Chapter 1

Love among humans is usually seen as a commitment, once they find a partner they expect to stay together forever. Dragons see it a little differently at times, leaning on their ancient feral nature. Some dragons stay with their mates for life, other times they split up to produce better offspring.

Like all sentient creatures with emotions, however, many times it takes a deadly experience to push one to admit they love someone.

~oOo~

Drake, Michigan. It wasn’t always an actual town, not since 2014 when everything changed one dragon’s life. Now, one year later, Trevor Williams stood staring at the newly rebuilt Voutneth Academy.

Drake and Voutneth have come very far since starting. The defeat of the Dragon Hunters brought many more dragons forward to start learning at the Academy, and now that Earth has finally connected with Dragoso, not just dragons were going to attend Voutneth, Dwarves, Elves, and so many other races have been invited to attend Voutneth as well.

“It’s amazing, isn’t it?” Kathey asked Trevor from where she stood.

“Voutneth has been through a lot, but now with this huge upgrade it’s really deserved it. You deserve it, Kathey,” Trevor replied, smiling at her. The cold wind blew past them, Kathey shivered slightly.

December was upon Michigan now, which meant snow was already on the ground. The construction team had worked very hard in the snow since it fell in early November. A human and dragon team keeping the site clear of snow and the building done. With powerful Earth Dragons helping lift materials and Fire Dragons keeping the site clean and workers warm, the Academy was close to being finished in two months, just in time for the holidays to come around. Trevor heard that the Academy was almost finished and just had to pay his leader a visit.

The building itself as well as the stables for a variety of mounts were finished. Now it was just a matter of furnishing the Academy, bringing in the supplies for the stables, hiring more teachers, and getting a system set up for students enrolled and staff on the payroll.

“So what are all the races that are going to be attending?” Trevor questioned. “I’m sure at least what we’ve seen so far will be here. Vampire, Tenkkoa, Undead, Faunus, and with the Night Walkers here now, Elf, Rukmar, and Troll too?” Kathey nodded.

“Yup, as well as Dwarves, Goblins, Nagas, Orcs, Squamas, and Werewolves. The Academy is going to be a big deal now,” she replied. “Drake had to build the new fence and my parents assigned guards to help manage Dragoso residents and the flow of Earth residents in and out of Drake.” The wind blew again and Kathey breathed hot air into her hands. “Snow is coming tonight, it always gets colder before it snows.” Trevor hummed, looking up at the Academy.

“Have you always been in Michigan?”

“No, I was in Illinois for a good portion of my faux human life. Living with Kyrus and his family before... well lets just say I was living with his parents for about three years before ending up in a temporary home.” Kathey smiled a bit at the mention of the home. “A Fire Dragon had such a big house, she housed dragons who had no homes, teaching them to at least turn to human form. She is partially the reason I teach now. I helped her with so many dragons, and I was still really young too.”

“You grew up pretty fast then, huh?”

“You did too.” Kathey was right. When Henry left his family, Trevor had to be the man of the house, taking care of his siblings alongside his mother. She needed the help, especially with how young David and Aya were. Kathey knew all this too. Trevor knew she respected her team’s privacy, but she also tended to snoop around occasionally. Kathey knew his past, he wasn’t going to hide it though. Keeping secrets damages trust and he wasn’t going to do that.

“Yeah, but look where it’s gotten us now.” Trevor smiled and crossed his arms. He had a thermal shirt under his jersey and wore jeans and winter boots, but was hardly bothered by the cold, no doubt due to his dragon traits. Kathey may have had powers of multiple dragon breeds including Ice Dragons, but she was born a Flower Dragon and would always hold those traits.

“Gods I hate the cold, but it’s worth it in the end. They’re almost done refurbishing the Academy and Dryber is almost done setting up the new system. I was actually here to see how everything was going, maybe help out a bit before testing the system, Dryber was going to show it to me and work out any glitches that might pop up. Head back home to your family, I’m sure they have plans today.” Kathey smiled at Trevor and nodded to him.

“Thanks, Kathey. When are we due back?”

“Voutneth probably won’t be open until January. I can’t call students back in when Earth holidays are so close. I’ll call the team to the dojo if anything comes up. Have a safe flight, Trevor.” Trevor nodded, starting off the Academy grounds. He walked for a moment before he turned dragon and took off into the air.

Being a dragon made travel so much easier. Trevor couldn’t believe that just a few months prior, he was struggling to get himself off the ground and even stay in the air. He took the time to think about the past few months.

Trevor had been under Kathey’s wing for six months now. Not even that far into their training, they had fought to reclaim the Underworld for Deathbore after Brokenstar overthrew him with the power of Cenod, a shadow wyvern created by Agony, a member of the Council of the Underworld. Cenod wanted nothing more than to gain power and end the Compass Dragons.

Despite Cenod failing to keep the Underworld for Agony, he went to the next best thing to end the Compass Dragons, Kathey’s arch nemesis, Garrett Rayne, the leader of the Dragon Hunters. Garrett was known for being able to snap a dragon’s neck and yet despite his talents, Kathey managed to escape him, leaving a nasty series of scars from clawing him in the face. Garrett swore revenge on Kathey and Cenod attempted to use his rage to defeat her. Instead, Garrett and Cenod met their ends.

This in turn led to Agony summoning an army of Underworld creatures and even kidnapping Undead soldiers from Whedabra, the planet the Undead were from, possessing them, and using everything to fight the entire Voutneth Team. The team had killed off many of the creatures and even worked to save the Undead soldiers while Kathey fought Agony by herself, defeating him and claiming yet another victory for the good guys so to speak.

But that wasn’t the end of the whole Council after all, not by a long shot. In the short time Trevor had been learning under Kathey, he had also heard quite a few things about the Council and their master. Eight members of the Council, seven reflecting the seven deadly sins and the eighth being Agony to keep them in line. Everyone believed them to be nothing but a legend, at least until the Voutneth Team discovered that they were indeed real thanks to Cenod’s big mouth.

Agony had been defeated, but there was the matter of the others. Lust, Wrath, Gluttony, Greed, Sloth, Envy, and Pride. And their master.

Rakasa.

The Satan of Dragoso. Deathbore had told Trevor and his siblings that Rakasa wanted nothing more than to turn Dragoso and Earth into barren wastelands and rule over all dragons that worshipped Kaylano and the Gods. Trevor shuddered at the thought. The power Rakasa had was no doubt on par with the Gods, he was Satan after all. In a way that is, even if the word just meant opposer. Rakasa did live up to that term either way, he was against peace and life.

Trevor hoped that they would have the strength to fight and win against the Council so they were unable to summon Rakasa, else it would spell disaster for Earth and Dragoso. Not only did Trevor want to keep everyone safe from harm, but he also didn’t want his siblings and the new friends he made at Voutneth to be lost.

Of course, the Council succeeding in their mission and Rakasa carrying out his goal would only prove just how incompetent the Compass Dragons were. Should they fail and somehow regain control over peace, dragons, humans, all of Dragoso would doubt the Compass Dragons and thus lose the trust in their power and Kaylano’s choices in creating Life Dragons ever again. And there was nothing worse than losing faith in the Gods.

Trevor stopped in his flight abruptly, hovering in the air and listening carefully. Something caught his ear, he wasn’t sure what since he was thinking so hard about his experiences in the past five months. There it was again, it sounded like another dragon.

A dragon in distress!

Trevor flaps his wings and heads towards the sound of the dragon’s bellowing call for help. He was human raised, yes, but he had taken the time with Samual to learn dragon calls for help, assistance, and the like.

Trevor glided over trees, looking around hoping to spot the familiar shine of a dragon’s scales through broken tree branches perhaps. He hoped it hadn’t been hurt by a wayward hunter that didn’t answer to Garrett when he was still controlling the Dragon Hunters. The call echoed out again and Trevor dove through the trees, landing and running past the trees towards the sound.

Coming to a clearing, Trevor could see a purple and red dragon laying in the middle, calling out for help. He could see she was wounded greatly, her wings torn and bloody, possibly having a broken leg. Trevor approached slowly, circling around to get a better look at her, staying out of reach of her teeth or tail. She was more than just purple and red, she had light and dark purple, light and dark red, and even pink scales. Trevor had seen Toxic Dragons before, this wasn’t a Toxic Dragon, but he couldn’t be too careful.

“Oh thank goodness! Please, I need help,” the dragon pleaded.

“What happened to you?” Trevor questioned.

“I was attacked by another dragon, I don’t know what kind, it tore up my wings, I fell and broke my leg,” the dragon explained. Trevor looked to her wings again, noticing how large her wingspan was. “Please...” her voice was sweet and almost baby-like. Trevor took a step back from her.

It was nothing but lies. The tears in her wings? Looking closer, Trevor could see they weren’t from a dragon’s claws. Something smaller had gotten her. He didn’t see any broken tree branches anywhere during his flight to find her. The broken leg couldn’t be possible, he had fallen from higher heights and if anything sprained an ankle, not a broken leg. Dragons were much more durable than that. Trevor shook his head and snorted.

