House of Vultures by Maggie Claire (read my book TXT) 📕

In these holes, their colorful fires glitter as they welcomemy presence. “I will never get used to this,” I mumble, awed by themyriad of brightly hued bodies and limpid eyes peering curiously atme.

“There are more dens thanjust this one, much like your houses,” Siri calls out to me, pridein her voice. “If we can find even one hundred of these Cadogans,then we’ll stand a fighting chance against Déchets when they setout to attack us.”

Siri screeches as loudly as anemergency bell clangs, immediately rallying the Ddraigs around us.Many of the massive creatures rush to obey her call, soaring downto our position and landing as silently as an owl’s flight atnight. While I am delighted by the jewel toned bodies that simperup to me, Siri’s head remains high. She snorts and straightens herspine, her posture turning rigid as she roars once more.

Following her line of sight, I noticethat there are about fifteen Ddraigs who linger at the back of thecave. At the center of this group stands a huge, fiery red one. Itshead turns marginally when Siri beckons, but with this muchdistance between us, I can tell it is furious. Siri rises onto herback legs, spreading her silver flames high into the mouth of thecave. They arch across the expanse, racing like a pack of dogstoward a fresh kill. Most of the wayward Draigs cower under thereign of fire, scuttling toward Siri in penitent obedience. Eventhe red Ddraig inches closer, though it is clear by its swaggerthat it is not impressed by Siri’s power.

What is that one’sproblem? Iquestion, appreciating our mental connection for the first timesince I learned of its existence.

He is jealous, Iris. We’vebeen waiting a long time to find our Cadogans. There are some amongus that were hoping that their warriors would find them first sothat they would be the leaders of the Ddraigs. Siri answers me smugly as she stares down the red Ddraig.Reluctantly, he drops his head. I fear hewill be a problem one day.

You think he willchallenge your right to rule?

Probably. A lot willdepend on the personality of his Cadogan. For now, he will followus, so do not worry over him. Speak your piece to the Ddraigs. Showthem that you are strong.

The brilliant green creature that hadcarried away Cane strides up to my side until her nose is pressingagainst mine. “You were with my Cadogan.” She is quiet when shespeaks, her voice as melodic as the symphonies of old.

My heart rends as I recognizeimmediately who the young Ddraig means. “I never knew her truename. To me, she was always Warbler, and I am so sorry that she isgone.”

“So am I. When she passed,her memories came to me, Cadogan. I bear a piece of her heart andsoul with me always now.” The small creature blinks her vibrantyellow eyes, and in their hues, I see the connection to my lostfriend. “Her true name was Laurel, and she loved you dearly.” TheDdraig saunters over to stand beside Siri, her head lowered towardher feet as she waits.

“What is your name? Andwhat happens to you now that Warbler is gone?” The idea of leavingthis Ddraig behind tastes like a bitter herb on mytongue.

“I will fly with youunbound to any Cadogan. When you need me, I will be there out ofrespect for my Laurel. She’d want me to support you.” I can hearthe sorrow in her voice as she speaks of her lost Cadogan.My beautiful friend touched lives she did noteven realize existed.

“Siri, what happens if ourDdraig dies?” I feel obligated to ask, now knowing that a Cadogan’smemories pass through to their Ddraig.

“Well, it’s much the samefor you as it is for us. If we die, our memories transfer to you.However, the human brain is ill equipped to handle so much newinformation. It often causes our Cadogans to go crazy, especiallyif the death is sudden. It’s why our lifespans are longer—Ddraigsare better suited to handle such losses.”

“Do you ever seek anotherwarrior?” I ask, immediately hating the jealous monster awakeningin my heart. A fierce demand for loyalty roars to life in my heart.The thought of Siri with another Cadogan feels like a worsebetrayal than finding your lover in another’s arms.

“It is the same for me,Iris. Ddraigs are naturally hoarders, and this fact does not stopwith objects we find appealing. It applies to our Cadogans too.Once you are gone, I will forever fly alone. One loss is enough.”She stares at me grimly as she adds, “I know this is not the righttime, but this conversation should explain to you why you mustcouple with Cyrus, Iris. If I ever had to fight with my Suryc, oneof you would suffer too. Think what would happen to you if Ifailed.” Her words are brusque, a hateful reality that clangs in myears. “I am sorry for the unfairness of it, but just because youdon’t love Cyrus doesn’t mean that you can give him up.”

My mind blots out herwords as I inspect the Ddraigs before me. I cannot allow myself todwell on Wolf or Cyrus or even my own worries right now. Myattention must be on these Ddraigs first, gaining their trust,getting them to help me in this battle. That’s not it at all, Siricontradicts me through our bond, her words biting at me in herexasperation. You just don’t want whatI’ve said to be true, so you’re ignoring it. But it won’t just goaway, Iris. You’ll have to face your fate with Cyruseventually.

A tiny Ddraig baby toddles up besideme, his violet blue scales so dark that they blend with the stonesbelow his feet. The little one sneezes, a beautiful magenta flamecatching the laces of my boots afire. The Ddraig snuffs them outwith its tail, sniffling as it stamps its feet.

“What is your name?” Ibend down to touch the babe’s small head. It makes a strangechortle deep in its throat, eyes closing as it enjoys being petted.He does not speak words that I can understand, but he makes hisneeds known when he flops on his back for a belly rub. I laugh as Ipat his tiny scales, listening to the creature