CHAPTER NINE THE ATTACK
Flame POV.
I woke up and it was dark outside. Looking over at the clock on my bedside table I realized it was ten at night. Looking down at Zara I saw her eyes open. When she looked up at me I looked into her beautiful blue eyes.
“What is it..?” She asked in a whisper.
“Your eyes...They are beautiful..” I whispered back. Zara smiled at me blushing. Gods, she was gorgeous.
“How are you feeling, love?” Zara blushed again.
“I'm.. feeling fine.” Her hesitation bothered me but if she didn't want to talk I wouldn't force her.
“Are you hungry?”
“Yes, I am. But it's okay.”
“What? No Z, what do you want to eat?”
“Nothing. I’m fine.”
“Zara. I am going to bring you some food, and you're gonna eat it. I am not gonna let you go hungry.” Zara giggled.
“Fine. You have to eat too.” When I got back from the kitchen Zara was sitting in front of the fire on the rug. She had her knees pulled up under her chin. I sat down next to her and set the plate of steak and mashed potatoes down next to her.
“Do you ever think about when we were kids?” Her unexpected question startled me. I swallowed my potatoes and nodded.
“Yeah, I do. Why?”
“I was just thinking about that day when I came to the kingdom for the first time. When we snuck into the castle and were caught.” My heart dropped.
“You remember that?” I was surprised.
“Well yeah. Your dad whipped the shit out of me and then tossed me into the river.”
“He what?” I yelped in shock.
“Yep. I knew you didn't know that so I've been acting like the memory charm worked all this time.”
“Zara..” I was horrified.
“What? It's no different than how my father treated me after my mom died.” I had no words for her. I just sat there, mouth wide open in shock.
Zara laughed, “I love you too, by the way. I never got to say that to you before the guards found us.”
****
Zara’s POV.
“Where is that damn shoe? It should be around here somewhere..”
“What are you looking for, love?” I jumped at the sound of Flame’s voice.
“Ugh don't do that. You scared me. I'm looking for my shoe. I can't find it, and Thorn wants to- Ahha! There it is.” I pulled the shoe out from under my bed as I sat up from the floor. Laughing Flame spoke.
“You have the strangest way of finding things dear.”
“What do you mean?” I said, puzzled.
“You can ask your mirror where it is.”
“What?” I am even more confused now. Looking back at my mirror on the dresser I said, “What are you talking about?” Flame looked surprised.
“Here, I'll show you.” Pausing, Flame turned to the mirror and said “Mirror, Where was Zara’s shoe?” The mirror immediately showed under the bed. Right where the shoe had been.
“That is so cool! What kind of magic is that?” Flame smiled at my excitement.
“They were forged by dwarves a thousand or so years ago. My father was into the secret magic of the dwarves. Their swords are the only thing that can kill a shifted dragon.”
“Oh wow, I didn't know that!”
“Yeah, my dad wanted to find a way to avoid or combat a dwarf sword.” Flame sighed. “It didn't work in the end. That's what killed him.”
“I'm so sorry Flame.”
“Don't be. I don't care. I'm glad he's gone.”
“Flame-” He cut me off.
“No. I don't care if it happened, Z. If I did, I wouldn't have said anything about how he passed.” I looked up at Flame and sighed.
“Okay. Thorn and Jade want to go out today so I have to get ready to go. Make sure you release Dexter and his brother.” Flame looked angry.
“They are rogues now, I have banished them from the pack, They are allowed a goodbye and to take their personal possessions. Then they are to leave.” Flame nodded slowly.
“I will have them escorted to the forest. Have a good day. Oh and your dad is being let out today. He's being released as we speak.” Flames' words startled me. I had forgotten about that with all that was going on.
“Uhm, Okay. Move them to a cave, Please.”
“If that's what you'd like.” I nodded at Flame and walked out my bedroom door.
****
Zara's POV.
“Back off.” I growled
“Make me, Wolf.” The dragon said. I was terrified of what was going to happen. Jade, Thorn and I had just walked out of Windy Sindy, a small café in the village, to find an angry earth dragon towering above us. He was insistent that Thorn was to go with him.
“Fuck off. You are messing with Lord Flames, Lady of the castle and her friends.” Thorn growled from behind me. The earth dragon laughed derisively.
“Yeah, I don't believe that sweet cheeks. You can come with me. You know, get away from these.. Wolves..” The man's voice dripped with distaste at the word.
“I'm sending Flame our location.” Jade's words came in through our mind link.
“Good thinking. We’re less than ten minutes away. If we stall, we could buy some time.” I linked back to her.
“Get away from us. I doubt you could take on two wolves, and a fire dragon.” Jade's angry tone made the man bristle with more anger.
“You little brat!” He lunged for us.
“Ah!” We all dove aside as the man fell, yelling in fear. My coffee went flying and hit the alley wall exploding. It splattered the wall and ground. I spun around and started to crawl to Thorn and Jade. We were stronger together.
The man started to get up from the ground. I launched myself on his back, claws out. He yelled in pain as my claws sank into his flesh. Jade started to shift. Thorn stood and stepped in front of Jade shifting form on the ground. The large man was twisting and writhing in an attempt to get me off his back. He was only causing himself more pain. As he moved my claws sank deeper and moved, widening and shredding his already torn flesh and clothes. Thorn ran forward and shoved the man backward. Jade leaped on him in his confusion and began to rip and claw at his front. The man screamed in agony and started trying to rip Jade off of him. I finished shifting and jumped up higher onto his neck to stop him from hurting Jade. I could smell the blood and dirt from the man’s clothing and wounds, I could hear his screams ringing in my ears, feel his flesh ripping under my claws, I could hear Jade's yelps of pain as he attempted to throw her from him, Suddenly there were more yells and sounds. The man stumbled and fell to his knees groaning in pain. Jade jumped back off him just in time, as he fell forward, silent and unmoving. I didn't care. I kept going, ripping and biting at the man's flesh. I was tired of being treated this way, tired of being seen as insufficient and weak.
“Zara! He's gone. Let go.” I froze. Looking up, I saw Flame. He looked terrified. “Come on love..” His voice soothed me. I padded over to Flame's side and sat down. I looked down at my paws and saw they were stained with blood. Looking up across the alley I saw a group of very scared children. They were standing on the porch of an old wooden house. They wore tattered and dirty clothes. Flame walked forward and knelt, checking the man's pulse.
“He's alive, but barely. Hospital!”
“He tried to hurt us!” Jade said indignantly.
“Keep your mouth shut, Wolf!” It wasn't Flame who spoke, But one of the villagers.
“Do not speak to my guests that way.” Flame's voice was gentle and kind, yet stern.
“Guests..?” I thought to myself. I was hurt. I thought he loved me. We had decided to merge our tribe and pack. I turned and padded away, my head hung.
“Zara!” Flame called after me. “Let's talk!” I was upset. I didn't want to talk. As I ran off into the village Jade howled to me, signaling her transformation. She was going to come with me.