The Imprisoned Dragon and the Witch (6 page)

Ronan stopped, looking around the group to make sure they all understood his instructions. “Okay. Serge you come in last, that way, hopefully, any Witches inside will have been dealt with before you get to them. Once we’re in, we’ll decide who goes down which passageway. Let’s roll folks.”

Everyone split up into their designated teams and moved off towards the opening in the rock-face. Although not far away, the closer they got, the immenseness of the mountain seemed to become clearer. The opening much larger than it had looked a few hundred yards back.

Ronan was first to enter the darkness and was grateful for his enhanced vision as the tunnel was almost pitch black. He felt Starr’s hand on his back as they walked onwards. He wasn’t sure if it was nerves or excitement as she had near perfect night vision. As they walked on the tunnel brightened, although he could see no visible signs of lighting anywhere. As they approached the end of the passageway, the brightness increased revealing an intersection up ahead, and Ronan caught a glimpse of more tunnels.

When he exited the tunnel, there were three openings, one visible off to his right. Ronan pointed to Sam and the tunnel on his left, then Serge, and then the tunnel on his right. Both men nodded and broke away, taking their teams and entering the openings in the rock as Ronan moved forward into the one straight in front of him.

Chapter 6

Sam moved with speed and grace, keeping his senses on alert as he made his way along the tunnel. He was grateful the passageway they were in was quite large and not claustrophobic...he hated to admit he didn’t like enclosed spaces. As they progressed, they came across doors set into the rock, each closed.

Sam moved to the side of the first one with an Elite on the other, he opened the door and pushed it hard. It flew open with force, banging against the wall inside, as he and the guard rushed inside...both stopped dead, stunned by the sight that met them.

A very large and sumptuous bedroom stood before them, replete with a massive four poster bed, dark wood furniture and attached bath. “What the fuck?” Sam exclaimed looking around the room.

“Magic.”

Peri spoke up behind him. He turned to see her standing in the doorway, a frown on her face. “What?” he asked her as she stared around the lavish room.

“I said, magic. This has all been done with magic...dark magic.” Peri scowled, her nose wrinkling as if she smelled something rotten.

Sam took another look around the room before heading back out into the hall. “Jeez, can’t they just check into a five star hotel like everyone else?”

Peri let out a small laugh as they made their way, checking each doorway to find another bedroom. Some very lavish and some just having the bare necessities. As they neared the end of line of doors, Sam’s hearing picked up a heartbeat, one that was racing far too fast...fear? Possibly.

He raised his arm with a closed fist, everyone stopping behind him. Pointing to the door he and a guard moved towards it, once more opening it with force and rushing inside. They pulled to a stop at the sight before them.

A young woman curled into a ball in the corner, her face a mask of terror. She raised her hands in front of her. “Please don’t hurt me!”

The absolute panic in her voice together with the state she was in pulled at something deep inside Sam. “Hey, we won’t hurt you. Who are you and what are you doing here?”

His eyes taking in her unkempt state, noting she was so thin that it was obvious she was underfed, with bruises in varying states of healing covering every inch of visible skin. Anger erupted within him against whoever had treated her in such a manner. He was just about to talk again when Peri pushed passed him, heading straight towards the woman.

He stepped forward, worry in his every pore. “Hey, Peri, whatya doin’?”

She turned, her face frowning. “Helping, what else would I be doing? She’s enspelled, can’t you see that?”

Sam looked at the girl again, noting glowing circles around her wrists and ankles. “What the hell is that?”

Peri leaned down. “Hey, my name’s Peri, we’re here to help. Let me see if I can get these off you.”

Sam moved even closer without even knowing it. His stomach clenching with something he had never felt before and which he couldn’t even name. His eyes locking on the scene in front of him as Peri held onto the very small, fragile hands of the woman on the floor.

Peri’s lips moved, although no sound escaped as her hands started to move in front of her. As her hands moved faster and faster and finally moving in a large circle all around the girl. The eyes of the bedraggled young woman were wide as saucers as she stared at Peri and then a huge sigh of relief escaped her body as the gold circles encasing her limbs disappeared.

Peri smiled. “There, isn’t that better? Now, why don’t you tell us why you’re here and if there are any more?”

As Peri stood up, Sam moved forward, holding a hand out towards the surprised and very scared female. She stared at his hand, fear still on her face. “We won’t hurt you. We’re here to rescue the Dragon and maybe you can help?”

