There's no time for fear, I repeated over and over in my head, trying to calm my nerves. Silently I hoped that this was what the Viden meant. The three of us froze when Blake, Tabitha, Brian, and Arianna arrived with Lucian and George. Blake carried a huge bag around his left shoulder. The ratio of the bag and his human figure was way out, it didn't look natural.
“Lucian?” I wanted to scold him.
“I had no choice, Elena.”
“So, are we going to do this or what?” Blake asked in a pissed off tone, without looking at me.
“Three more minutes, Blake, then we can be off. You guys should get ready,” Lucian said.
I closed my eyes, furious about our new companions. For the love of blueberries,I’d bargained on five people going on this mission, not nine.
The four dragons took off their clothes in preparation for their change. Tabitha and Sammy were in their underwear while the boys stripped down into their boxers. They handed their clothes to Arianna, who was chewing gum like a cow, climbed out the tower window, and disappeared. I had to admit, Arianna even knew how to look sexy on a mission. Her hair that used to hang loose in curls framing her face was tied up into a bun. She seemed nervous though. Lucian put a pair of flying goggles over my head and adjusted the straps so it would fit.
I took another deep breath, trying to calm my anger. “Arianna?” I pulled Lucian back so we could have a private conversation.
“She heard Blake and I talking and wanted a piece of the action.”
“It's not a game, Lucian.”
“I had no choice.”
“Who's going to transport her?” I asked. “The others are Chromatic and Sammy can't take all of us.” I jumped as I heard pieces of rock falling.
“Dammit, you guys should be careful,” Lucian whispered as loud as he could without risking being heard.
I tried to imagine what I would find outside, but for some reason, my mind was filled with so many other crazy things that no picture appeared. In an attempt to end the conversation, he started to repack some of the backpacks to lighten the load.
“She can ride with me and George,” Becky said to Lucian.
She still refused to speak to me as she slid her goggles over her eyes and gestured at Arianna to follow her outside.
“Are you ready?” Lucian peeked down at his watch.
I picked up one of the backpacks and walked to the window. Lucian jumped onto the ledge, and put on his pair of flying goggles. He reached for my hand, clasping it in a firm grip.
I squeezed in front of him and balanced precariously on the thin ledge.
I gasped, staring at the five dragons hanging on the tower's wall by their claws. They were huge even with their wings still folded in place. Lucian gave the sign to go, and I flinched as three of them took flight. George followed with Becky and Arianna on his back until everyone was airborne except Sammy, who still clung onto the wall.
My hands cramped as I struggled to hold on. Pieces of rock crumbled from under my feet as I took sideways steps. For the love of blueberries please don't fall. I silently prayed.
Lucian jumped on her back and held out his hand for mine. When I grabbed it, he swung me onto Sammy's back as she took flight.
I grabbed his waist and held on for dear life. I didn't dare open my eyes and waited for the siren to announce our escape. Nothing happened. Almost there. Just a few more seconds and then we're free.
Sammy climbed higher and higher as her wings drummed loudly in my ears with each flap. I felt queasy and didn't like the speed we flew. It was crazy fast, like being on a bad rollercoaster that never seems to end. My legs, tucked tightly around her torso to keep my balance, moved as her body expanded. I wanted to see her so badly in her dragon form, but I couldn't gather the courage to open my eyes. I just kept them closed and prayed that I would be able to face whatever lay ahead.
I still didn't appreciate all the dragons, and the fact that Ariannahad come along with us. Why did Lucian tell Blake about this? He made me so mad sometimes, and I didn’t want to be angry at him. The fact that he’d brought Brian was the cherry on top of this whole crappy sundae.
As we flew, curiosity dwelled in my mind. How had Lucian convinced Blake to come on this trip? A small part of me was glad the Rubicon was with us, but not enough to forgive Lucian yet. If we did get caught, which was likely to happen, the punishment wouldn’t be as severe because of Blake. They would see it as him living up to his expectations, and nobody would suspect it was in fact me behind this crazy adventure.
I felt my legs cramp as I clutched onto Sammy with all my strength. How far is this stupid place?
“Are you okay?” Lucian asked, concern filling his voice.
“Just a cramp,” I said, my eyes still closed tightly.