Save Her

Dragana POV

The large glass shreds were sticking out of Art’s back and blood was seeping;, however he did not seem to care. “Art… Let me pull them out, at least, please.. you must be in pain!”, I urged him, while on the outside we could hear whole hell breaking loose. Cybela was spitting fire in somebody’s direction and growling like thunder, her large, outstretched wings blocking my view. The skies had darkened into a misty black color and clouds appeared out of nowhere. I knew Solomon left, so this attack, just shortly after his departure, was more than suspicious. I made a mental note to discuss this with Jasmine later – we obviously had a traitor in our midst. “Never mind the glass Dragana, Emir will heal me. We need to get you to safety, that is most important!”, he replied, his voice laced with urgency and concern. His handsome face was serious, his eyes darting everywhere, but I could see pain flash as he tried to dress himself. I could not let him go injured anywhere. I quickly pulled my dress on me, but I was not going to let him suffer.



“I will use my magic. We are not leaving the room until you are healed, Art! I cannot bear to see you in pain!”, I said authoritatively, leaving no room for discussion. Trying to see the extent of his injuries, I noticed some were superficial. However, there were two very large pieces that stuck deep and were bleeding profusely. I knew if I tried to pull them out with my hands, I’d end up cut up, and even though I could use magic to heal myself quickly, we would be delayed, while sounds from outside indicated we needed to move – and move fast! Art’s back was coated in the berry-red color of his blood, and when he tried to move, I could see he was in substantial pain. “Salamtik halere!”, I heard my voice echo before I could even think. Nothing happened initially, yet I knew that was a true spell. I got closer and held Art’s hands, looking at him, while the world around was collapsing. “Salamti halere!”, I heard myself repeat, looking deep into his eyes, getting lost within them for a moment, and all of a sudden sparkly green energy pulsated through my hands and enveloped Art within seconds. His eyes closed and the vibrating sensation shook us both. When he opened his eyes, his wounds were gone, the glass was gone, dried blood, only evidence of what had transpired.



“ Dragana, love – thank you! How did you do that????That was amazing!!”, he cupped my face with his arms, smiling and lovingly pulling me into a kiss. As much as I wanted him, we needed to help Jasmine and Cybela and find out what was happening, so I did not deepen his sensual kiss. “Let’s go, I’ll explain later. We need to see what is going on! And we can continue this later”, I winked, giving him a smile. He nodded knowingly and we rushed out – he was guiding me and shielding me with his body in case we encountered anyone. The palace was in a panic. Warriors were rushing out in the direction of the beach; attendants were scurrying trying to find a safe space. I heard another explosion, this time much closer, and heard screams. This cannot be happening!!!!! Unmistakable pungent smell of blood was all around us.



Jasmine appeared out of nowhere, clearly looking for me. She looked at us both up and down and obviously realized what was happening between us, but said nothing about it. “We need to hurry!!! Quick!! There are demon shifters and creatures I have never seen coming from the south. They are endowed with magic – one I do not recognize!!!!”, she said hurriedly, a frown and fear on her face. I did not know what could possibly ever scare Jasmine, and a cold dread started creeping up in my throat. Following her, we rushed out. The scene we found was devastating. There were dead bodies everywhere, fire raging in one of the portions of the palace. Warriors were fighting with demon shifters who were trying to advance inside, still holding their own, but clearly outnumbered. Cybela was in all her might and glory – her large purple wings outstretched like a shield, breathing fire in the direction of our attackers, scorching earth in the process. She was in beast mode. Nobody could come close to her, but I noticed they were throwing large arrows and fire cannons at her. She had several broadhead arrows stuck into her right wing and some on her body, but it did not seem to bother her. However, I noticed something strange – they were not ordinary arrows, they were also spelled, a dark mist surrounding every wound she received. I did not like this – did not like it at all.



I did not know where Jasmine was guiding us, but we were running behind her, trying to dodge attackers in the process. Art had already killed a couple as if it were nothing, their blood splattered on his chiseled torso. “You need to leave!!!”, Jasmine was screaming at me now. “I do not know how much longer we can hold them. Open the Silver Gate and go to the Rising Moon!!!”, she said as she knocked down another demon-shifter coming at us. In one swift movement, she sliced him with her sword, his blood splattering all over her beautiful face. Art had shifted, standing in front of me snarling at anyone who would come close, not leaving my side. “I cannot leave without you!!! I must help Cybela!!!”. Just as I spoke, an even larger enchanted arrow flew and hit Cybela in one of her hind legs, causing her to lose her footing, making her slip.



“Cybela!!! NOOOOO!!!”, I screamed, throwing caution to the wind and ran in her direction. “Dragana, DO NOT COME CLOSE!!!! THEY ARE HERE FOR YOU!!! YOU HAVE TO LEAVE!!!”, she screamed back at me. “I will hold them, but you must leave!!! NOW!” I was not having any of this. Cybela was my dragon, my guardian, my friend, somebody I grew to love, somebody I considered a part of me, as much as Vasilla and Aisha. In the short period since I met her, she has taken a huge place in my heart, shown me kindness, and protected me, loved me. I would never leave her or abandon her, especially when she is injured; she was my family. I will fight for her, even if it is to my last breath, I thought to myself, running like the wind.



Contemplating shifting, I decided magic was my most powerful weapon right now. Tears started prickling my face and I dug deep within me, praying to the ancestors and the Goddess, praying to find the way, to have the strength to defend those I love. Slowly, my body started buzzing with a bluish electricity, and then it simply ignited, and I felt it, a surge of energy and power enveloping me completely like dancing blue flames. I focused and the skies went black – I summoned the storm to electrocute those damn bastards that dared harm my dragon!! Rage and desperation were building within me. I screamed and bolts of lightning started appearing, hitting our enemies directly. Art and Jasmine were plowing through anyone trying to get close to me – my goal was to get to Cybela. I had a bad feeling about the arrows she was hit with, and I had to get to her as soon as possible. Sounds of battle were raging all around. In the corner of my eye, I caught a portal opening, and while I was expecting Solomon, to my surprise, I saw Lord Cazima step through heading up a battalion of Eunuch warriors! Reinforcements were here! My heart swelled up in gratefulness.



“Cybela, hang on!! I am coming!!!”, I screamed and pushed myself to the max. I had to save her, no matter what.