“Sorry, but you’re lying and or over reacting. A dragon didn’t hurt you. You would have bites on you as well, all dragons that ambush use their teeth and their claws. I’m not an idiot,” Trevor said. The dragon growled and got to her feet, it was clear she was faking now.

“Why must you yearlings be so feshing difficult?” She snapped and lunged at Trevor. He reared up to take the brute of her attack without losing an edge, but instead was met with a bite to his neck and sudden dizziness and nausea. The dragon backed off after biting him, licking her lips and revealing her longer fangs. Fangs that dragons with venom had.

“What the hell...? What are you?” Trevor questioned, stumbling a bit as the venom coursed through his body. Was this what being bitten by a venomous creature felt like? He expected a painful experience, not just feeling sick and dizzy. What was happening?

“Maybe next time you’ll think twice about saying no to a Toxic Valentine Dragon. And don’t think I’m stupid for revealing what I am. One, your pesky leader will know what I am. And two...” She smirked as Trevor lost his footing, falling onto his side. “You won’t live to tell the tale.” Trevor struggled to keep his eyes open before he was surrounded in darkness.

Chapter 2

Kathey typed up Trevor’s information as a test for the student database while Dryber sat inside of the computer in his dragon form, watching her work. The nice thing about Tech Dragons was their ability to go inside the digital world of computers on top of creating their own digital dimension to their preference.

“So it’s pretty straightforward,” Kathey said and Dryber nodded.

“Yes, you just insert the general information, the system creates a student ID number on it’s own and the layout for the card is generated,” Dryber said. Kathey finished the last few things and an ID for Trevor appeared with a photo she had uploaded while working.

“Easier than I thought,” she mused. Dryber smirked.

“I made it simple. Plus with a scanner, orientation for students will be easy to work with. Just give them the sheet to fill out and the scanner can do the rest. Translator work too so those that don’t speak English can fill out the form in their native language.” Kathey nodded and cleared the demo card for Trevor.

“This’ll really help us out. And the staff forms?” Dryber moved about the screen, pulling up everything that had been scanned in already.

“Everyone sent their replies and are waiting for us to deliver the scrolls with the announcement to arrive for their orientation.”

“Perfect. I want them all to come next week, show them around the Academy, show them their classrooms, answer questions, all that.” Kathey looked at her cell phone when it rang. She picked it up and answered. “Royals.”

“Kathey, it is Sylark. Is Trevor still at Voutneth?” Sylark asked. Kathey frowned and leaned back in her chair.

“No, he left hours ago. Why?” she asked.

“Brenda came to the dojo looking for him, he is not at home.” Kathey’s eyes went wide.

“Call the team to Voutneth, we need to make sure this isn’t the Council’s work.”

“Why do you think this is the Council?” Sylark questioned. Kathey could hear the uncertain tone in his voice.

“They lost their most powerful member, Agony is locked up in the Underworld and his connection has been cut off from the rest of them. They’re gonna do whatever they can to end us and I’m not risking thinking it’s something else.”

~oOo~

“-up mon...” A voice echoed out. Trevor squeezed his eyes shut tighter, not wanting to wake up. “‘Ey mon, wake up!” Someone kicked him and Trevor’s eyes snapped open. He sat up and found his hands bound behind his back. He looked up at who woke him.

“What the? Jarin’do?” Trevor questioned. The troll nodded and looked Trevor over.

“What happened to ya, mon? She woo ya or bite ya?” Jarin’do asked.

“She who?”

“The Toxic Valentine whore. Purple, red, and pink?”

“Shit...” It all started to come back now. The female dragon in the forest faking injury to get his attention. She had bitten him, and now that Trevor thought about it, he could feel the sting in his neck where the bite mark was. He tilted his head to show Jarin’do the bite.

“She got ya good, mon. Surprised you ain’t dead.” Trevor looked around the room a bit, it was dark with hardly anything in it aside from torches to light the room. The only other thing he could see was Haarvik struggling to get his own binds loose. The Rukmar flexed his muscles, but to no avail.

“Just us in here?” Trevor asked and Jarin’do nodded.

“Ya, mon. Haarvik and I were out for a stroll, then it’s just a blur. Toxic Valentines, they can woo ya with just their voice if ya heart ain’t already taken. If she bit ya, means ya love someone more than just those siblings of yours.” Trevor hummed and nodded.

“Where are we anyway?” Jarin’do shrugged.

“Woke up here just like ya. No way out unless we wanna get charmed by the Succubi.”

“Succubi?” Trevor maneuvered himself to his feet and approached the only exit, it was a pretty big doorway, no actual door, but a few demon females with reddish-purple skin stood guard in the other room. “Oh great... I might know who is behind this.” Trevor made his way back to Jarin’do and Haarvik.

“Who might that be, boy?” Haarvik questioned. His gruff voice held a Russian accent.

“Lust.”

~oOo~

“Are you kidding me?” Kathey snapped when she looked around at the team that was present. It wasn’t good. Haarvik and Jarin’do were gone along with Trevor.

There wasn’t much of a connection between the three missing members of the team. Their ages were different, they were different races, from different planets. The only connection was that they were all male and were currently living at the Academy, but that was a given. The Voutneth Team had a huge target on their backs after reclaiming the Underworld, ending the hunters, and now defeating Agony.

Kathey expected the Council to retaliate, but this? This was beyond stupid. Kidnapping members of the team would just draw more attention to them and bring the team to find them faster.

“What’s worse, I couldn’t find any trace of them when I went searching,” Samual hissed. The Serpentine Dragon had amazing tracking skills, the fact that he couldn’t find the three missing members of their team was concerning. “It’s likely they were flown to the location they’re being held at. I can’t exactly track in the air as well as I can on the ground.” Kathey shook her head.

“So what now? Any ideas?” she asked. Everyone was quiet until Comeli spoke up.

“We could use more help now. We know of some dragons that could help,” Comeli said. Vatuna looked to the young dragon then snapped her fingers.

“That’s right. A brother sister pair, Galzra and Mitsua. They’re pretty handy in battle and probably have the best relationship ever,” Vatuna explained.

“Alright, where are they at?” Kathey asked. Ractor clicked his tongue and smirked.

“Last we heard, they were heading to Clayton, funny enough,” he replied. Kathey snorted and shrugged.

“Let’s go get them.”

Clayton was a thirty minute flight from Drake, which Anna, Vatuna, and Ractor took to go in search of the Sunscape Twins as they were dubbed. The Exotics didn’t give much insight on them, aside from being battle ready dragons willing to help out as much as possible. The three dragons soared over the buildings of the city, looking around at balconies and rooftops.

“They like to sunbathe when they’re not busy with freelance work,” Vatuna explained. Ractor snorted a bit.

“Not even the cold will stop them. Look.” he pointed out two dragons laying on a rooftop in the snow, wings open and soaking up the afternoon sun. Anna narrowed her eyes slightly as she looked them over.

One of them was light pink and orange while the other was orange and purple. A Sunrise Dragon and a Sunset Dragon in that order. “They’re twins but they’re not the same breed. On top of that breeds that are sworn enemies?” Anna questioned. Vatuna and Ractor smirked at Anna and flew ahead to approach the twins, landing on the roof and walking forward. The Sunset Dragon lifted his head, stern face turning soft when he recognized the Exotics.

“They live!” the Sunset joked and got to his feet.

“Hello, Galzra,” Vatuna greeted. The Sunrise lifted her head and smiled.

“Vatuna! Ractor! You guys are okay?” she asked and Vatuna nodded.

“As are Ferentar and Comeli. All thanks to-”

“No feshing way!” the Sunrise, Mitsua, gasped. Anna had landed a few feet away from them and was spotted. “The Anna Dragon? She saved you?” If Anna was in her human form, she would have blushed.

“Well, they were captured by hunters, I couldn’t just leave them locked in cages,” Anna said. She approached the group and sat down between Vatuna and Ractor. “And now I need your help.” Galzra frowned at the statement.

“What’s the situation?” he questioned.

“Were you here when those Undead soldiers attacked Clayton?” Anna asked and the twins nodded.

“Yeah, we were on the far side of the city, we heard your team was helping out with that situation,” Mitsua replied.

“Agony was behind it.”

“Agony?” the twins asked simultaneously.

“The Council is back. The hunters were working with Agony’s minion, a Shadow Wyvern I fought with years ago called Cenod. I’m not sure who’s doing it yet, but someone is kidnapping members of my team. I need extra help.”

“Of course, Anna, anything to help,” Mitsua said. Galzra nodded in agreement.

“We’ll fly with you to Drake and we’ll figure out what to do from there.” Anna nodded and stood, stepping over to the edge of the building and opening her wings, looking back at the four behind her.

