Black Ruins Blood

By Karen DuBose

I thought coming to the Black Ruins Forest would give me the answers to the questions I so desperately needed. Instead I have more questions and no answers. Now here I am trying to figure out how to destroy the oldest and strongest dragons who are the Elders to become the next ruler of Zilo. No problem, right? Yeah, not as easy as it sounds.&nbs

• Language: English
• Publisher: Kingston Publishing Company
• Release date: Aug 12, 2018
• ISBN: 9781949050929

Book preview

Prologue

The blackness is peaceful compared to the pain I was in. Floating around in waves of this peaceful abyss, there’s no one around to bother me or tell me what needs to be done. No one is trying to kill me or use me. I might not ever want to leave this place. I could live here forever. I just wish Kiernan were here. It would be that much more perfect.

Love, it’s time to wake up.

I don’t want to wake up. This is the first time I’ve been peaceful in a long time. Why can’t he be here instead?

I don’t think she’s ready to come back to us, Kira says.

She’s at peace right now. I’m sure she doesn’t want to let it go, but if she doesn’t wake up soon, she’ll be stuck there forever, Oceana says.

Now that sounds like a plan. No more problems, no more responsibilities.

Love, please come back to me. I can’t live without you. I need to see those beautiful eyes and that gorgeous smile.

Well, when he puts it that way. There’s no way I can live without him either.

Has she woken up yet? Mom says.

No, it’s starting to worry me, Kiernan says.

Ugh! I guess I better let them know I’m somewhat awake. Goodbye, peacefulness, and hello, reality!

You guys talk too much, you know that? Haven’t you ever heard of being quiet when someone’s asleep? I say as I try to clear the haziness around my mind. My throat and mouth are so dry they feel like sandpaper.

Thank the Source you’re awake. Love, how are you feeling? Kiernan asks.

Disappointed. I was peaceful, and now I have to deal with reality. I could really use some water please.

He laughs, holding me tighter in his arms while kissing my forehead. Oh, how I have missed him. I take a deep breath to get reacquainted with his scent again. Every nerve ending in my body comes back to life.

I know it sucks. We’ll have our peace again soon.

Are you sure? Even when the Elders are dead, there’s still the responsibilities of being a ruler, more enemies we will have to deal with.

I’ll make sure you’ll have peace as often as you like. I promise.

Source, I love this man. How did I get so lucky?

I love you.

I love you too. Now let’s get you up and, as you say, back to reality, Kiernan says.

He looks down at me, giving me that beautiful smile I only get to see. Before I get lost in all of him—which is way too easy—I ask, Where’s everyone?

I’m here! says Kira. You better get your butt up before I come over there and beat you. We have things to do. I’m tired of being in this cave. There’s nothing fun about being here when your best friend isn’t here with you. If you ever pull this crap again, I promise you, you won’t like what I do to you.

Well, hello to you too. I see where the love is. I take it you’ve been bored?

Chick, you have no idea what this cave’s doing to me. I do love you. Now get your butt up so we can leave this place. It really isn’t a place I want to stay for long.

What it’s doing to her? Doesn’t she know we’re all going crazy in here? Dragons don’t like being confined for too long. Oh! My dragon, I want to see my dragon. I jump up so fast that I knock Kiernan backward.

What’s wrong, love? Kiernan says, looking at me worriedly.

I want to see my dragon. I want to connect with her, I say excitedly.

He gives me that knowing smile. He shakes his head while he gets up and takes my hand into his, giving it a soft kiss before he speaks.

You have no idea how beautiful your dragon is. I can’t wait for you to meet her.

Can I do it now, or do I have to wait for everyone else to get here?

I’m pretty much jumping up and down with excitement. I can’t believe I’m a dragon shifter. I mean, yeah, I’ve seen it, but to actually be one is a totally different feeling.

Call the others in here. They’ve been going crazy not knowing why you didn’t wake up. Oceana has been awake for two days already, Kiernan says.

That gets me to stop jumping. I’m in disbelief. Two days? How long have I been out?

You’ve been out for five days. That’s why we’ve been so worried.

Five days? How’s that even possible? Is that including the three days I was going through the soul merge?

No, your body and soul needed time to heal. They needed to become one again. Don’t ever make me watch you do that again. I’ve never felt so helpless before, Kiernan says.

How did she wake up way before me? Trust me, I promise I won’t be splitting my soul with another person again. I never want to go through that again. Let’s just say it totally sucked ass, I say.

