Bound in Blood (Broken Bloodlines Book 3)
Bound in Blood: Chapter 17

We are drawing near, Ophelia. Anikêtos’s deep growl rouses me from a fitful sleep, a sleep plagued by visions of monsters with sharp teeth and claws and hooded figures and fire and blood.

I sit up and allow the cool rush of air to blow away the last remnants of slumber. The bright light of the rising sun causes me to blink as it bathes the land below in its amber glow.

You see the mountain range ahead? You see the highest peak?

Yes.

It is what we dragons call Marata Fyar Arandagar—Birthplace of Dragons. That is the only place capable of holding the great Alexandros Drakos.

You’re sure, Anikêtos?

Yes, for I feel his presence as we grow closer. Do you not?

No. I shake my head, saddened at that realization.

Fear not, little elementai. My powers are stronger here than anywhere in this world. I was born in the shadow of this mountain.

You were? Wow!

A long time ago, when the world did not look like this. I shall land at its foot, and you must go in alone from there.

Alone? Fear curls its way around the base of my spine.

I will not be able to go with you, Ophelia.

Of course he won’t. He’s almost a quarter of the size of the mountain itself. I know. I guess I’m just scared of what I’ll replace in there.

Fear is an inevitable part of life, elementai.

One I’m not used to. I went through most of my life without feeling anything even close to fear. Perhaps because I never had anything to lose before.

And that is why those with nothing to lose are so dangerous.

I can’t help but think he’s right. It’s love that makes us afraid—afraid of losing what we have. Some might say that makes us weak, but I prefer to believe it gives us our greatest strength. There is no one more powerful than someone fighting for something they love. And no one so destructive as one who loves only themselves.

Anikêtos lands softly, and I climb down from his neck using his enormous front leg as a ladder. Glancing around, I get my bearings. We’re at the foot of a mountain, with part of a vast abandoned silver mine running around its perimeter. Between that and the mountain base are shrubs and trees that provide good cover, though not enough to hide a dragon.

I am cloaked. None but whomsoever I choose will be able to see me.

Good. I pull off my gloves and coat and wipe my hands on my jeans before scanning the rock face for an entrance. There’s what looks like a vast cave through a clearing in the trees. Is that the way in?

Yes.

I take a deep breath and try to calm my nerves.

Focus on your light, Ophelia. I hear Alexandros’s voice in my thoughts, and I’m unsure whether it’s a memory or because I’m so close to him that I can hear him. I hope it’s the latter.

You have no need to be afraid, Ophelia. You have power beyond measure. Anikêtos’s voice is oddly soothing in my head.

I know that, but I still don’t fully understand how to use it. And it’s been kind of switched off for a few weeks. This isn’t sacred ground here, is it?

Only for dragons. It does not affect you in the way hallowed ground does.

I swallow and wipe my sweaty palms again.

Hold out your hand, Anikêtos orders.

I have no idea why he asks that of me, but I trust him, so I do it without question, noting my trembling fingers. For the first nineteen years of my life, I never felt even a lick of fear, yet now, when I could seriously do without it, it has me almost paralyzed.

There are very few who are powerful enough to wield Dragonfyre, Ophelia. He blows out a small stream of fire, but not like the fire at Giorgios’s fortress. Instead of burning with a red and orange flame, it glows yellow with a green hue. It engulfs my hand, and I let out a startled cry of surprise, but I don’t feel any pain, only a gentle warmth. My skin does not blister or burn. It is a gift I do not bestow lightly. Do not let it touch Alexandros’s skin, for it will burn him. And should it engulf him entirely, he will die, for it is lethal to both vampires and demons.

I hold up my hand, marveling at the flickering golden-green flame and how it simply sits there like it’s a part of me. It’s incredible. Thank you.

You can snuff it out with a flick of your wrist, Anikêtos explains. But it will always remain a part of you now. You can summon it as you would any other fire.

Thank you so much, Ani. For everything. I rock forward on my toes, desperate to throw my arms around a part of him and give him a hug, but I’m not sure there’s a part of him I can get my arms around. Maybe a talon?

Go, Ophelia. Find him so Elpis can leave with the boys.

Of course, the boys! I make my way toward the entrance of the cave and reach out for Axl, Xavier, and Malachi as I dodge rocks and thick, prickly bushes. All three of them respond immediately.

I’m sorry I didn’t check in.

It’s okay, sweet girl. We felt you sleeping.

Can’t believe I fell asleep on the back of a dragon. I shake my head. But I’m here, and I’m on my way into the mountain to replace him.

Their pleas to be careful and safe fill my head.

I know. I will, I promise. Anikêtos gave me some Dragonfyre. It’s lethal to vampires, so if Lucian is in there … or anyone else who shouldn’t be. Anyway, how are things there?

Giorgios veers between raging and pleading with us, Axl says. It’s kind of fun to watch.

I reach the mouth of the cave, which leads into the heart of the mountain, and my heart starts to hammer so loud in my ears that I can barely hear my own thoughts now.

Focus on your light, Cupcake. You got this, Xavier says, soothing me. He really would make a great teacher. If we ever get back to Montridge and have any kind of chance at a normal life, that is.

To do that, I have to go into this cave and replace Alexandros. And I must hope I am enough to save him.