He kept his voice low, trying not to spook her even more. At the mention of the Dragon, tears filled her eyes and he reached down and pulled her up. “What is it?” he asked as tears ran down her face.

“He’s really weak. I don’t know how long he’ll last. I’ve done everything I can think of to help him but they make me take blood from him most days and only let him change to human once a week, so he’s really sick. I’ve tried fooling them and saying I’ve taken blood when I haven’t but they
know
and I get punished. I’m sorry, I’m so sorry!”

Sam’s stomach clenched again, that unfamiliar feeling taking a firmer hold on him as he now held the woman within his arms. “First, what’s your name and what are you doing here?”

Peri placed a hand on the woman’s shoulder, “Come on, we need your help so please try to answer.”

Sam felt the body beneath him tense as the girl fought for self-control. Her eyes moved between Peri and him, finally staying locked on his. “My name’s Charmaine and my father
gave
me to Quintas Crane, he’s the leader, in exchange for joining his ‘inner circle’. I’ve been here for a long time but I’m not sure how long exactly. I can take you to the Dragon but he’s spelled too so he can’t transform to human…”

Peri took hold of the girl’s hand. “Come on, show us and don’t worry ‘bout the spell. We’re not alone and there are others that can help. Just get us there.”

Sam felt the loss as soon as Charmaine moved from his grasp. He almost snarled at the deprivation and only just held himself in check. “
What the hell is going on with me?
” he thought as he followed behind. He had no idea, but kept very close indeed to the two women.

In the passageway Sam found himself jostling with Josef and Gabe to stay close to Peri and Charmaine. Gabe almost growling at him as he moved in front so he was right behind Charmaine. The girl was having trouble keeping up with Peri’s pace and twice stumbled, almost falling, only Peri’s grip kept her upright. Sam found himself frowning and getting agitated...something that he very rarely encountered.

When the girl tripped for a third time, he couldn’t remain silent, his voice emerged almost as a shout. “Wait! Peri, you’re dragging her off her feet! Can’t you see she’s unwell? Slow down, in fact, stop! You’re tearing ahead and we don’t know what we’re going into. Let Josef and Gabe go in front and Charmaine can give us directions.”

Peri turned, a look of shock on her face as she looked to Charmaine. “Oh, I’m sorry, I’m just desperate to get to the Dragon. I wasn’t thinking. Yes, of course, we’ll go slower.”

Charmaine turned and looked up into Sam’s face. “Thank you,” she whispered and his stomach did that clenching thing again.

He gave a lopsided grin in return. “That’s okay, here, let me help you.”

Sam reached out and took hold of her elbow, Peri relinquishing her grip on her hand. Josef and Gabe moved in front with Peri right at their back. Charmaine pointed ahead. “Carry on ‘til that bit just ahead, then there’s a sharp right hand turn, take that, it takes us down to the Dragon. It’s quite a walk though as the cavern he’s kept in is far underground.”

Josef continued on talking over his shoulder. “Okay, but are there any other Witches here at the moment? We need to know if there are going to be any surprises ahead.”

Sam watched as Charmaine shook her head. “No, nobody else is here right now but I’m sure Quintas will know somebody is here. He’s got alert spells all around so I’m not sure what he’ll do. It’s never happened before.”

Everyone could hear the fear in the young woman’s voice and Peri turned around, giving a small smile. “It’s okay, there are quite a few of us and we’re all kinda strong. Oh, I’ve just felt it – the spell must’ve masked it from me...you’re a Witch.”

Charmaine nodded once. “Yes, or at least I was. I’ve not been able to practice anything but the very basic of spells since Quintas placed those binding spells. They not only stopped me from escaping...they stopped me from practicing magic other than very simple things.”

Peri frowned. “Oh, I know what that’s like, not being able to use your magic. You’re free now and we’ll make sure you’re safe.”

Sam couldn’t understand the feelings coursing through his system. Anger was foremost and if he got his hands on the man responsible for mistreating this woman, he would make him pay...long and hard. Charmaine stumbled again and he was quick to grasp her to him, using his strength and agility to keep her from falling. Once she was on her feet, he kept her close, an arm around her waist, holding her upright but also right next to his body.

His skin tingled and his heart rate sped up and he wondered again,
“What the hell is happening?”
He had no clue, only that he was responding to this stranger in a way he had no control over. It scared and excited him both at the same time.

