Haunting Shadows (Book 2)

Chapter 53

I stood there in a frozen horror as the beast zeroed in on me. Smoke was coming out of its nostrils and it was stalking me like I was its prey. I had never seen any living creature that big. The threat of dragons, it was real, very real. Someone was shouting for me to move, but I couldn’t. My body was planted into the ground, my feet roots that spread into the earth keeping me right in front of the dragon. A chill spread across me the moment the best stopped, his eyes still on me.

My heart stilled as it opened its mouth. When the fire started moving toward me faster than could be humanly possible, I stopped breathing. I wouldn’t get out of the way in time – not even if I wasn’t paralyzed. I braced myself for the impact, the inevitable burn. I just prayed it would be over quick.

“Lana, look out!” Casian screamed as he tackled me to the ground, his body shielding mine. My muscles finally started working again, the reality of what we were facing hitting me like the flames should’ve been. But Casian was a lot bigger than I was and he shielded me completely.

“Casian, no!” I yelled as I started to struggle against him. I couldn’t let him get hurt because of me. That wasn’t fair. It wasn’t right. I had been the one who couldn’t move. No. No. No.

But Casian didn’t budge and I started sobbing. His muscles were tense around me, the only sign that served to offer me some kind of relief as it indicated that he was still okay, at least for now. I continued to struggle as the flames continued to hit us. We’d both be dead if this continued any longer.

“Lana, stop fighting me! I’m trying to keep the flames from you and you are making my job very difficult!”

“I can’t let you get hurt because of me!” I yelled back, still thrashing against him.

His grip around me got tighter. “I can’t get hurt! I’m immune to fire, so stop worrying about me!”

I instantly stilled. Casian blew out a relieved breath, and continued to hold me down as the flames enveloped us. Sweat was dripping down the both of us from the unrelenting heat. I could make out the yelling of other people, but their words were distorted. The whooshing of the fire blocked out much else.

Just when I started to think it would never end, Casian got up and pulled me with him to my feet. He examined me quickly, tilting my face to the side and back to make sure there weren’t any burn marks on me. His eyes narrowed with concern and I wanted to reassure him that I was fine. I even wanted to thank him, but no words would cross my lips.

“Lana, are you okay?” he asked. And only then did I realize I was shaking.

Casian had amazing reflexes. Before I even knew my legs were unstable and they just started to give out under me, he caught me, keeping me upright. I placed my hand on his upper bicep to steady myself.

Andreas was suddenly standing by my side, concern etched into his usually neutral face. I glanced back between him and Casian. “I’m fine. Not even a scratch.”

“Not all scars are visible, little witch,” Andreas said as he took me from Casian. I tried to protest, but he lifted my feet off the ground.

“What are you doing?” I demanded with in a shrill voice.

“The dragon just took off after blasting fire at you, but I doubt he will stay gone for good. There has been no sign of his dragon lord and I need to get you out of here before they return.”

I opened my mouth to argue, but before I could, we were already in my room. He placed me down on my bed like I was some helpless little damsel and I immediately sprung to my feet the moment his hands left me. He stared at me with his head titled to the side like I was some disobedient child. Crossing my arms over my chest certainly did not take away from the effect.