“Let’s go, we have no time to lose.” Anna encouraged and jumped from the roof, her wings caught the air and she drifted higher, heading to Voutneth with her current and new team members behind her.

~oOo~

Trevor jolted awake suddenly when shouting reached his ears. “Let me go! The rest of the Compass Dragons won’t be happy when they find out I’m gone!”

“Malice?” Trevor questioned, spotting the Thunder Dragon in question being dragged into the room by two Succubi. They dropped him next to Trevor and Malice snarled at them as they giggled.

“He’s cute, too bad we can’t play with them,” One Succubus crooned. The second looked at Trevor, smiling.

“This one didn’t fall for Mistress Carmilla’s spell, I wonder who his heart belongs to,” she purred, tilting Trevor’s head up by his chin. He jerked his head out from her touch and growled. “Both of them are rather feisty, Mother will have quite a fun time with them once the Flower Dragon is dealt with.” The first demon smirked.

“Imagine if the Water-Ice was in love with the Flower.”

“Would be a shame, she’s nothing but a whore after all.” The two Succubi laugh as they leave. Trevor shakes his head. Malice raised an eyebrow at Trevor.

“She didn’t charm you?” he wondered and Trevor looked to him, shaking his head.

“No, she bit me.” Trevor tilted his head to show Malice the bite to his neck.

“And you’re not dead, so they must...” Malice started then mumbled to himself, looking around.

Trevor rolled his eyes and looked to Jarin’do and Haarvik talking quietly to each other in a strange language, either in Troll or in Rukmar, he didn’t know. The Succubi weren’t all that smart, fortunately for Trevor. So the Toxic Valentine Dragon was probably named Carmilla. They called somebody “Mother” which had to be Lust. Succubi were demons of seduction, just like Lust is, Trevor was right then, Lust was behind their kidnapping.

“Does the team have a plan or something? We’re gonna end up dead if they can’t find us, Carmilla already told me I wouldn’t live to tell anyone about her.” Malice snorted and struggled with his binds.

“Well, before I was lured away, Anna was going with Vatuna and Ractor to track down some old friends of theirs. Getting more forces together to fight Lust.” Trevor hummed.

The old friends Malice mentioned had to be Mitsua and Galzra, Vatuna and Trevor had been talking a lot more in the past few months, she told him a lot about her life with the Exotics. There wasn’t time to think about it though, considering their current situation.

“They better hurry up, our hearts are gonna be dinner for a dragon if they don’t.”

“Yes that would be a shame, wouldn’t it?” A female voice questioned.

The four men looked up and spotted a woman with pale skin, almost as if absent of blood, short black hair just past her ears, and bright red eyes. She had on black high heeled boots that came to her mid thigh, a very short skirt, a crop top with the chest split open to reveal her very large breasts, and gloves that came to her elbows, accented with what looked like reptilian wings. Her clothing was black and accented with light purple, almost lilac.

“Hello boys,” she greeted with a sultry tone. Malice snarled, his eyes shifting to a dragon’s.

“Lust.”

Chapter 3

After returning with Mitsua and Galzra, Kathey heard the news of Malice disappearing. It was beyond concerning due to the importance of Compass Dragon power. Nobody was sure what had happened, one moment he said he was going to walk the grounds, the next, he just up and vanished.

“Whoever is behind this isn’t wasting any time taking the bulk of the team’s strength,” Zoymey pointed out. He, Kathey, and Sylark stood in her office. Kathey sat in her desk chair with her head in her hands while the men stood in front of her desk.

“If this continues, I fear our chances to defeat the Council member will drop until we are no longer a threat to the entire Council,” Sylark noted.

“Not helping!” Kathey snapped and dropped her hands to her desk, glaring at Sylark.

“My apologies, Kathey. But you know as well as I do that it is the truth,” Sylark replied, bracing his hands on Kathey’s desk. “What do you plan to do about that?” It was a challenge, as usual.

Ever since Kathey was discovered to be the last member of the Compass Dragons, Sylark always pushed her and challenged her ability to not only lead, but her mental strength as well. Telepaths never got along very well due to their ability to block each other out. It also didn’t help that they were North and South, feuding all the time. While they had their moments of teamwork and agreement, Sylark never skipped a chance to push Kathey and challenge her. Truth be told, every dragon had high expectations for the Flower Dragon and for a number of reasons.

She was one of three Flower Dragons left, her breed was just barely holding on. There had only been two until the birth of her first set of twins, giving a Flower Dragon fledgling. Eshala had yet to produce fledglings of her own and Stella had a few years before she was expected to help replenish their numbers. Kathey already had twelve kids by blood and three adopted, she wasn’t having any more kids anytime soon.

Kathey was born into royalty too. While she wouldn’t be taking the throne when Dawn and Dusk stepped down, she was still expected to be a natural born leader due to technically being the oldest daughter of the current rulers. The Royal Family ran on a matriarch system, oldest born female taking the throne while oldest male protected the Temple.

Having been chosen to be a Life Dragon means the tradition was interrupted as well, which Kathey had always been confused about. The Dragon of the North was supposed to be a Fire Dragon to balance out ice, and yet here was a Flower Dragon who personally used her flower breath and earth breath more than any of the other elements she had. As for those extra breath elements, she had no answer for that and had accepted the gift she was given years ago.

Kathey exhaled at Sylark’s question. She had no answer, not yet anyway. Sylark didn’t know that though, she kept her thoughts hidden from him as she stood, her chest puffing out a bit to assert dominance over the natural born Alpha male. Zoymey smirked in amusement, considering how short Kathey was compared to any of the Compass Boys. “We have one connection, men are being taken. It’ll take a little womanly strength to take out this threat and get the boys back.”

~oOo~

Malice continued to growl at Lust as she walked with an exaggerated sway to her hips, approaching the Thunder Dragon. “Ooo, the scary eyes are out. What’s wrong, handsome? Afraid you’ll grow a little extra if I touch you?” Lust swooned, kneeling in front of Malice and leaning in to toy with the button on his jeans. Malice snapped his teeth at her face and she leaned back before he could bite her. “Feisty little Compass Dragon, aren’t we?”

“Get rid of these anti-dragon binds and I’ll show you feisty!” Malice snarled.

“What, so you can prove you aren’t a failure?” Lust challenged. She snapped her fingers and a male demon appeared, getting on his hands and knees and Lust sat on his back, crossing one knee over the other. Malice’s growl stopped and he just glared at her. Trevor had never seen Malice this... well... not Malice, before.

“Don’t know what you’re talking about,” Malice struggled to say. Trevor looked at Malice before his eyes darted to Lust as she laughed in her throat.

“It’s your fault your parents were killed and your home destroyed.” Malice bared his teeth again and his head tilted down slightly. Trevor couldn’t believe Malice was actually submitting to this bitch. “I mean, really. You had all this amazing power, a Life Dragon! Combining your lightning with the power gifted by those stupid Gods, you easily could’ve taken care of the enemy. You still don’t know who did it, do you?”

“Doesn’t matter, that was a hundred years ago. You assholes were still locked up then!” Trevor could hear the uncertainty in Malice’s tone.

“What do you think Cenod did all those years since being created?” Malice swore in a strange language, probably Draconic, and Lust shook her head. “Yeah, no, Cenod didn’t do it. A mercenary group did it. Bunch of dragons were hired to destroy your family. They probably thought you weren’t worth the effort to kill. Honestly, a lazy, good for nothing child who wanted nothing to do with family affairs. It’s a blessing you snuck out that day or you would probably be dead.” Lust smirked and stood, starting out of the room. She paused at the doorway, her personal chair standing behind her. “You’ll have a new roommate soon. Carmilla is out on another hunt.” They watched Lust leave and Trevor looked back to Malice.

“Malice?” Trevor asked. Malice snorted and shook his head.

“Stupid bitch,” Malice mumbled and exhaled. “I’m gonna look into that though, I never knew what killed my family. I always assumed Storm Dragons or Black Dragons since that was around the time the Red and Black war was going on, both sides were looking for power. Castle was too broken up to even see marks from any battle. Lightning and Acid leave traces of a fight on stone.” Trevor hums and tests the bonds yet again. He still had yet to give up on trying to get free. Haarvik and Jarin’do finally got to their feet and made their way over to Trevor and Malice.

“Don’t beat yaself up for the past, mon,” Jarin’do said, sitting across from Malice. Haarvik sat next to Jarin’do across from Trevor.

“Yes, it was not your fault that you lost your family. Even Jarin’do and I could easily be blamed for similar situations. But you survived, that is all that matters,” Haarvik assured Malice.

“I know, it’s in the past. I kinda stopped caring, closure was never gonna come. I just look forward one day at a time. But obviously you can tell that I’m a little protective of my teammates because of it. It’s a given with my Thunder Dragon behavior,” Malice agreed. Trevor looked between the three of them before an idea popped into his head.

“Jarin’do, how skilled are you in magic?” Trevor questioned.

