Chapter 19 - Stryker

When Draco informed me that the Dragon Council meeting would have everyone in attendance, I thought he meant that it would be a gathering of the Vulkan brothers and the elders of the Council.

I wasn’t expecting the Alphas of the other clans to join us today. When I shake Falkor’s hand, a sliver of worry skitters down my spine, especially when I glimpse the remorseful look in his eyes.

He’s the only Alpha in attendance without his Beta by his side. Rakon is nowhere to be seen, Falkor’s mate, Sandra, taking his place.

“My fellow dragon shifters…” Nimbus, the elder from the Flame Serpents clan of dragon shifters from the island of El Hiero off the west coast of Africa, addresses the gathering.

I glance at my brother, Alpha Draco, and notice how stern and composed his stance is as he pays keen attention to the elder with his fingers steepled in front of her face. I turn my attention back to Nimbus, recognizing the importance of today’s meeting when everyone remains silent before he proceeds.

“Thank you for meeting with us, your elders,” he says as he gestures with a curt wave to the other elders seated on his left, my father included. Though they all don’t look a day over thirty thanks to the fountain of youth found in our natural state of immortality, there’s something profoundly authoritative about the elders who’ve lived more than two millennia on Earth.

It demands the honor and respect of the younger dragons, forcing me to put aside any distractions in my mind and focus on the meeting. The weight of its importance hangs over us like a dark cloud swirling in the deafening silence.

Nimbus nods at my father, who takes the floor to speak. “We’ve all heard about what happened here last week when the Fire Force Beta, Rakon Hawke, attacked the Aurora Dragons.” Father glances at me sternly. “My son, Stryker Vulkan, was injured in battle. But we were unable to capture Rakon and his group before they disappeared.”

Zark, the Blaze Legion Alpha from the Sumai Island north of Asia, clears his throat and shifts uncomfortably. We all know what happened when the previous Alpha of Blaze Legion attacked Aurora Island, and what Rakon has done serves as a reminder of that.

Only Nova remains silently, staring at the polished oak desk as if something is interesting enough to hold his attention. He only looks up when my father places a hand on his shoulder to coerce him to speak up.

“Right…” Nova nods and stares at the Alpha of their clan seated across the boardroom table. “It has come to Fire Force’s attention that our Beta, Rakon Hawke, has been missing ever since the Dragon Ball.”

The elder gulps, his pause signaling Falkor to speak up.

“Last night, the forest in Lizard Island was ruined by what appeared to be an accidental fire. But I’m not sure that’s the case,” he explains with a heavy-hearted sigh. “Since his disappearance, he’s severed ties to the Fire Force mind link, making it abundantly clear that he has pulled back his loyalty to the clan. My Beta has gone rogues…” Falkor laments, a hint of disappointment in his voice as he glances at his mate. She touches his hand on the desk to soothe him, and he continues with a gulp when he looks up at his elder.

“... He’d been spotted in South America along with some friends from our clan. The ones who attacked the Aurora Dragon clan.” Falkor passes brief glances around the room, his eyes aggrieved with remorse. “He was seen consorting with witches, and we have enough reason to consider him the enemy now.”

The word “witches” rings loud and clear in my mind, realization washing over me in waves that crash only to put the pieces of a puzzle together.

Camilla told me all about her strange dreams. The ones that turned into haunting nightmares when she was visited by dark, cloaked figures who resembled what she could only describe as her ancestors.

The dreams began shortly before she met me in the mortal world when my dragon visited her while she slept. In hindsight, those dreams were only to foreshadow our upcoming meeting. Until those dreams turned frightening thanks to those dark figures.

That night, when the haunting presence of mysterious figures flashed in her mind while she’d been awake, she told me all about her vivid dreams. She was afraid that when they offered her the blade, it meant she had to kill me.

But I saw the terror and dread in her tear-stricken eyes, and I knew that it couldn’t possibly be the case. As I sit at the boardroom table while the others discuss a way forward to capture Rakon, I drown out their voices to work on the mental puzzle.

Camilla had been drawn to the symbolism in the book she found in our library, claiming that a certain image resembled the pendant her grandmother wore on her neck.

Maybe Rakon wasn’t out to get me back for what happened in the past. Maybe he was trying to get to Camilla because she’s not just a human…

The stark realization has me gasping, slamming a palm on the desk that’s forceful enough to bring everyone’s attention to me. I turn to meet Falkor’s wary eyes and shake my head.