Because I wasn’t forced to shift for the first time, Oceana says, walking into the room.

I spin around to face her. She leans against the wall, staring at me with a weird look on her face. The more I look at her, the more it looks like the wall’s the only thing holding her up. If I look half as bad as she does, it’s no wonder I didn’t want to wake up. I can see a dullness in her eyes. Realizing she’s staring back at me, I look down and feel ashamed for staring at her.

Thank you for helping me. Thank you really isn’t strong enough of a word to tell you how much this means to me, I say.

You’re welcome. I already knew I would be helping you. It’s an honor to help train you.

Is there something wrong with me? You keep staring at me like you’re trying to figure something out.

I’m looking at your aura. It’s something to look at. You’re so bright with so many different colors.

What colors are there?

My excitement returns. There’s way too much I want to learn and do. I don’t even know where to begin. After I connect with my dragon though—she’s the most important right now. Even now I can feel her getting restless. Oceana speaks again. It brings me back to reality, and I try to focus on what she’s saying.

There’re too many to count. You’re like a rainbow. Ranging from the deepest purples to the brightest yellows and every color in between.

What do the colors mean?

It depends on the person. It’s difficult to explain. It’ll take time to learn all of them. We have time for that. What we don’t have time for is getting you to control your visions.

I’m ready to learn as much as I can. I know we don’t have time to get it down perfectly, but at least I can learn to bring them to me instead of them coming whenever they want—hopefully not leaving me disoriented.

Call everyone here. We have a lot to talk about, she says. She pulls herself off the wall to go over to the other side of the room. She’s dragging her feet. How can she be ready to do anything when she can’t even walk? I watch her walk back to the wall and slide down into a sitting position. This whole thing has taken more out of her than she’s letting on. I’ll have to talk to her about getting some rest before we start. I don’t want to risk her life cycle. I pull my gaze away from her. I need to get my dragons here, at least let them know I’m ok.

I open my mind. Their thoughts flood me. At first, all I hear is a jumbled mess. Their voices are overwhelming me. I sure hope this isn’t the way it’ll always be before I can get it under control. I really don’t want to hear all of their thoughts all the time. I’ll probably go crazy. Now that the floodgates are open, I don’t know how to shut it off. Great, another thing I need to learn quickly. Like I don’t have enough on my plate as it is. I sure hope they didn’t hear that. Here goes nothing.

"Hey, my dragons, I need you to come here. Wow, I love this new power. Is this the way it works every time?"

"Source, I hope not. You do not need to yell! You about blew my mind out of my head," Desean says.

Ha, very funny! See if you’re still laughing when you get here. Besides, I had to be heard over all of your thoughts.

I sure hope you learn how to control it fast. I’m sure I speak for all of us. We would like our minds to survive when you talk to us, Tazi says.

Just bring your butts here, please and thank you.

Love, we’re going to have to practice having you speak in our minds. They’re right. You did yell, Kiernan says, holding his head between his hands.

I’m sorry. I didn’t mean to yell. I’ll practice talking not so loudly or at least try whispering.

Kiernan walks over to me. Bringing me into his arms, he holds me against his muscular chest. He leans down and kisses my neck, sending shivers down my spine. I’ll never get tired of him showing me how much he loves me and wants me. I know if he doesn’t stop, though, we won’t get anything done. My body’s already responding to him in a way I never knew possible.

Babe, if you don’t stop now, I’ll be learning things that aren’t relevant to any of this, because I’ll be having my way with you, regardless of whether or not they’re here, I say breathlessly.

I love it when you talk to me like that, but again, I’ll have to teach you to only talk to me.

What do you mean? I was talking to you.

Not even close. You’re talking to all of us again, Bruno says.

I can hear their laughter in my mind. I bring my hands to my face. I can feel my cheeks burning. I have never been so embarrassed. I stand up straighter, with my chin out, to hide my embarrassment. I shouldn’t feel this way, but it’s hard to not feel embarrassed.

They’ll have to get used to it. I’m not hiding my feelings from you. So, until I can control it, they’re just going to have to deal with it.

Please don’t make us hear that all the time. I’m begging you! It’s not an image I want in my head, Bruno says. I can physically feel him shudder.

You all think you’re funny? Keep it up and I’ll put images in your minds you really don’t want to see, I say.

I feel them all flinch. Yeah, that’s what I thought. They all pile into the room Kiernan and I are in. I look around and notice that we are missing someone; not everyone is here.

Where’s my mom?