“Magic? Mon, the voodoo is in all trolls,” Jarin’do chuckled and shook his head. “Don’t mind that, it’s a joke among my people. We actually call our smoking choices the voodoo. Magic though, that I’m great at, if I could use it anyway.” Jarin’do struggles against the restraints. Trevor finally gets a good look at the clasps around Malice’s wrists. They were metal and nothing like any typical handcuffs or chains. It was more like metal rings tightened around their wrists with a small bit of metal connecting the rings with a rune on it.

“What’s the rune there?” Trevor asked. Jarin’do leaned to look at Haarvik’s binds.

“Son of a whore, they be legit anti-magic binds, mon,” Jarin’do replied, shaking his head. “Keeps ya from using magic and limits transformation use on dragons. Can probably change ya eyes and maybe a toe if ya try hard enough.”

“We can’t get them off with our own strength then. Magic is probably the only way,” Trevor guessed and moved to lay on his side. “Guess all we can do is wait.”

“If I know the princess, she won’t give up on us,” Haarvik exclaimed and smiled. Trevor glanced at Haarvik’s hooves and raised an eyebrow.

“Hey how strong is your kick?” Trevor asked, sitting up.

“My what?”

~oOo~

Lust sat on her throne and kicked her feet up onto the back of the only Incubus she had in her command. He remained silent as she crossed her ankles and relaxed. A few Succubi stepped forward, one handing a wine glass of a red liquid to the vampire while the other held a bowl out, also filled with a red liquid. Lust waved her hand over the bowl and sipped her drink. The blood in the bowl swirled and an image of an elf with blond hair came into view.

“Lust, where the hell have you been?” he questioned. Lust swirled her drink around and rolled her eyes.

“Entertaining my prisoners, what do you think, Pride?” Lust asked and drank from her glass again. The blood red liquid stained her teeth as she smiled at Pride. “I’m here now, what do you want?”

“A status report. Agony made me his right hand and I plan to do my job until we revive Master Rakasa,” Pride demanded and Lust rolled her eyes. She set her glass on the tray one of her demons held and sat up.

“Pride, dear, nobody cares about status reports. Agony is imprisoned in the Underworld and I’m sure the rest of us will have the same fate if Anna manages to defeat us in battle.” Pride scoffed at Lust’s ignorance and the vampire snorted.

“Lust, you know very well we still answer to Master even if he’s unable to physically be here with us. I need to be sure Valentine is carried out as intended or I won’t be able to use your magic to summon Rakasa when it’s time to do so. I already have to think of how I’m going to get Agony out without Deathbore catching me. I don’t need more of a burden on my shoulders getting you out as well, or any of the rest of the Council for that matter.”

“The Dragon of the East is in my possession as are two of the new members that are native to Dragoso and that foolish boy that Anna took in when Agony sent Cenod to corrupt that Nega Dragon and take over the Underworld. My dear Carmilla is on the hunt for another male now. Her priority is to get the Dragon of the West, but I’m sure they will be careful about the Compass Dragons being left by themselves. She cannot woo or even bite the Ice Dragon, he’s too skilled for her physical tactics and he’ll know her intentions right away.”

“It’s a start at least. Do not blow me off again. I would hate to have to report to Agony and Rakasa of your negligence to keep me updated on our plans.” Lust remained stoic, but she was nervous on the inside. Perks of being a vampire, she could hide her emotions so well. Except her namesake and rage, of course.

“Are you done? I have to check in with Carmilla to see how the hunt is going.” Pride chuckled and gave Lust a lazy smile. He knew he made her nervous and of course he would gloat, but she didn’t need to hear that.

“Have fun, Lust.” The image wavered before disappearing. Once it did, Lust backhanded the bowl and the Succubus that held it squeaked, pulling her hands away and Lust breathed heavily as she settled her rage. She got to her feet and paced.

“Stupid elf! Thinks he can scare me with threats!” Lust snapped and looked to the storm clouds above her tower. “I believe it’s time to treat my guests to a little fun.”

Chapter 4

Kathey sat on her bed, the Council’s books laid out in front of her and a notepad on her knee. The fact that this had turned into an investigation was mildly concerning. Brokenstar was an easy case, Deathbore came to her with the information. The hunters had been stupid enough to kidnap her two youngest fledglings on top of Cyrus and Aaron running out on Garrett and joining Voutneth. Agony exposed himself through nightmares and his stunt on Halloween.

This situation, however. It could be any of the remaining Council members! Lust could be taking them because they’re males, Envy could take them because of jealousy towards big strong males, Greed could take them for collection purposes. There was no telling who it really was.

Kathey chewed on her pen as she read a passage in Pride’s book. She was coming to the conclusion that Pride would probably play tricks on them and be pretty direct like Agony was. Pride was only really good for bragging about how great he was and paralyzing people since Horror Dragons had that ability. She looked up when the door to her room opened and Sylark stepped through.

“Don’t tell me they got Zoymey...” Kathey asked and Sylark shook his head.

“Darkness disappeared. He has not been seen since last night,” Sylark announced and Kathey tossed Pride’s book in front of her.

“Fesh... what is happening? Who the hell is taking males connected to the Academy and more importantly who is doing it?” Kathey asked, not expecting an answer. She shook her head and sighed. “Any clues?”

“Not from what I saw, I assume you will be tracking down other locations to find clues?” Kathey closed Pride’s book and stood from her bed.

“You assume correct, Samual still here?” She started out without waiting for an answer.

The flight wasn’t long, Samual leading Anna through the skies as he tracked Trevor’s scent. His tongue flicking out to get a better trace of the trail.

“He flew over the trees and landed a few yards away,” Samual directed and Anna nodded, following him and spotting broken branches.

“Hang on, Samual,” Anna called out, flailing her wings to stop and hover over the spot. She could see how the snow was disturbed like someone had fallen through the trees and crash landed. Anna was reminded of what Arc might’ve gone through when he had been attacked.

Arc... Anna still struggled to trust the Archangel Dragon considering he had little memory of his past and his wings... Archangel Dragons had a unique trait to them, their alignment was displayed in their wings. White for good, grey for neutral, and black for evil. Arc’s wings were a rich black.

Anna shook her head of the thoughts and flew to land a few yards away from the scene, avoiding disturbing the snow where a dragon had crashed through the trees. Possibly. She approached the area and sniffed around a bit. Trevor was here, no doubt, if the scent of his blood was anything to go by. Water-Ice Dragons had clear blood, but blood is blood, salty and metallic. And with Anna’s Venom Dragon traits, she could pick it up so much better than other dragons that didn’t feed on blood. What she didn’t expect to pick up alongside the scent of blood was a sickening sweet scent. It actually burned her nose when the pheromones hit.

“Ugh, what in Kaylano’s name is that?” She coughed and rubbed at her snout. She looked up when Samual landed and he sniffed the air, flicking his tongue and humming.

“That smells amazing, what is that?” he questioned, sniffing around for the source. Anna watched Samual search for the scent, then it hit her. A really sweet scent that repelled her, but attracted a male? It sounded so familiar... where had she read that before?

“Samual, let’s go, I need to go to the castle,” Anna said, taking off. Samual’s head shot up from the snow before taking off as well.

“Castle? Wait, why?” he asked.

“I might know what this is about.”

~oOo~

“Get the hell off of me!” Trevor snapped as Lust drove the heel of her boot into his back. He was on his stomach after being shoved onto it and Lust decided to pull this stunt, whatever it was she had planned.

“Shut it. Behave and maybe I won’t take away your stupid humanity,” Lust threatened and Trevor swallowed. He knew she was a vampire, as for what dragon breed she was, he couldn’t even guess. Her eyes were bright red, much like Agony. But she didn’t have nightmare causing abilities, she couldn’t be a Nega Dragon.

“Leave him alone!” Malice snarled and Lust looked over to the Thunder Dragon.

“Be patient, you’ll get a turn,” Lust purred. Malice growled a warning, baring his teeth which looked like his sharp dragon teeth. So they could transform their teeth as well. Lust kneeled down with a knee on either side of Trevor’s hips, gripping his hair and pulling his head back, inhaling at his neck. Trevor growled when his hair was pulled.

“Let me go, get off me!” Trevor repeated. Lust hummed like she was thinking about it.

“Mmm, no.”

Trevor cried out as the vampire’s fangs pierced his neck. Right away he grew light headed as the life was drained from him. His vision started to get fuzzy when Lust finally pulled away, licking her lips. “Interesting, Water-Ice Dragons have actual cold blood. Rather tasty if I do say so myself.” The weight from Lust is suddenly launched off of Trevor and Haarvik stands over the teen, growling at Lust.

“Stay the hell away from him,” Haarvik commanded. Lust pushed herself up and grinned.

“Look at you protecting the pathetic yearling. Big strong Rukmar protecting the weak human. I hardly took any blood from him and I doubt he can stand.” Trevor grit his teeth and attempted to roll to his back, his head throbbed at trying to sit up so he stayed down.