“I think he’s trying to overthrow you, Alpha Falkor,” I say, holding my tongue so that I don’t spill anything about my mate to the group. It’s a secret I must keep until I’m sure about who I can trust amongst the dragons.

But it all makes perfect sense now.

“When we were in dragon school, Rakon mentioned that he didn’t think you were fit to be the Alpha. The only reason he befriended you was to keep a watchful eye on you, in case you slipped up.” I pause as Falkor’s eyes widen with horror. As the Alpha of Fire Force, he’d been chosen by the elders because Nova never had a mate to bear dragonspirit children to carry his bloodline and leadership of their clan.

“He was convinced that the Council would pick him,” I lament, glancing at the elders. “That’s why he said, ‘keep your friends close, and your enemies closer’.”

I turn back to Falkor to see anger flash in his eyes as he shakes his head disbelievingly. “He was my best friend…”

“I’m sorry, Falkor,” I apologize sincerely, dropping the use of formalities to show my compassion. “It was more than nine hundred years ago. I thought he’d changed.”

“So did I,” Falkor grouches, rising off the chair and dismissively shrugging when his mate offers to say something. With his lips pursed into a firm line, he marches out of the boardroom.

“He rehearsed his speech well,” Nova cuts the dense silence, despondently hanging his shoulders. Even if he’s never had a child of his own, Falkor is probably the closest thing to a son he has. He feels the Alpha’s pain.

“... Perhaps he was expecting a different outcome,” Nova continues sullenly. “That someone could convince him that his best friend wasn’t the enemy after all.”

“If what Stryker says is true…” Falkor’s mate, Sandra, looks at me. “Then Rakon was never Falkor’s friend.”

I can’t ignore the frisson of regret that passes through me while Sandra watches me skeptically. I wasn’t lying, but I couldn’t tell them that Rakon was after my mate because he needed her help. I had to mention what he said all those years ago, which gives me reason to believe that he wants Falkor’s place as the leader of Fire Force. Back when we were younger, he was convinced that it was his birthright.

While plans go ahead for the dragon shifter clans to enforce stronger surveillance and keep a watchful eye out for Rakon, I impatiently tap my foot on the floor.

I need to go back to my quarters and find Camilla and tell her about my suspicions.

***

“I’m not following…” Camilla frowns from where she sits cross-legged on the couch.

The book of witches’ spells is opened on her lap. She’s hardly been able to rest, much less put The Grimoire down in an attempt to find answers to her dreams.

She’s afraid that she’s supposed to take my life.

If only she knew that I would willingly give it up if it was an important part of her discovering who she truly is…

“The dragon who was after you wasn’t trying to get revenge on me. I think he really did want you to work for him. But not as a consultant in the art world.”

Camilla frowns. “What do you mean?” She sighs discontentedly, slamming the book shut and turning all her attention to me. “I don’t understand what any of this means.”

I make sure the door is closed behind me before crossing the bedroom and approaching her.

Of course, I startled her when I burst in and said, “I know why Rakon was after you!”. The adrenaline rushing through my veins and igniting a certain thrill is to blame for that.

Right now, all that matters is easing Camilla’s worries as I make my way to her, taking a seat beside her and folding her hand on my lap.

She has no idea where I’m going with this, and I have to tread carefully. I don’t want to startle her, and seeing the look of pure confusion widening her eyes confirms what I already know.

Camilla isn’t aware of who she really is.

“Rakon was spotted consorting with witches,” I begin gently. “I think he’s trying to take over his dragon clan, but he obviously needs help. Mystical help.”

Camilla’s eyes flicker to the book on the side. “Why would he have needed my help, then?”

I stare deeply into Camilla’s eyes, hoping that she might be able to see the conviction written in mine. Whatever her dreams mean, I will stand by her side.

As her protector.

“Maybe it’s time to visit your grandmother in the mortal world,” I offer.

Her eyes light up with anticipation. “Abuela?” she exclaims delightedly. “Are you serious?!”

I nod with a light chuckle. “I have no reason to keep you away from her anymore.” I reach out to touch her cheek fondly. “You’re not a prisoner, Cami.”

She coils back, lifting a skeptical brow. “Are you letting me go?”

“Letting you go?” I chuckle more deeply now as I throw an arm over her shoulders and draw her into my embrace, pressing a firm, possessive kiss on her forehead. “Never. I’m never letting you go.”