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Chapter 197
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The Birthright Series Chapter 198
THE EXHAUSTION I USED TO feel at using my energy so extensively didn't hit me now. This new, stronger version of energy made it feel almost like a separate entity. I could sense it lying there, tense and ready if I called on it and the realization of that other part, something ancient, primal, and fully elemental, both terrified and thrilled me. The fire within the very planet, deep beneath the surface called to me and it lusted for Jenviet's death.For too long the DeNaga's had toyed with the natural alignment of the planet and its elements. The debt they owed required payment and only blood would suffice.The dark thoughts made me shudder and I shook them off, turning to look for Loi. I could feel her fatigue from holding the ceiling up. The three girls didn't know how close they stood to the barrier that prevented the archaic things from claiming them. I couldn't get them there quicker but I could sense the distant and every time they forced their gifts to the extreme, it drew the
The Birthright Series Chapter 199
KASSIE AND RUMAL WALKED HAND in hand in front of Kerak. Rumal held a torch in his other hand. At the very front of the long train of soldiers and allies, Loi led the way with Larvaste and Sabyn. They kept following the cavern deeper and deeper, the ceiling getting lower. Kassie's heart beat fast at the horrible sense of claustrophobia that threatened when the floor started to climb and larger stalagmites appeared, making it a slow and complicated path that they helped Kerak to squeeze through. The darkness intimidated and more than once Kassie jerked in shock, thinking she'd seen something in the shadows the torch created. Rumal kept a tight hold of her hand and when they paused, while Loi assessed the correct tunnel to take, he pulled Kassie tight against him. She sighed and wrapped an arm around his back while they waited. No point moaning, she thought determinedly. But it will be so nice to get out of these caves.A call travelled from the front of the line to where they stood near
The Birthright Series Chapter 200
THE FLOOR SHUDDERED WHILE LOI worked the tunnel. Sian, Kassie, and I hugged Sito's muzzle tight, smiling and soothing when the dragon's eyes went wide with fear, the whites showing. Sian did fantastic, her voice not wavering at all while Loi deflected a rock that smashed down beside her. We spoke aloud and via our thoughts as we coaxed Sito to move.'Just a little further, wriggle your bum forward,' Loi called. 'You're nearly there, honey.'Sito wasn't saying much and we could all feel his heart hammering away. It vibrated through his head while we stroked his muzzle. His head nearly cleared the tunnel but I knew his barrel chest would really be feeling the squeeze and the dragon breathed in shallow quick gasps.LESEACH WATCHED WHILE THE THREE girls kept the dragon calm. Perhaps it was due to their strange upbringing that they didn't hesitate to coddle a beast that could wipe out villages. While Leseach admired Sito, she would never talk to him like an infant. But Sian and Cat str
The Birthright Series Chapter 201
SHE GASPED AND IGNATIUS FROZE, horror snaking down his spine at the realization. Doing the only thing he could think of, he feigned ignorance.'Ca-catherine?' he stuttered, not hiding the shock.'Oh my god, I'm so sorry!' The hands jerked back and she whispered the words in a tone of dismay. After a long pause, she gave a nervous giggle. 'Did I wake you?'The situation did strike him as funny and he worked at keeping his voice neutral, sleepy. 'Uuhh, yes. Is something wrong?''No, I was dreaming. Sorry to disturb you.'He waited until she settled down, then slowly lay back. The shock left him feeling wide awake and he lay there thanking his good fortune that she hadn't realized.Must put more of the mixture in tomorrow night, he thought, can't have her waking.WHEN THE LIGHTS TURNED UP, signalling morning, I waited for Ignatius to dress and leave, hoping like mad it had been a dream.The rational voice in my mind cringed.Nope. Real.With a silent curse I dressed and climbe
The Birthright Series Chapter 202
GOING UP AND UP FELT strange, I kept expecting to go back down at some point the way you did with tramping, where going up usually always meant going down too, but that wasn't the intention here. Especially not with the molten rock I could sense beneath the ground.Pity it doesn't at least warm this horrid chamber, I thought with a shiver and then retracted that thought when I realized what it would mean. Better to be grateful for the cold.'How many days do we have left?' I thought to Loushka.'Loi said twelve, right? That would mean seven.''Ugh. Seven too many.'The lights of those ahead of us started to vanish and I felt relieved at leaving this ancient chimney while at the same time a sudden pang for sunlight hit. Any novelty of caving felt long gone now; I wanted fresh air and the blue sky, not a permanent darkness. We followed the widening ledge into a corridor and further still until it opened into a spacious, low cave. The griffons were short enough to clear the ceiling b
The Birthright Series Chapter 203
IT NEARLY FELT LIKE YOU never woke, Sian decided. Going to sleep in the cold dark, waking in the cold dark, and then the day spent walking and climbing in the cold dark. The only thing that improved today's walk was the intoxicating scent and energy of fresh water flowing beneath their feet, and no one but she and Loi knew.And Loi only knows because the plants told her, Sian thought smugly, enjoying feeling in touch with her element once more. Somewhere ahead of them that lovely fresh water pooled and their goal today of reaching that underground lake made Sian want to race there now. Maybe it'll be warm, she thought hopefully.'You're quiet, Pix?'Daron paused by the entrance to a narrow tunnel while Nesha climbed through and he watched Sian with questioning eyes.'Thinking of the lake. And fresh air.''That will be nice,' Daron agreed before giving her a wink and turning to follow Nesha.'You want to get out the caves?' Sito sounded surprised.Sian twisted and found the drago
The Birthright Series Chapter 204
CATHERINE FROWNED AT LOUSHKA WHILE they communed and Ignatius waited, feeling quite flattered that she thought he looked so young.'What do you mean I'm not human?!' Catherine suddenly shrieked, startling both him and one of the centaurs who'd come to see why they weren't moving. Loushka cocked her head, the quizzical expression making her look ridiculous.'You're an Elemental, Catherine,' Ignatius pointed out.At the same time, she mumbled, 'Oh,' with a sheepish glance at the griffon.'Can we keep moving while we talk?' Ignatius asked and offered his arm. Catherine took it, her eyes distant and face pensive while he led her through the final part of the tunnel.'How long will I live for?'The tremulous tone surprised him and Ignatius looked down to see her chin wobble. She stared at him with a desperate expression.'I don't know. Gifted creatures can have three or four times the normal lifespan but as far as I know no Elemental lived long with the DeNaga's around. Hence the nee
The Birthright Series Chapter 205
THE GRIFFON EYED HIM DISAPPROVINGLY then turned and sauntered off. Ignatius waited a moment before turning to Catherine who watched the griffon in amusement.'All okay?'She glanced up, eyes bright with a hint of laughter. 'Indeed.'He motioned for her to continue and seizing the torch he'd dropped over the ledge before climbing down, he followed.Darkness didn't bother him; after so many years working in all manner of places the caves weren't that unusual, but the utter absence of life unnerved him a little. It made a man inclined to see things in the shadows. It also made watching Catherine walk ahead of him, an absolute pleasure. A thing of beauty, he thought, eyes fixed on the swing of her hips. She kept both hands lit to light her way, a palm at her side and one held aloft and the fire only enhanced her, glinting off the chainmail suit that hugged her figure.Little wonder the griffon doesn't like you, observed the caustic voice in his mind. Ignatius shrugged the thought off.
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