Smoke and Flame (Rise of the Dragons Trilogy Book 2) Read online

  A breeze shot past me, and a second later, Brad and Melinda were on the ground, necks hung at odd angles, both unmoving and clearly dead.

  Furious, I stepped back, to see Yemsa standing over them. She kicked Brad in the head and spit in Melinda’s face. Then she looked at me, eyes heated to the point of rage. “Conversation over.”

  A blazing fire started in my stomach and quickly spread to the rest of my body. My gut twisted, and I could feel the dragon in me clawing to get free again. “It’s over when I say so!” I started to rise as fire engulfed me. She couldn’t touch me now, not when I was like this. It wasn’t worth it. I knew it wasn’t worth it. Brad and Melinda were horrible people, yet... “Try that on me,” I said, as I looked down at her, my voice thick and guttural.

  “Alisa,” Iago said, causing me to turn and look where he stood, legs apart, chest rising and falling. “Think very hard about what you do next and what it would mean for your world to live under the thumb of Yango rule.”

  I threw my head back, and fire leaped out, but before I could do anything with it, Reid was in the air with me. He wrapped his body completely around mine, and now we were both on fire. “You can’t have this,” he whispered in my ear, and I struggled against him.

  “Alisa,” he said firmly. “You can’t have this, now let it go. You, can’t have it, babe. This is not us. This is not who we are.”

  Tears rolled down my face, and I let out a breath and fell into his arms. “They came to me for help,” I choked out, as I buried my head in the crook of his neck.

  “I know,” he said, patting my hair down, as fire swirled around us. “I know, but you have to let this go. Think of Edward and his world. Think of Coen, Iago, and Trout. You can’t have this, babe. I’m sorry, but you can’t.”

  I let the fire go, and he held me while we both dropped to the ground. From the corner of my eye, I could see Iago and the others talking to Yemsa, and I couldn’t look at them. Shame washed over me, because I’d pick the wrong side. I picked the wrong side, and I wasn’t sure they’d ever forgive me.

  Chapter 18

  By the time we got to the square, it was packed tightly with people, more than the eye could see. No one had said anything on the way over, and it was probably best that way until temperatures cooled down.

  I didn’t want to fight with Iago and the others, and it hurt me to my heart that they now probably thought of me as a traitor. We were a team, and we worked best when we acted as one. Something I should have thought of before I’d tried to defend two Yangos.

  Yemsa, who I couldn’t look at without snarling, led us up onto a wooden platform. She began to talk to the crowd, telling them who we were and how we could help them. I tuned her out because at this point her voice was like nails on a chalkboard.

  Fletcher stood in front of us, hands in his pocket, back to the crowd. “I’ll go back to your world with you, so we can come up with a plan to get your sister back.” He said that last part to Iago, who was standing as far away from me as he could get.

  Reid breathed two balls of fire onto his hand. “I could burn your whole world down within seconds.”

  Iago took a step forward and blew that green mist out of his mouth. “And I could take away every bit of power you have, forever.”

  I looked at them both, wide-eyed, wondering what the hell they were doing. Had they gone mad? Both of them? Why were they threatening one of the only people willing to help us?

  I thought about it for a second, then it hit me, and I understood the underlaying threat that was there, and wondered how I hadn’t saw it before now.

  Fletcher for his part didn’t look confused or offended. In fact, he looked like he’d expected as much. “You’re giving us the power to defeat the Yango. Why would we attack your world?” He looked to where Yemsa was still talking to the crowd. “My sister lost a husband and three children to the Yango. Many here have lost even more. Gratitude is the only thing I’m feeling at the moment. No one will know where you’re from. Not even my sister.”

  I didn’t like it, but knew we’d just have to take his word for now. If his people really did just want to live in peace, we’d give them that, until they gave us a reason not to.

  Yemsa called Iago forward, and he walked toward her, not looking at me or anyone else.

