Peaches yelped at the gigantic boom erupting from the center of the floor. The rumble of the tiles. Her stiletto dagger heels help her stay on her feet – until she landed on her ass in the bed that was so damn soft she sank deep into it like its sheet was quicksand.
And she wasn’t alone.
Sunshine was right beside her. Squeaking and clutching Peaches.
How something smash through the granite floor and … the smell, like the chalk Bishop Halgert loved tossing at Roo and Peaches back during their school days.
The black iron lanterns with the poor poor fairies were singing up a panicked storm. Peaches thanked the Oak of Ages that her time as a fairy was … hopefully not coming again anytime soon.
Or for Sunshine.
But maybe … that window was still open and spilling in plenty of light.
An escape route worthy of any sensible fairy.
The black iron was invincible against her elven powers, but if this thing smashing through granite was powerful enough … and if Peaches and Sunshine worked together … then maybe … some free fairies – and Roo better not complain later.
But he most definitely would. More fell light lightspawn blah blah blah and she was his familiar and blah blah blah and she would sooo have to apologize, as unfair as it was, but …
Sigh.
A roar?
A dragon!
Oh crap.
The size of a stallion. No. Bigger. Bigger than a war stallion.
The serpent stink was gagging awful, and it was as pale blue as the sky should be, so if it got out, if the sky was clear and back to normal, nonono.
Focus.
Peaches had to go full Amber Death, now.
The dragon roared again.
But didn’t attack?
Yet.
She grabbed her wrist. Palm facing its snout.
And it huffed at her. Its breath stunk of filth and decay.
Then it licked her cheek. Slimy and hot and …
It huuuge serpent eyes … as green as …
“Roo?!” Peaches said, and lowered her palm.
It grinned so maniacally dragony that … ick. Her witch’s senses … right toward him too.
Roo confirmed and ugh.
“Stay back,” Peaches said, “This is another of Rouge’s tricks! Give me a moment and …”
Peaches shot a blast of holy water down her throat. Choking. It nearly went up her nose and down the wrong way but to wash away a darkspawn’s illusion, nothing worked better.
Yet it jolted Roo the dragon too.
Giving her enough time to do it to Roo.
His shock. Gag. Coughing fit.
He puffed back to his usual lean and mean stupidly human self in dragon scale everything because human reasons.
But the room … and Sunshine … no.
Peaches cried. “Watch out Roo!”