“I protect them because that’s my job.” Lust scoffed and got to her feet, brushing her skirt off.

“Puh-lease! You’re just obligated to defend the little dragons from the big bad monsters because you are a monster.” Trevor stared up at Haarvik who was tense and his face stoic.

Haarvik? A monster? Lust’s words obviously rubbed the large Rukmar the wrong way. Lust and Haarvik stared each other down for a while before Lust smirked and walked out of the room. Haarvik exhaled and stepped over Trevor and returned to sitting in his spot by Jarin’do who snored away.

“What was she talking about?” Trevor asked, rolling to his side to look at Haarvik. The large creature exhaled and shook his head.

“I don’t know. She may be referring to the near extinction of the Flower Dragons, since I am a Moon Dragon. I have no involvement with that war though,” Haarvik explained. “I was born on Orrumai as a dragon, trained in the ways of dragon magic and was going to be assigned to the temple, but I met Nyx and we started the Night Walkers. I protect others because I was born and trained to protect. I got more out of it with Nyx, Jarin’do, and Kyona.” Trevor hums and Haarvik nods to him. “Get some rest, you’re probably high on endorphins right now, those vampires are known to trigger that reaction when they feed sometimes.”

Trevor attempted to do just that, his dreams being filled with images of Vatuna and a blond haired infant with bright blue eyes.

~oOo~

Anna sifted through book after book in the library, Samual and Welsh sat nearby, watching her look.

“Anna, please, if you would tell me what it is you are looking for, perhaps I can help,” Welsh reminded her for the third time. Anna flapped her wings and hovered in front of the bookshelves, finally finding the books she was looking for. As soon as she pulled them all, she glided to the floor and curled up off to the side, skimming through the first book and finding a passage.

While in legends, Incubi and Succubi are said to take advantage of humans in their sleep, those of the real world work differently. They charm, procreate, and steal the souls of those they have sex with. A trait to assist in these situations is they smell appealing to the opposite sex, while repulsive to the same sex. Succubi have an extremely sweet scent and Incubi have a very spicy smell.

“Extremely sweet smell...” Anna mumbled. She continued reading.

The demons are masters at deception and prefer to infiltrate and charm rather than fight, though they will when provoked.

“Trevor wouldn’t start any unnecessary fights, that’s not in his nature. He’s a big brother, he would protect when needed, not fight if he’s left alone.” Anna flipped open the other few books, dragons with aggressive natures. Venom, Toxic, Toxic Metallic, Xeno. Though at the sight of the Toxic Dragon book, Anna paused and looked up at the shelves. “Toxic Valentine Dragon book?” she asked.

“Shelf eleven,” Welsh informed her and she flew up to search for the book. Anna pulled it and flew back to her spot, looking through the words.

Toxic Valentine Dragons are known to seduce other dragons before killing and eating their hearts. These dragons are able to put any dragon who’s heart is free under a trance and draw them to a destination. These dragons are also known to have Succubus as their non-dragon form. Toxic Valentine Dragons do not have a breath element, but they do have a venomous bite.

Anna looked up at Samual and swallowed. “I need some parchment and ink.” Welsh set a stack of paper on the floor and a bottle of ink and a phoenix feather quill in front of her. Anna wrote out information before rolling the parchment up into a few scrolls and nodded to her teacher. “We must be off, thank you, Welsh.”

“I have hopes you will solve this and bring an end to the Council like your predecessor did years before. May Kaylano guide you in times of need.”

“And may Gradroso grant you eternal life,” Anna replied and Samual followed her out.

“What was that blessing?” Samual questioned.

“I am Kaylano’s child of the skies. He watches over me. Welsh is Gradroso’s actual son, so it’s a blessing we say to Welsh personally in hopes he will live on to educate those about the past.”

The two flew back to Voutneth where what members remained of the team. What was a concern though was Zoymey and Galzra were missing. “They’re sparring in the gym,” Mitsua informed Kathey. It brought some relief at least.

“What’s this important information you have for us?” Sonar inquired. Kathey unrolled the scrolls and looked them over before exhaling and looking over what made up her team.

“A Toxic Valentine Dragon is behind the kidnappings. It’s possible she is a Succubus as well, she reeks of a sweet scent that she’s leaving behind,” Kathey started.

“Which means only one specific member is behind this,” Sylark noted and Kathey nodded.

“We’re dealing with Lust,” Kathey continued. “I would consider her a super vampire due to being a vampire and a Venom Dragon. She’s probably under orders from Agony, if his plan was to fail, she was to begin this one. Frankly it makes sense considering she lures away the physical strength of the team.”

“It’s not going to work though,” Tikimune bragged and Kathey smirked at her optimism.

“No, it’s not, because we’ve proved we’re not a typical source of power. I want everyone to keep an eye on each other, I have cots on hand to set up in the gym to sleep. They still have to put furniture together for the dorm and staff rooms. There’s space outside for the cold lovers.” Kathey looks over at Brenda, Aya, and Ractor who grinned back. “Ractor, I would be careful about being outside though.”

“Yes, ma’am,” Ractor replied.

“Rest up, train up, we’ll talk plan in the morning. Dismissed.”

Chapter 5

Trevor shot awake suddenly when Lust and Carmilla strolled in with a few Succubi dragging more captives behind them. Darkness, Zoymey, and an unknown male with long brown hair tied in a ponytail and sun kissed skin. The Succubi drops the males to the floor and Lust sneers at everyone there.

“Only fools sleep when they think it’s safe,” Lust spoke and Trevor sat up.

“What the hell are you even doing? Kidnapping us, especially two Compass Dragons, just draws attention!” Trevor fumed. Lust glared at him before approaching, jerking his head to the side by his chin to look at the bite she left, only there was no mark.

“Stupid dragons and your accelerated healing,” Lust grumbled. Trevor pulled his head free and snapped his teeth at her hand, which she pulled back before he could sink his teeth into her flesh. “You won’t live long enough to know, Anna’s star student can meet his end first. Then, the rest of you will have slow, agonizing deaths. I may not be a Nega Dragon, but I have no shame admitting I’m a sadist.” Trevor growled at her as she walked away with a sway to her hips, despite how enraged she appeared.

Once she was gone, Trevor stood and made his way to Zoymey first. “Are you okay?” he asked as Zoymey sat up. The Earth Dragon had a bite wound on his neck. “She overpowered you too, huh?”

“It would seem so, not entirely sure why. Toxic Valentine Dragons lure any with a free heart, like mine,” Zoymey advised with a shrug. “Who else did she have to invenomate?” Trevor looked away, guilt on his face. “Ah, do you still love Amy or...?”

“Someone on the team...” Trevor said slowly. Zoymey gave him a look of concern.

“It’s not Kathey, is it?”

“No, it’s not, I swear.”

“Alright. We’ve experienced her jumping between mates too many times and they’ve ended on bad terms. She has her kids to raise, a school to run, and the world to save. I would be very surprised if she ever found a mate again. Anyway, have any of you come up with a plan to get out of here?” Zoymey asked the group.

“Nothing we can do with the magic cancelling handcuffs, mon,” Jarin’do stated.

“Or the fact the cuffs are locked with magic too,” Malice added and Zoymey huffed. He got to his feet and stepped around Trevor to stand behind him.

“Kneel down and hold still,” Zoymey commanded and Trevor raised an eyebrow before doing as the Earth Dragon requested. Zoymey brought his foot up before striking the middle of the cuffs with his heel, effectively creating a crack in the stone. “Brute force can at times be the answer.” Before he could strike it again, Zoymey is shocked with magic, roaring angrily and falling to his knees.

“Stupid Earth Dragon!” a new demon snapped. The Incubus from earlier stood with his hand smoking after his attack on Zoymey. The Incubus looked to the two Succubi that stood behind him. “Restrain the West Dragon’s ankles and bring the Water-Ice Dragon to Mother.” The Succubi come forward with new shackles that they sealed to Zoymey’s ankles before the two grab Trevor. “It seems Mother has other plans for you aside from ripping your throat out, you best behave.”

Trevor snarled before being dragged from the room. They led him through a courtyard, an entrance hall, and another courtyard before coming to a spiral staircase to a tower. Trevor was thankful for his dragon stamina, else he would’ve been exhausted from walking that far. He would rather not be literally dragged up stairs.

They finally reached the top of the stairs and Trevor was stopped at a ledge that had a five foot drop. The demons released Trevor of his cuffs and shoved him off the ledge. Trevor landed and rolled forward to absorb impact before glaring at the demons. The Incubus pointed forward and Trevor growled before whipping his head around to face a throne. It was a basic bronze frame with pink cushions on the seat, back, and armrests. Lust sat in it with one leg crossed over the other.

“What the hell do you want?” Trevor demanded and Lust simply smiled.