  He stood before the crowd, hands out, shoulders wide. I looked to Trout and saw his face frozen with fear, Coen didn’t look much better. I wanted to ask what was wrong, but since I was pretty sure they weren’t speaking to me, I said nothing.

  Trout’s shoulders slumped as he turned to look at me. “Have the porter ready to go. He won’t be able to walk after this, and we need to get him home as soon as possible.” He turned back around, and I dug the porter out. What Iago was doing was dangerous, I realized. He was overextending himself and stretching his power to the limit.

  I watched as his arms rose in the air and he began to speak the words that would allow the people of Loden to levitate. He’d known using this much power at once would weaken him scientifically when he’d agreed to do it, and he’d given himself three days to heal.

  I watched as green mist floated over the crowd, and hoped he’d hadn’t made a big mistake. His voice became loud and rhythmic as the mist spread farther and farther through the crowd.

  Then he began to shake, his body twisting and turning as he repeated the same words over and over again, until he finally fell to his knees in a slump. Trout and Coen sprung forward to help him.

  At first, there was complete silence, then cheers sounded throughout the crowd. People began to rise in the air, and none seemed to notice that Iago was struggling for each breath he took.

  I stood still watching as “Thank yous,” and more cheering rang out. These people were happy, overjoyed even. As I looked on at their unmistakable gratitude, I knew they wouldn’t be attacking my world anytime soon.

  Coen and Trout tried to balance Iago between them, but he was dead weight, his face ashen, eyes closed.

  Reid went forward to help, but Trout heaved the other man into his arms bridal style, cradling him close and whispering in his ear. Iago didn’t look to be breathing, and my heart caught in my throat, wondering if he’d gone too far and if he’d ever open his eyes again.

  The thought that he wouldn’t, left me nauseated and I remembered the Vilion healing herbs, if we could get some of those in him, then maybe he’d be alright.

  Knowing that we needed to go, I opened a portal home and stepped through, praying this wasn’t the end of the line for Iago.

  Chapter 19

  I opened the portal to my brother’s house because there’d be more room there and he and my sister would be able to help.

  Vonda sat on the couch, legs curled under her, nose in a book. Todd sat on the opposite couch, recipe cards spread out on a table in front of him, probably coming up with something new for the restaurant. My parents and the twins were nowhere in sight.

  Vonda was the first to notice us, and she jumped up, throwing her book to the side. “What happened?” she asked, panic in her eyes. She didn’t wait for an answer. Instead, she sprang into action.

  The smell of chicken soup wafted from the kitchen, and I would bet my last dollar it had Vilion healing herbs in it. At the rate we were going, we’d be out of them soon, I reasoned.

  Todd jumped up as well, some of his recipe cards scattering to the floor. “Bring him this way,” he said, motioning for Trout to follow him.

  Trout heaved Iago closer and didn’t ask any questions as he trailed Todd down the hall, Coen right behind him. Feeling like I’d just been put into the spin cycle, I went into the kitchen where my sister was, watching her as she worked.

  Fletcher was already in there, and somehow, I’d forgotten about him. He leaned against the counter, a curious glint in his eye as he watched Vonda ladle soup into a bowl, and fix a cup of tea.

  She put them on a tray and turned to see Fletcher staring at her. Her eyes went wide as she took in his green hair and
huge muscles. “I’m... Going... I’ll... Just...” She flew out of the room, walking as fast as someone carrying a tray of soup could. He watched her until she disappeared, a small smile on his face the whole time.

  I blinked, but my feelings were so raw right now, I couldn’t really process. Vonda had never been in a relationship before, not that Fletcher was interested, but the look on his face said that something was going on there.

  I dropped into a kitchen chair, exhausted, and not sure of our next move or if the others even still wanted me around. Reid walked into the room, and I figured he must have been checking on Iago.

  “How is he?” I asked, as he pulled up a chair in front of me.

  He ran a hand down his face and sighed. “Still breathing. Trout’s rubbing the healing oil on his face and chest, won’t let anyone else touch him.”

  “And Coen?”

