Chapter 3

CHAPTER THREE

J axxon splintered off from his group in a tight race with Zade to make it to the fields. Whooping and hollering, the men tore through the streets, weaving in and out of the alleys guided only by the heartbeats of their dragons flying high overhead.

The colonists barely managed to get out of their way as the Crelentian males raced each other. Zade was the first to make it to the expanse of the mining fields, with Jaxxon pulling up fast.

“You’re getting slow, cuz!” Zade yelled as Jaxxon reached his side. Flashing his pretty boy smile and winking, Zade kicked it up a notch. Wearing a loose-fitting red linen shirt and black jeans, he looked like a streak of fire as he ran with the speed of a superhero and the ego to match it.

Overhead, the winds picked up as the dragons flew high above the clouds. Shifting and locking into place like a puzzle, Jaxxon’s tattoos rippled, sending a burst of shadow magic into the clouds. As the powerful gust of shadows combined with the elements, the shadows spread out like a rising storm. He felt Zade’s magic mix with his own as the storm of shadows spread faster and faster. The shadows blazed with electricity as each male running behind them joined their magic .

Jaxxon chuckled as they ran shoulder to shoulder. “We’ll see who’s slow when I cross that line first.”

Zade’s boyish laughter rang out as he shot a blast of shadows in Jaxxon’s face, nearly sending him to his ass. Zade took off in a flash, his lean frame and long legs cutting through the air with practiced grace.

“Cheating bastard!” Jaxxon shouted, launching himself forward, his powerful legs pumping as he chased after him. He tore through the shadows as the wind whipped around him. The familiar burn in his muscles only pushed him harder.

Zade’s laughter echoed in the wind, but Jaxxon closed in fast. Victory or not, the thrill of the race between them never got old.

Soon, their shadows touched down to the ground as Jaxxon pumped his legs faster. Running through the raging storm of shadows was exhilarating. Zade was within an arm’s length of him. And then he was gone. Drak! And now the race was on between the dragons.

Astride his dragon’s back, Zade took off, winning yet another race. Zade circled back around, clapping his hands atop his dragon’s back. Sweat glistened across his tawny face as he smiled, giving Jaxxon the finger before his dragon launched upward.

“ You’re embarrassing me, Jaxx! ” Kylo bellowed in his dragon tongue as Jaxxon pumped faster and faster to reach him. His dragon’s voice filled his mind, sending a burst of dragon magic to give him a boost of energy.

Before Jaxxon could get his feet planted, Kylo’s talons wrapped around his middle, lifting him from the ground with a jolt. The force nearly had him emptying his stomach of the home-cooked meal he’d desired for ages. Thrown into the air over Kylo’s head, he thrust a rope of shadows around Kylo’s neck, quickly releasing them into a mist as he landed hard on his dragon’s back.

“ Whoa! Was that really necessary? ” Jaxxon screamed, but Kylo banked left, sending him hurtling to the side. Grabbing Kylo’s horns, he swung back quickly to regain his seat, trying his best to stay upright .

“ I’m not losing this freaking race! ” said Kylo, flying as fast as he could, pumping his wings and finally gaining more speed. Banking deep to the right, he opened his wings wide. Zade’s dragon was within sight up ahead. Flattening his wings with several mighty strokes, the force propelled Kylo right behind Galan’s barbed tail.

Zade’s dragon lifted his head in a sudden move, banking hard, and catching a jet stream. The daring move gave Galan momentum, pushing him further ahead of them.

Kylo roared, flying fast to catch up. “Go, catch him! We can win this!” Jaxxon yelled.

“ Oh, now you want to race when I’m doing all the work! ” Kylo rumbled back, catching a swift jet stream, propelling them ahead of Galan.

Kylo’s body was a blur of black shadows as his giant wings soared above the clouds. Holding tight, Jaxxon’s pulse synced with his dragon, their bond tight as ever. The wind whistled as Jaxxon laughed. He’d been doing this his whole life. And he wanted to win.

“ There’s no way they can catch us now, Kylo! ” A grin spread across Jaxxon’s face, feeling victory so close.

Kylo’s voice rolled into his mind, a deep, gravelly tone filled with satisfaction. “ Galan is nothing but flash! And I’m going to put out his flame! ”

Jaxxon chuckled, but before he could respond, a shadow darted ahead, cutting through the clouds like a blade. Zade and his dragon soared past them with a sleekness that made Jaxxon’s heart skip.

Galan’s voice rang out in a smooth, mocking drawl. “Have fun eating my shadows!”

