Chapter 13
The roar echoed across the mountains again.
This time it was closer.
The sound rolled through the stone corridors of the palace like thunder trapped inside the mountain itself. The walls trembled. Dust fell from the carved ceiling.
Ariana felt it deep in her bones.
The golden light surrounding her flickered violently, pulsing in uneven waves like a heartbeat struggling to steady itself.
Kael tightened his grip on her shoulders.
"What was that?" he demanded.
The man dressed in black and gold did not answer immediately.
For the first time since Kael had met him, the calm confidence in his expression was gone.
His gaze was fixed on the open doors of the chamber.
"They found her."
Kael's eyes narrowed.
"Who?"
The man turned toward them slowly.
"The Sovereign Hunters."
The words settled over the chamber like a shadow.
Ariana frowned weakly.
"That sounds dramatic."
"It is."
Outside the chamber, alarm horns suddenly began blaring across the hidden city.
Long.
Sharp.
Urgent.
Kael turned toward the doors. From where he stood, he could see the upper terraces of the mountain city.
Guards were running across stone bridges.
Shouting commands.
Drawing weapons.
The peaceful silence of the hidden kingdom had shattered in seconds.
"You didn't answer my question," Kael said coldly.
The man exhaled slowly.
"They are the reason the Sovereigns vanished from the world."
Ariana blinked.
"You mean the council?"
"No."
His voice hardened.
"The council fears them."
That got Kael's attention.
"Explain."
The man's gaze shifted briefly toward Ariana.
"The Sovereign was meant to rule the balance between all bloodlines."
"Wolves."
"Vampires."
"Witches."
"Fae."
Ariana swallowed.
"But some creatures refused to kneel."
A deep boom shook the mountain again.
Stone cracked somewhere in the distance.
The golden circle beneath Ariana's feet flickered weakly.
Kael's wolf stirred uneasily beneath his skin.
"Those things outside," he said quietly.
"They kill Sovereigns?"
"Yes."
"Why?"
The man's voice darkened.
"Because Sovereigns can command them."
Another roar tore through the sky.
This one was louder.
Closer.
The sound vibrated through the palace like an earthquake.
Ariana instinctively clutched Kael's arm.
Her golden eyes flickered.
"What are they?"
The man answered simply.
"Dragons."
For a moment, the chamber fell silent.
Kael blinked once.
Then twice.
"You're joking."
"I am not."
Outside, the air suddenly filled with the thunder of enormous wings.
Not like the guardian's wings.
Something heavier.
Stronger.
Each beat of those wings shook the sky itself.
Ariana's heart pounded.
"I thought dragons were extinct."
The man's lips tightened.
"They were."
"Until the Sovereigns disappeared."
Kael frowned.
"What does that have to do with anything?"
The man turned toward Ariana.
"The dragons were created to hunt Sovereigns."
Silence swallowed the room.
Ariana's voice barely rose above a whisper.
"So they're here… for me."
"Yes."
Kael's wolf snarled.
"Then they'll have to go through me."
The man almost smiled.
"That would be entertaining to watch."
Another violent explosion shook the chamber.
This time the tall glass windows shattered.
Ariana flinched as shards of crystal rained across the marble floor.
Kael moved instantly, pulling her behind him.
A shadow passed across the open sky beyond the chamber doors.
Huge.
Fast.
Ariana slowly stepped forward.
Her legs felt weak, but curiosity pulled her closer to the edge of the chamber.
She looked up.
And her breath stopped.
Something enormous circled above the hidden city.
Black scales glinted beneath the sunlight like polished armor.
Its wings stretched wider than the palace towers.
Each movement stirred the clouds themselves.
And its eyes—
burned red.
The dragon roared again.
The sound rolled across the mountains like a living storm.
Below, people were scrambling for cover.
Guards raised glowing weapons.
Witches began forming defensive circles across the terraces.
The entire city was preparing for war.
Ariana's heart raced.
"That thing is coming here."
"Yes."
The man's voice had returned to its calm tone, but tension lingered beneath it.
"It can sense the Sovereign awakening."
Kael stepped beside Ariana.
His golden eyes locked onto the creature circling above them.
"Good."
The man raised an eyebrow.
"You're eager to die?"
Kael's wolf stirred beneath his skin.
"No."
He shifted his stance slightly.
"I'm eager to prove it picked the wrong mountain."
Ariana stared at him.
"You can't fight that."
Kael didn't look at her.
"Watch me."
The dragon suddenly changed direction.
Its enormous wings beat once.
Twice.
Then it dove.
Straight toward the palace.
Wind howled through the open chamber doors.
The entire sky darkened as the creature descended.
Ariana's golden eyes flared.
Something inside her responded.
A pulse of power surged through her chest.
The bond between her and Kael ignited violently.
The air around them crackled with energy.
The man in black and gold noticed immediately.
"Interesting…"
Kael frowned.
"What?"
The man pointed toward Ariana.
"The dragon isn't just hunting you."
Ariana's breath trembled.
"Then what?"
The man's voice dropped.
"It's answering you."
Kael's head snapped toward her.
"What?"
Outside, the dragon suddenly stopped mid-air.
Its massive wings beat slowly as it hovered above the palace.
The wind from its wings tore across the city.
Its enormous head turned.
Directly toward the chamber.
Directly toward Ariana.
The red glow in its eyes flickered.
Then slowly changed.
From red
to gold.
The entire city went silent.
Even the horns stopped.
The man in black and gold whispered one word.
"Impossible."
Ariana stared at the creature.
Her heart pounding wildly.
"Why is it looking at me like that?"
The man swallowed.
"Because…"
His voice lowered.
"…it isn't here to kill you."
Kael frowned.
"Then why is it here?"
The dragon opened its massive jaws.
Smoke curled from its nostrils.
Then slowly,
it lowered its enormous head.
And bowed.
Right in front of the palace.
The man's voice turned hoarse.
"Because it recognizes its Queen."
Ariana's heart skipped.
Queen?
Before anyone could react,
another roar shattered the sky.
This one was louder.
Angrier.
The dragon above the palace lifted its head sharply.
Kael looked up again.
And his blood ran cold.
Three more dragons were diving through the clouds.
Their wings cutting through the sky like blades.
Their scales burned dark crimson.
Their eyes,
glowed a furious red.
And they were coming straight for Ariana.