The Lost Siren: Rise of the Drakens Book 1 Raven Storm (books for 8th graders .TXT) 📖

to happen? D’Arcy stood on the tap of the north wall, a sadistic grin on his face. Uncomfortable, I focused my attention on two drakens who had partnered up, working together leaving a path of opponents in their wake. Their blows wounded only, and I found myself entranced by how they danced back and forth, their movements smooth and quick as they dispatched opponents and sent them falling to the ground. They lunged and stabbed, slashed and parried, mowing down anyone who came near, but not killing them.

One had hair the color of fire, with orange scales that faded to a deep red on his lower body. His wings were the color of blood, as were the scales poking out from his ears, wrists, and shoulders. The other draken was shorter, covered in golden scales that were dotted here and there with deep reds, fading into a dark brown on his bottom half. I nearly cried out as a third draken snared the legs of the red-headed one, yanking hard and sending him crashing to the ground. The smaller draken turned on the new challenger, easily stabbing him in the shoulder as the red head quickly bounced to his feet. They resumed their dance with each other as though nothing had happened.

A loud shriek drew my attention, and I turned just in time to see four drakens band together to take down the largest one. They must have been related; their scales and wings all a matching myriad of forest greens and dark blues. Two leapt straight for the large draken, but he swatted them away as easily as a bug, wrapping his hands around their legs and slamming them three times into the ground. Something cracked and neither figure moved. Benedict shot a look to D’Arcy, who was looking across the field at another fighting pair. The two remaining drakens screamed in anger, charging with sword and spear. The draken with the sword managed to land a blow across the large draken’s chest before being punched so hard he flew across the pit. The last remaining member of the family hurled his spear with a yell, following with his own claws and teeth. He managed to get on the back of the large draken, biting down hard across the back of his adversary’s neck.

The large draken roared with pain, shaking himself like a dog as the blue green draken dug in, raking his claws as deep as he could into the back of the large draken’s neck. Finally, the large draken got his hands around the smaller draken’s wings and ripped. Gasps and yells from the crowd added to the chaos as the defeated draken was dropped to the ground, bleeding with one ring nearly ripped completely off from the bone. My hand went to Benedict’s to squeeze in pleading, but he was already half-way out of his seat.

D’Arcy shot a look our way and Benedict scowled, relaxing back down in his seat. A few of the remaining drakens fled the pit, not wanting to meet the same feat as the nearly wingless draken. With a start, I realized it was likely I would be trapped with this brutish creature, expected to give him my body. A despondent sob escaped my throat, and Benedict turned, teeth flashing with irritation and anger.

“Enjoying the Games?”

I cringed as the large draken audibly broke the arms of one of the few remaining opponents, the cracking sound of his bones echoing throughout the arena.

“W-who is that?”

Benedict gripped the armrests of his throne, his claws leaving gouge marks.

“Brogen is one of our strongest warriors, which is why the field of competition for this first test is so small; we all knew he was the likely winner. He is getting his chance with you early before he is eliminated by any other tests.”

I refused to hyperventilate. I would not let Benedict see my fear.

“What if he kills me?” I tried to make my tone unconcerned, nonchalant even. Benedict waved away my concerns.

“You are free to defend yourself, obviously.” His brief glare was proof he hadn’t forgiven me for stabbing him in the shoulder.

“Do you expect me to have...babies? Can humans have draken young?”

Benedict raised an incredulous eyebrow.

“What did Crullfed tell you about us?”

I ignored the small shiver up my spine that usually came when I heard Crullfed’s name.

“You kidnapped me. Anything worthwhile he probably told your crying blonde, assuming she hasn’t already been sold to someone else.”

Benedict shook his head, dismissive of her fate. That pissed me off more than anything.

“What do you think happens with human servants? Oh, that’s right, you abandoned the humans and hid in this mountain, so you wouldn’t know, would you?”

His claws cut divots into the stone of his throne. Good. Let him feel just a fraction of the anger I did, growing up in a house where I was beaten for breathing too loudly. He snarled at me, grabbing the back of my neck and pushing my face close into his.

“Don’t you know anything about drakens?”

I couldn’t help it; I laughed in his face. His lips twisted in anger, and an ugly look grew in his eyes.

“I wouldn’t be so cavalier; you’re the one Crullfed sold to me as a broodmare; you even volunteered for it. And your service starts tonight.”

My stomach dropped out from under me and I went rigid. He reveled in my fear, sniffing it like it was a fine perfume.

“Our females are dead. How stupid could you be to not see why you were brought here?”

“I-I don’t know,” I mumbled to no one, my body trembling. He glared at me, and I itched to grasp my knife. I wouldn’t though; not here, in front of his people.

We both turned to look at the arena as Brogen roared for all to hear. There were only three competitors left: Brogen, the red-headed draken, and his companion. The two friends shared a glance and pounced, rushing Brogen together. The red head went high, pumping his wings to attack