Chapter Twenty Five

Ch. 25 - Ver 1.5

Chapter Twenty Five

The first thing I noticed was the weight on my chest… and then the warmth. Which was odd, considering I was lying on what felt like cold, hard stone. Something solid and radiating heat was pressed lightly on my chest, comforting like a warm hug - rising and falling with every breath I took. I tried to open my eyes, wincing and snapping them shut almost immediately as a lance of pain stabbed straight through to the back of my head. The movement triggered a wave of nausea, and I suddenly tasted copper as my head throbbed in time with my pulse.
Memory flickered: the archive, masked figures, combat magic crackling through the air. Ember. Dragons. The searing pain that had dropped me to my knees.

Groggily, I reached up, running my hand up and over the weight resting on my sternum. Scales. Smooth and warm, shifted slightly under my touch before the weight disappeared. I smiled as hot breath gusted across my face, smelling faintly of smoke and something metallic.
Several voices overlapped, a cacophony of urgent whispers from what sounded like at least three people. Curious, I tried to sit up.

"Miss?" A voice, tight with barely controlled anxiety, barely carried over the dragon’s rumbling growl. "Miss Chen, can you hear me? I need you to remain calm… and very, very still—"

A low warning growl erupted from somewhere above me interrupting the speaker and sending shivers down my spine. That was definitely not sweet little Ember! I cracked my eyes open again, biting my tongue in anticipation of the pain I was sure would follow. I wasn’t disappointed. Light seared my vision like white-hot knives, forcing me to squint as tears welled up, blurring everything into a watery smear. The world swam in a haze of indistinct shapes and muted colours, shifting as if caught in the tide.

My stomach churned, and I breathed deeply fighting the urge to throw up. A shadow passed over me—massive but indistinct, its sheer size radiating an oppressive weight. Before I could process what I was seeing, a warm, damp pressure pressed against my chest, pinning me to the floor. A low, resonant voice reverberated in my skull, cutting through the haze like a blade. “Lay still, little one. You’re injured… and these beings are trying my patience.”

I heard a scuffle of movement nearby, accompanied by a strangled yelp.

"Back up!" someone hissed, their voice taut with fear. "Let’s just try not to provoke them, all—"

"Where is she?" another interrupted, whispering urgently. "We need her to control—"

"She's trying to get through the wards," the first voice snapped. "They're not letting anyone past, not even her. These things just burst through somehow and—"

"Miss Chen?" The first addressed me again, raspy as if on the verge of hyperventilating. "Can you... can you tell me if you're having trouble breathing? We can’t get any closer right now, but more help’s on the way…"

"'M fine, I think…" I managed, finally forcing my eyes open. And fuck me, no wonder the medical team sounded terrified – whoever this was hovering over me was fucking huge! A deep, rumbly purr reverberated through my chest as its head turned towards me, leaving me staring into a single lambent eye the size of a dinner plate, glowing with ancient intelligence.

"Such colourful language from one so small," rumbled the massive creature, its voice like distant thunder rolling through my mind. The dragon's scaled lips pulled back in what I could only interpret as amusement, revealing teeth longer than my forearm. "I find your... directness refreshing."

I blinked, trying to clear my vision as the enormous head pulled back slightly. Its scales shimmered an iridescent blue-black that seemed to drink in the light, leaving the details of its face obscured in shadow. I couldn’t help but stare in awe at the sheer size and power radiating from this magnificent being.

"Who...?" I managed, my voice embarrassingly weak.

The dragon inclined its massive head in what might have been a bow. "I am Noctis, of House Aisling…”

I tried to push myself up onto my elbows, ignoring the muffled protests of the medical staff still hovering at a safe distance. "Gerrof me," I muttered, wincing as my head throbbed. "I need to..."

A waft of smoke curled past my face as Noctis easily pressed me back to the floor, all while making a hacking, wheezing sound not unlike a cat choking on a massive hairball. It didn’t take long for me to realise I wasn’t going anywhere, not until he decided to let me go.

"You're laughing? Really?" I seethed, “I don’t have time for this… we were just attacked, and,” my voice hitched as the image of his blood soaked body rattled through my head, “Raaf?"

"Yes,” he interrupted, tone soft, “the situation was grim, if we hadn't arrived when we did…” His voice trailed off, leaving the implication hanging in the air. “I’m sorry, I know he was your friend."