I’m right here, sweet girl. I’m so glad you came back to us. You have no idea how worried I’ve been, she says as she rushes into the room with a huge smile on her face.

I run over to her, throwing my arms around her. I hug her so hard that her back cracks. A rush of calm flows through my body, relaxing me even more since waking up. I know she was worried I wouldn’t wake up. The need to reassure her that I’m ok is strong.

I knew I couldn’t stay there forever, even if I wanted to. I never felt so much peacefulness before. I kind of miss it already, but I’m not a quitter, and we have so much to do.

So, why did you want us all here? Desean asks, bringing my attention back to the main reason I have them all here.

I turn around, so I can address them all. Before I can utter a word, though, Oceana speaks up. To tell you all the plan. First, I need you all to not shift until I can get her to bring her visions to her. She doesn’t need to be worrying about you. Second, I need you to guard this cave like your life cycles depend on it. Once we go into the trance, we’re defenseless against everything. Does anyone have any questions?

Will I always be defenseless when I’m in a vision?

Have you ever known what’s going on around you when you’re in a vision? she asks, giving me a small smile. I can see just how worn out she is. She needs to get some rest soon. The bags under her eyes makes it look like she has bruises.

No, I was hoping that would change once I got them under control. I always know where I am, but that’s it.

I’m kind of bummed that I won’t have control over myself. I don’t like feeling defenseless. I was made to be a warrior, to be alert at all times.

One day you’ll be able to. That won’t be until you’ve mastered it. I myself only mastered it a few cycles ago—right after I left the Elders. If there aren’t any more questions, I would like to get started, she says, looking around the room. When her eyes meet mine, she gives me a small smile. Either she can see what I’m feeling, or she can feel it. Either way, I don’t want the pity. That’s the last thing I want anyone to feel for me.

Just one more, I say. I really want to see my dragon. I know I won’t be of any use until I do. I can feel her getting impatient. She wants to connect me. I feel the same way.

I was wondering when you were going to ask that. Yes, go be one with your dragon. You have twenty minutes. Then I need you back here, Oceana says.

With that, she dismisses us all. She stands up from her spot, swaying a little before she gets her bearings. She gathers some things and walks to the other side of the room, looking through a bag I didn’t even see there a few minutes ago. Shaking my head, I start for the cave entrance. I’ll worry about her when I come back.

Chapter One

When I take off, I almost knock everyone over. I can’t wait to get outside. I’m so excited to finally connect with my dragon. I realize I’m running like the other dragons. Everything’s in slow motion, even with as fast as I’m going. I wondered how they don’t run into anything. Now I know. This is so awesome. Looking behind me, I see them all following me. I guess they want to see my dragon as much as I do. I’m smiling like an idiot and feeling giddy. I feel like I’m flying.

Love, turn right. You keep going that way, you’ll end up at a dead end! Kiernan yells from behind me.

Ok! I think you need to come up here and guide me out. I’ve no clue where I’m going.

Slow down! We can’t keep up with you, Kiernan says.

I can hear them running a good distance behind me. I look over my shoulder. They’re several hundred feet away from me. They look like they’re pushing themselves just to keep up.

What do you mean you can’t keep up? I’m not even running full speed!

I’m barely jogging.

How’s it possible you’re not running at your full speed? You’re running faster than the Elders as it is, Desean says, giving me a funny look, like he doesn’t believe me.

I slow down for them to catch up. I feel like I’m crawling at this point. Kiernan comes up to my left and holds his hand out. I reach out, putting my hand in his. Every time I touch him, there’s a jolt of pleasure that runs through me. I’m kind of addicted to it. I want more even when I know I can’t have it right this minute. Ignoring the feelings going through me, I focus on where we’re going instead. I’ll never learn how to get out of this place if I don’t watch where I’m going.

How are you feeling, love? Kiernan asks. He looks over at me, smiling. I look back at him and give him my own smile. What can I tell him? There’re so many emotions going through me.I’ve never felt better. I feel alive, like the energy inside me wants to explode out of me. That’s the only way I can explain the havoc running around inside me.

That’s the best feeling. I can’t wait to do something to you when we shift, Kiernan says. The mischievous smile sends a pleasurable shiver down my spine. Hmm, I wonder what he’s up to?

You’re shifting with me?