“When was the last time you were with a real woman in bed?” Lust questioned. Trevor sputtered at the question.

“That’s none of your damn business! I have more important things to do like stop monsters like you!” Trevor pointed at Lust who scoffed.

“Really now? Because Carmilla told me she couldn’t influence you, she had to bite you in order to kidnap you. That tells me your heart has been given to someone. You’re still a teenager by nature, wants can’t be pushed down, yearling.”

“Why not ask Zoymey that, his heart clearly belongs to someone!”

“Foolish child, I know who he gave his heart to, she will never return the affection though. I knew about it long before we were released from our prisons.” Lust stood from her throne and snapped her fingers. From the edge of the open air tower flew Carmilla, landing before Trevor and snarling. “I believe it’s time someone put you in your place.”

Trevor barely had enough time to turn dragon as Carmilla pounced on him.

~oOo~

Kathey huffed to herself as she tightened the straps to her gauntlets. All the precautions they took and still the Toxic Valentine Dragon got in and managed to take Zoymey and Galzra. The team couldn’t just sit and do nothing any longer. If they didn’t attack now, there was no telling who else would be taken.

“Dammit!” Kathey cursed, looking at the scratch she just gave herself on her unprotected hand. She watched it heal closed before she dropped her hand and exhaled.

“What did you do?” Kathey turned to see Sylark standing behind her, already in his armor with his blades strapped to him and Malice’s blade at his hip.

“Nothing, I have a lot on my mind.” Kathey shook her head and strapped on her other gauntlet.

“Do me a favor, Kathey, do not do anything rash while we are trying to track down Lust and when we find her. We cannot afford to lose you, you lead this team better than anyone else, but you are also a big portion of our strength.” Kathey stopped short and turned to look at Sylark as he continued. “It is not just this team that needs you, Anna. Earth and all of Dragoso needs you.” Sylark stepped forward and adjusted the cloak clipped to Kathey’s shoulders. He gave her a soft smile which she returned.

“I don’t have to worry too much, I have you to watch my tail,” Kathey joked and Sylark chuckled.

“Indeed, you do. But...?”

“But the team also relies on me to keep them safe, I know. Don’t feel like you have to give me a pep talk, Sylark. I’ve been a Compass Dragon for a few years now. I know how important it is to keep Earth, Dragoso, and my team safe. We made a bigger team to counter the first generation’s mistakes. They didn’t have the numbers to stop the threats, the wars, the Council.” Kathey exhaled. “We can do this.”

“Yes, we can.” Sylark nodded and stepped aside to let Kathey step out of the armory and head to the front of the Academy where what remained of the team waited. They were lacking in numbers, but they had strength. Even with two strong dragons missing, they could still prove they could beat Lust and her Toxic Valentine Dragon.

As soon as Kathey and Sylark stood before the team, they looked to their leader. Kathey looked over at everyone present before exhaling through her nose. “I won’t lie to you guys, you know I don’t mask the truth. We lack numbers, our strength will be what helps us. The Compass Dragons before us never had a big team like this, it was their downfall in the end. We need to remain vigilant to achieve our goal of keeping Earth and Dragoso safe from the Council and stopping them from reviving Rakasa. Let’s just hope our missing teammates are wherever Lust is hiding out.” Kathey looked to Samual who nodded.

Everyone turned to their dragon forms and Samual flicked his tongue out, tasting the air. He took off and everyone followed behind him, Anna and Sylark staying close behind Samual. They were following the Toxic Valentine’s scent and hopefully find where she went and is keeping their missing teammates. Soon they came to a clearing, a field covered in snow. It was usually a field of crops judging by the area.

“The trail ends here. What now?” Samual questioned. Anna sniffed the air, looking around a bit at their surroundings. A dove flew past her head and landed in the middle of the field, watching the dragons intently.

“There is something off about that bird,” Sylark noted. Anna narrowed her eyes at the dove. Sylark was right, birds usually flew away from them, not taunt them and land a few yards away.

Anna growled low and approached the bird cautiously. She expected the dove to turn into some sort of monster, but instead, it exploded into a small puff of pink smoke before a spark appeared. Right before her, a pink and black swirling portal opens.

“Huh...I suppose this is something... shall we?” Anna asked. She stepped aside to allow Sylark to lead the team through. Anna jumped through and skidded to a stop as she observed her surroundings.

They stood on a platform seemingly in mid air. Below them bubbled a lake of lava, they were surrounded by walls of black stone, obsidian most likely. Before them, stood a cathedral looking building. It was run down, probably from Lust taking over. Pieces of the building were missing, the cross that would’ve been on the front of the cathedral was missing, in place of it was a pink banner with what looked like an image of vampire teeth in the middle of it.

“Keep your guard up, no doubt this is Lust’s base. Watch out for her and the Toxic Valentine Dragon she has working for her. We can’t afford to lose anyone else,” Anna warned and everyone nodded. Anna led the team across the narrow stone bridge and into the cathedral.

Anna and Sylark shoved the large doors open and revealed a rather long hallway lined with torches. The middle of the hallway had a statue of a provocatively dressed woman, sharp teeth visible in her mouth. Nyx approached the statue and looked up at it. The silver and black scaled female tilted her head slightly as she looked at it.

“Lust I assume? Very unprotected in that sort of...garb,” Nyx noted and Anna snorted.

“Agony only wore a cotton tunic and slacks with a cloak around his neck. Hardly considered armor,” Anna noted, approaching Nyx.

“Agony was a mage, was he not?” Anna nodded. “Mages rely on their magic for defense and offense, armor just gets in the way of their casting.”

“Hm...let’s move, if the rest of the team is anywhere, it’s in this cathedral.”

“I swear to God if this is gonna be like a video game where we have to solve puzzles in this dungeon, I’m leaving,” Brenda grumbled and Anna snickered.

“I doubt the Council has any understanding of video game dungeons, but yeah, that would be very annoying if they did that.”

They made their way to the end of the hallway and through another doorway, coming to a room that appeared to be split by a river of lava. Anna raised an eyebrow at just how familiar the place seemed now. This actually was looking like a dungeon from a game she played a lot. But that wasn't important now. They needed to find the rest of the team then take out Lust and the Toxic Valentine Dragon. Anna didn’t want to think about what would happen if the two succeeded in their goals.

Chapter 6

To say this place was familiar to Anna was an understatement, it really did have an almost exact layout of a dungeon from a video game. It was unsettling though, due to the sheer size of the video game’s dungeon. Would they have to jump through hoops and fight a bunch of Succubi before reaching Lust? Anna didn’t have the patience to do that in real life, especially when her teammates were in danger of getting their hearts ripped from their chests and eaten.

Anna led everyone over the river of lava, which was easy enough considering with just a flap of their wings, they were over it and safe. Anna went ahead of them to the other end of the room, looking up at a statue of a dragon. Judging by the longer canines in its mouth, it was a Venom Dragon, most likely Lust.

“For someone ruled by their sin, she projects quite a bit of pride behavior,” Anna mumbled.

“It is narcissism, anyone can be corrupted by it,” Sylark spoke up and approached. He looked up at the statue as well before his head whipped to the right, listening carefully. “Our mission appears to be rather short, I know where our missing teammates are.” Sylark started through a doorway and the rest of the team followed.

They cut through the courtyard and came face to face with a couple Succubi holding rapiers. Anna and Sylark exchanged glances before the two froze the demons with ice and moved past them into the room they were guarding, finding their missing teammates.

Almost all their missing teammates.

Anna freed Zoymey first and the two worked to get everyone free of their restraints. “Where’s Trevor?” Anna asked.

“An Incubus took him away probably a couple hours ago, they haven’t been back or said anything since,” Zoymey replied. Those that were released turned to their dragon forms and shook themselves out. Darkness phased down into the ground and hid in Anna’s shadow. Anna watched Darkness go into her shadow before looking to the rest of the team.

“Let’s deal with Lust so we can go home, I have a school to reopen.”

~oOo~

Trevor collapsed and panted, Carmilla stood nearby, poised and ready to retaliate if Trevor tried anything. He had taken a number of bites and scratches. Carmilla hadn’t been injecting any venom into him, but each attack was doing a number on him. His blood was splattered all over the tower and Lust watched from her throne.

“Y-you’re nothing but a... sadist,” Trevor grunted as he pushed himself to his feet and spit blood from his mouth.

“Honey, I’m the whole spectrum of lust, it is my name after all,” Lust purred.

“Half of that isn’t...” Trevor grunted as he got to his feet. “Isn’t even lust. It’s just...” He growled as Carmilla approached him.

“You know nothing about my sin.” Lust snapped her fingers and Carmilla pounced on him. Trevor rose up on his back feet to brace himself for her attack. Trevor sunk his teeth into Carmilla’s neck while her claws cut through his scales. Trevor managed to force Carmilla to the ground and he snarled as he held her down.