Kylo growled low in his throat, his black wings vibrating as he increased speed. Jaxxon could feel his dragon’s muscles coil, the powerful rhythm of his wings creating a gust that sent ripples through the air. The violet and black sheen of Kylo’s scales shimmered as they blurred, almost blending into the sky as they pushed harder.

“Perhaps I’ll eat you instead!” said Kylo as he flew next to Galan, snapping his jaws. He swung his barbed tail at Galan, forcing the dragon to dive and maneuver to a safe distance away .

Kylo’s tail was shaped like a massive battle hammer with spikes. Each spike was razor-sharp, and he had no trouble smashing through stone. Galan’s tail couldn’t have been any more different. It was shaped like a curved battle-ax with spikes along each side that were so sharp they could shred metal. Together, both dragons could cut through an army with precision.

“Your tricks won’t work. You’ll only beat me in your dreams, Kylo!” Galan roared with laughter as he taunted him, coming back to his side and snapping his jaws in retaliation. “You’re heavy and slow. I’m lean and built for speed.”

Jaxxon tightened his grip as Kylo roared with defiance, his aerodynamic wings stretching to their full span, casting a shadow that seemed to swallow the sky. But Galan was fast, just like Zade. Galan’s scales glinted with a deep, iridescent hue—forest green and violet patterns rippled over his black skin, giving him a more spectral appearance in the morning light. His wings were narrower, perfect for cutting through the wind like an axe, while Kylo’s wings, though equally massive, were built for raw, smashing power.

Jaxxon felt Kylo shift under him, his mind syncing with his dragon’s instincts. They were close, inches from Galan’s side, close enough to see the glow from his scales pulse with the beat of his wings.

But their bickering allowed two more riders to pass them. “Argh!” Jaxxon held tight, knowing his dragon would pull every antic to win the race. Immediately, Kylo bullied the younger dragons out of his way by shoving them and snapping at their wings. Soon, they were back on Galan’s tail. But Zade and his mount had some tricks of their own.

Galan dove straight down with Kylo on his flank. Jaxxon could barely breathe as the rush of air hit his nostrils, causing him to choke. Zade threw a blanket of shadows outward, temporarily blinding them as they continued their dive.

They were diving steeply. Jaxxon’s fingers burned as he held onto ridges on Kylo’s back to stay upright before they finally leveled off and headed to the top of a nearby hill. With a final elegant twist of his magnificent wings, Galan surged forward, landing hard.

Kylo was seconds behind. The rest of the dragons landed around them.

“Yes! That was fun!” yelled Zade as he jumped off Galan’s back. The men clapped and cheered.

Kylo snapped his sharp teeth, claiming they had cheated in the race. Galan swung his tail, knocking Kylo backward, growling that he was too close. They argued as Jaxxon and the other men jumped off their backs and laughed at the arguing dragons.

Celestial dragons and their riders preferred plenty of space for themselves. But their circumstances forced them to live cramped together. Not wanting to end up in his dragon’s belly by interrupting his usual sparring with Galan, Jaxxon moved to the side.

Jaxxon ran over to Zade, giving him a high five for a good race. Jaxxon waved to the rest of their men to join them. Laughing about the race, they swore they’d win the next one.

Standing beside Zade on the hill, Jaxxon stretched, crossing his arms as they surveyed the landscape. The air was fresher here, not tainted by all the smoke and fumes. He breathed deeply, looking out over the land. He twisted the cap off his canteen, drinking water and pouring some over his head. It was hot as the sun beat down on him.

“Amazing! From this view, we can see two mining cities to the north and several smaller mining towns to the south where we’re staying,” said Zade, pointing to each location and calling out the names.

The distant mining cities sprawled like scars across the ground, their towering structures stabbing into the vibrant horizon. The once lush land had turned dull and sparse around the mines, as though the very life had been sucked out of it. Jagged black spires surrounded the mines, twisting upward like skeletal fingers, and thick smoke billowed from the depths of each, tainting the otherwise clear sky with streaks of ash and soot. The ground between the mines and the towns was red dirt, with a few greener areas clashing with the cold industrial gloom .

“The people who end up in the northern mines are treated the worst. It’s nearly a death sentence. Those who work in the southern mines have a better chance of survival, though they’re still brutal.” Zade, displeased, shook his head as he swore.

Jaxxon’s jaw tightened as the weight of Zade’s words settled in, and images formed in his mind.

