Chapter 8

• AERA
• I was jolted awake. Outside there was a loud roar. One that I knew to be a shuttle. The thing is, there shouldn't have been a shuttle moving at the early hours of the twilight.
• Heart racing, I scrambled to get dressed. I rushed out of my cabin with barely a moment to gather my thoughts. I was met with a startling sight at the center of our community. Crushing the cobblestone sidewalks, a shuttle had landed, its engines still humming.
• From the side doors, men burst forth. I wish I could have said I was as shocked as the residents who opened their front doors, but I wasn't. I was more irritated that they'd disrupted my sleep.
• My eyes locked on the weapons each warrior had been gripping.
• The leader of the intruders had his head held high. His voice cut through the night air. "By the order of Emperor Arion, every male between the ages of 18 and 35 has been drafted into the military." His words were spoken with the authority his rank gave him.
• "Where is the decree?" I stepped closer to the group of men as they prepared to enter the homes, taking them to join Emperor Arion's growing army.
• "We don't need a decree to complete Emperor Arion's orders. We are the Crimson Claw."
• "Don't care who you are. I am not impressed." I sarcastically snorted. "You have two problems." I had announced.
• The group of Crimson Claw members laughed. "You," the burly male pointed a claw my way.
• "Make that three problems." One side of my lips turned up. "One, you are on Silver Viper territory. Two, no agreement with the elders means no decree. Three and this is a big one. I am the problem you will have to face if you touch one Silver Viper member."
• Cracking his knuckles, the warrior charged at me. As he closed the distance between us, I prepared my stance. With a swift flick of my wrist into his chest. I unleashed a powerful surge of energy.
• A wide smile grew on my face, one that didn't reach my eyes.
• He was thrust backward through the air.
• There was a sharp intake of air as the witnesses watched the warrior crash into the shuttle. The force left a noticeable dent in the metal siding.
• "It appears that the emperor has a problem." I studied the remaining males, who couldn't figure out what to do next.
• The Silver Viper warriors had emerged from the shadows. Their weapons all aimed squarely at the Crimson Claw. The emperors’ warriors were acutely aware of the stark reality. What the Crimson Claw had thought to be an easy prey had fangs.
• We were exercising our right to decline the emperor's words. No words would convince us otherwise. Each of us knew the agreement between the Silver Vipers' territory and the Empire of Elysia.
• In this realm, their authority held no sway. Bao, the leader of the Ledgon, gave the Crimson Claw warriors an ultimatum. They were urged to retreat immediately. Their continued presence was a transgression. If they continued down their path, it would be deemed an act of war.
• "I don't think you are ready to fight us," Bao had pointed at the dent.
• I couldn't help but smirk as the Crimson Claw warriors examined the deep dent in the shuttle's hull. They shuffled their feet uneasily. They exchanged glances. With a collective decision made without uttering a word, they turned away.
• The second the shuttle rose above the canopy of trees, everyone turned their attention my way.
• "Did you really have to hit the fool so hard?"
• I smirked at Sol, who had asked the question. Shrugging my shoulders, I said, "I wanted to see if black dragons can fly backwards. The answer is yes, though the landing was a little rough. They need more practice."
• As my words echoed through the gathering, snickering rose from the growing crowd.
• "I don't see anything to laugh about." The words cut like the winter winds as the elders emerged from the shadows.
• "Too soon for jokes?" I shrugged my shoulders as the elders glared daggers my way.
• The elder's voice was steady. “Their arrival under the cover of night. They come to seize our sons, brothers and mates. Emperor Arion is building an army of large proportions. An army that doesn't stand on ancestral land. I fear that dark days lie ahead for all of us.”
• "Aera, you need to be more cautious of your footing." Bao stepped in my direction. "Your father has taught you his strengths and skills as a fighter. Maybe too well, in my opinion. I only hope you have more common sense than he did."
• I clicked my tongue. "They don't call me a sigma for nothing. Though, now that you mention it. I might be worse than my dad."
• "I feared you would say that." Bao turned to the witnesses. "Everyone head back to bed." Looking back at me, "Aera, have you thought about my grandmother's proposal?"
• My eyes widened in shock, nearly popping out of my head. Heart racing. Slowly stepping backwards. "Bye!" I rushed back to my cabin, half walking, half running.
• From a distance, I listened to Bao shouting, "I am going to take it that you are still thinking about it." At his words, an uproar of laughter broke out.