Page 5 of Claim the Light
I’ve barely managed to take a step before the cloud descends on us.
Before my eyes, the glistening mist draws together into the shape of clawed hands and scaled legs and wings that extend so far on either side that I can’t follow them in the seconds I have left to act.
In that moment of hesitation, Micah deftly slips free from my hold to step between me and the oncoming form before I can stop him.
His wide eyes, silvery in the dark, dominate my vision as he drags air into his chest, the wheezing sound he makes telling me he’s fighting as hard as I am to breathe. “Run, Sophia!”
Then he’s turning away from me—whirling to face the oncoming danger, his wings held at his sides as he makes a shield of himself, just as he’s done so many times for me before.
My heart wrenches as I face the choice between doing what he wants, what I know will keep me alive—running—and standing my ground because I will never break the bond I’ve just formed with him.
You stand beside those you love. You don’t leave them to fight battles on their own. Not even when they tell you to save yourself.
I plant my feet as the cloud finishes drawing together, and finally, its form is visible.
A dragon shifter rages toward us. The black scales covering his entire body glisten in the moonlight while wisps of black mist swirl around his torso and wings. His eyes are pure black and his hair is as dark as coal. If he’s wearing pants, they meld seamlessly into his form.
His low growl, the sound of a mindless predator, fills my ears and freezes me to the spot.
Even though the cloud has drawn together into the shape of the dragon, a layer of shadow remains blanketing the moon, keeping its healing rays from me, keeping me within the shadow of dread.
“Time to die, Grudge,” the dragon snarls as his fist flies out, his black claws ready to slash at Micah’s throat.
Pure fucking fear fills my mind and my heart.
But a heartbeat later, terror turns to rage.
This creature has stolen a moment from me that I will never get back. I don’t know who this beast is, why he’s here, or what he wants, but I will die before I let anyone hurt Micah and take my future away from me.
Beating my wings and rising into the air, higher than Micah’s head, I dart forward at the same moment that Micah’s fist flies out. My intention is to fly down on our attacker from above and my trajectory is perfect, but fear rushes through me when Micah’s hand connects with the dragon’s body.
Micah punches right through the dragon’s scales without harming him. The dragon’s body turns to mist around Micah’s fist and arm, as if the beast really were made of nothing more than shadows and dust.
The momentum takes Micah forward into the path of the dragon’s claw, but he manages to twist at the last moment, dropping so that the dragon’s hand flies over his head instead.
Micah’s arm tears all the way through the black dragon’s body and exits through its side.
The beast doesn’t appear remotely harmed. He’s already lifting his fists, both together, preparing to drive them down onto the back of Micah’s exposed head and split his skull.
My thoughts are whirling as fast as the air rushing past me as I adjust my aim mid-flight.
This creature may have the ability to disintegrate to take a blow, but if it intends to hurt Micah, its fists will have to remain solid.
I fly at the black dragon’s upraised arm, grab hold of his clenched right fist, and wrench upward. His scales are icy cold within my hand, drawing a scream of pain to my lips, but I won’t let go.
His head snaps back, his eyes narrowing, as if incredulous that I dared to fight back. He abandons his attack as he’s forced to pivot to rebalance himself while his fist remains solid.
Within seconds, his hand opens and his palm closes over my wrist so that we’re both suddenly gripping each other.
His hold is stronger than I could have imagined.
Damn!
My upward momentum and new strength lift him off his feet and he uses his hold on me to his advantage, beating his wings and attempting to fly toward me—no doubt to knock me across the air. At the same time, his other hand reaches for the lower edge of my wing as if he would pull it right off when he hurls me backward.
Micah hasn’t remained still, and it seems he’s learning fast.
Before the beast can leave the ground more than a foot, Micah punches through the dragon’s nearest wing. His blows are rapid, his fists smashing the beast’s scales into plumes of dust as he extends and retracts his arms at full speed.
