78 | DRAKI

According to the paper Nikki gave us, the lines of symbols need to be placed on cylindrical objects like a band or done in a circular formation. Since drawing them out - well, carving them - is easier when around a tree trunk, that’s there I start making them. I use my Wolven claws to create the indents, having more control that I would with a knife or other sharp instrument.

Misha is the volunteer who smears ash into the scratches, the boys keeping a few feet away from the acrid scent of Magic. I hold my breath, not sure how Misha manages to stay steady with the stink of the stuff in her face, but she doesn’t utter a word of complaint. The wards have to be done withing ten feet of each other to work properly, which works well in the wooded areas of the territory. And just as I’d estimated, this takes the majority of the day to go from the southern edges of the territory all the way to the north while going around the eastern edge.

I take a short break before we finish the last few yards of the warding to send Paris a message to meet me so we can talk face-to-face. Dread at explaining the situation to my cousin pokes at me the rest of the time, until I meet up with Blue and his half of the team.

“Wisty,” Paris calls a cheerless greeting to me when she arrives. I wince, knowing she’s got to have some sort of idea at why I called her here.

“Craven-”

“I know.” She stops me before I can even think to explain. It’s only then I note the glassy look to her eyes, like she’s been fighting back tears - or about to start crying. She gives me a mirthless smile as she taps her temple. “I’ve been keeping the line open while he’s been so far.” She sighs and shakes her head, as if she’s shaking off her worry. “It dosn’t matter. I know he’s still alive. I’m organizing a small team to go after him.”

“We’d be happy to lend a hand if you’d like.” Blue offers. Paris blinks at my mate, a look of surprise coming over her face as she looks at him.

“That’s very kind, Alpha Zane, but I don’t think that will be necessary.” She replies formally, her shoulders tensing a little.

“We’re not saying you’re incapable or anything,” I tell my cousin, guessing at her defensiveness. “But the Hunter’s important too, and I know you’ve got patrols already running for that.” I give her a small smile I hope will reassure her of my words, relieved she’s no longer in my head to sense my cover-up lie. The Reiniers were formidable at one time, but since grandmother’s death, I know they’re probably still weak.

“Alright, then.” Paris’ face relaxes a little at my explanation and she looks back at Blue. “Then I’d appreciate the help.”

Suddenly, a strange sound makes my head tilt up towards the sky. Something familiar - like plastic whipping around in the air, has my blood turning to ice in my veins. I open my mouth to warn everyone when a rumbling-screech draws everyone’s attention up to the sky and an almost reflective glint shimmers into view high above us.

The shape is something I’ve only seen in books about fairytales, a long-necked creature with sharp-edged wings, and a long tail ending in what looks like a barb.

“Holy Hellfire.” Paris whispers, her eyes wide as the silvery-scaled beast circles overhead. I can only stare up at the shimmering form as it grows larger, descending slowly with enormous wings flapping every so often to make the drop slower. My wolf cowers in fear in the back of my head, the vampire portion right along side it, as the unmistakable creature of legend lands on the neutral territory of Port Greene. It makes no move towards us as we all gawk at it, terror freezing us all in place at the size of the creature that stands over twenty feet tall.

And then I catch sight of a familiar face as the creature’s wings tuck close to its sides. A man with long, sandy-blonde hair loose around his scared-up face and a wild glint in his cerulean-blue eyes grins at me.

“I’ve returned!” He raises both of his arms up, still grinning madly at me. All I can do is gape up at him as the winged-lizard’s long neck gives an annoyed shake. Craven’s maniacal grin slips a bit and he growls something at the dragon. *Dragon. Holy shit.*

“Craven, you idiot, get down from there!” Paris yells at him, her pale face tight, eyes as wide as mine. But there’s a shine to her eyes, relief relaxing her stance.

“Yes, Alpha!” Craven salutes, grin back in place as he does an ungraceful sort of rolling-wiggle to pretty much drop off the side of the giant creature, only just managing to land on his feet. The sound of joints popping flutter through the air as Craven stretches, rolling his shoulders and shaking out his legs. “Alright, you can shift back now, show off.” He tells the dragon…*draki*.

The large beast makes an rumbling sound that ends on a hiss, his silvery scales shimmering like the air’s about to pick them up from the bones. Instead, the twenty-foot creature shrinks in on itself until it’s the size of a very large man with long, silvery horns protruding from his crown. And then the horns sink into the man’s skull and the scales recede…leaving behind a very tall, very *naked* man.

Nudity isn’t that big of an issue around most shifters, but I’ve grown so used to shifting back with my clothes intact that the sudden sight of the naked man startles me. Not to mention my curiosity at how he went from a giant lizard-thing to looking like a normal, if not slightly taller, human. *And what was up with that in-between form?* The sight scales on a humanoid figure with elongated horns will forever be etched into my brain, that’s for sure.

“Huh.” Paris hums, her wide eyes full of curiosity as she openly ogles the man. Now that his dragon-form is put away, I feel my wolf and vampire relax a bit - not entirely - but enough that I can breathe again. Power still radiates from the man, not as much as I’d sensed from Akira - the only *draki* I’d met before now - but still pretty strong.

