Rory POV

Cold. That’s all I could feel around me. The ice was gnawing away at my bones now. I was past a simple chill against my fur. Damn, dragon. It froze us before I could make contact with its underbelly. The large white wings enveloped us both. I couldn’t see nor move in this damn ice block. This dragon was trying to kill me by freezing to death. I remember from the guild’s academy that dragons can go into hibernation in extreme weather situations and come out just fine. The only thing keeping me alive right now was the electric plus of magic flowing through me from my mother’s ring.

My fur might be keeping me warm, but I longed for the ability to speak in my human form. If I had been able to speak, Ema wouldn’t have shot that damn arrow. I wouldn’t have been thrown into a fight with a frost dragon. I could have protected Ema from those damn stalkers that followed her to the cave. If only I had more control over my emotions to prevent my transformations and magic from exploding, then I wouldn’t be stuck as a wolf. If only I didn’t have a frenzy mode to transform into… I wish I could scream. Hell, I would settle for growling at this point, but it’s far too cold to use that much energy.

What a journey Ema and I have had. It’s been one thing after another. Ema was forced to mature in ways I hadn’t expected. We counted on my crazy magic in ways we hadn’t expected. Sleeping on the ground became far too normal for us. We became the adults making decisions on what happens next, and I wish we were still at the guild where we had guidance and advice. I long for my bedroom at the guild where I could just stretch out and relax. I miss my raven curls and blue eyes. I miss Ema’s fluffy white fur and running from Guildmaster Myra. I want all of it back. Being twenty-one is hard. I have been on my own for the most part for a year, but I wasn’t being hunted like now. Hell, I wouldn’t be freezing to death if I had made a better plan.

I wonder if Ema is frozen. She would be dead if she was… If she is, I hope I can freeze to death too. I don’t want to keep running on my own. Besides, my death would mean safety for everyone I love. Should I just give in to the cold? It wouldn’t matter if I am a hybrid if I freeze to death, right?

Although…what if Ema isn’t frozen? She could be trying to find a way to thaw this damn ice block right now.

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Ugh. What is humming noise?

Shit. What’s that voice?

Shut up. All I have heard for hours is constant humming! Just shut up already.

I will talk when I want. It’s my head after all.

Stupid wolf. I am not some voice in your pathetic head.

What are you then, smart ass?

I am Athyra, the frost dragon. Why am I stuck with a brainless animal?

The frost dragon that I fought and got encased in an ice block with is talking to me… Is that even possible? I thought dragons just hibernated in cold weather to preserve their life force. That’s what I was taught at the academy. However, I suppose dragon knowledge would technically be incomplete because dragons are a secretive species. This frost dragon isn’t friendly though, so if we are stuck here for a long time, this could become torture for both of us.

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Shut the hell up! I was angry before you started speaking because of the incessant humming of your thoughts, but your voice is like nails on a chalkboard.

So, you only heard a humming noise from my thoughts earlier? You couldn’t make out any words?

That’s what I just said! Damn it. I wish those dumb wizards would hurry up and break the ice.

Break the ice… Someone is trying to get us out of here? Wait. How are we even talking?

Use your brain, idiot. Your magic collided with mine and created this weird connection. The magic from you feels weird in a way I can’t explain, but it isn’t normal. And, yes, wizards are trying to melt my ice.

Oh. Magic is unpredictable, especially with me.

So, we agree. This is all your fault.

Mostly, my fault. I am not responsible for the giant ice block, and you can cut the insults, snow lizard.

Not likely, stupid wolf. And, just like I am not responsible for your freaking arrow…

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I could feel the dragon seething through her words. She was angry although I would be too if someone hit me with an arrow. I have a feeling the moment the ice breaks she will try to kill me again. She could be the very thing that kills me even in my frenzy form. I barely survived in this wolf form as is. There had to be a way to keep from dying today. Since the dragon hasn’t mentioned anyone else, I believe that means Ema is safe. I won’t die here.

The frost dragon…Athyra, I think she said her name was. She said wizards were trying to melt her ice. Where did wizards even come from? Ema wouldn’t have brought them here. Not after those stalkers yesterday. There’s a chance they stumbled upon the battle scene or they saw the magic from our battle and got curious. The real question is what do they want. They have some reason for wasting magic on this ice block. Maybe they want Athyra? Dragon items are worth a ton of money, and they can use some of her scales and stuff for potions. It would make sense their main goal is to catch or kill her, and I am probably a bonus prize to them. Shit. Either way, I have to fight my way out of here. Maybe Athyra has a plan…

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So, Athyra.

Why are you talking again? I was thankful for the humming instead of your voice. Leave me alone.

Wish I could, but we share a connection as you said.

An unfortunate happenstance.

I sense you are still angry about the arrow. I will apologize for that. I didn’t want to disturb you last night.

Hogshit!

I probably deserve that, but maybe we should focus on the problem at hand.

You are my problem. Stupid, inconsiderate wolf. Wolves don’t usually have magic like this! No one has this weird magic that I sense from you. It’s like it's older than you somehow. Why did we have to run into you?

Did you say we?

No. Just leave me alone.

What did you mean by we? Were you not alone last night?

What does that matter? I distinctly remember you having someone with you last night. The archer was a monkey if I recall.

Did the arrow hit your companion instead of you?

Is your monkey still alive?

Is your companion still alive?

Just shut up and leave me alone.

Wait! What about those wizards? Aren’t they also your problem?

Not even close. They are simply targets for my ice. Now, shut up and let me sleep.

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I guess I am on my own when the ice breaks. Athyra is more than angry at me. I think she is livid with me because Ema’s arrow hit her companion. If she does kill me, she will go after Ema in a heartbeat. How can I save Ema like this? A group of wizards and an ice dragon are trying to kill me. Even in frenzy form, I don’t think I can get out of this one like I did before.

Athyra has incredible power to the point she can sense the magic I use is old. If she wasn’t so livid, I would probably be in deeper shit than I already am because of how intuitive Athyra is. If we stay like this too long, she might just figure out what I am hiding. That's a whole other set of problems that I will have to deal with including Athyra trying to kill me and the wizards trying to trap me. I have been in hard spots before, but this feels like a new low. All I can do is plan and pray until this ice block breaks.