“You can’t see the guards pushing and shoving the poor workers or hear the screams from this distance. The mining operators are clever that way, hiding their brutality behind stone walls and smoke.” Jaxxon’s frown grew deeper.

“Soon, it will be the guards and mine operators screaming if the Vralgari and their demon horde don’t find what they’re looking for,” said one of their men who’d been canvassing the mines.

“Where are the demons now?” Jaxxon asked.

One of their men pointed out a mine in the north where the demon horde had last been seen sniffing around. It was the largest mine, with a massive city around it.

“We learned an intriguing piece of new information during our surveillance. We confirmed rumors that a mine had an enormous explosion recently. But so far, we don’t know if it was in the north or the south,” said the man. “And we don’t know if the explosion is connected to the object Prince Aeralis is seeking.”

Jaxxon and his men turned their attention to the southern mines.

“The horde is likely searching in the north because the mines there are the largest. But we’re going to also look in the south.” Jaxxon walked close to the cliff’s edge, straining to get a good look at where his man had pointed out the southern mines. Hmm, it isn’t far from where I saw that young woman. It’s damn close to the area she had been headed. His entire body went rigid. He didn’t like it.

The wind sailed around him as seven dragons took flight again. Zade had sent them off to retrieve their men who didn’t have dragons. Once, there had been plenty, but now, there weren’t enough dragons for every man.

Crelentians and Celestial dragons possessed elemental magic, allowing them to control shadows and more. They were born with the ability to understand their dragon’s language. However, only those synced with a dragon could share that dragon’s magical powers through a mental bond. The bond between a dragon and his rider was unbreakable, making them formidable. And without enough dragons for each man, they were at a significant disadvantage.

Jaxxon swallowed, looking at Zade, whose eyes had grown dark with anger at what their people and dragons had been reduced to.

“It’s okay, cuz. One day, every man will have a dragon as our ancestors once had.” Jaxxon stood tall, knowing his men depended on him to lead them from near extinction. It was a heavy burden, but it filled his heart with pride and his blood with determination. At twenty-three, his life felt like quicksand. Every time he took one step forward, he was pulled back by two. But now he had a feeling it was all about to change.

Soon, the dragons returned with the additional men. Once they were all gathered together on the hill, they began strategizing. Moving close, the dragons’ celestial magic surrounded them in a mist of shadows, forming a protective shield that gave each man a sense of peace. It was a comforting arm over their shoulder, a pat on the back, a nod from a friend—everything that mattered to men and dragons who were the last of their kind.

This mission was critical, and they couldn’t afford any missteps. As they talked, Kylo described the routine of the workers and the slavers who guarded the mines. Each dragon had surveyed a different location while soaring out of sight above the clouds. The intel was invaluable and would hopefully keep Jaxxon and his men from being captured and enslaved—which was honestly the least of their worries. The last thing they needed was a fight with the law enforcement.

“I’m not worried about the slavers,” boasted one of the dragon riders. “I’ll cut their throats before they even see me land.” The others laughed, nodding in agreement.

“Or we’ll eat them for a snack!” growled Kylo, winking an eye.

When the men synced with their dragons, they became apex predators. They were strong alone but tenfold stronger when synced. Their magic was more potent when dragons and their riders tapped into the other’s magic. It was a thrill, and Jaxxon knew firsthand that dragon riders enjoyed the high.

“We’ve been flying all night doing surveillance. It’s time to eat,” grumbled Kylo, standing tall and shaking his wings. Galan bellowed in agreement.

The dragons were always hungry and loved nothing better than to hunt. But Jaxxon knew the dragons needed to be careful as they hunted in strange lands.

“Let’s not forget the Vralgari can fly fast. We don’t need them sneaking up and attacking any of you to feast on your magic!” Jaxxon said, looking pointedly at the adolescent dragons who shifted from foot to foot and rarely obeyed orders.

“They will not feast on me or my kind again!” thundered Kylo, baring his teeth. The other dragons echoed the same, sending violet streams of fire into the skies. Their flames were powerful. Jaxxon shook his head, knowing their show of power would only rile his men, who were looking for a fight with the Vralgari they couldn’t yet win.

“We may be a smaller breed of dragon than some, but we are mighty!” Kylo continued, looking at Jaxxon. “But Galan and I will keep the younger dragons safe. They are excited to be on this important mission. And they will obey our orders!”

