Thank you everyone, I'm sorry about the long wait so I hope this is worth it. As usual comment please.
HockeyKid6622
"NO!" Tanner shrieked jumped awake. Sweat rolled down her face as she breathed hard. A shiver ran through her as she took in her surroundings. She was covered by her leathery wings providing protection and warmth, but now it just provided a false sense of security and fear.
She opened her wings and stood, the wind chilling her as small goose bumps raised on her arms. She began to shiver, but not because he was cold. She shook her head trying to shake away the dreams, shake away the memories but she couldn't.
"Go, baby, run," her mother's last words echoed through her mind. Then a melody sounded through the halls. Tanner froze her eyes wide as she listened to the haunting melody. It was low and dark, bringing all of Tanner's fears to the surface. She crouched low and shivered unable to pull away from the nostalgic tune. She covered her ears as her eyes widened.
Tanner looked up suddenly as the wind rattled against the closed shutters. Tanner made a face and started towards the shutters, the melody distant in her mind. It had lost its grip on her.
Tanner opened the shutters and started out at the dark sky and bright, shining stars with longing. Shaking her head she opened the small window as her spine shifted soundlessly and her bones crackled as two wings melted to existence. She looked back at the bed and shook her head.
"Screw it," she hissed and jumped out the window and flew deep into the night. The wind blew in her face and tugged on her clothing. She smiled. Nothing was better than flying in the night, through the chilled winds and invisible against the inky backdrop.
Her mind drifted to the victories of the past and the triumph she and her friends gained. Throughout her life she had kept Bonnie safe from harm and had finally joined forces with Billy and the mighty Clefspeare. With the help of her new friends they had defeated Devin and brought back the reign of the dragons.
When the dragon's reign began, after Billy saved them in the Circles of Seven, the dragons returned ready to fight back against Devin's forces but Tanner's mother had not been among them. Her mother remained as a memory, a shadow, a presence. Dead.
Tanner forced a smile and continued thinking. Then the victory of the Second Eden. Tanner had made a truce with Goliath and called each other friends. Her heart ached for her friend, he understood her better than anyone, as they had both listened to the Song of the Watchers.
Humans now know of dragon existence, she thought flying over a lonesome house. But that didn't mean they would know of Tanner's. Tanner knew that the humans would fear their powers and eventually imprisoned them.
Not me, she thought stubbornly.
Her mind returned to her current problems and focused on the troubles ahead.
The best warrior could always tell when trouble was brewing, her mother had always said.
Her mind finally settled on the knife sitting, gleaming on the table.
No doubt Ashley is learning all she can about it, Tanner thought with a smile. She never understood Ashley's love for science, to figure out how things worked, but then again everyone had something they enjoyed. For Billy it was the joy of friendship and history, to learn about his ancestors and to live up to their glory, make himself worthy of the Bannister name. For Bonnie it was the simple joy of love, to love things and to be loved back, also the simple joy of a pen and paper. The wonders she would do; creating new world with an evil kings and a handsome prince.
And me? Tanner thought with a sigh as she landed on a small, lonely tree. She looked around and pulled her jacket closer, her wings folding against her skin.
To avenge my family and to keep my new family safe. Nothing made her happier than to see her friends smiling. She gave a sigh and felt a chill deep inside her chest. She looked up with dark eyes. And to walk hand in hand with the shadows. She shook her head and closed her eyes, suddenly tired. Her eyelids grew heavy and her arms felt like bricks.
Just a short nap...
Tanner jolted awake as a shiver ran down her spine. It made her fingers tingle with anticipation and her eyes wide and aware. Her ears perked listening for the slightest sound. Ready. She smiled and closed her eyes.
Three...
Two...
One.
There was a loud battle cry as an axe plunged itself into the wood where Tanner was. Now she was in the air her eyes on her attacker. Her eyes narrowed as she tucked her wings in close and plunged towards the attacker. In a swift motion Tanner unsheathed her mighty sword and cut its stomach, crucially injuring it. She landed softly on the ground with her sword ready. The dew soaked her clothes and biting into her leg.
"What are you?" She asked astonished. It was a dark, shadowy figure wearing a big black cloak. It laughed revealing dark, stained teeth and oily, black blood seeping from its wound. It crackled.
"You are too late, Lioness Reborn, your friends shall soon die and you along with them!" It laughed again its strength fading. Tanner glared and put her sword at its neck.
"Who are you?" She demanded nicking the skin. More black blood flowed from its neck.
"Can you not see?" It asked. "I am you." Tanner stepped back unnerved.
"What do you know about my friends?" She asked panic rising in her voice.
"You call yourself a warrior? You are no warrior to be proud of!" Tanner's eyes widened in realization, her fingers tingling once more but this warning was more distant.
"Bonnie!" Without another word Tanner slashed its throat and took off into the night with renewed energy, leaving the creature to die.