  He looked toward the hallway. “Has a chair at his side, but he’s being strangely quiet. Todd is with him.” I nodded. Iago had to be all right, he just had to be. What he’d done, the way he’d helped those people had been phenomenal, and I refused to believe the cost of that would be his life.

  Fletcher sat across from us, his finger tapping on the table as if unsure what to do next. “Have some soup,” I said, pointing to the pot. “It has Vilion healing herbs in it, but it’s usually pretty good.”

  He nodded at me and made his way over to the stove, his large muscular frame reminding me of a brick wall.

  I thought back to Iago’s face in the tomes and everything that’d happen after and felt my stomach lurch. “I messed up,” I said, my voice barely above a whisper. “I messed up big time.”

  Reid reached out to me, his hand landing on my face in a soft caress that had me closing my eyes, and leaning into it. “You acted on emotion. We all do sometimes.”

  He let my face go and took my hands in his. “If they can’t understand that, if they let one mistake stop us from being a team, and working together to stop the Yango then that’s on them, but I don’t believe it’ll play out that way.”

  I swallowed hard, my eyes wet. “Are you sure?”

  He chuckled, but it was dry and forced. “How can I be? Just keep your head up, own your feelings, and whatever happens, happens.”

  I nodded and then leaned over to give him a sweet kiss on the lips. “Thank you.”

  BY DAY THREE, IAGO was up and walking around but still in no condition to go anywhere. His movements were slow, and he seemed to be favoring his left side, but Vonda and Trout both made sure he had the healing herbs in everything he ate and drank, so I was sure it wouldn’t be long now.

  I hadn’t spoken much to any of them, as I’d been keeping to myself not sure of what to say. Right now, I sat in the kitchen alone.

  Vonda was in the living room, legs curled under her, mug in her hand, as she listened intently to Fletcher telling her some story from his homeworld. Her eyes shined, and even when she sipped her coffee, they never left his face.

  They talked like this a lot, and I worried how she’d take it when he finally had to go home. I didn’t want her hurt, and from what I could tell, she was one hundred percent smitten with him.

  The twins were over, and Chibo sat on the floor drawing, something I hadn’t known she could do, but man was she good at it. She’d done a rendering of Todd’s living room and kitchen that was perfect down to the last teacup.

  Ridge was outside with Reid shooting hoops in the cold. I hadn’t even known my brother owned a basketball net, but figured it could have been a recent purchase.

  Iago and Trout were on the couch talking softly amongst themselves, and then Iago got up and made his way into the kitchen.

  My stomach dropped, as he pulled up a chair and sat down in front of me. I swallowed hard, wondering if this was where he told me we had to part ways. I’d come to care about him and the others and I thought we worked well together. We were a team, and I didn’t want this to be the end.

  His voice gave nothing away as he spoke. “You’ve never had to live under the thumb of the Yango.” He let out a dry chuckle and looked around. “This place here, your home, your world, it’s paradise compared to where I’m from. I get that. Just...” He stopped talking for a minute, and I held my breath, waiting for him to collect his thoughts.

  After a couple of seconds, he seemed to have a grip on what he wanted to say. “I’m not mad. I know you think that I am, but I’m not. The thing is, if we’re going to work as a team then we have to be on the same page, always. Division can get us killed. I know this is all new to you, but if you don’t get it together before we go to Gracstor, then we could all wind up dead.” With that, he got up, a look of pain on his face, as he hobbled down the hall.

  I sat there stunned for a second, letting his words sink in and realizing he was right. We all needed to be of a like mind when we went to Gracstor. Fletcher had told us stories about the place, so we’d be better prepared. From what he’d said, the Gracstor’s were some of the sneakiest, greediest, most backstabbing people he’d ever encountered. Considering he’d been living under Yango terror for years, that was really saying something.

  Still, our mission was simple. We would go there and bargain for Lantana’s release. If they didn’t want to comply, then we’d get her back by any means necessary.