It took a moment for his meaning to fully register through the fog of pain. "Raaf.” I rasped, in an unwelcome moment of perfect clarity, grief clawing at my throat while tears streaked across my face.

“He sacrificed himself for you,” Noctis continued, his massive head dipping in a solemn nod, “He was a worthy guardian. The other dog and the human were gravely injured, but both will survive…”

“What did you say?” I spat, my voice suddenly loud in the hallway.

“I didn’t say anything M’lady,” the voice from earlier called out cautiously, “but help will be here soon.”

“I wasn’t talking to you,” I snapped, “I’m talking to him!”.

I rolled my eyes as I realised just how strange that would sound to the medics, but I couldn’t bring myself to explain. Perhaps they’d put it down to a head wound. Instead I bit my tongue and concentrated hard on Noctis.

He blinked slowly, one massive eye regarding me with what almost seemed like surprise. "Yes… they are looking at you quite strangely… but you’re right, little one. I did not mean to show disrespect. I was simply stating the facts as I perceive them."

He paused, letting out a rumbling sigh. "Your companions have indeed proven their worth. I will endeavour to treat them with more consideration going forward."

I squeezed my eyes shut, willing the tears to stop, to push the anger aside. Raaf was gone. My friend, my protector, was gone. And, just like Lily, I had been powerless to stop it. The unfairness of it all burned like acid in my chest.

But even through the haze of pain and emotion, the logical part of my mind was trying to reassert itself. Noctis had said "others" had come to our aid – the memory of Ember flying into the fray bracketed by two dragons I’d thought were huge, until I’d set sight on Noctis. What had she been thinking?!

"Ember… and the others… are they-"

As if summoned by her name, Ember chirped excitedly and nuzzled against my hand. I felt a gentle nudge against my mind, a wordless communication from the young dragon. Her emotions were a swirling mix of relief, concern, and a fierce protectiveness.

Noctis's gaze shifted, meeting Ember's, and something must have passed between them. I watched as the massive dragon's eyes narrowed slightly, his massive head eventually dipping in a slow nod.

With a rumbling sigh, Noctis's paw lifted from my chest, allowing Ember to burrow under my shoulders, helping me to slowly sit up.
My head spun and I felt sick as I looked around, but I was relieved to see a few tentative smiles from the medics crowded around an enormous smoking hole that led into what was left of the archives. My eyes popped wide at the destruction – we’d survived that… most of us, I corrected myself, had survived that… although I couldn’t see how.

Either side of me the corridor was packed with dragons, large and small. Some I recognised from the library, but the largest were entirely new to me. It was no wonder the medics had been terrified, I’d counted at least twenty dragons between us, and all of them had their hackles raised.

Someone had gone to extreme lengths to stop our investigation – someone who had access to the most secure areas of the Court. We’d had our suspicions, but confirmation that we must have been betrayed hit me with more force than any blow I'd taken in the archive, and left me reeling, my mind racing with questions.

Who, I wondered, could have orchestrated this attack? And more importantly, why now? The questions swirled in my mind, leaving me feeling exposed and vulnerable in a place I had once considered home, but now saw as anything but. I glanced around warily, no longer certain who I could rely on to have my back. If there was a traitor here, how could I be sure of anything - or anyone - anymore?

***

Crap! That stung! Ember’s gentle nip finally snapped me back to reality. I looked up to see Lady Celeste standing before me, her eyes filled with concern and compassion. I knew that she wouldn’t have had any difficulty slipping past the dragons, but a quick glance around had me sucking in a breath when the Seneschal stepped around her, face like thunder.

Christ, just how long had I been sitting there lost in my own thoughts?

Thankfully, the corridor was now practically empty, only a couple of medics who were hovering anxiously, and a mage working to patch the hole that led into the archives would witness whatever it was he was about to say.

"You," he spat, his voice low and venomous, "just can’t help yourself can you. You’re a catastrophe waiting to happen... bringing you back was obviously a mistake. This is all your fault. If you hadn't been poking your nose into places that are none of your concern, this wouldn't have happened."

I felt a surge of anger at his tone, my mind reeling in indignation. What was he talking about? I'm the one who got attacked here, I thought, my thoughts racing with incredulity. If it wasn't for the dragons, I'd probably be dead right now. I didn't start this, I didn't ask for it. The injustice of his accusation burned within me, and I felt my face heat up with anger.

