Chapter 57

Nina Naughty’s stomach nearly tuned inside out as Leo vanished beneath the massive paw of the dragon. The claws struck the ground, crushing her lord. Her scream of denial died on her throat when lightning flashed to the side.

“Fuck me,” she muttered.

The devil conjured a flaming pitchfork and dived at the dragon. She threw her weapon down. It struck the creature’s thick hides and bounced off in a puff of impotent fire. The devil ground her teeth and created a new one.

Lightning exploded from Lana Fulmine’s wings, striking the dragon on the back. Xiongbu climbed the beast, her mist flowing behind her. Light from Mrs. Lucina’s halo, Feya’s wand, and Ljosa’s and Guang’s eyes all struck the dragon from different sides. Daleitha’s rainbow wings exploded with colorful radiance. Morana screamed. Ms. Trueno bellowed. Paanee spat acid. Esclava and Paetu turned back from their rampage into the camp to hurtle at the massive dragon.

They crashed into her.

Nothing.

They did nothing.

All those attacks. All those monster girls shouting with power, shooting light and acid, burning with fire and crackling with lightning, did nothing.

What do we even do? Nina thought.

Hagane stared at the dragon trying to kill Leo. It was madness. They had not anticipated this.

You had a better plan than I thought, Your Majesty, Hagane said, her arm-blade tapping into her thigh. She glanced up and spotted Daleitha flying nearby. Rainbow light burst from her wings and struck the dragon’s head.

“Get us on her back, fliers!” Hagane sent to all of them in the air. “That’s how we took down Isatu. Daleitha, I’m beneath you!”

The chalkydri dove down at the animated statue. Daleitha’s twelve wings flared wide. She grabbed Hagane with her lion-like paws beneath the armpits. With the beat of her wings, they soared into the sky. The dragon roared, pelted from all sides by ranged attacks.

“Get me close to her neck!” Hagane cried.

“Right!” the chalkydri cried and soared toward the dragon.

The beast’s head turned. Red eyes fixed on the pair. Daleitha cursed and banked to the right, but not in time. The dragon’s massive head lunged forward, her coiled neck releasing like a compressed spring. In a blur, the massive jaws were around the two monster girls.

Hagane stabbed her arm-blade at the roof of the dragon’s mouth as her teeth slammed down on them.

As hard as steel, those teeth didn’t so much as pierce Hagane’s body as crush her living metal. She screamed for a moment before death embraced her and carried her off to the Void and Souleen’s comforting arms.

“Shit,” I growled as Hagane and Daleitha died.

I had to get on her back. Hagane was right. That was what we had to do. Take her from above. Her head snapped down at me again.

“Gentle winds, let the support of Lady Tiamat billow!” I cried.

I shot off into the air, flying. The jaws snapped shut on nothing. The dragon roared her frustration as she shifted, her tail slashing through burning tents and throwing her king’s own soldiers. The man lay in the chains, being dragged to safety by the wounded general and the woman in the blue dress.

They didn’t matter right now. I had to hurt her.

The dragon’s head tracked me. She opened her jaws wide to breathe acid on me.