“You’ll never win, your teacher and her team aren’t coming. You’re all alone, you’ll lose before they even care to notice you’re missing,” Carmilla hissed. Trevor’s grip loosened and that gave the Toxic Valentine leverage to get free and pin Trevor herself. “You lost.” Carmilla opened her mouth to bite into Trevor’s neck, only to be blasted off of him. Trevor looked up and let out a breath of relief.

“I don’t think so,” Anna said, dropping down into the arena and approaching Trevor. “Are you alright?”

“I am now, thanks.” Lust glared at Anna.

“I don’t have time for this. Attack!” Lust commanded. The team was swarmed by Succubi and Carmilla joined in the battle. Anna launched herself at Carmilla, separating her from the rest of the team and the two females stared each other down.

“Your venom won’t work on me,” Anna snarled and Carmilla growled.

“You won’t leave here alive anyway.” Carmilla roared as she pounced on Anna.

Anna flapped her wings to get out of Carmilla’s way, right away releasing ice at the Toxic Valentine. Carmilla hissed and cowered away from the cold. Anna just moved closer, continuing her assault with ice.

Lust watched nearby as the battle raged on. Anna against Carmilla and the rest of the team against her Succubi. The Incubus remained at Lust’s side where she sat on her throne.

Sylark! Assistance! Lust is mine. Anna requested. Sylark bit into the throat of a Succubus and tore it out before jumping to Anna’s aid. He released his own ice at Carmilla who shrieked as her scales froze, being encased in ice.

Lust got to her feet and the Incubus drew his blade from his hip. “I will protect you, Mother,” he vouched.

“No.” Lust snapped as she began glowing light purple and stepped down from the throne. “Anna Dragon is mine!” Lust roared and her body expanded, scales appearing along her skin. Her wings sprouted from her shoulders and her tail extended out, toppling her throne. Lust landed on all fours, revealing her Venom Dragon form and she roared.

Anna faced her now and roared back, flying right at Lust. The two collided and Anna skidded to a stop when Lust fell back, taking to the air now. Lust snarled and chased after Anna. Anna flipped to face Lust, the two hovering above the tower surrounded by dark storm clouds. Thunder rumbled around them.

“Agony failed our master, but I won’t let him down. He’ll surely make me the leader of the Council when we revive him and I deliver your head to him,” Lust growled.

“I’d like to see you try, I’m immune to your venom, dragon and vampire, you can’t do anything to kill me,” Anna responded. “You would know that if you were meant to be any sort of leader.” Lust growled.

“You’ll regret saying those words you trump card!” Lust flew at Anna, swiping her claws at Anna. The Flower Dragon barreled out of the way and spit fire at Lust. Lust shut her wings to drop a few feet, catching herself on her wings to glide before spinning to face Anna and spit venom at her face.

Anna countered the venom with a spray of water, the two liquids falling to the lava lake below. Anna prepared to fly at Lust, but both dragons were startled by a sudden bolt of lightning striking the air, creating a static charge around them. Lust snarled while Anna just stared at her.

“Scared of a little lightning?” Anna taunted.

“Oh please! You’re not immune to lightning, nobody is!” Lust snapped.

“Actually a few dragon breeds are immune to it. But you’re right, I’m not immune and I’m not scared.” Lust roared and flew at Anna. Anna opened her mouth to release a bolt of lightning at Lust who barely managed to barrel roll out of the way of the strike.

“You bitch!” Lust launched herself at Anna and the two collided.

Anna used her back feet to kick Lust, scratching her with her claws while her teeth and front claws held the Venom Dragon. Lust hissed and managed to pry herself from Anna, successfully tearing a chunk out of her shoulder from Anna’s teeth and her underbelly was clawed and bleeding purple blood. The two hovered in the air panting, Lust’s wounds were oozing and her blood dripped from her tail. Lust bared her teeth before flipping backwards and diving towards the tower, landing beside where Carmilla was frozen.

Anna flew after Lust, spotting the Incubus running to Lust and Carmilla. He drove his rapier into the ice and it shattered, releasing Carmilla who shook her wings out and growled. Lust reverted to her vampire form, holding her hand to the side as a spear appeared in her hand and she stepped up onto Carmilla’s back. As soon as Anna reached Carmilla, the Toxic Valentine Dragon was already in the air with Lust and the Incubus on her back. Anna chased after the three.

~oOo~

Trevor threw another Succubus from his back and watched as Anna chased after Carmilla, Lust, and the Incubus. They weren’t getting anywhere with this fight. The Succubi were never ending, Anna wasn’t doing much damage to Lust despite having clawed her up pretty badly.

“We’re getting nowhere...” Trevor mumbled. Zoymey backed away from some Succubi, hitting them with his Earth Shot and huffing.

“No kidding... The Succubi have us occupied here, none of us can help Anna,” Zoymey said and snorted. “Carmilla needs to be destroyed and Lust needs to be incapacitated but we can’t do that if they’re flying around like that.”

Trevor watched Anna chase Carmilla around in the sky. Anna launched a bolt of lightning at Carmilla who dodged the attack. Lightning from the sky struck as well and Carmilla flailed her wings to avoid it. Looking closely, Trevor could see Lust with a very concerned look on her face, almost like... fear.

“That’s it! Malice! Chase after Carmilla with Anna!” Trevor exclaimed.

“Uh...why?” Malice asked and he shocked another Succubus.

“Lust is terrified of lightning and you’re the only one here who has lightning for their breath element aside from Anna.”

“Oh... yeah that makes sense.” Malice took to the air to join the chase. Trevor jumped as a Succubus approached him and he snapped his jaws at her.

“What are these things weak to?” Trevor questioned.

“Fire, like their mother,” Sylark said.

“And none of us breathe fire except Anna.” Galzra and Mitsua perk up.

“Why didn’t we think of that?” Mitsua asked her twin.

“Everyone move!” Galzra commanded. The two took to the air as the rest of the team scrambled away from the Succubi. From the twins’ mouths came fire. Galzra breathed blue flames while Mitsua’s flame was bright yellow like the sun. The Succubi scream and scramble away from the heat.

“Wow...” Zoymey gaped as Mitsua and Galzra landed. “Well... at least we have more than one fire breather now, Anna was the only one before.”

“Happy to be of service. What about Lust?” Mitsua asked. The team looked up at Anna and Malice chasing Carmilla.

“She’s scared of lightning, it’s plasma energy. She’s scared of that and being a vampire, she’s scared of fire too.”

“I see what you’re getting at. Let’s go Mits” Galzra said and he took to the air. Mitsua watched him fly up before she followed after him to join the chase.

“Let’s hope they can do this. What should we do in the meantime?” Trevor asked. Zoymey hummed.

“Be prepared should Lust come after us,” Zoymey informed the team.

~oOo~

Anna panted as she chased Carmilla. How could a Toxic Valentine Dragon have more stamina than a Life Dragon? A stray clap of lightning struck the air and Carmilla barrel rolled out of its range, only to shriek as another bolt came from below them. Anna looked to see Malice approaching. The two Life Dragons hover in the air as Lust regains her balance on Carmilla’s back.

“She’s just toying with us...” Anna huffed and Malice watched Carmilla fly around only to charge at them. “Look out!” Anna and Malice rolled out of the way of Carmilla’s teeth and the metal of Lust’s spear and the Incubus’ rapier.

Mitsua and Galzra appeared out of nowhere and released flames right at Carmilla. Lust screamed and jumped from Carmilla’s back, her own dragon form surrounding her and she caught herself on her wings and glided for the tower. The Incubus turned to ash on Carmilla’s back as he howled with pain.

Anna flew up to the twins and nodded. “That works. You two go after Lust, whittle her down.” The twins nod to each other and fly after Lust. Malice flew up to Anna. “We have to deal with Carmilla first. Toxic Valentine Dragons are a danger to the world.”

“No kidding, let’s go,” Malice encouraged and they flew after Carmilla.

Chapter 7

Anna and Malice chased Carmilla side by side. They needed a decent plan to get rid of her.

“What’s the plan?” Malice asked. Anna looked down at the lava below them.

“We need to save our Life Breath for Lust. But we can still destroy her body. The lava will work,” Anna noted.

“You’re the only one immune to it. How do you want to do this?” Anna hummed.

“Lightning cage.”

“Roger that.”

Using their Life Dragon speed, Anna and Malice catch up to Carmilla. They released concentrated balls of electricity and hit her, immobilizing her entire movements and she plummeted to the lava below. The two Life Dragons watch as Carmilla screeches in pain as her body is claimed by the molten rock.

“Good riddance,” Anna snorted.

“You’ve never been one for a ruthless death like that,” Malice commented.

“Toxic Valentine Dragons are sociopaths, they’re better off dead. Lest they lure, kill, and eat more dragons and their hearts. Let’s go, we have Lust to deal with.” At that moment, Lust flew right at Anna who braced to take the blow and the two clawed at each other with their back feet. Anna flipped backwards to throw Lust off and she flew for the tower. Malice, Mitsua, and Galzra followed behind Lust as she chased after Anna.