When Charmaine’s eyes lifted to meet his he smiled down at her. “You sure you’re okay?” he asked quietly.

She gave him a tiny smile and his heart rate rocketed. “I’ll be fine now, well, once we get the Dragon and get out of here. I’m scared. Quintas is a very powerful Witch and he’s gonna go berserk when he realizes you’re here.”

A small tremble ran through Charmaine’s body and Sam could feel it, the fear that she was trying so hard to hide. “Peri’s kinda powerful too and we’ve got another Witch, Esther, she’s almost as strong as Peri, so don’t worry.”

Charmaine frowned. “I don’t think you understand. Quintas uses magic that’s...wrong. I’ve no other word for it but that’s what it is. It’s wrong and immensely lethal. The things I’ve seen him do give me nightmares and sometimes I can’t sleep ‘cause I keep seeing it in my head.”

As another shiver ran through her skin and bones frame, Sam pulled her even tighter. “We know. It’s dark magic and both Esther and Peri can wield it so try and not worry. We’ll get the Dragon and get out of here as soon as we can. You can come with us, back to our headquarters where you’ll be safe. I promise. I won’t let anything happen to you.”

When they neared the junction, Josef slowed. “I can’t sense anyone but we still need to be on guard.”

Peri took a small vial from her pocket, a dark liquid within. Opening it she took a very small drop, as she did so, Sam could sense that uniqueness that was dark magic. Charmaine attempted to pull away, terror in her eyes. Holding her firmly, he tried to calm her. “It’s okay, she won’t hurt you. She’s only preparing in case this leader you speak of turns up. She’s good, honestly she’s only here to help release the Dragon.”

Peri turned, her face a shade whiter than it had been before. “I don’t like using this type of power, however, any other magic is as good as a snowball is in Hell against dark magic. I have to use it, Charmaine, not because I want to but because I need to keep everyone safe from it.”

Sam gave Charmaine a squeeze. “She’s telling the truth. Dark magic can kill even us.”

The young disheveled Witch frowned. “Sorry, but what exactly are you? I can sense you’re not human but I’ve never met anyone that felt like you.”

Gabe snorted. “Well, I’m a Wolf and most of the rest of these guys are Vamps. Don’t worry though, they won’t drain you dry or anything. They’re the good guys.”

Charmaine’s eyes widened, looking around and finally her eyes landing on Sam’s. “A Vampire? I’ve never met any before. I had a kinda secluded upbringing, me and my sister weren’t allowed to mix with folks and were home schooled. I knew there were other beings out there, not just us Witches, but I’ve never met any. I have sensed a Wolf nearby once or twice. I mean a shifter, I could feel him but he never came too close and I can’t go past the cave’s entrance.”

Sam kept his face neutral as he answered. “That would be Serge. He’s one of ours and he found this place. He’s been keeping an eye on it for us and he’s leading up one of our other teams.”

Josef’s head swirled around. “I can sense magic.”

Charmaine let out a small whimper which had Sam holding her even closer. Peri’s hands were moving quickly, a silent and exquisite dance in front of her body. Just as Sam was about to ask Josef what it was he had sensed, all hell broke loose.

Gabe growled, leaping forward as he transformed so quickly that Sam barely heard the cracking of bones as he did so. Josef snarled and Peri shouted. “Gabe! No! Stay back!”

Sam pushed Charmaine behind him as he saw two hooded figures in the passage in front of them. The scent of dark magic cloying in the air around them. “Shit! Take care of her!” he shouted to the Elite squad at his rear as he moved forward, careful to stay out of the line of fire of the magic he knew Peri would be releasing.

He watched as Gabe’s Wolf closed the distance between them in mere seconds, his huge beast leaping towards the figures. The howl that the animal released told everyone he had met dark magic and his massive body fell like a stone, landing in a crumpled heap on the rock floor.

Josef’s loud roar and Peri’s scream turned his blood to ice. “
Dear God, I hope he’s okay!”
he thought, knowing if the Wolf was dead that Josef would go on a rampage like none he had ever witnessed. The bond between the two, or rather, now three, so great it was miraculous to witness.

Sam restrained Josef as best he could, the ancient Vampire desperate to reach his friend. However, Peri’s resolve had hardened and her full attention was now on the two Witches heading their way. As her hands flew in intricate patterns, her face was hard as granite, the steely look in her eyes almost scaring Sam.

“Let. Me. Go!” Josef spat out as he grappled to hold him in place.