Indra was magnificent in the daylight. His dark scales shimmered with different shades of green and brown. If you didn’t know he was there, he blended into the earth and surroundings. She licked her lips. If she didn’t know it was Indra, she’d be wet-her-pants scared right now. “Now what?” As a dragon, he was a bit intimidating.
“Now this.” Mischief sparkled in his eyes. He leaped and grabbed her. Then set her in the IBC container. His talons hooked through the metal grating surrounding what was left of the white plastic tank. He soared up and Mara’s feet slid.
She quickly sank down to sit against the container wall. She used Indra’s pants to cushion her bottom. From the shape it was in, she would have to agree that plastic didn’t degrade. She doubted anyone was still producing them. Which meant this container was close to a couple hundred years old. Maybe. The date stamped into the plastic bottom was 2007. Ironically, a number five recycling symbol was also pressed into the bottom, yet it was still around. Her race had done their best to destroy their world without even trying. Hopefully, they would do better this time around.
She really wished she had a way of telling how much time had passed. Nine generations would indicate a minimum time of around one hundred eighty years. If you counted twenty years as a generation. Her brain hurt thinking about it.
Mara laughed to herself. It didn’t even matter in the scheme of things. It wasn’t like the waking up of a few hundred people from before the apocalypse would rebuild the world.
She felt it would be a huge culture shock for the majority of those they were waking. Then, once they met shifters, their world would be turned on edge. The dragons had no intention of going back into hiding. It didn’t seem like the wolves would either. She had to wonder where the population percentages stood.
The basket stopped moving and jarred her slightly as it hit the ground. She threw Indra’s pants out of the basket and stood.
Indra shifted and lifted her out and dressed. “Thanks. Let’s get the corn in the basket.”
They leaned over and started tossing the ears in the plastic container. It was tedious. Mara and Indra groaned and stretched out their backs.
Indra pulled her in for a hug and tugged her off the ground with a bit of a shake.
“Oh.” Her back cracked. Mara dropped her head forward onto Indra’s chest. “Thank you.”
“We should get back. Hopefully, they found your dad or your brother.” He squeezed her, then tilted her face toward him. “Or we could stay here for a while.” His lips descended on hers.
Her knees wobbled, and she leaned against him to keep from falling. “That sounds nice.”
“Just nice?” He chuckled against her lips. “I must not be doing it right.”
“Are you done yet?” Randy’s voice pulled a groan from Indra. “I came to help, but I see nothing I can help with.” He wrapped his arms around both of them.
Indra shrugged him off, baring his teeth.
Randy just laughed.
“We might as well go.” Mara climbed over the container wall and wiggled down among the corn.
Indra tossed his pants at Randy and shifted, stirring up the dirt and chaff in the area.
“Dammit, Indy.” Randy ran and leaped into the container just as Indra lifted it into the air. “Fly, Indy, fly!” He whooped and burrowed next to Mara.
She chuckled and shook her head.
“So, are you boning my cousin?” He wagged his eyebrows. “Tell me all.”
Indra growled above them and Randy snorted.
Mara dropped her head into her hands. This flight couldn’t land soon enough.
She lay there, staring at the sky, sucking in air.
If this convinced Indra she was his mate, sign her up again. She was willing to reassure him as many times as he wanted.
A tremor ran through her. A burning started in her womb then eased. Her bones ached. A dull throb. Another tremor hit. She panted, trying to draw in air. The burning spread to every point inside her.
At some point, she was aware of the dragons returning and a fire being built. She screamed. So much pain. Even being cradled in Indra’s arms hurt.
Indra walked into the river with her, peppering her face with kisses. “I had no idea. I’m sorry. I’m so sorry.”
What was he talking about? The burning started again. The cool river helped the pain. She burrowed in his arms. Her bones were breaking, each one, over and over again. She’d swear to it.
Indra held her so close they seemed as one flesh. The lapping of the water against her skin relaxed her.
“My brother Crag said you’ll be able to take some of the pain from her. Try to connect telepathically with her.” Hark didn’t make any sense.
Mara couldn’t hold back her tears. She curled up, arms tightly wrapped around her middle. Fire bloomed in her womb, her stomach, and through her lungs. This must be spontaneous combustion. “It hurts.”
“I’m sorry.” Indra’s tears dripped onto her face.
Why was he crying? “Not your fault.” She tried to open her eyes, but even they hurt.