Jaxxon looked at the younger dragons that had accompanied them on this trip. It was risky to bring them, but they had to learn to fly in space. And they had to learn the battle formations. What better training ground than this one? But he knew they couldn’t afford to lose dragons to the Vralgari. The Red Fae and their demon horde greatly outnumbered them.

“Celestial dragons are the Vralgari’s favorite food because they have the most powerful magic in the galaxy,” Jaxxon said with intensity, letting his shadow magic vibrate around him. His tone was commanding, and his stare was unwavering. He walked alongside the younger dragons, rubbing their scales as he talked to them. It settled them as they leaned down for his touch.

“You are brave to join us on this mission. But don’t let your bravery turn into stupidity! Listen to Kylo and Galan, and you’ll be safe.”

The younger dragons huffed, believing they were invincible. Galan nipped them to be silent and respectful. They were tough on them to teach them how to survive. The younger dragons bowed their heads, but fire and defiance still shone in their eyes. Drak! This is going to be a long mission. Jaxxon blew out a long breath, stretching his back.

Everyone knew managing the dragons was a tough job that no one had yet mastered. They were raised without female dragons to care for them or elder dragons to teach them to work as a group. So they remained wild and untamed. The dragons would fight like hell to save each other and the Crelentian males who cared for them after the Vralgari attacked, but they’d been merely hatchlings when it had happened, and Jaxxon and his men were only boys. Jaxxon knew how they felt as he walked around.

“I know everyone is itching for a fight,” Jaxxon talked directly to his men, who also had problems following orders. “It doesn’t take much to piss us off, but we’re not ready to take on the Vralgari.” Jaxxon cracked his knuckles. “We will, however, stop them from growing stronger by getting that magical object before they do.”

“The Vralgari have spies everywhere. And the demon horde can shape-shift faster than I can fart.” The men roared with laughter as Jaxxon continued, “The people in this mining colony cannot be trusted. Everyone is an enemy! Crelentian blood will not spill for others.”

Kylo moved closer as Jaxxon mounted him. “Dragons, quickly get the men where they need to be. Then, return to the skies and stay in pairs. It will keep you safer!” he ordered his brethren.

The men split into groups. Some tracked the horde to try and find the magical object, while Jaxxon, Zade, and others searched for the mysterious woman .

“Keep your coms on and stay in constant contact.” Jaxxon pointed to the skies. “And watch your back.”

J axxon and Kylo soared high in the skies, enjoying the much-needed quiet. As loners, sometimes they just needed to escape the madness around them, even for a short while. Flying above the clouds, they remained out of sight of those on the ground, creating gusts of shadows between the cloud cover when needed.

Mineva was a large place, and as they flew above it, they could see mining colonies that resembled small cities in some areas and remote outposts in others.

“When we get closer to the mines the smog should conceal us,” said Jaxxon as he scanned the area. He noticed the smell of melting ores and minerals was increasing.

“It’s a welcome break from exerting our combined magic to flow the shadows between the cloud cover,” said Kylo.

“But it also keeps the Vralgari concealed. The last thing we need is to encounter them before we find the magical object,” Jaxxon murmured.

“I’m not worried about those winged bats!” With roaring laughter, Kylo banked higher as Jaxxon chuckled.

The Vralgari Fae had large, powerful wings with clawed tips that cut like razors. They were one of the few things that could cut through a dragon’s tough scales. They kept a constant lookout for Red Fae. Unlike Celestial dragons, the Vralgari couldn’t fly at the altitudes the dragons flew, but all bets were off once the dragons were forced to fly lower or had to land.

Zade soared to their side, Galan’s head sweeping the area, looking for any signs of danger. Seeing none, they flew side by side as the dragons spoke. Meanwhile, Jaxxon and Zade talked about all they knew of the mission so far. Jaxxon pointed out where he’d last seen the mystery woman near the four mines looming close in the south. Soon, they flew over the streets where mining cars traveled to and from the mines.

Suddenly, Kylo dipped into a spin as his nostrils flared. “Whoa!” Jaxxon shouted, holding fast. His fingers clutched Kylo’s scales, digging in deep to stay upright. His legs wrapped tight, keeping him anchored in place.

His dragon banked right, left, and then lower toward a mining outpost. “Kylo, what’s happening?” Jaxxon yelled, but he didn’t get a response as the wind slammed into him from the speed they were traveling.

Drak! Kylo only does this when he’s tracking food. Looking back, he saw Galan and the other dragons trying to keep up. But Kylo tipped further left, circling back and moving dangerously low to the ground.