You think you’re the only one going to have all the fun? he says, letting out a deep laugh. Man, I love that laugh. I’m pretty much putty in his hands when he laughs like that. I look back to where we’re headed. If I keep looking at him, we won’t make it outside. As we get closer to the entrance of the cave, I feel a pull. It’s so strong that it almost sweeps me off my feet. I look over to Kiernan, but he’s looking ahead of us.

Do you feel that pull?

Yes, love. It’s the open air calling to your dragon. Can you feel her getting excited? Kiernan asks.

I take a deep breath and search for my dragon inside me. I find her in the corner of my mind and soul, waiting for me. Sure enough, her excitement is also my excitement. She can’t wait to connect with me.

I’m excited to connect with you.

When she answers back, I’m in awe of her voice. It has a velvety touch to it.

Nor can I.

I turn to Kiernan, smiling wide at him. I nod like an idiot.

I can feel her. She’s begging to shift and connect with me.

We’re almost to the cave entrance when Bruno yells to us to stop. We all come skidding to a halt. I open my senses to find the danger he must feel. When I don’t feel anything off, I turn back to look at him. He’s walking toward me.

There isn’t any danger. I want to give you some pointers before you go out there. It’s very important you let her senses be wide open. She’ll know there’s danger way before you ever will. It’s going to hurt to change because you were forced to change the first few times, but once you’re one with your dragon, it’ll go smoothly after that. I just want to warn you. There’s no point in having surprises when there doesn’t need to be any.

I walk the rest of the way to him. I wrap my arms around his waist. He isn’t expecting it, which makes hugging him awkward. After a few seconds, he returns the hug, patting me on the back awkwardly. I look up to his face before I say, Thank you for everything. I don’t know where I would be if you hadn’t stepped into my life cycle when you did. I know it was all foreseen in a vision, which helped you be prepared, but I’m thankful you believe in me and have bonded yourself to me. I’ll make you proud. I’ll do everything in my power to train and get ready for all of this.

I see a tear in his eye before he clears his throat. He looks away from me. I know he doesn’t want anyone to see how choked up he’s getting.

I’ve always believed in you. I know you’ll do everything in your power to make this place peaceful again. It’s an honor to be bonded to you. You’ll do great things. I’m proud to be here when that happens, Bruno says.

Letting Bruno go, I turn around to walk outside. The excitement coursing through me is exhilarating. I can’t even explain how I feel. It’s the most amazing thing I’ve ever felt. There’s no stress, no worries. I feel like there’s nothing that can stop me. I know that isn’t true; there’s a lot that can stop me, but right this minute, nothing can bring me down. The energy that flows through me is addictive and powerful.

I don’t want this feeling to end. Why do the Elders always have to ruin things? I hope when this is all over I can find this excitement again and have it last forever. I wrap my arms around myself to keep from falling apart. There’re just way too many emotions going through me.

Are you ready to shift, love? Kiernan asks as he walks up to my side. He grabs my hand, bringing it up to his lips and pressing a soft kiss on the back of it.

Oh, I’m ready. I’ve been waiting my whole life cycle to meet my dragon. Dreaming about her isn’t even close to how I feel right now.

Then what are you waiting for? Kiernan asks, giving me my favorite smile.

I give him a quick kiss before turning away. I head toward the cover of the forest. Once I know no one can see my nakedness, I get undressed, so I can shift. I let the shift take control. The pain’s nowhere near as bad as I remember from earlier, when I was soul swapping with Oceana. Being forced to shift sucks ass. I don’t recommend it.

When we shift, it doesn’t mean we’re the same as our shifter animal. My body and soul hold my dragon. We have our own minds. She sits in my soul and body, waiting to shift. When she does, I can either let her take complete control or I can take control. If I’m in danger, she’ll take control without me giving her permission. That’s the way it will always be.

The pleasurable pain soothes me. I close my eyes, enjoying the shift. It’s like a caress against my skin. When the shift is complete, I open my eyes. I’m not expecting the height. The ground is so small from up here. I feel like I’m a mountain. As I look up into the night sky, I can see everything, crystal clear. The swirl of the stars is breathtaking. I can see every detail. I’m in awe. I close my eyes again to find my dragon’s soul. I want to hug, dance, and sing with her. I find her in the corner of my soul and mind, waiting for me patiently. I run over to her, slamming into her and hug her like my life cycle depends on it. As soon as we touch, there’s a calmness that settles in my soul. Our bond is complete. Tears run down my cheeks from all the happiness I feel. I never want this to end. I can stay with her all day. The warmth I feel from her consumes me from the inside out. The giggles that burst out of me make me giggle even more. The happiness I feel from her, along with my own joy, is making it hard not to let my emotions flow out of me.

