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An explosion of glittering essence sprayed out as she released her shield. The Witch backed away, putting a large amount of distance between them. Only when he felt like it was enough for him to quickly escape if she tried to attack did Geryon shift.

He blew a ring of fire above him before chanting the singular word he needed. “Shift.”

After those flames came back to encase him, he emerged human, naked. He didn’t care about his nudity; none of his kind did, since they were rarely seen clothed. Then, with a quiet warning growl, eyeing her cautiously, he approached the child. Unfortunately, he had to lift the skirt of her dress to see her wound, but he kept his eyes on only it.

It was a small weapon, probably a thin dagger.The girl was so young and small, it had caused severe damage.

He filled his index finger with magic and eventually blew fire on it. Then he shoved that flaming finger into her wound, cauterising it and changing it to one he could save.

Dragons couldn’t heal deep cuts like this without the assistance of other items, in the same way Witches couldn’t. However, they could heal wounds of fire, as it was in their essence. They lived it, breathed it, worshipped it.

Changing a stab this terrible into a deep burn meant that Geryon could then reverse the damage.

Once he felt he’d burned the child enough, he placed his hand over the wound and began a very lengthy chant. The spell he was doing required strong magic, and because he was weaker than most, he had to concentrate heavily on his task.

This was the moment the Witch could kill him. Right now, he could not hear, could not smell, could not see. He was hyper focused on saving this child.

The spell would reverse the burns by forcing the girl to relive every lick of flame that had created it. She was unconscious and unaware she was currently going through excruciating pain. Only when he could no longer feel warmth and magic radiating under his palm did he remove his hand. He opened his eyes to see she was healed, that not even a scar marred her side. He leaned forward so he could hear if her heart was still beating.

It was faint and weak, but she would live.

Geryon backed away so he could shift into his Dragon form, something he was more comfortable being in with the Witch nearby. Then, he dug his claws into the dirt around the child to carry her in his paw, holding onto his bargaining chip.

“You may approach.” His scales puffed as she came into the clearing, and he licked his mouth in agitation. “I have saved her.”

He still couldn’t believe he saved one of her kind.

Geryon had to avert his gaze at the bright, unhidden smile she gave him. Her eyes watered with tears of relief, of joy.She is an ugly crier; I hate it.His eyes darted back cautiously to check on her, to wait for her to settle.

He’d told himself he wanted to peek beneath her expressionless façade, but it appeared as though he’d been averse to seeing anything negative.I hated her anger when I saw it.

“Thank you,” she said once she finally calmed.

When he did finally bring his stare to her, her face wasn’t as cold as he knew it to be. It appeared as though she was still fighting her emotions, trying to rein them in. She didn’t ask for him to return her sister, likely knowing he wouldn’t.

“I want to make a deal with you,” she said when the silence bled between them for far too long.

He curled his upper lip back over his sharp, pointed fangs. “I will make no deal with you.” He lifted the child. “And I currently have you at my mercy.”

She lowered herself to sit on her heels while she spoke with him. It was casual, like she expected their conversation to be lengthy.

“I am aware.” Her mask began to slip back into place. “I still wish to offer a deal, in the hopes you will accept it.”

Her cheeks were still stained with tears, and a pink hue showed they were swollen from crying, but that unfeeling coldness had returned to her eyes. He could hear her heart was beating regularly again.

It hadn’t taken long, like her emotions were fleeting.

She didn’t feel fear, even though he currently had her sister in his paw. He couldn’t scent, taste, or see it. To witness her shift from a sobbing woman to this was daunting and oddly... confusing.She must genuinely care for her sister.

“No. I have no intention of giving you anything more than what I have done to save this child. You tricked me, played me like some fool!”

He watched her lift her chin dismissively. He narrowed his eyes at her for it.

“You tricked yourself.”

What?

“How dare you say such an insolent thing to me!” He stamped his front paw down against the ground. “I did not deceive myself!”