The Sphere Chronicles: A Holding Kate Series Book by LaDonna Cole

soothing balm.
    “Starlythe, why the secrecy? You are the War Leader. Why are you skulking around the stables like a sea barbarian come to steal our women?” Drayse’s playful nature and boyish charm gave him leave to get away with saying anything.
    “Drayse!” Krenne, the petite but fierce warrior, slapped his arm. “Show some respect! You can’t talk to our War Leader like that!” Krenne’s voice and expression dripped with sarcasm as her blue eyes twinkled with mischief in the moonlight.
    “You are just jealous you didn’t think to say it first.” Drayse laughed and wrapped his arm around Krenne’s neck.
    “Stop it,” she whined and elbowed his ribs.
    “Settle!” Staid’s deep voice commanded. “Stars, what are we doing here?”
    “We are going after the Dracosphynx. He has tormented our people far too long.”
    The five companions stared at her in shock as Candol ran around the corner of the storehouse. “What’s up?”
    “Shh!” Stealthlin grabbed her arm and pulled her to a crouching position with the rest of them. “Starlythe was just explaining to us how she lost her mind!”
    Brashtor, quiet and reserved, shifted his position to allow Candol room. He stroked his jaw and focused on Starlythe.
    “I am not crazy. I have a plan.” Starlythe cocked her brow, and the fierce light blazing in her eyes stimulated courage in her companions.
    “What’s the plan?” Staid shifted until he was shoulder to shoulder with Starlythe, his posture affirming his support of her decision.
     
    The evil dragon, Dracosphynx, bellowed in rage, rattling the teeth of the strike force. His red hide glistened, covered in shimmering iridescent scales to his chest. Toothy spikes lined his back and tail, and his muscles rippled in exertion. The seven young warriors surrounded the beast at the mouth of his lair in the Crags and brandished swords and spears and burning brands. The Dracosphynx’s black eyes reflected the light of their torches as he watched them dart around.
    Stealthlin and Brashtor bellowed a battle cry and rushed him, drawing his attention. Krenne and Drayse used the distraction to light fire to his wings to prevent him from taking flight. His screech pierced the night as he slashed and thrashed around on the ground to extinguish the flames. The seven scattered to escape being trampled to death.
    When he stilled, the warriors pressed the advantage, jabbing at his soft underbelly with their pikes. Staid rushed toward his throat with his sword lofted high. The Dracosphynx flung him aside with a back slash of talons. Staid’s massive frame hit the cliff and shattered the rock face. Debris rained down around him.
    Starlythe ran to him as Brashtor and Candol engaged the attention of the Dracosphynx on the other side, waving torches.
    “Are you harmed?” Her voice was frantic as she shifted rocks away from him.
    “No, I am fine.” His eyes caught hers, and his expression softened. “Stars, I am not harmed.” He dropped his voice and touched her cheek.
    “Then get up, you huge lump, and get back into the fight!” she snapped, yanking his arm as he scrambled to his feet. She clenched her jaw and shoved him ahead of her, pausing just a fraction of a moment to clamp down the shaking that had started when she saw him crumple against the wall.
    “No time!” She scourged herself for the momentary weakness and snapped her attention to the battle.
    Her best friends were holding their own, but she could tell they were getting tired. The Dracosphynx was too. His limbs moved sluggishly, and his tail had stopped thrashing about. Stealthlin and Brashtor launched Krenne into the air in a signature move that would position her on the back of the beast so she could drive her spear into his brain. He shifted at the last moment and swiped her out of the air. She hit the ground with a thud and did not move.
    Candol and Staid rushed in to rescue her from being trampled under the enormous feet of the monster, while