Page 36 of Dragon Revealed (Dragon Kings 1)
Chapter Nineteen
The moment Varek gave her a boost over the wall and Jeyra landed on the other side, she was met by a melee of fists and feet. She defended herself as best she could and didn’t have time to look for Varek as she fought to stay alive. The guards had weapons, and while she dodged a spear, she came close to being skewered by a sword. The dagger she picked up was quickly knocked from her hand, preventing her from using it.
One moment, she was in a whirlwind of battle. The next, she was standing with Varek as the six guards lay unmoving on the ground. She retrieved her knife, noting that she didn’t see any wounds on them, so she wasn’t sure if they were dead or unconscious. Suddenly, and before she could retrieve any more weapons, Varek unceremoniously jerked her out of her thoughts and pulled her after him as he began running toward the side of the estate. They just reached it when seven warriors came rushing toward them. Jeyra cocked her arm back, ready to release the knife and send it sailing into one of them when Varek stopped her.
“Doona kill them,” he cautioned.
She didn’t have time to argue the matter as the guards reached them. The only female came right at her. Jeyra eagerly met her opponent, but out of the corner of her eye, she saw the blur that was Varek. He fought with a speed she’d never seen before, used moves she hadn’t known were possible. He took a few hits, but only so he could get close enough to knock the warriors out.
Jeyra motioned the woman toward her. The confidence in the female’s eyes didn’t frighten her. Jeyra had grown up fighting Rankin and other seasoned warriors. While this woman must be exceptional to have been hired by Sateen, Jeyra let the female’s overconfidence work in her favor.
When the woman came at her with a kick, Jeyra ducked and then came up and rammed her elbow into the woman’s jaw. It stunned her, giving Jeyra the opportunity she needed to sweep the guard’s legs out from beneath her. A perfectly aimed hit on the jaw knocked the female out.
Jeyra looked around for Varek. He had continued on and was even now fighting two more warriors. Jeyra jumped up and started running. When she reached the group, she dropped down, sliding on the grass between the man’s legs, punching him in the groin as she passed.
“Great move,” Varek said as she slid to a halt and jumped to her feet.
They shared a smile as they started to the back of the lawn. Plants were everywhere, making it difficult to find anything.
“It’ll be hidden but easily accessible,” Varek said.
Jeyra gazed around the estate. More guards were probably on their way. With the battle, she and Varek hadn’t had long to search. She went some distance before she realized that Varek wasn’t with her. She turned to find him staring at the manor. When she followed his gaze, she found Sateen walking toward them. Alone.
The councilwoman used a cane, her gaze locked on Varek. Sateen all but ignored Jeyra and went to the Dragon King. Jeyra glanced around her, hoping to find the hidden door so she and Varek could get away before Sateen arrived.
“A Dragon King,” the elderly councilwoman said as she approached, her voice strong but wobbling slightly with age.
Varek bowed his head to her. “And you must be the great Sateen I’ve heard about.”
Sateen snorted but smiled. “I’m sure nothing you heard was great.”
“I apologize that we’ve been forced to come onto your property. None of your guards are dead, merely unconscious.”
Jeyra looked to the sky in frustration. It was unfathomable that Varek would talk to a councilmember when they could be leaving. To her shock, he then met Sateen so she didn’t have to walk any farther.
“I appreciate you not killing them,” the councilwoman said. “Good ones are hard to come by. I’m not shocked that you escaped. I made certain it was possible.”
That caused Jeyra to frown. “You?”
“Yes,” Sateen said with a flat look in her direction. The smile returned as she slid her gaze back to Varek. “I have been playing in politics from an early age. I’m good at it. Very good. There is much wrong with my city, many things that need to change. I feared that the only way to bring about that change was a civil war.”
Jeyra found her mouth hanging open as she blinked at Sateen, unsure if she should believe her.
“Then you were brought in.” Sateen glanced at Jeyra. “They’re going to kill her if they find her.”
Varek nodded slowly. “I know.”
“You need to get her as far from here as possible.”
“That’s my plan.”
“There is more you need to kno—”
A shout interrupted Sateen. All three turned to see Rankin running their way.
Jeyra rushed to Varek and took his hand. “We’ve got to go.”
“Behind the lavender,” Sateen whispered. Then she turned to Rankin and called to him, “Stop the intruders!”
Jeyra spun around as she and Varek rushed to the lavender. There was a slight break in the plants. Varek was the first through. He found the door and shoved it open before he thrust her through.
She spun around at the sound of Rankin yelling her name. He skidded to a halt and looked between her and Varek. Then Rankin said, “She’s the one who trapped you, the one responsible for your capture.”
Jeyra’s stomach plummeted to her feet as she stared in disbelief at the man who had been her friend.
“I know,” Varek replied and slammed the door closed.
