Light Chasers (The World of Lasniniar Book 0)

  — Chapter Six —

  The End of the World

  Something was happening. Lystari had felt it for days. She finally decided to leave the comfort of her lair to investigate.

  None of the other dragons seemed to sense it, but then again, she wasn’t like the others. They had always served the darkness since they had come into being. She had been born a creature of light. No matter how long she lived among them at Hamadi Glaurinu, she would always be different.

  Lystari had decided long ago it didn’t matter. She was the mate of Nargaz. No other could claim such a prize. It was he who had seduced her into following the dark ways and leaving her own kind in the mountains to the north.

  It had been worth it. Not only was Nargaz the most powerful dragon in Ralvaniar, he was also a fine mate. She lost her train of thought for a moment as she thought of his burning, red eyes and his sleek, black scales. She knew it drove the other female dragons mad with envy that Nargaz had chosen her. She shivered with delight.

  And why shouldn’t he choose her? Her long, lithe body was the envy of any female dragon. Her crimson scales and charcoal eyes were a rarity. Combine those traits with her agility and intelligence… She was irresistible.

  Her thoughts were soon interrupted by the strange itching sensation she had struggled with for days. She had tried her best to ignore it once she realized she was the only one who felt it, but it persisted. Now, her curiosity had finally gotten the best of her, as it usually did. She had to investigate. Nargaz was off on another mission. He would never know she was gone.

  The sensation was pulling her north, away from the dark lands that had become her home. She had not bothered to tell anyone she was leaving or where she was going. It wouldn’t do to have a wing of jealous dragons vying for a share of her discovery. No, whatever it was that drew her, she wanted it to herself. Perhaps she would share it with Nargaz. That would probably be wise. If he discovered she was keeping a secret from him… Well, she did not think it would end well for her. Nargaz did have quite a temper, even for a dragon.

  She banked northeast over the Dira Nelar. She could smell the foul swamp air even from her high altitude. The dark peaks of the Hamad Orom faded into the distance behind her. With the empty skies surrounding her and no one to be seen in the lands below, it was as if she were the only living creature in the world. She felt a sense of release.

  Dragons were solitary creatures by nature. Although she was a queen among her dark brethren, she often found the communal lair of Hamadi Glaurinu stifling. Before she had met Nargaz, she had an entire peak to herself. Perhaps she could persuade him to force most of the others to create new lairs in the Hamad Orom…

  The pull was getting stronger. She had been flying for a few hours now. Lystari forced herself to pay attention. She was coming up on the rolling hills of Vila Eadros. The flowing waters of the Riliara glistened below like a ribbon of darkness. Its tributary, the Rilloda, sprawled to the east. She was getting close.

  The sensation was coming from below. Without a second thought for the possible cause, she tucked her wings against her sides and plummeted from the sky, the wind rushing against her. At the last moment, she unfurled her wings to slow her descent, beating them several times before her feet touched the ground.

  Once the dust had settled, Lystari strained her senses for any signs of life. There were none. Her entire body tingled in proximity to the mysterious pulling sensation. It was very close. She flashed her pointed teeth in a wicked grin. Whatever it was that had summoned her, it would soon be hers.