every now and then. He was laughing as three red hatchlings crawled all over his body. One nipping at his fingers, biting down a bit too hard. Causing him to let out a yell, scaring the other two off.

Dion marched up to where Parker lay and growled, making the last hatchling let go and scamper off to its mother. Parker and Dion stared at each other, big brother not daring to move in case he set off the Draegon.

Dion huffed, bending his head down to scoop Parker up off the ground. Breaking out of his stupor he grinned like a buffoon, "I know you aren't really mad. Just annoyed and curious about me. Aren't you?"

The male draegon huffed again, extending his wings out and flying off with my brother carried in his mouth.

The Matriarch watching Dion fly off with my brother, amused by the entire situation. "Don't worry about your brother. He is in good claws. Even if Dion seems a bit of a stickler he has a good heart and he is an excellent spy. He won't let any harm come to him."

"I trust your judgement Matriarch. I am sure they will return soon. If you will please excuse me, Matriarch, I should be getting back to the Riders. We have five that I believe are close to sealing the bond fully and seven that are close to entering the last stage." Informing her of the progressing being made. "And as of today all of the humans have found a potential bond-mate as Parker was the last. But I know he will go through the processes of bonding quickly as he already mentioned the emotional connection before Dion carried him off."

The Matriarch chuckled, muttering a quick goodbye and left. Heading back to probably tell the council of the development between their best spy and Parker.

What concerned me more was Vex. Did he really think his stupid over protective big brother mode was more important than my happiness? Even when I was a child he tried to control the things I did, telling me what I could and couldn't do. Maybe I needed it when I was a child but not anymore. I was grown, I didn't need him dictating my life.

So what did he promise to Vesper in exchange for breaking the bond between Sage and myself?

"Sena, are you alright?" Kioka stalked closer from where he had stood instructing a small group of students. Concern plastered over his face.

"Not really. I just received some devastating news and I don't really know how to handle it. I feel like I want to shout, cry, and scream." Sage wasn't even around to help bring me out of my mood. She had gone hunting, also trying to avoid the persistent Virao.

"What happened?" His concern growing by the second. Wanting to reach out a hand but thinking better of it, letting it fall back down to his side.

Rubbing a hand over my face, "Matriarch brought along another Draegon, apparently he is a spy for the council that has infiltrated Vesper's ranks. Apparently Vesper made a deal with Vex. Now he is helping Vesper, we just don't know with what." Anger and denial taking root in my chest.

"Why would he do that?" His voice growing angry as he wrapped his arms around me. Holding me close.

Wrapping my own arms around his waist and burying my head in his chest, "He has despised Sage from moment one, even tried to kill her several times. I threatened him by saying if he did harm her I would never see him as my brother again. I think he blames my behavior on her. So he thinks by making a deal with Vesper he can somehow break the bond between her and me."

"But Sage is a part of you. He couldn't see that?"

Sighing I move my head so my cheek is resting underneath his chin, "He wasn't blind to it if that is what you meant. He didn't care. He has tried to dictate my every move since I was child. Which resulted in us butting heads most of the time. He thinks draegons are evil, and it seems he would rather work with a draegon than see me bonded with one."

Sage picked up on my shifting moods, sending her concern through the bond. I reassured her I was safe and was with Kioka. "Sena, what is wrong? I've never felt something this strong in emotion from you before. It feels like a tidal wave is slamming into my mind."

Instead of responding with mental verbal communication I redirected her to the memories of the past encounter with Dion. Replaying the parts about Vex's betrayal.

Rage exploded, burning up through the bond linking us. Red waves flashing across my mind. Scaring me as Sage was reaching new heights of anger that terrified me. I could hear her thunderous growl from here, hear her snapping teeth as she gnashed them furiously, her claws destroying the earth beneath her form, smoke rising out of her nostrils like a chimney ablaze.

Sage was stark raving mad. And I mentally prepared myself for the mental rant I knew was coming, "HOW COULD THAT SELFISH RAT DO THAT TO YOU?!?! YOU DIDN'T DO ANYTHING WRONG! YET HE THINKS HE HAS A RIGHT TO DICATE YOUR LIFE. TO MAKE DESCIONS FOR YOU. Oh no, he has another thing coming if he thinks he'll be able to get between us so easily. I was willing to look past him trying to kill me for your sake and now he wants to break our bond? I WONT STAND FOR IT! I might have let it go the first time but he isn't getting a second chance. Not while my Rider is at risk."

"Sage, it is alright. I would never let that happen. I would stop it from happening. Vex won't take me from you." Trying to sooth her anger.

Furious flapping of wings and me jerking away from Kioka as I glanced around for the source. Above us Sage turned into a dive, her wings pressed tight against her back, her claws splayed out. Aiming for me.

Making a split second decision I pushed Kioka away, sending him flying with too much force from rushing to get him to safety in a short amount of time.

Sage's claws descending around my form in the next second, swiping me up into her embrace and taking off back into the sky within the next moment. Kioka shook his head to clear it after he landed, seeing me get swept up he pushed to his feet. Running after Sage, "Sage bring her back! Now is not the time to kidnap your Rider." He shouted after her.

"Sage, where are we going?" Waving to catch her attention, smoke still streaming from her nostrils but at a slower pace than it had been.

Her words coming out in an angry hiss, "Dion." Small tremor growls erupting from her chest every other second. Flashes of Vex coming at a quicker frequency.