“Paris, this is my new friend,” Craven’s still grinning that too-wide, nearly-insane grin. He casually slings and arm across the draki’s shoulders, as if they were old friends. “Can he stay here and recover for a bit?” He asks, eyes dipping in deference as he makes his request.

“We thought you were killed by one of their kind.” Paris says slowly, a glint of icy anger flickering in her cerulean eyes.

“Almost.” Craven admits with a half- shrug. “This guy, though,” His light tone returns as he slaps the man’s bare arm. “Is one of the good ones. He helped me escape before I became Bar-B-Q.”

“I appreciate you helping my Enforcer,” Paris says to the *draki* in a formal tone, her eyes still hard with mistrust.

“I was heading this way anyway, picking up this stray was more of a peace-offering kind of gesture.” The draki replies, his voice an airy and light baritone. His pale blue eyes skim over our small crowd and rest just behind me. A flare of silvery scales slides up the length of his arms, flesh rippling back into place behind it.

“And what business do you have in Wolven territory?” Blue growls at the man, stepping closer to me protectively. The *draki’s* gaze flicks over my mate cooly before lingering over me. One of his eyebrows raises and his head tilts slightly. Blue growls deep in his chest, letting out the warning before what I’m sure is going to be an attack.

“I am searching for a relative of mine.” The *draki’s* eyes return back to Blue’s, completely unperturbed by the threat in Blue’s stance. I sense a slight movement behind me…where Cole’s standing. Blue immediately starts growling again, taking a step forward to protect his cousin.

“Why?” Blue all but barks at the man, the sounds of his bones groaning under the surface of his skin filling the air. I step closer to him on instinct. There’s no way he’d win in a fight with an L-Class opponent - no matter how strong he is.

“I hadn’t known of their existence until recently, and then I was under the impression they had no ability linking them to my family…” The *draki* replies calmly, his eyes still locked on Cole behind me. “Recently there have been problems in my Clan that prevented me from checking on them myself. I came as soon as I was able to meet them.”

“And what if they want nothing to do with you?” Blue asks in the same hostile tone.

“Then I will take my leave.” The *draki* shrugs. “I must rest to return to my Clan, but I will be here for a day if they wish to meet with me.” He adds slowly, giving Cole a meaningful and lingering stare before looking back at Paris. “If you will have me, Alpha Paris.”

“You did save Craven’s crazy ass.” Paris huffs with a wary look at our older cousin, still hanging off the *draki’s* side casually. “I suppose one night would be okay.” She nods once to the *draki*. He returns the nod and looks to Craven.

“You mentioned you had access to food and clothing,” He prompts Craven.

“‘Couse!” Craven tugs on the guy’s shoulders in the direction of Reinier territory. “Even got enough to feed a couple of your kind.” He cackles. We all get a good view of the *draki’s* powerful, naked, body as he struts along with Craven at his side. I feel Blue growl at me, one of his large hands reaching up to cup the side of my face and turn it so we’re eye-to-eye. A flare of jealousy and protective-possessiveness flutters through the bond briefly. I quirk an eyebrow at him and give my mate a knowing smirk.

“What? It’s not like you wander around naked.” I whisper to him, grinning innocently and fighting a laugh at the narrowing of his silvery-grey eyes.

“Thank God,” Yuri chirps in response to my words - before Blue can even open his mouth. “Trust me, Scar, you don’t want him to.” I let out a laugh, knowing Yuri’s only trying to lighten the mood. I know exactly what my mate looks like under his t-shirt and jeans thanks to a vision we’d shared last year.

“I can always change that,” Blue ignores Yuri, his monochromatic eyes darkening slightly…suggestively. My heart lurches in my chest, heat rising to my cheeks as my mouth goes dry. My gutter-brain flickers a mental image of that kind of life in my head and I have to take a step back as the air between us heats.

Someone clears a throat behind us - breaking the spell of lust in my mind. Right. Wards. Demons. Danger on the horizon. And a loose Revenant only God knows where.

“Um, stuff. We’ve got stuff to do- and things.” I splutter, trying to ignore the sultry look on my mates face.

“Nice save, Scar.” Yuri comes up to my side and pats my head. Blue glares at his cousin’s hand until he removes it. “But you’re right!” Yuri adds quickly and claps his hands together. “Show’s over, folks, we’ve got shit to take care of!” He calls to the other Azures.

“Cole. Stay.” Blue orders as his younger cousin begins to follow Yuri towards the center of the territory. Cole pauses, and shuffles back over to us, head ducked like a scolded child’s, eyes glued to his feet. “I gotta handle this, Red.” Blue mutters to me, the heat returning to his eyes as they trace my face.

“Yeah,” I get the hint. “See you later,” I lean forward to give him a brief peck on the cheek before brushing past him. I pause beside Cole and rest a hand on his shoulder. His slate-grey eyes flick up to mine through his round-rimmed glasses, a tiny, grateful smile tugging at one corner of his lips. I give his wiry shoulder a reassuring squeeze before dropping my hand and jogging to catch up with Yuri and the others.