Free Reckoning (Book 5) by Megg Jensen Page A

Tressa met in Desolation, nodded. "The tunnel widens every day. Decarian should soon be free, along with the other beasts in your employ."
    Donovan cocked his head, taking in the skeleton. Her jaws clanked together as she spoke. Her words were like mists caressing his ear. Without a tongue, she could not speak as he did. And yet, they were able to communicate. Even centuries later, Donovan marveled at the magic he could access.
    "Very well. When the tunnel is wide enough, send me the signal. I will be awaiting it." Donovan waved her away.
    The bones of her feet dug into the dirt of the cave as she sped back to the fray. Grabbing a sword, Hildie met another skeleton in battle. Yes, she truly was a great warrior, just as she'd been in Desolation. There, she had flesh as well as bone. A heart as well as a head. She lived a dream, convinced she and her people were alive. It wasn't until they passed from Desolation to the Dragonlands that her true form took over.
    Donovan thought of the screeches of anger and terror that enveloped those who'd believed they were human when they crossed over to the Dragonlands. Their fear filled his soul with happiness. He bent them to his will, and they complied. What other choice did they have?
    Without him, they were dead—just like the people of the Dragonlands would soon be.

     

Chapter Fourteen
     
    Bastian sat on a log, his head in his hands. He wanted his children to be safe. He wanted to be with them here, in the Dragonlands. He wanted to ignore these portents that had everyone else upset. At the same time, he wanted to fight, no matter what was out there threatening them.
    To simply say a prophecy was coming true and they all had to flee seemed not just cowardly, but also foolhardy. Why run away from a faceless, shapeless enemy? Why leave their homes and their livelihoods when no one was really sure what, if anything, waited for them?
    "Bastian?"
    He sat still. He didn’t want to speak to Pia.
    She laid a hand on his shoulder. "I think I understand your conflict."
    "Sit." Bastian motioned to the log.
    She sat without hesitation. "I didn't want to leave my home when I went with Connor to Hutton's Bridge. Sometimes we have to do what's best, even if it's not what we want." Pia sighed, her cherry-red lips in a pout. "You should come with us. Everyone is preparing to leave. If you stay, you may not see your children again."
    "You think I don't know that?" Bastian asked. "There is no guarantee any of you will make it across the sea alive."
    "There is no guarantee we will live if we stay." Pia straightened her blouse and squared her shoulders. "Farah is your daughter and yours to command. Adam is my son, though, and I will not let him remain in this place. Not with that." Pia pointed one fingernail to the sky. Though it was daytime, the blood moon still hung ominously over them. "If you want to remain with your son, you will come with us across the sea."
    Bastian didn't answer. He'd known all along that Pia would take Adam whether he agreed or not. Before the baby was born, Pia showed no interest in the life growing inside her. She'd once said she was headed back to Ashoom as soon as a wet nurse could be found. When Adam was born, she changed her tune. The woman was inseparable from their child.
    "Where is Adam now?" Bastian asked.
    "He is asleep. I asked Lilly to watch over him while I went for a walk. I need to regain my strength for what lies ahead. I will not be a helpless mother. If I am to protect my son, I need to be in good physical condition. I've taken up walking, since my prior form of exercise is now out of the question." Pia raised an eyebrow as she appraised Bastian. "Unless you want to reconsider our relationship."
    "No," Bastian said. "I don't." He wasn't even tempted by her anymore. Yes, Pia was a beautiful woman. Other men desired her, and he had certainly seen many of them look her way since arriving at the Outpost. Bastian had no interest in claiming her. Not for the rest