Chapter Five:
Silver Waters
James dreamt of darkness, storms and fear. Monsters reaching out at him, touching and grabbing, biting and clawing. Lightning crackled and flashed and a pair of golden eyes kept him frozen in fear as they crept closer, closer… James roared and clawed and thrashed, but he was alone except for the black dragon, and terrified. He was aware of eggs settled in a nest before him, rocking and cracking and breaking open to reveal little black beasts that grew and morphed into monsters that looked identical to their father.
He woke with a start, his claws digging into the already scarred ground beneath his body and his breath heavy and fast. His whole body was sore and his belly was hot and uncomfortable. He quickly became aware of being watched, and when he turned his gaze upwards he saw a large black dragon laying several yards away from him, outside of the house’s shadow.
James took weary delight in seeing the gashes on Obane’s back, where scale and flesh had been ripped away by his teeth and claws. It was late afternoon and in the dark golden glow of the sunlight he noticed how the dragon’s scales seemed to truly have no color, as if they were absorbing the light and reflecting none back. True darkness…
Obane’s eyes were open and watching him in return, bright golden points in the blackest shadows, examining his every move. It made James’ scales crawl, and he let out a low growl to warn the other who seemed to show no signs of concern.
Slowly James stood up, taking note of how his muscles burned, and moved around the house. He was intent to get away from the dragon and if he got close again James would not be shy to claw his eyes out.
He made his way to the forest edge, hesitating some before he entered. He had no intention of running away this time, only to get away from Obane, from the house and the people. He looked up and saw the sky through the sparse tree canopy and wondered what it would be like to fly, wondered if perhaps Roume would teach him how. Or perhaps Ytal.
James looked back and saw Obane several yards behind him, watching carefully, but he no longer cared. He simply snorted and pushed further into the forest, walking deeper and deeper. Perhaps it would not have been so bad, he thought, if he could change back. His dragon form felt foreign to him, and his inability to speak made his entire situation more frustrating. He wanted to ask Roume why he had not protected him, he wanted to ask Obane why he had been raped so casually… He shuddered at the thought.
Most of all he wanted to ask what was going to happen next. What would happen to his life? Was his fate really to be nothing more than a breeder for monsters like Obane?
More and more James felt at a loss of control for his life. His own body had betrayed him, allowed itself to submit to such a cruel force.
The forest thinned out and opened up to a thin brook that trickled its way through the area. The sound was soothing, and James followed the flow of water down the expanse of the brook, paws dipping into the shallow waters as he went. It felt nice, a splash of cold against the rage and uncertainty that burned inside of him.
The brook finally tumbled into a rather large pond that appeared to be about thirty yards across in all directions. The bottom was visible at all points, perhaps twenty feet deep at the deepest point and crystal clear, not even a scrap of algae to be found. James lowered his head and took a sip of the water, which he realized was ice cold…
The water in the middle of the pond suddenly shifted and rippled, James was acutely aware of the subtle rolling of smoothed rocks over one another. He lifted his head and stepped back to survey the water, though he saw nothing… He growled, then looked around himself. Obane was half-hidden in the trees behind him, watching from a distance, keeping an eye on James.
James made his way back to the water’s edge and lowered his head once more. The wind picked up, the surface of the water rippled however he caught an abnormal shift in the water’s surface and he growled, narrowing his eyes. Suddenly the edge of the water began to crackle as frost crept around his paws and the rim of the pond. He abruptly stepped back once more and heard the crunch of leaves and twigs as Obane crept closer.
The surface of the water rippled once more and a patch of white became visible like floating ice. It shifted and began to rise from the water and James realized that what he had been seeing was the top of the creature’s head as it slowly stepped up the rise towards the river bank. James could not deny the fact that the humanoid male approaching was a gorgeous sight, wide planes of muscle on his abdomen with corded sinew muscle on his arms and legs, with scales so stark white that they contrasted Obane in every sense. His eyes were thin and narrow and piercing black.
As James looked closer he began to see certain oddities… Each hand spanned over two feet in length with thick webbing between the long and spiny fingers, he had no wings but a very long and powerful tail with a wide shark like curl. Though he stood before James in clear daylight, everything that remained in the water was invisible, such as his feet and the ends of his long white hair. It was hard to see clearly, but blue scrims
moved around on his body, mimicking the natural ripple of water.
“By Tiamat herself,” James did not have to look over to see that Obane had changed, that fluid accent was discernible anywhere, “You’re…you’re an Aarkain.”
Pitch black eyes swiftly darted to Obane, examining him carefully before he spoke in a thick and sultry voice that was neither male nor female, “So you know of my kind. How rare.” He turned his gaze back to James and frowned, “You must be the female that has everyone so worked up… Allow me a proper introduction, I am Syn.” James noted as the creature spoke, rows of jagged teeth, and then he smiled and showed how they fit together like a perfect jigsaw.
Obane stepped forward and just into James’ view before he bowed deeply, “I am Omega Obane, and this is my mate.” He spoke firmly, though earned a growl from James at his assumed title of mate. “I must admit, I thought your kind to be extinct.”
“Good, then we have done our job properly.” He spoke with a touch of venom on his tongue, “You would be wise to keep this to yourself, Omega Obane, and you as well female. We have no intention of being a part of the outside world. The only reason I have even shown myself is to see for sure that Roume spoke true about his nephew.”
“Niece.” Obane corrected casually, earning a deep growl from James.