“It’s the change.” Indra buried his face in her hair. “I’m sorry.”
She ignored him, the fire licking along her veins. She moaned, her body breaking. Every skin cell hurt. She clung to Indra, let him gather her up. She wanted to crawl inside his body and leave her broken one behind. She screamed inside, the torment intolerable.
I’ll help. Indra spoke into his mate’s mind. “I don’t think it’s working.”
Mara continued to writhe in agony. At some point, they’d returned to the river bank.
Mara wept as her bones broke and reformed. Scales formed on her skin, receding and forming with each tortured breath. This couldn’t be possible.
Mara’s brain started working again. Sluggishly.
I’m sorry. I love you. Forgive me. Indra’s voice repeated over and over in her head.
The pain lessened.
But now her stomach was growling. It was empty, ravenous to be filled. Mara roared, confused at all the sensations bombarding her.
Meat was shoved in front of her face and she gobbled it down. She ate and ate. Finally, all the pain receded. Her eyes closed, exhaustion weighing her down.
Go to sleep, my love. Indra’s hands ran along her body, soothing the pain away.
“I think I lost my mind,” Mara croaked out. “I’m hearing voices in my head.” She ignored the chuckles around her.
My voice only, I think. Indra caressed her hair, smoothing it away from her face.
She’ll hear all of us. The mating bound us all. That sounded like Zeru.
I do not wish to hear Earth, Air, and Fire. The little female is fine.
Who is that?
I am Bruno, little dragon. They are earth, air, and fire dragons. I do not need to remember their names.
Yup, she was definitely going crazy. “I’m going crazy.” Mara ignored their laughter. She was too damn tired. She realized Indra was lying next to her as a dragon. Probably to protect her. She wiggled over to his side and laid her head down. She was feeling better. She stretched out and scratched the grass with her claw—
She froze. Her claw?
Christopher shrugged and high-fived her and continued checking the facility systems. So, all was good on her familial front for the moment.
Then she’d escaped with Indra to learn to fly, but this flying was harder than she figured. Mara flailed after Indra dropped her into the sky. It freaked her out until she shifted into her dragon. Her wings wobbled and caught the air currents. Tears ran down her face from the wind. She blinked, trying to clear them away. It wasn’t like she had hands to wipe them. If she used her claws, she would probably blind herself. She blinked and realized her eyes stopped tearing up. She had double eyelids. She blinked and her vision changed. Wow, if she wasn’t mistaken, the first set of eyelids allowed her to see infrared. Awesome! She flickered her lids again, checking each phenomenon. Being a dragon was amazing.
Below her, one of the dragons flew. To each of her sides, she also had a flying guard.
Mara twisted her head, looking up, and began scrambling. She plunged down, flailing her wings to steady out.
Don’t panic. You’ve got this. Indra’s smooth tones comforted her.
If not, I’ll try to catch you. The teasing voice could only be Hark.
Ignoring Hark, Mara let Indra’s confidence seep into her mind. She could do this. She watched the dragons next to her.
The silver one spread his wings and glided through the sky.
Mara spread her wings instead of flapping them like a madwoman. She grinned. The air current buoyed and steadied her.
Good girl. Bruno’s deep tone of approval had her preening.
With the dragons surrounding her, it was like she had her own harem.
If you click your talons together, you will become invisible, Zeru said.
But don’t do it until you’re more comfortable flying. Indra’s concern was evident.
True, only another air dragon could see you. If you fall, the others can’t catch you, only I.
Hmm. Mara clicked her nails. She could still see herself. She did it again. Still there. Maybe it didn’t work.
Dammit, Mara. Don’t do that again. Indra’s momentary panic made her realize Zeru was right; she could turn invisible.
The chuckles from the other dragons had Indra scowling.
I just wanted to see if it worked. She couldn’t help the pleased tones in her voice.
Well, it did. Indra lowered above her, forcing her lower. Let’s try landing now. We’re at our destination.
They were approaching the cabin with the container units.
Indra stayed above her, and she matched his speed and descent.
The rest of the dragons were landing in the clearing.
Slow up. Indra did something to slow, but she couldn’t figure it out.
Mara tried to imitate what Bruno, Zeru, and Hark did. Unfortunately, it didn’t work out so well. Instead of smoothly slowing and basically walking onto the ground, she tumbled. Mara squawked, tripped over her claws, and slid, landing on her back. She ignored the snorts and laughter from the other dragons. Jerks.
