"That's your father." Jarrett pulled out his sword. "Are you sure?"
"That was my father," she said. "I don't know what he is anymore. Connor changed, but he still fights for us. My father," she snorted, hating even calling him that, "fights for death."
Tressa didn't look at Jarrett to see if he was following. She ran toward the dragons, still circling and feigning attacks. Raising her sword over her head, Tressa struck the red dragon's foot. She twisted the sword. The dragon screeched in pain as Tressa tugged her sword out of his scales. A sticky green substance covered the blade. It wouldn't come off as easily as the blood. Tressa ran to the side, hoping the dragon would follow her. She wanted him to turn his back on Connor. Her friend could strike, and it would all be over.
But he didn't. The red dragon kept an eye on Connor, ignoring the girl under him. Tressa cursed. "Do something to distract him," she shouted to Jarrett, who had stuck his sword into the dragon's other foot. Nothing seemed to bother him enough to draw his attention.
"It's not working," Jarrett said, running to her side.
They watched as Connor's right claw slashed at her father, who sidestepped the attack. Neither had drawn first blood, or green goo, yet.
"They could do this for forever," Jarrett said. He looked up to the night sky, taking in the stars. He grabbed Tressa's arm, starting. "Did you see that?"
"See what?" She looked up at the heavens above. "Now isn't a good time for star watching, Jarrett." Then she gasped. For just a moment the stars blinked out of existence. Then they reappeared again as if nothing had happened. "What was that?"
"I don't know," Jarrett said. "I've never seen the stars simply wink out for a few breaths."
A keening rang through the sky. Low and ominous.
"Oh no," Jarrett said.
"What is it?" Tressa asked.
"Run!" Jarrett grabbed his sword, then grasped her hand with his free hand. Tugging, he urged her to follow.
She didn't hesitate. If Jarrett told her to jump off a cliff with him, she'd do it. Her trust in him had no bounds after everything they'd been though. The scream grew in intensity and pitch.
Jarrett stumbled, pulling Tressa down with him. They cowered on the ground, their hands over their ears. "What is that?" Tressa shouted.
Jarrett didn't answer. Not with words. He pointed upward, his finger trembling.
Tressa looked up and finally saw what had made the stars disappear.
Dragons. A horde of black dragons flying through the night sky, completely undetected by those on the ground. It was their natural camouflage. No one had seen them coming. Least of all Tressa's father who had changed back into a human. He took off in a run, heading for the old building. Against her better judgment, she hopped up and took off after him. Her legs ached. She'd traveled hard and far to get here. All in an effort to save a town full of people who'd just been killed.
All that remained were the children, and she wouldn't leave them behind. She would find them.
Her father disappeared into the doorway. Tressa took a deep breath and followed him in. Her heart pounded in her chest as the darkness overtook her vision. With her arms out in front of her, Tressa walked carefully, listening for any sound. A kicked pebble. The scrape of an arm against a rock wall. Anything that would alert her to her father's presence.
The silence overwhelmed her. Only the sound of her breathing tickled at her ears. Tressa stood still and closed her eyes. She'd traversed the darkness once before. She'd survived beasts, evil queens, and being dumped in the ocean to drift. She would survive this.
"My daughter." The voice, tinged with anger, echoing. "You can choose to join me. Your love lies dying outside. You have nothing left."
So he thought she was still in love with Bastian. Someone might have been watching her, prepared for her to come to this city, but they didn't know everything.
Tressa forced a wet sniffle. "I think he's already dead."
"As my Jayne lays dead at your hands. It was a stroke of genius, you know. Attacking her from behind. It wouldn't have worked on me, but Jayne never thought far enough ahead. She was more of a follower than a leader. Not like us. You and I are of the same blood. We come from a long line of leaders." He stopped, taking a loud, deep breath. "If you come with me, if you work with me, you will reap rewards beyond any you can imagine."
Tressa remained quiet. He was a tool, guided by a strong hand. But whose? Who wanted Connor and his honey so badly that they would kidnap an entire town of people?
"Your offer intrigues me," Tressa said, allowing her voice to shake. Let him think she was still nervous. "But who would we be working for? Who do you report to?"