“I believe he dislikes you.” Syn said flatly before looking back to James, “Interesting however… From what Roume has told me, you are a man outside of your scales… They say that some dragons inherit special attributes unique to them alone, you appear to have acquired gender-shifting.”
“A trait you should know much about.” Obane said knowingly.
Syn snorted, “You would be wise to hold your tongue. We are not gender-shifters. Our methods of conception are simply different than yours.
We have no need to force ourselves on potential females.”
Obane snarled and Syn bared his teeth in return, showing no hesitation against an opponent who so obviously outranked him. The two stared each other down for a long moment before James growled and reached out to shove at Obane.
“Ahh,” Syn purred, “Yes I thought I smelled blood in my water, you two were in a fight. I have to say, good job.” He winked at James, “You are no fool female who commits to the father without thought. There is intelligence in your eyes, as well as pain. And I see shame on you, Obane, shame of a male who was belittled and attacked by his female. Your blood laces your mate’s claws,” he chuckled, a smooth liquid-like sound, “This one is
strong, he grew up a man as you did, and has honor and dignity that you know nothing of how to nurture. You, Omega Obane, are a
prideful and
arrogant creature.”
“Watch your tongue!”
“Oh I am. And I am watching you as well. I can see so much of you through your eyes.” Syn stepped back with a wry little smirk, “You have a very unusual female, do not take that for granted.” He turned and with a splash he was gone, vanished beneath the surface and no longer visible.
Obane snarled and his form changed in a fit of explosive rage. He charged at the pond and took a breath. James could hear the crackle of lightning and he rushed forward, in front of the black dragon and stood up to his haunches in the icy water. He stared up at Obane who had hesitated when he saw their shared space and growled.
James reached out and nipped at Obane, causing the dragon to back up slowly. He continued to nip and growl at him until the black beast was out of the water and looking rather annoyed.
Obane suddenly shifted and moved forward, pressing the tip of his muzzle to James’ before letting out a rumbling sound. James opened his jaws to hiss when suddenly a slick forked tongue stole its way into his mouth, brushing against his own before yanking back just before it was ripped off by the snap of James’ jaws. Satisfied with this, Obane turned and lumbered away towards the forest where he laid down at the edge of the trees to watch.
James was confused by this odd act of affection, but no less annoyed. He snorted and turned, stepping deeper into the water as he decided that a quick wash might free himself of the bastard’s scent. Slowly he began to submerge himself, letting the icy water wash over his scales.
Slowly he began to rake at his scales with his claws, as it that might assist in freeing himself from Obane’s touch. He thrust his head into the water and shook it violently, trying to get the feel of his teeth on the back of his neck out of his mind. He clawed at himself more desperately, aware of the shiny scales peeling away. His encounter with Syn had been enough to temporarily distract him, however his disgust and discontent was returning with the sickening pit and the unnatural heat inside of him.
The first strands of blood in the water graced his nose with a coppery scent, the first real scent he had since earlier that morning. With a forceful drag, more blood dribbled from a bald spot h had created on his left shoulder, however his attention was diverted when Obane’s jaws gripped one of his horns and yanked on it roughly.
James thrashed his head and snarled, snapping at the dragon before he worked himself out of the water. He glared at the beast one last time before he turned and fled through the trees. He had to get away, though he could hear the crunch of footsteps behind him as he was being
followed.
Eventually he found the mansion, galloping out onto the grassy field where he sought out anyone who might help him find some peace. No Roume, no Dante, no Ytal. Only the burning, aggravating presence of Obane watching him from a distance.
Perhaps he would seek more sleep, he thought, though wondered how he would find it while being watched as he was. He walked around the mansion perhaps half a dozen times to see if Obane would get tired and stop, however when he did not, James just growled and flopped down in the grass. The sun was nearly set, the light was growing dim and a chill was beginning to settle in.
The door creaked open several yards away and he looked up to watch Roume walking out of the house with a large white garbage bag filled with something James could not see. He narrowed his eyes as the man drew closer and slowly lifted his head. Roume let the garbage bag tip over and with a grotesque slap several raw pieces of meat tumbled out.
James stared and watched as Roume grabbed the end of the bag, lifted it up and forced the rest of the disgusting contents out. “There you go Princess,” Roume grunted, “You need to eat.”
James turned his head in refusal. He would rather starve!
Roume growled and reached down to grab what appeared to be a turkey leg, “Oi!” He stomped over and grabbed James’ maw, trying to pry it open. When this did not work he reached out with his free hand and placed his palm on the bottom of James’ jaw, then grabbed his lip with the top of his hand and squeezed hard, forcing the sensitive skin of his lip down over his sharp teeth.
James let out a shocked and pained yelp and Roume shoved the turkey leg into his mouth before letting go and stepping back. James growled and glowered as his jaws snapped down around the leg, ready to spit it out when his tongue got a taste. His stomach growled and twisted painfully and with a few crunches he swallowed the leg, bone and all. He ached for more, his whole body trembling at the thought and slowly he got up and reached out, biting at the pile of meat without care.
When he finished he found that it was hardly enough. His stomach still ached and begged, his mouth buzzed with the taste and he looked to Roume for more. However he was started to feel relaxed and heavy, lowering himself back down to the ground for just a moment. He let out a pleading sound, but the world was beginning to spin.
He was still hungry, but the prospect of sleep was suddenly of greater value. Head lowered down to his paws and he looked from Roume to Obane who had watched it all in silence. The last thing he saw before he drifted into the darkness of sleep were those cruel golden eyes watching him…