  After that, we had to deal with finding a way to stop the Yango. If Lantana could summon Kyla here, maybe we could all work together since we all wanted the same thing.

  Iago talked as if things were okay between us, and I hoped he meant it because if things went sour, I needed to know my team had my back. Right now, despite his words, I guessed I would just have to wait and see.

  Chapter 20

  Three days later Iago was back to his regular self and unwilling to wait a second longer. It’d cost him, doing what he had on Fletcher’s world. For the first time in weeks, we knew where Lantana was, yet we couldn’t get to her because he’d drained his system. I could tell by his downcast eyes and stilted demeanor that it burned more than a little.

  My parents had dropped the twins off earlier that morning, and no one had mentioned we’d be pulling out today. This mission was too important, and listening to my father’s ravings before we went wasn’t ideal for any of us.

  We all stood in the living room now, getting our things together, while Vonda fluttered about, a little more subdued than normal. I watched her as she went down the list of what we needed, checking each person’s bag and when she got to Fletcher, she paused for a second and looked away.

  Ah, so that’s what it was. Fletcher wouldn’t be back after this. He’d help us with Lantana as promised, but after that, he was going back home, to his own world.

  He watched her closely as she fixed the straps on his backpack, placed small weapons in his hair and socks, and made sure his bag had plenty of water and supplies. His face looked tortured, like he wanted to say something, but just didn’t know how.

  She finished stuffing items into his socks, and when she stood, chest rising and falling, she launched herself into his arms, bringing their lips together in a kiss.

  Wow, I turned away, as did everyone else, except Todd who gaped open-mouthed as if he couldn’t believe what was taking place in front of him, and really, if he hadn’t seen this coming, I didn’t even know what to say for him.

  Chibo and Ridge stood off to the side, neither looking too happy with the activity going on around them. I motioned for them to follow me into the kitchen. “What’s wrong?” I asked, as soon as they entered.

  Chibo looked down at her hands, then back at me. “I don’t...” she started and then stopped. “I... You... Don’t...” She stopped again, and softly chastised herself.

  “She’s worried that if you go there, you won’t come back.” Ridge finally answered for her.

  She looked at him hard, then turned to me as if waiting for me to quell her fears.

  I let out a breath, because I wouldn’t lie to her, I couldn’t. She’d probably been
lied to and taken advantage of her whole life, and I wouldn’t add to that. “Whatever happens to me, my parents along with Vonda and Todd will take care of you. You two have a home here, don’t worry about that.”

  “I don’t care about that!” she said loudly, tears spilling down her face. “I care about you. I can’t... I can’t lose anyone else. I just can’t.”

  Shit. My eyes watered and I snatched her into my arms, telling her I’d be careful. Her shoulders shook, and Ridge looked on, jaws tight, but he didn’t say anything.

  She pulled back and wiped her eyes, looking ashamed at her outburst. “I’ll call you as soon as I get back,” I promised. “No matter the time, I’ll call you and let you know that I’m okay.” She nodded, and she and her brother exited the kitchen as Vonda entered.

  She went to a drawer on one of the kitchen islands to get something out, her hair astray and her eyes carrying a happy glint. She opened the drawer and then slammed it shut. “What?” she asked, turning around to look at me. “Say whatever it is you want to say.”

  “Hey.” I raised a hand. “What do you want me to say?” I didn’t want details. I never went into graphics about Reid, and I planned on keeping it that way.

  “He can open portals like Trout,” she said, her voice serious. “He said he’ll be back often. If he’s not, then, I’m used to things not going my way, so it’s no big deal.” She shrugged and walked back into the living room.

  It was a big deal. That she’d even said that much was a big deal, but I let it go anyway. If she wasn’t ready to talk, then who was I to force her?

  Fletcher stood in conversation with Reid, and I’d have a talk with him later, because if he didn’t mean it, if he was just toying with her, then I didn’t plan on letting him off easy. I didn’t want my sister hurt, yet I didn’t know how to stop it either.