Kylo flew among the clouds like a black streak, his iridescent scales shimmering as he plummeted toward the ground. Jaxxon clung to his back, his heart racing, the wind howling in his ears. He could barely keep his eyes open against the force of the descent.

“What are you doing?” Jaxxon growled at his dragon, but there was no answer.

Fully extending his wings, Kylo’s aerodynamic form cut through the air faster than Jaxxon had ever experienced. They burst from the cloud cover without warning at breakneck speed toward the ground, chasing something Jaxxon couldn’t see. He strained his eyes, searching the landscape below for any sign of Kylo’s prey, but all he could see was the distant blur of the ground rushing toward them.

“Stop!” he shouted, the wind tearing the words from his mouth and away before they could even reach his dragon’s ears. Panic surged through him as Kylo refused to slow, his mighty wings propelling them faster and faster. Jaxxon’s grip tightened, his knuckles white against the smooth, dark scales below him. This isn’t normal. Kylo has never acted like this before—wild, uncontrollable.

“What the hell, Kylo?” Jaxxon could hear the industrial city below getting closer. He could see the mining streets and buildings. He held on tightly, having no choice but to sync his vision with Kylo’s. His pupils constricted, forming dragon slits as the world looked like a prism of colors beyond what his eyes could typically see. He was seeing through Kylo’s eyes.

Blinking rapidly, he focused on what Kylo was stalking from the skies. Breaking through the clouds, Jaxxon’s heart lurched.

“Don’t fucking eat her!” he growled as the woman they’d been looking for came into sight below.

Kylo roared, flapping his wings fast and gaining speed. At this rate, he would be able to snatch her up within a few seconds. With only the smog concealing them, Jaxxon’s tattoos shimmered into dark shadows. He thrust his hands outward, letting his magic solidify into a strong rope of shadows. He lassoed Kylo. Pulling the dragon back up skyward, his arms strained from the strength it took to steer him away. Jaxxon screamed at Kylo, trying to break him from his stupor.

Kylo’s body seized, his wings jerking wildly as they caught the wind current. They veered sharply to the side. Jaxxon tumbled forward, barely staying on his dragon’s back, but he held the magical rope and continued to pull up with all his might. Gaining altitude, Kylo finally leveled out, flying away from the area. Galan and the others flew close, their eyes wide with surprise.

Finding a landing place near the outpost, Jaxxon coaxed Kylo toward a grassy field. They skidded to a halt, dust and debris kicking up around them. Breathing raggedly, Kylo’s body trembled beneath Jaxxon’s hands.

Jumping from his dragon’s back, he steadied himself from the exertion of magic and strength he’d used.

“Kylo...” Jaxxon’s voice was strained, still wondering what exactly was happening. As he got closer, Kylo’s eyes were still wild and unfocused. His nostrils flared and huffed in warning.

Jaxxon’s eyes softened as he reached his hand out to his dragon, running it along his scales to soothe whatever was wrong. “What’s going on, big guy?” he whispered, but Kylo didn’t answer. He rubbed his hands in a circular motion, knowing the spots his dragon enjoyed being caressed.

A flurry of wings signaled the other dragons had arrived. Galan landed first, his sleek form settling beside Kylo with a grace that belied the tension in the air. Zade was already dismounting, his eyes wide with concern. Behind them, the other dragons touched down, their riders running over to them. They all exchanged nervous glances until Kylo finally lifted his head and turned to them.

“I don’t know what came over me.” Kylo huffed, his violet eyes distant. He swung his head back and forth as he tried to gather his wits.

Jaxxon looked at Zade and then at Galan. They shook their heads, looking at Kylo with shared concern. The dragons tried to gather closer to Kylo. But he made it clear they needed to keep their distance.

Everyone looked around the area where they had landed. They were close to the mining town limits. They were exposed in the open and too exhausted to exert more shadows to conceal them. Jaxxon prayed no dangers were near as his eyes darted left to right. He had to make a quick decision. He knew they needed time to figure out what had happened.

“Dragons, take to the skies! We can’t have you out in the open like this. We’ll be fine on foot from here,” Jaxxon commanded with a booming voice laced with power.

Kylo didn’t need to be told twice, launching into the air with enough force to blow Jaxxon and the rest of the men backward. Galan and the other dragons followed Kylo away from the area. They moved into their formation for protection and soon disappeared into the cloud cover.

“What spooked him?” asked Zade, his tone elevated.

“We found her!” It was the only thing Jaxxon could think to say. For the life of him, he couldn’t explain Kylo’s reaction.