Page 48 of Immortal Origins (Chronicles of the Immortal Trials #1)

The dragon released a low growl as it brought its face close to hers. She willed everything in her muscles to stay where she stood and it took all of her self-control. This wasn’t a game of hunter vs prey. This was a challenge. One she would rise to. One she would survive.

What were the gods hiding they didn’t want the continent to know about? Could the dragons truly be the original species? How did this one know? Was he as old as the gods?

“Your species does not make demands of us,” it growled through barred teeth. The skin of something clung to the side of its back tooth and Ambrose tried not to wonder if it was human, fae or some other poor creature.

“Tell me,” she pleaded. Before quickly adding—“Please?”

“It is not my responsibility to educate you on your world. We do not live in your world, and you do not invade ours. Ask your gods. If they’ll answer you.

” As the creature reared its head back for a final time, Ambrose raised her hands reflexively and unleashed the charge that she’d been holding back inside of her.

Purple flames rose up in a wall between them just as the dragon released the fire burning inside of it.

Red and purple clashed and mixed into a dazzling display that would have been beautiful if it hadn’t been so terrifying.

“You have come a long way.” The dragon stared at her with that penetrating look, leaving her feeling raw and exposed. “You just might be ready yet.”

“What does that mean ?” She was tired of the riddles as the melding of fire and smoke burned her throat and lungs.

The beast lifted its head in the air and… laughed ? Dragons could laugh? At least she thought it was laughter. The terrifying sound that came from the giant echoed off the trees and shook her where she stood.

Her head pounded and even with the adrenaline coursing through her, it was hard to stay standing. She refused to buckle in front of this creature and give him a reason to end it all for her. She’d stay standing no matter the cost.

She didn’t know anything about dragons but this one seemed proud, and she did know pride. “You’re right, I am ignorant. I’m a simple mage who shouldn’t have been in your forest, it will never happen again. ”

“You may be a mage but you’re far from simple,” it scolded. “You have no idea what your powers are or what they’re capable of. Ignorant like a hatchling to what you’ve become. Pity. What a waste.”

Ambrose fought to control her anger as it bubbled beneath her skin.

“I—” What was she supposed to say? He was right, she didn’t know what her powers were capable of. Her magick had become wild, temperamental and difficult to control like a raging river inside of her that was always moments away from drowning her under its furious waves. “How do you know that?”

The dragon flexed its wings. “I know everything, human .”

Something about the way it said ‘human’ made her blood run cold.

As she opened her mouth questions blazing through her, the dragon reared up on its hind legs, wings crashing into the tree limbs above as it bellowed in pain.

Swinging its massive jaws around, it ripped something out of its shoulder, snapping it in half with one bite.

Two halves of an arrow fell to the ground as it furiously swept its tail in a circle, roaring into the night sky.

Someone else was there.

Ambrose heard the next arrow before she saw it and instinctively threw her hand in the air, incinerating it in a flash of purple before it could sink its sharp tooth into the dragon’s underbelly.

The tree branches above shook as though someone hopped between them and she listened as intently as she could. As far as she could tell, there was only one in the trees, but who would be stupid enough to attack a dragon?

“Those are some quick reflexes,” a voice rang, not from the shadows, but from directly in front of her. Just past the treeline.

“Who are you?” she called into the night.

The trees swayed above and the bushes rustled a dangerous song. Ambrose closed her eyes and focused her ears as much as she could. She pushed her focus into the air, letting the rustle of leaves separate from the sounds of movement.

Five? No, at least six. Maybe more .

She was vastly outnumbered.

The dragon snarled in the direction of the man who spoke, shooting its molten flames aimlessly into the forest. She was grateful at least that he wasn’t trying to roast her anymore.

“You don’t need to worry about that.” The voice now came from her left. “You won’t be alive to remember it.”

Though it was dark, Ambrose was able to make out the silhouette of a man as he stepped closer.

Dressed in tawny dragon leather, he had a short beard as though he frequently shaved but hadn’t in a few days.

His dark hair was tied back in a braid not un-similar to hers.

Whoever he was, he stood completely unfazed before the dragon that looked at him like he was its next meal.

Ambrose crouched down into her fighting stance, painfully aware of how far her sword was now. Too far to get it before he could attack. Either way, she wouldn’t go down easy.

“We’ll see about that.”

A grin split the man’s face in half, showing off a golden canine as his eyes pierced the darkness.

“Looks like we got lucky today boys!” he called to the trees.

“That’s by far the largest dragon we’ve hunted yet and wouldn’t you know it…

” He pulled a dagger from his side and pointed it at her chest. “ You just so happen to have a very high bounty on your head.”

With a single twitch of his hand he sent the dagger sailing for her chest. She turned her body just in time and the blade sank into a tree behind her. Relief only hit her for a second when it flew—blade singing—right back into his outstretched palm.

A metal mage.

Rare.

And dangerous with a blade.