Claws of the Dragon Read Online Free

skimming the tall highland grasses.
    Behind her, hungry shrieks howled out in pursuit.
    She was fast, very fast. The Ivory Sliders were the messengers of Dragon Home. They cut through air like a knife through butter, and not many dragons could catch them other than the Blue Razors. Beating her streamlined body through the wind, she began to outdistance her pursuers.
    Ahead, she saw a series of mountains with winding crevasses and ravines that would be the perfect place to lose them. Making a beeline for the rocky cliffs, she soared higher.
    A spitball of fire whizzed by her ear. The wurmers were shooting balls of energy at her.
    Head turned around, she barrel rolled and evaded.
    Above her, another wave of wurmers dropped from the greying clouds and blanketed the sky. Balls of flame like tiny meteors showered her from above, singeing wing and scale.
    Just as she turned to find a path of escape, a rock bigger than her head slammed into her chest. Spinning out of control, she crashed to the ground with balls of fire peppering her body, and she let out a tremendous roar that split the air.
    The wurmers were scattered by the sonic wave of energy. They became disoriented and fell from the sky. Still more came.
    The Ivory Slider let out another mystic roar, shattering the air. She shook off the flames and spread her wings once more.
    One by one, wurmer after wurmer slammed into her and drove her to the ground. Jaws with sharp, jagged teeth bit into her legs.
    She fought with all of her strength, thrashing and biting, but before long, her limbs gave out under the sheer weight of her growing foes. She let out a weak sonic sigh that flattened the grasses and stopped at a pair of massive feet. Pinned down, she still managed to lift her chin. Her eyes flashed.
    A giant!
    Dragons hated giants, and giants hated dragons. It always had been and always would be. But the wars between them had been quiet for centuries.
    And here was one before her, almost twenty feet tall. A towering figure of brawn and muscle, covered in thick hair. But unlike the giants she’d known, this one was different. His entire head was covered in flame. In his mighty grip was a sling big enough to hurl a sheep.
    Lizardmen appeared behind the giant with heavy robes in their hands.
    She hissed at them.
    They bound her up.
    The flame giant’s necklace of dragon bones shook when he spoke. “BRING HER,” he said in a voice as deep as a canyon.
    The Ivory Slider was dragged by the lizardmen over the grasses and into the belly of the mountain, where they marched until they stood on the edge of a small ravine. A pair of horned dragon skulls were on spikes that guarded the carved stone steps that led down.
    “Take a long look,” said the flame giant, pointing into the ravine.
    Her nostrils flared. Her neck recoiled. The stench of death and decay was strong. But it was familiar too. Lifting her head, she peered down into the ravine. Her jaw dropped open. Her stomach turned to knots. Nooooo!   
    Down there, dragons lay dead in the brush and trees. Scales of many colors. Copper. Blue. Red. White. Yellow. Green. Their bodies were broken. Wings busted. Horns shattered. Even a massive Bull Dragon was down there.
    She turned her fear-filled gaze toward the giant.
    Head aflame, he said, “Fear not. You will be spared, messenger. What you have seen, report in every detail to Balzurth of Dragon Home. Tell him Eckubahn sent you.”
    Trembling, she nodded.
    The giant wagged his finger in her face. “You will not fly.” He slid out a dagger that was too small for his belt and dropped it point first in the ground. It was carved from a dragon’s tooth, and it glimmered with enchantment. “You will walk. Lizards, cut off her wings.”

 
     
    CHAPTER 6
     
     
    “Selene, you can’t go.” Nath laid his hands on her shoulders. 
    She rested her palms on his hands, and with tear-filled eyes she looked deeply into his. “Sasha is right. I’m behind much of this. These people