Apex [Imperial: Book 2]

Chapter 10

Another swift beat of my wing carried me towards jugged mountains that towered above the clouds. My eyes narrowed, scanning the snow-capped ridges slowly. No sign of movement.

Exhaling slowly, I sped up slightly. Eager to find them, though I knew that it wouldn't be to easy - after all, they were hiding. Chances were, it would take a little while to find them, but perhaps that was for the better given that they were trying to hide from the humans.

"You're back!" An excited voice echoed across the sky, and automatically, I whipped my head towards the source of the voice. A large dark grey drake, swooping up into the sky enthusiastically. "I thought you'd be several more months... But I'm glad you are here. Much has happened."

His excitement ebbed away even as he uttered the words, his yellow eyes no longer flashing with excitement, but solemn. Worried, even.

My breath caught in my throat. "Everyone is okay?"

The dark grey drake dipped his head in silent confirmation. But before he could respond, a bright red and gold drake swept past us, wings flared as he slowed to a halt.

"Thorak!" Rutilus exclaimed, his molten eyes glowing joyfully until he noted the other drake's serious mood. For a few long moments, the drakes examined each other. "What happened?"

Casting a timid glance towards the city, Thorak grunted, "I can explain when we get back to the cave."

Without wasting another moment, the dark grey drake dived down, swerving between the mountains carefully. Leading the way to the rest of my wing.

Excited, I chased after Thorak. Soon, I'd be able to reunite with each dragon. So soon!

The dark grey drake abruptly stopped, hovering in mid-air. No doubt waiting for us to catch up to him. Not wanting to waste any more time than I had to, I sped up, only slowing down as I approached him.

"Down here," he flicked his tail towards the mountains, gesturing towards the mouth of what appeared to be a pretty large cave. Yet again, he glanced across the sky as though he was scared someone was watching him. "Quickly!"

What had happened while we were gone? Never had I seen Thorak more nervous. Grimly, I examined him for a few more seconds. Wishing that somehow just looking at him would answer my unspoken questions.

His icy blue gaze darted from Rutilus to myself, pausing as it landed on Terraz. His eyes narrowed - clearly not pleased the imperial drake trailed after us. Nonetheless, he slowly twisted around, but I knew he still kept a watchful eye on the bronze dragon. To let a strange, imperial dragon see the rest of his wing, especially one whom had been part of Argon's wing...

A soft sigh escaped the dark grey drake. Tucking his wings against his flank, he drifted towards the cave, landing inside the cave carefully. He proceeded much slower than when he had been looking forwards to us - making sure that we were with him.

Without a word, I followed him. Impatiently, I stared through at the cave ahead, my heart thrumming against my ribs as I tried to glimpse the dragons inside.

Murmurs echoed through the cave. The silhouettes of dragons craned their necks, watching us with a mix of curiosity and relief as we entered.

"Argentum! Rutilus!" A joyous cry, coming from a dragoness near us. Instinctively, I twisted my head towards the dragoness, and spotted Soriak. "You're here!"

But before I could respond, another voice echoed throughout the cave - this one much deeper; more sonorous. A voice that could only belong to Kronx. "You are back early... Who's this, with you?"

My gaze wandered across the cave, searching for the dark blue drake. It only took a matter of moments - his massive bulk was not hard to find among the much smaller dragons around him. Gleaming silver eyes stared at the dragon behind me, intently examining the bronze imperial.

Terraz quickly examined the cave, trying to appear calm. But the constant shuffling of his wings, and the talons grinding against the stone floor proved that he was far from relaxed. Slowly, he turned to face Kronx.

By now, all of the dragons in the cave were watching him. But if the bronze imperial realised that, he did not show it as he warily watched the biggest dragon in the cave.

Casting his silver gaze towards Rutilus and I, Kronx prodded, "Well?"

"I am Terraz," the bronze and green dragon suddenly announced, then hesitated. Several long moments passed. Drawing another breath, he added. "One of the dragons who remain loyal to the Imperial wing."

His answer seemed to satisfy Kronx, for the massive drake leaned closer towards me. "Why are you here early?"

"Humans," Rutilus snarled, his golden eyes dangerously dark. "We saw humans - on the backs of dragons. Controlling them. The queen lied to us. Dragons are still being held captive."

Hastily, I argued, "that's not what Lord Raffael said."

But my words fell on deaf ears. Around the cave, dragons muttered to each other, some shifting their weight uncomfortably, or nervously glancing towards the cave's entrance worriedly. Even Soriak had flinched from Rutilus's words, before she had lashed her tail powerfully.

But Kronx had not so much blinked. "As we feared," he murmured, shaking his head slowly. "We were right to have moved here."

"Why? What happened here?" I asked curiously, remembering what Thorak had said earlier, and even the way he'd acted; how he'd been so tense, so wary.

Suddenly, silence fell over the cave. Not a dragon spoke, despite the fact that most had been murmuring to each other moments before.

My scales pricked uncomfortably. What was wrong? Why had they suddenly all gone quiet? Why were they all staring at Rutilus, Terraz, and I?

No. They weren't watching us. Instead they glared at something behind us. Something that had not been there moments before.

Suddenly worried, I peered behind me.

There, standing at the entrance of the cave was an icy blue dragon - one that I'd already seen today. And on her back, was a human.

Lord Raffael.

A furious snarl shattered the silence.

*~*

1050 words

Sorry for being so late - as I said last chapter, I've been on a holiday overseas, which I really enjoyed. Finally, I can say that I've seen a proper mountain range; one that I've described numerous times already in the previous book. 

Nonetheless, this chapter is finally out, and the next should be during the week before school requires most of my time. 

Hope you enjoyed! :D