Chapter 62: Damn Dragons

Ash choked on an inhale. Her throat was dry and raw as she pushed to stand against the boulder that had saved her life. Her lungs felt like she'd poured acid in them. Every breath hurt, but she was alive.

Around her, the forest had become blackened twigs. She'd leaped over the boulder before blacking out. The rock that protected her was charred black on the front side.

Damn dragons.

Now that she'd seen one and lived through two others fire-breath, she'd rather never see another one again. But what of Xilon? Last she'd spotted his emerald scales, he was outside the ring of fire. Was he okay? He had sounded almost panicked in her mind when he warned her to get out of the woods.

She pushed her sword through the holder hidden in her jacket along the back and took a step forward. Pain snapped up her leg.

"Sh*t!" She picked her way forward, mostly hopping on one leg.