Page 57 of The Mating Quest

Ethan scowled. “Whyyou?”

“I know more about caves and traps than you, wolf.” She drew out her sword, grateful for thegift.

The cave had a large entrance, with torches stuck into iron sconces nailed into the rock walls. Ilana took a torch, noting with surprise it did not flicker. It looked more like an electric flame, but as she touched it and felt the energy, realized it was fueled by magick. Good. She had enough concern about being flambéed by dragon fire. No matter what Lacey had told them about the magick pill. She’d had a limb seared by dragon fire in the past, and didn’t trust the Coldfire Wizard could protectthem.

Although she detested caves and being underground, Ilana admired the geology of this dragon cave. Skylar told them it ran about ten miles deep, and was filled withcrystals.

The amethyst, quartz and amber crystals dazzled in the light from the entrance. Dragons cherished crystals, and their power. Amethyst crystals sparkled at the cave’s ceiling. These crystals were important for meditation, Skylar had toldher.

Their luminous beauty soothed her a little. She imagined this cave was important to dragons for centuries, and sacred. Perhaps they even came here to renew theirmagick.

The scale was hidden in a crevice about the six mile mark. She waited for the others to catchup.

The air smelled fresh and clear. Water ran in a little stream to their left. The ground beneath them was rock, but fashioned in a pathway easy to navigate. They walked in silence, only the dripping of water and their own breathing echoing in the vast space. Walls narrowed, crystals giving way to ordinaryrock.

About two miles later, as she centered her own breathing, the cave opened to a room large enough to accommodate a dozen dragons. Light from several torches illuminated theroom.

Ilana stopped to uncap her water and so did the others. They craned their necks upward. Despite herself, she wasimpressed.

Purple, blue, opaque, pink and yellow crystals lined the walls and ceiling, refracting the torchlight. Giant stalactites jutted from the ceiling, their icicle-shapes swirling with colors not from ordinary limestone or calcium carbonate. The room glittered like a jeweler’s gems upon a bed ofvelvet.

“So beautiful,” Chloe marveled. “Serene. It’s hard to believe danger liesahead.”

“It does. Don’t let your guard down, sis. Not for a minute.” Ethan replaced his water container. “Ilana, you sure you are okay withleading?”

She lifted her sword skyward. “Absolutely.”

“Fine. I’ll bring up therear.”

Sweat trickled down her spine as they proceeded. Temperatures rose, as if dragon fire heated the cavern. Ilana glanced at her pedometer. Less than two miles togo.

She spotted the clump of clear quartz crystals forming the shape of a large dragon’stooth.

The warning for the firsttrap.

Dim light showed from torches on the wall. Ilana caught sight of shadows moving in an alcove head and motioned for the others to stay back. A silver dragon, about the size of an SUV, stepped onto thepath.

“State your business,” itgrowled.

Ilana stepped back. She led the group through the cave, but this was Chloe’squest.

Chloe moved forward, her Doc Martens making little sound as she pushed past Ilana. Ilana admired her Lupinestealth.

“I am Chloe Powers, Lupine and werewolf of the Wyld, chosen for the task of retrieving the dragon scale of greatpower.”

The dragon opened his mouth, showing gleaming white teeth. “For whatpurpose?”

“To obtain the power for myself to aid Drust, the ColdfireWizard.”

“Oh?” The dragon crawled forward, grinning. “We shall test the truth of thosewords.”

Oh shit. Ilana heard the rumbling of fire deep in the dragon’s throat. She sprang forward to protect Chloe, because those pills were so small and how could they protect her and damn if she would see Ethan’s sister turned into wolf shishkebob…

The dragon opened its mouth, fire streaming past its lips. Chloe bravely stood her ground as Ethan yelled and Ilana dove before Chloe, far toolate.

Chloe stood unharmed. Relief made Ilana’s knees weak as Ethan helped her up. She looked backwards, gratified to see Ryan standing protectively before Dakota. Respect filled her for thewolf.

“No dragon fire may touch us, thanks to Drust’s magick. I trust I passed this test?” Chloeasked.