Total pages in book: 155
Estimated words: 142916 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 715(@200wpm)___ 572(@250wpm)___ 476(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 142916 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 715(@200wpm)___ 572(@250wpm)___ 476(@300wpm)
Benedek recognized the aggressive Brazilian wandering spider immediately. It was one of the most venomous spiders on the planet. With Emil taking that shape, and it appeared as if he’d done so on numerous occasions—he was too comfortable in the form—the venom had to be even more toxic than normal.
The spider lifted its four front legs and displayed the fangs already dripping with venom. The bristles on his legs stood up as he moved back and forth in front of Benedek, displaying signs of agitation and aggression.
Emil darted forward, rushing at Benedek, using his fangs as jabbing spears. Benedek had no choice but to use blurring speed to get away from those wicked fangs. He ran into more razor wire, a net of it, clearly Emil’s web. The wire sliced into his back and arms, across the back of his neck, thighs and buttocks. He bled from dozens of deep cuts.
The spider moved left and then right before charging again, scuttling so fast he was a mere blur. He spit venom and simultaneously shot razor wire at Benedek. Benedek stumbled backward and went down. Instantly, the spider reared over him, stabbing down at his heart with his fangs.
Benedek rolled to the side, into the razor wire, an unexpected move Emil wasn’t prepared for. Exhausted, losing too much blood, he shoved backward with his heels, trying to gain enough purchase to get to his feet. He didn’t want vengeance or even the rush of the battle. He was surrounded by nature, and a natural calm came over him. Lying as he was on the ground, he felt the rip in the soil, as if the first few layers had been peeled away.
A fierce wind blew through the trees, so strong it created turbulence, sending leaves and dead branches rising in a cyclone from the forest floor. It drove away the fog and the illusion of the rainforest. The wind rushed between Benedek and the spider, pushing the bloated Brazilian wandering spider away from the Carpathian hunter. Emil staggered back under the force of the wind carrying a hot, feral scent, one with a hint of fire.
The dragon emerged from the darkness, looking for all the world like a tree with mushrooms, small trees and other life-forms growing over his body. For all that, he was graceful and fast. He was a big dragon, and old, but he maneuvered every tight spot easily, his eyes fixed on his prey. The great jaws parted and a steady barrage of purest dragon fire streamed from his mouth. He hit true, engulfing the giant spider with the white-hot fire.
Emil screamed and writhed, taking back his form, his hands going up to build a shield. The ancient dragon was too fast. Too calm. Too much a part of nature. He didn’t kill the vampire for revenge. Forests broke down organic matter. This was the cycle of life. There was no hatred. Only that same calm Benedek had found.
Szelem simply destroyed evil systematically. He targeted the withered heart, concentrating the stream of fire so there would be no coming back. He incinerated the vampire, keeping the fire steady until there was nothing left but a very fine ash.
Szelem set down on the soil and made his way to Benedek. “I have given you blood many times before, ainaakfél. I give it to you now. You must go to ground. I will be above you to watch over you.”
“Thank you for coming to my aid. He would have killed me.”
The ancient dragon studied the worn face. “I don’t believe that is true. Perhaps both of you would have died in the end, but you would have taken him with you.”
Benedek was too tired to wonder if it was true. He called to his friends, let the dragon attend his wounds and reached for the one person he worried most about.
Silke?
To his relief, she answered immediately. It is done.
Here as well.
Sunset then, she said.
He wished she would be lying beside him in the rejuvenating soil, but he’d take what he could get. Sunset.
Chapter
19
Red, pink and orange streaked across the evening sky. Beautiful clear colors that resonated right through Benedek as he rose. He thought of his woman as sunshine. Joy. A miracle. He thought of her as those very colors of beauty that he finally could observe thanks to Silke.
Benedek studied the ancient dragon. True to his word, Szelem had lain above his resting place, protecting him. If anyone came upon the downed tree, it would never occur to them they were looking at a live dragon. The long body resembled a tree trunk with moss-covered bark. Varieties of mushrooms grew in abundance, some poisonous, some edible. Several saplings and ferns sprouted from the crevices.
“Thank you again for coming to my aid,” Benedek said. “I would not have survived without your help, and Emil would have escaped into the world.”