"Master of the Shadows and of the Darkest Night; do not let this creature survive the night, Master of all things Bad and Deceitful; let this body slither back to you..." A clap of thunder sounded far away and the creature died, but as it drew its last breath a flash of white, brilliant light filled the lonesome valley and disappeared just as suddenly as it appeared. But the body was gone, and the trees and grass dead. A Shadow appeared and smiled, its ruby, red eyes twinkling in the night.
"Long Live the Cobras!"
Bonnie watched Ashley fascinated, memorizing each word she said and everything she did. Billy himself was busy, arranging the meeting of the dragons. With a nod he closed a small mirrored disk with a nod. It was one of Ashley's greatest creations; a way to communicate to fellow anthrozils, not matter how far.
Bonnie watched Billy with interest and curiosity as he neared the table. His eyes dark and tired but again alive and bright with anxiety.
"What did Walter say?" Bonnie asked sitting up suppressing a yawn.
"He and the dragons will meet us here later tonight," Billy answered with a firm nod. He gave Bonnie a small smile before turning to Ashley.
"What did you find out?" He sat down next to her and looked at the malicious, murderous blade and its older brother sitting next to it, both smiling malevolently. Ashley gave a sigh and rubbed her forehead.
"Not much, Tanner was right, these people are sure careful we know absolutely nothing about them."
"Except that they have a thing for snakes," Billy added with a smirk.
"Snakes are a symbol for utmost evil and temptation, as they caused Adam and Eve to sin through temptation," Bonnie said sitting up before sinking back into her seat in exhaustion. Flying tired you out. "Could that have something to do to it?"
Ashley shook her head slowly sighing, "I don't know." Bonnie covered up another yawn.
"Bonnie, you should get some sleep," Billy coaxed softly, his eyes full of concern. Bonnie shook his concern away.
"I'm fine guys," she assured yawning again.
"Bonnie, sleep while you can," Billy pushed as Ashley shook her head.
"Bonnie, get some sleep; if you yawn again I'll get Billy to carry you to bed!" Ashley threatened playfully.
"Fine," Bonnie said smiling as she stood and walked to the hallway. "Let me know if you find anything, okay?" Ashley and Billy both nodded. Satisfied Bonnie made her way to her own room, one door away from Tanner's. Bonnie paused at Tanner's closed door.
Should I talk to her? Bonnie recalled how hurt, how mad and how scared Tanner appeared when she found the knife embedded in Mikko's scales. She shook her head.
Tanner never wants help, all throughout our times in foster care Tanner always stood up for me and dealt with her problems alone. She's really like her mother that way, Bonnie mused smiling. That was the only time she ever found Tanner truly smiling; on the topic of her mother.
Mariah always faced her problems alone; a secret from all but her mother, father and sister. Any dilemma Mariah faced it was on her own, does Tanner feel that she must follow her mother's footsteps?
Then Bonnie remembered, Tanner alone , shivering in the snow. Alone. Before she had found Bonnie's home. She felt a pang of sympathy for the young warrior and continued to her own room, cloaked in darkness.
No, Tanner, would feel nothing but shame if I tried to help her, she's too proud. She deals better alone.
Bonnie stepped into her room and jumped onto her bed stretching her wings out. Her eyelids grew heavy as she sunk into a grateful sleep.
Billy watched as Bonnie walked out of view and turned back to the two knives feeling as if he had a clue- two clues to the Cobras but he couldn't crack the code. He shook his head and stood up grabbing some cold, leftover pizza and taking a big bite. He made a face and put down the stone cold pizza and shook his head.
"Man, what would do for a warm home-made meal," he murmured picturing his mom making a big, Thanksgiving turkey with his dad, sisters and all his friends; Walter, Ashley, Bonnie and Tanner. Ashley gave a nod and licked her lips.
"We'll be home soon, just as soon as we get this information to Makaidos and the rest of the dragons, then they can deal with the dragon killers and we'll be safe again," Ashley reassured.
"What's it like for you? For people to know we exist and to actually acknowledge us?" Billy asked sitting back down next to Ashley. Ashley shrugged and gave a smile.
"Different, kinda nice but different."
"Tanner says that humans will one day betray us and we'll be locked up and tested on eventually," Billy muttered looking at the floor. Ashley again shrugged and sighed.
"Maybe, I don't know, she might be-" she broke off as she bent over the knife engrossed at her current task. Billy stood up trying to see what she saw.
Ashley looked up and grabbed a small tool; her eyes were wide and frightened. Her motions were precise and fast as her breathing increased rapidly. Then she gave a small gasp and took a step back her eyes glued on the knife. Billy swallowed hard.
"What's wrong?" He asked quietly not even daring to breathe. Ashley looked at him, her eyes alive with fear. She stepped back towards the knife and pointed to something. Billy took a step closer and he too froze with fear. Taking in a deep breath he met Ashley's eyes and his face masked her terror.
Then they both mouthed, "GPS."