AERYN'S POV

The sun had set behind the mountains by the time we'd exited the walls and found ourselves in bleak Mavis. Despite the lack of sun, the temperature was much warmer away from the mountain. I undid the top of my cloak and let it drape around my upper arms, cautious to keep the egg from falling out as I slid off Serene's neck to stand beside Zoran.

"Your powers will be weaker out here without the combination of the dragons' and fallen Draconians' essences to fuel yours," Morgana said, scanning the landscape as we formed a semicircle around her. "We've left the safety of all the essences drifting around our empire to protect us. Thus, you must figure out how to work with your Champion and use your freshly combined powers to get you through phase two. The compatibility of your bonded pair will be determined by assessing how well you take care of your egg while gathering eggs from the other Forces."

Asteria's Champion, Kiko Dupree, raised her slender arm and wondered, "Should we stick together as a Force, or branch off into our pairs?"

Morgana responded, "That is up for each of you to decide. Keep in mind, this is the Test of Talons which means your bond is the most important factor."

"Sounds like we should stick with our Champion before the group," Kiko realized, hooking her arm through Asteria's. The taller Draconian's pale cheeks turned a deep crimson and she turned away, running a hand through her short hair.

Morgana dismissed us as she flew to an abandoned barn nearby and perched on the roof.

I felt a nudge and turned to find Calandra standing next to me. Lifting her hand wrapped in bandages, she showed me the topaz knife she held as she said, "I'm still recovering from this wound you gave me during that last challenge, but I'm glad to see you made it in the Ice Force, Aeryn. Your aim is lethal."

"Thanks, Calandra," I appreciated. "And sorry about that. Are you able to use your ice wielding power?"

She shook her head. "Not until it fully heals, but I'm bonded with Denali so I can use his power as well as my frost breathing dragon to make up for it in the meantime," she explained, showing me the Insignia of a dagger striking through a bow in place of an arrow on her other palm.

Calandra shoved back her curly hair and snapped her fingers as a silver hue glowed around her hand. A substantial hatchet with a wicked curve materialized in her hand and she gripped the hilt, flinging the large weapon over her shoulder.

"I can replicate any weapon at will as long as I've seen it before," she said. "All I have to do is picture it and snap my fingers, and it comes into existence."

"How about this little weapon?" Zoran asked, placing his forearm on the top of my head as he leaned into me. "Can you make a copy of the princess?"

Calandra blanched, stuttering, "N-No. I can't clone a Draconian."

I whacked Zoran's arm off me and moved out of his embrace as he joked, "On second thought, one princess is already a lot to handle."

He dared to wink at that, and it took all I had not to throw one of my stars at him. It irritated me how well he knew how to get under my skin.

"Well, I'm going to go make a plan with Denali," Calandra said, heading towards her Champion. "Good luck to both of you."

"Wishing you and Denali luck, as well," Zoran said, placing his hand on the small of my back as he directed me away from the crowd.

Once we were a safe distance from the closest Draconian, he ducked his head and whispered, "We should focus more on protecting our egg than gathering more. I think we should stay behind and take a defensive stance. The emperor said even one crack in the egg is unacceptable, but he never said anything about the importance of stealing eggs."

You know you don't have to talk out loud if you want to be secretive, right?

"Are you even listening?"

I rubbed my arms at his cold tone, pulling the cloak back around my shoulders as an eerie breeze toyed with my hair.

"Yes. But the Commander said the Force that collects the most eggs will win," I recalled.

"That's to figure out those of us in this for the wrong reasons. The ones too focused on winning instead of working together with their partner to protect their egg won't be found compatible. They'll just risk their egg to bring back more."

"Shouldn't we be working for the betterment of the group at the same time as guarding our dragon egg?"

"Yes, which is the reason why we'll hang back and defend Mavis with those who also deem their egg to be more significant than their egos."

"But that sounds – "

Zoran's lips thinned and his voice cooled several degrees as goosebumps broke out across my arms from the sudden chill that closed in around us. "If we can't even agree on a simple plan, our prospect isn't looking too hot."

"Then quit being so cold," I snapped. "We're staying in Mavis, but you're going to take all responsibility when your idea backfires."

"That pessimism is the only factor working against us."

"No, Masters," I said, striding deeper into the uninhabited town. "It's your unbearably frustrating regard - or disregard - for me that'll be the most adverse obstacle. I can't tell if you like me, or just like tormenting me with your alternating hot and cold attitude."

"It's easier that way," he said under his breath.

Then a bit louder, he strolled after me and clarified, "Eowyn and Odin are arguably the most harmonious pair among us, and while their feelings for each other solidify their bond, those are the very feelings that will drive them to make risky decisions to save each other."

Whirling around, I demanded, "So, what're you saying?"

"We cannot afford to have those feelings. I'm your Champion and that is all."

The cold fled as hot anger rose inside of me, and I fisted my hands, fingernails digging into the gloves covering my palms. "Are you seriously telling me not to catch any feelings for you?"

"Love makes Champions reckless. We're supposed to be willing to die for each other, but Eowyn and Odin will be much hastier with that concept."

"Well, I can assure you that you have nothing to worry about. You're not my type anyway." I wanted to cringe at the second part, but it was too late to take back the remark.

"I know, strawberry blonde demon shifters seem to make you flustered."

"I don't think jealousy is any less detrimental to our bond than affection."

Can we all get along now? Serene interrupted, coming to stand in my path. She sat back, wrapping her tail around her haunches as the tip tapped the ground and she blew steam at me and Zoran.

Embarrassed, I bowed my head and eyed Zoran as I apologized, "Sorry. We need to focus."

Zoran's eyes widened in fright and he reached for me as white-hot pain seared my shoulders through the bulky cloak. My feet left the ground as my body was lifted into the air and my heart leapt into my throat. Cursed demons burst from the crumbling buildings and swarmed Zoran and Serene with perturbing cries.

"We meet again, Princess," a guttural voice rasped as I was brought higher above Mavis. "I knew we would."

Black spots danced across my vision as I fought to stay conscious. The agony was excruciating, but it didn't distract me from the familiarity of the voice.

I scrambled to get a throwing star into my hand as Zoran yelled something in my head. I was far too busy focusing on not getting abducted to listen to him.

"Put me down, you savage piece of shi – "

"Close, but not quite. The name's Edge," the demon shifter interjected, cutting me off as I stretched my neck to look up at him. His violet eyes reflected in the moonlight and the red ring around his iris bled into the purple as he stared down at me. "Although, I have been called something similar by...I think her name is Penny."

Penn.

Knives of ice whizzed by us and Edge swerved to avoid the assault, increasing his speed as his talons dug deeper into my skin. The rush of wind pushed his hood back, displaying his close-cropped hair of pure white. The tips were black like the veins on the only visible part of his face around his eyes. The creepy bone mask added to his haunting aura as he licked his lips, fangs dripping with poison.

The image brought me back to the night I'd met him in this very town with Racquel. I'd been naïve to let him go. If I'd just killed him, he wouldn't have taken Penn and he wouldn't have me in his hold.

"Don't worry, Powerful One, your sovereignty will not be conquered just yet, but stay alert for when it reigns, my Princess, it pours."

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