“Just what the hell were you thinking?” He demanded, continuing before I could get a word in edgeways, “Why would you even? No, you've gone too far this time, I can't protect you, it's only a matter of time until you get someone else killed!”

Noctis had, apparently, had enough. His eyes flashed with annoyance. He shifted his massive body, his scales rustling softly, and the air around him seemed to vibrate with a low, warning hum. The Seneschal, sensing the dragon's displeasure, took a step back, his eyes darting nervously to Noctis before returning to me.

His face twisted in a snarl, and he spun on his heel, storming away down the corridor. I watched him go, red-hot anger pulsing in time with his staccato footsteps.

Lady Celeste's hand on my shoulder drew my attention back to her. I took a deep breath, trying to reign in my anger, but bile rose in the back of my throat as I struggled to process the Seneschal’s outburst. Lady Celeste's expression remained serene, as if nothing unusual had just happened – making me wonder what it would take to ruffle this lady’s feathers.

"Raven, I'm so sorry about what just happened. I know that wasn't easy to hear…"

As she spoke, I felt a gentle touch in my mind, a soft whisper, an echo of her real voice. "I know what really happened, Raven," she said, calm and reassuring. "I've spoken to the dragons, and Marchant and MacTire but, for now, let's just play along with the official story, shall we? We can talk when we have a little more privacy…" Her eyes flicked towards the end of the corridor the Seneschal had just disappeared down.

I followed her eyes to see a pair of liveried security guards emerging from the shadows, eyes locked on me and nodded slightly, understanding the unspoken message. Her expression didn't change, but I knew that she, at least, was aware of the truth, and that she was working to uncover the real story.

"The bodies that are being recovered from the archive," she said, her voice soft and measured, "appear to be human. I know that's not what you expected, but… Yes, yes, I know,” she continued before I could blurt anything out, “You think you saw something else, something more complex. But I assure you, Raven, the evidence we have so far suggests that your victims are all entirely mundane."

Not what I expected? I felt a surge of frustration, knowing that Lady Celeste wasn't publicly acknowledging the truth, but I also understood the need to keep up the charade but, wait, what? MY victims? I bit my tongue, hard, at the look she gave me and prayed she knew what the hell she was doing.

Stunned, I didn’t notice the guards’ arrival until Noctis shifted his massive body to put himself between them and me. His scales rustled softly, and the air around him seemed to vibrate with tension. The guards hesitated, their hands resting on their weapons, as they took in the sight of the enormous dragon. I couldn't help but feel a sense of relief that Noctis was still by my side, his presence another comforting reminder that I wasn't alone.

"We have orders to take her into custody," one of the guards said, his voice firm but cautious. My indignation surged anew at this proclamation. Custody? What were they talking about?

Celeste’s fingers tightened on my shoulder, focusing my attention back on her even as a low, warning rumble began to building in Noctis’s chest. I knew he meant business, I could feel the vibrations of his growl through the floor. The guards exchanged a nervous glance, their hands tightening as fur started to sprout. I hoped they knew what they were getting themselves into, because Noctis didn't look like he was in the mood for messing about.

Lady Celeste's expression remained calm, but her eyes flashed with a hint of steel. "I'm not going to let that happen, not in her condition. She needs medical attention, not detention."

The security team looked at each other uncertainly, clearly torn between following the Seneschal's orders and obeying Lady Celeste's instructions. One of them, a burly man with a thick beard, stepped forward, his features distorted by his partial shift.
The guard's partially transformed state lent an animalistic quality to his speech, the elongating teeth and muzzle clearly making it difficult for him to form the words clearly. "Ma'am, we have our orders. We're ssupposed to take her into cussstody."

The guttural, growling undertone to his voice conveyed the internal struggle he was experiencing - the pull of his orders versus the instinctive desire to defer to, or challenge, the powerful dragon and the authoritative woman before him.
Lady Celeste's tone never wavered. "I'm afraid that's not possible. Raven is injured and needs medical attention. Detaining her in her current state would be... unwise. Take her to medical, now."

The security team hesitated, looking at each other for guidance. After a moment, they nodded and waved the medics forward.
Observing silently, Celeste stayed with me as they strapped me to a stretcher and wheeled me back towards the lifts and, hopefully, a comfortable bed with all the good drugs.