Apex [Imperial: Book 2]

Chapter 24

"Come now," Lord Carlos finally cleared his throat, raising a hand towards my chains. "Let's go get your food."

For a split second, I hesitated - watching as the human turned around and started leading the way. Why was he taking me there? I'd thought he'd have gone off on his own, leaving me to find it myself. And yet, he was taking me there!

The human tugged the chains, seeming to realise I wasn't following him. Tucking my wings against my flank, I released a sigh as I slowly trailed after him.

Chains still in his hand, he purposefully walked a few feet in front of me as he expertly strode through the streets. He barely payed attention to the increasing amounts of people  bustling past - or even at any other dragon on the street.

Most of them just hurried past, yet I couldn't help but notice that several were watching us. Watching me. Either openly gawking, or sneaking a look as they walked past. Even the other dragons paused, casting a curious or wary glance in my direction. Surely they had at least seen another imperial dragon before! 

Scales prickling, I tentatively followed Lord Carlos. It was uncomfortable to be so utterly helpless in such close proximity of so many humans.

"Why all the attention?" I finally murmured, warily gazing across the street.

He did not answer, instead turning down another street.

Large buildings towered over us like mountains, casting shadows across the street. All of them were made of the same gloomy grey stone, with many humans inside them. Yet even they seemed to cast a startled glance at me.

Another dragon was approaching us, this one with dark bottled green scales and venomous yellow eyes - Thanatos. But it was the human in front of him who made my blood turn cold.

No. Not him! He can't be here! Fear surged through me and I retreated a few steps, a low growl rumbling in my throat. Now that I was here - at the humans' mercy, tearing him into pieces was impossible.

Lord Carlos's shoulders visible tensed. "Omar," he greeted, his jaw clenched.

The human looked up, a dark scowl etched on his face. "Lord Carlos," he hissed in a voice cold enough to send shudders down my back. His black eyes shifted from the lord towards me, and he slowly spread his lips in an icy smile. "You."

I recoiled, flinching away from my former Master. My growl grew louder, and my claws scratched the pavement.

But my reaction only seemed to please my former Master - Omar. His wicked smile widened and pointed a gnarled finger towards me. "You should still be mine."

"What, you think you can handle her?" Lord Carlos scoffed, staring pointedly down at Omar. "You can barely handle your monster of a dragon."

Thanatos growled, the sound like the constant rumbling of thunder. For a split shame, I could have sworn that hatred and determination glittered in his dangerously narrowed eyes but it was gone before I could be sure.

I turned my attention back towards the humans. Neither had seen that flash of emotion in the drake's eyes - and I doubted either realised that he was growling as they argued to each other.

"He's your rider," I realised, glancing at the dark green dragon sympathetically.

Thanatos laughed bitterly. "Two monsters together. Can't get much better than that." He lashed his tail against the pavement, drawing the attention of both humans. Shuffling his wings, he opened his jaws, baring his fangs towards the humans.

For a few long moments, they glared at each other.

"I'd best get going," Lord Carlos declared, confidently breaking the silence. "If you have any issues regarding my dragon, raise them with the queen."

My former Master's face darkened.

The lord smirked, before continuing to stride through the streets. All to eager to get away from Omar and Thanatos, I hastily followed.

Humans continued to cast glances towards me, but even all of their attention was better than my former Master's bleak glare. That he was the rider of the dragon whom seemed to share his hatred - whom Lord Carlos had referred to as a beast; a monster.

Monster. Why was he regarded as a monster among the humans? The dark green dragon had growled upon hearing that, as though to protest that he wasn't. But that he'd been referred to as such... what had he done to the humans to be considered a monster?

Was it possible that he didn't want to be in this city any more than I did?

"Here we are," Lord Carlos grunted, stopping in front of one of the many buildings. Just like the others, humans bustled within it, but the unmistakable scent of raw meat wafted from it, making my stomach rumble.

Upon noticing us, one of the humans hurried out to meet us. Dried blood was splattered across his otherwise plain tunic, and his long dark hair was greasy. Hazel eyes peered up at us, focusing mostly on the lord. "Can I help you, sir? The hunters have just returned, we've got fresh deer and -"

"A deer. Biggest one you've got will suffice," Lord Carlos interrupted him, handing a few gold coins towards the human. The human snatched the coins greedily, even as the lord shifted his attention towards me. "A reward for your good behaviour today."

"Thank you," I inclined my head slightly, resisting the urge to snort. If only he knew why I had been behaving; I doubted that I'd even get a morsel of scraps if he knew!

"Go enjoy your meal. They should take off your flight gear and chains after you eat," the lord sighed after a few moments of silence, raising his hand to indicate to the humans inside the building. "You have the rest of the day free... Meet me at dawn tomorrow at the same place as today."

He did not even wait for me to respond before he turned around, straightening his shoulders as he strode away.

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1009 words

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