I can see and hear everything she does. It’s like I’m watching two screens. One is her vision, and the other is mine. I focus on her sight instead of mine. If not, I’m going to make myself sick. Double vision is no fun for anyone. I can feel that she wants to have the reigns. I give them to her to do what she wants. I let her be her. Sitting back, I just watch her, smiling so much that my cheeks start to hurt. I haven’t smiled this much in my life cycle. I feel the ground shake as she runs and jumps into the air, stretching her legs. It’s a sight to see. It feels weird not being in control. She stretches her wings wide, giving them a few flaps. She wants to fly. I wish we could fly too. I’m dying to know what it feels like, but it’s not a good idea right now. We have no idea if Jamel has figured out how to take a dragon down or not. I let our minds connect.

It’s so great to finally meet you. You have no idea how long I’ve waited, I say.

I’m honored to meet you as well. I can tell we’re going to be the best of friends. I vow to protect you from any harm. I have bonded myself to you. From this day forward, just call upon me, and we’ll defeat anyone or anything that comes our way.

Is it weird that I love you so much it hurts?

Not at all. I feel the same way. But if it’s ok, I want to see my dragon mate. I’m dying to see him, she says.

Go have fun. We only have a few minutes before we need to go back and train.

Thank you.

I let her take complete control. She takes off after my mate. He’s already in dragon form, waiting. They circle each other before nuzzling one another. It warms my heart to see them together. They take off into the woods, chasing each other. It still feels weird to be inside her head seeing everything she’s doing.

Love, can you hear me? Kiernan asks.

Of course, I can hear you, silly. Aren’t they beautiful to watch?

They are. I didn’t think we would be sitting on the sidelines in our minds while they did whatever they wanted.

I didn’t either, but they need this. I feel so weird looking through her eyes and not having control. When we make love as dragons, will we be in control, or will they take over?

I think we’ll merge as one when that happens. We’ll feel what they feel and vice versa.

As I watch them, I realize we’re getting way too close to the veil. I don’t want them to cross over. None of us knows what’s waiting behind it. I personally don’t want to know yet.

I think it’s time to reel them in. We’re getting too far from the cave, I say.

We’re safe with them, but you’re right. We need to get back.

I pull her in to take back control. We have a lot to do before things get worse.

I’m sorry for not giving you some more time, but we need to get back to train. Before we do that, I want to ask you something that my gut’s telling me to do. Will you let your soul merge with mine?

You don’t want to be your own self?

I am myself with you. Merging our souls is something my gut’s telling me that needs to be done.

I know. I can feel it. You do know this is going to hurt, and it cannot be undone. Your soul isn’t whole.

It will be when you merge with me. You’ll complete it. I smile at her.

I open my mind and soul, taking a step closer to her. I nod my head, letting her know I’m ready. She nudges me with her muzzle. I place my hand on her chest. I can feel her open her soul for me. As I wrap my arms around her aura, I’m sucked in so fast, it’s like a cyclone. It feels like my body is being ripped to pieces. Thankfully it doesn’t last very long before everything calms down again. The pain is bearable. I feel beyond whole again. I didn’t realize I was missing a piece of my soul, even before Oceana and I merged. I feel like I can breathe again.

Love, what did you do? Kiernan asks. The panic in his voice is evident.

I merged with my dragon. It’s so amazing to have my soul complete again.

That could’ve killed you if she didn’t want to do it.

Babe, she was willing. I think you need to do it too. Something’s telling me deep down that we all need to do it. This will give us an advantage. It’ll make us stronger.

We can only do it if our dragons are willing. If not, we’ll die forcing it.

I have a feeling they’ll be willing. They’ll know what to do. Just ask them.

Everything inside me is telling me I’m right. We’ll be stronger if we do. Now the problem is getting them all to do it. That’s an argument I’m willing to take on. If we can be even one step ahead of the Elders, we’ll have a better chance at destroying them. I need to tell the others to come here. This time I whisper to the others as I open to them.

I need all of you to shift and come find me.

Is everything ok? I don’t feel any danger around, Bruno asks. I can feel his worry. He’s on high alert.

Everything’s great. I just need you all here in your dragon form.

We’re on our way, they all say at once.

Chapter Two

As I watch them come out of the forest one by one, I can’t help but think they’re a beautiful sight to see. The power that radiates off them, demanding respect, is something else altogether. Their massive bodies take up most of the space around