Retribution

I breathed in the smoke, and I basked in the light of the fire. A strong wind rose and blew my hair over my face. I turned to watch the dragon land heavily on the crumbled earth, his eyes glowing as they focused on me. I gave him a smile as I let one hand finger the pendant hanging from my neck.

"I don't need this anymore," I told the dragon, lifting my chin in triumph.

I tugged at the pendant until the chain snapped, and I tossed it into the fire. The silver metal flickered before disappearing into the skeleton of a burning house. I could feel the dragon's hot breath on the back of my neck as we both watched my village crumble into ashes.

No more women would be sacrificed.