All the dragons landed, save for Lust who snarled as she hovered above the tower. “You’ll all regret angering me. Luckily, Agony was smart enough to loan me these before being captured by you fools. Hellhounds!” Lust roared. Pink portals appeared and Hellhounds made of lava ran through them and attacked the team. Anna snarled and snapped at a few before looking to Lust.

“How the hell did you get Magma Hounds under your command?” she questioned and Lust snorted.

“Like I would tell you,” Lust snapped.

“Enough games! Fight you coward!” Lust rolled her eyes and flew higher. Anna growled and took off after her. Lust rounded on Anna and swiped her claws at her. Anna avoided the attack and landed on Lust’s back, digging her claws in and biting the Venom Dragon’s neck, holding on as she thrashed around. Lust flew at the obsidian that surrounded the lava lake and tossed her head. Some of the rock was pulled away and made a decent sized platform in midair. Lust spun in the air, making Anna lose her grip and they both landed on the platform, Lust reverting to her Vampire form and standing with her spear.

“I’ve had it with you and your petty attempts to defeat me. This ends now!” Lust shouted. Anna growled and with a flash, was in her human form holding her sword and shield.

“I couldn’t agree more, Lust,” Kathey said and got into a stance. “You won’t walk away from this fight.” Lust snarled before lunging at Kathey who raised her shield to block the stab, swinging her sword right at Lust’s shoulder. The vampire shrieked as the blade pierced her skin and she pulled away from Kathey, arm dripping with blood. Lust hissed at Kathey who just smirked. “You should recognize the blade just by its color, Lust.” The lightning above shone some light on the blade made of rubies, infused with fire magic.

“Even so, you won’t win.” Lust growled. She lunged again, Kathey parried the blow and kicked Lust in the stomach before driving her blade towards her torso, successfully driving it through her shoulder. Lust screamed as her skin burned, kicking Kathey and pulling herself from the blade. She held her wound and panted, hunched over slightly.

“Hellhounds! To me! Kill this bitch!” Lust called. Portals appeared above them and three rather large Magma Hounds dropped from them and Kathey brandished her sword before striking at the hounds that attacked her. She struck the first in the back. The second received a slice across the head. The last one was stabbed in the chest as it reared up to strike. Lust charged and swung her spear down. Kathey brought up her blade and used two hands to resist the strength of the vampire, which was not easy to say the least.

Lust kicked Kathey’s legs out from under her, sending her onto her back. Lust drove her spear down. Kathey shifted to avoid the attack and kicked the vampire in the stomach before rolling to her stomach and getting to her feet, only to have the shaft of the spear hit her square in the back. Kathey’s wings appeared and they flailed to keep her from falling, lifting her up and spinning her to kick Lust right in the jaw. Lust stumbled backwards, holding her jaw while Kathey hovered there.

“Fool! Locking us up won’t stop us! As long as at least one of us is free, we WILL succeed in our mission!” Lust snapped. Kathey landed and opened her wings fully as her amulet started to glow.

“Not if I can help it.” There was a buildup of light in her mouth before she released the Life Breath on Lust who screamed as she was damaged. Once the light ceased its assault on Lust, the vampire fell to one knee, panting.

“P-pathetic! W-we cannot be destroyed!” she panted. Kathey flapped her wings, launching herself forward and driving her blade right into Lust’s heart.

“No, but I can incapacitate you.” Lust stared with wide eyes before her head dropped. Kathey withdrew her blade in a swift motion and Lust fell backwards. Kathey looked down at Lust and exhaled slowly as the tension in her body relaxed. “Time to put you where you belong, Lust.”

The dragon on Kathey’s amulet turned pink and in a flash of light, she was in the Underworld standing before Deathbore with Lust at her feet. “Greetings, Uncle.”

“Congratulations on your second capture, Anna,” Deathbore responded and snapped his claws. Two cambions approached Lust’s body and lifted her up, carrying her to the chambers behind Deathbore’s throne. “I must ask what you plan on doing should they revive their master.”

“Evacuate every dragon from Earth and make a plan of attack to bring him down.” Kathey said and exhaled. “Hopefully it does not come to it. Excuse me, I have a school to reopen.” Deathbore nodded with a smile and opened a portal for Kathey to return to the living world.

~oOo~

“It had been just a week since Voutneth Academy and Drake Town had opened their gates once again. The Compass Dragons have been hard at work keeping our planet safe from evil. I’m here with Headmistress of Voutneth and leader of the Compass Dragons, Anna Dragon to give us the latest on the most recent attack on her team. Anna, tell me, what exactly had been going on this month?” The reporter spoke from the TV, turning the microphone to Kathey.

“A long standing enemy of the first generation Compass Dragons has risen and we are working tirelessly to capture every member and prevent them from harming Earth and Dragoso. Our job as the Compass Dragons is to keep dragons and humans safe. Now that Earth and Dragoso has reconnected after two generations, we are hoping to ally humans with the rest of the races. It’s a long process that we will leave up to each race’s respectful leaders.” Kathey explained.

“Should we expect the Dragoso races to go outside of Drake?”

“No, we are keeping them strictly within Drake to avoid any feuds or mishap. The only ones to be seen outside of Drake is our sub-team known as the Night Walkers, they are dragons, but three of the four do not have human forms. They can be trusted.”

“What hopes do you have for the future of the Academy?”

“The team, the staff, and myself hope that we can work together to keep Earth and Dragoso safe.”

“Thank you Kathey, best wishes to you and Voutneth. I-” Kathey shut the TV off and exhaled. Trevor stood nearby, arms crossed.

“Well... at least it wasn’t TOO bad, right?” he questioned.

“She’s the only reporter I would talk to, she’s not heartless like a lot of other reporters. I have a feeling she has a connection to dragons in her personal life. She understands how sensitive being a dragon is, but since we’re not much of a secret anymore, it’s safe to say we can be open about what we are,” Kathey said and turned to face Trevor.

“So what now? Wait until another Council member attacks the Academy? Twice now they’ve used their influence on the team to weaken us before we just go out to attack them directly.” Kathey sighed.

“They hide way too well in different pocket dimensions, we can’t track them down unless they make themselves known. It’s all we can do, Trevor. Just keep up with training and prepare for anything. We only have two out of eight captured and who knows what’ll happen next.”

“Let’s hope it’s nothing too major, we need to stick together.” Trevor stepped out of Kathey’s office, only to stop short when he spotted Vatuna waiting in the hall for him. “Vatuna? Um.. wh-what’s up?” Trevor blushed slightly. He noticed she had a dusting of blush on her cheeks as well.

“I wanted to talk. Walk with me?” Vatuna requested and Trevor nodded. They started walking through the halls. “After you were taken by Carmilla, it got me thinking about a lot of things.”

“Okay...?” Vatuna stopped and Trevor did as well, facing her.

“It’s made me realize how quickly life can change and how short it can feel, even as dragons. So...well...I was wondering if um...” Vatuna fidgeted with her hands as she spoke, not looking at Trevor. “You’d want to... go on a date sometime?” Trevor blushed, but smiled at the offer.

There was no chance he would ever get back with Amy, his world was too dangerous for her. But Vatuna? She was a beautiful woman and a stunning and powerful dragon. They lived in the same world. Trevor reached out and took Vatuna’s hands in his own.

“I’d love to,” He said and smiled at her as she looked up at him, smiling as well.

~oOo~

Pride smacked his goblet of blood aside in a rage. First Agony, now Lust! These imbeciles were proving to be useless. Lust made a grave mistake of capturing males. She never should’ve held them. They should’ve been killed on the spot and Carmilla eaten their hearts. Fools, both of them.

Pride waved his hand and repaired his goblet and the blood, the image wavering. “Wrath!” he shouted. The orc in the image jumped and picked up his goblet, looking in at Pride.

“You look angry, what did the bitch do?” Wrath asked.

“She got herself beaten and locked up like Agony. Anna Dragon and her idiot team are relentless with their countermeasures.”

“Tch, figures. What now?”

“Betrayal my rage fueled friend. It’s time to twist loyalties and bring about ancient rivalries. Anna had a Sunrise and Sunset Dragon join her team recently. Start with them.” Wrath smirked.

“Don’t worry, Pride. Unlike Lust, I don’t wait to act.”

“Don’t be a fool, make sure Blackaxe Fortress is ready and guarded and be sure Talia is prepared for a fight if it comes to it. Give the fools time to let their guard down before influencing the rage. Wrath nodded and the image distorted before disappearing. Pride set his goblet on his throne and stood. “Mark my words Anna Dragon...you will regret crossing the Council and my Master. We will end you.”

Pride pulled a black pendant from around his neck in the shape of a dragon’s head with rubies for the eyes.

“Master Rakasa, we will not fail you this time. I promise.”