The Dragon Nimbus Novels: Volume III: Volume III

collapsed upon Hanassa and his sister, sealing access to the gate forever.
    He sensed the weight of the entire cavern system landing on Hanassa’s head, splitting it open. Sympathetic pain slammed into his own skull. He fell to the ground, screaming at his physical pain and the emptiness in his heart.

Chapter 36
     
    The pit beneath the city of Hanassa
     
    “W ake up. You’ve got to wake up,” Rollett pleaded with her. She moaned slightly but didn’t rouse.
    “Wake up!” He slapped her face lightly, afraid of hurting her, of breaking those fragile facial bones.
    Her eyelids fluttered.
    A huge boulder broke loose from the ceiling and landed in the middle of Old Bertha. Powwell had upset the delicate balance within the mountain that supported the caves.
    “We’ve got to get out of here, Yaala.” He slapped her a little harder. She moaned and rolled away from him.
    Rollett risked a glance toward Powwell. The boy had his hands clutched over his head and had rolled into a fetal ball, sobbing uncontrollably. The little hedgehog poked its nose out of his pocket. It trilled a soothing sound.
    Lyman seemed to have disappeared again.
    “Stargods, I can’t carry you both. I’m sorry, Powwell, I’ve got to save Yaala. The city needs her.” He wouldn’t admit that he needed her.
    Rollett hoisted Yaala onto his shoulder and wove his way out of the deep cavern. The roar of multiple cave-ins thundered against his ears. The opening to the lava core adjacent to the dragongate collapsed. Dust exploded in a huge ball, filling the hot air.
    He choked and coughed. With one last look of regret toward Powwell, he increased his speed toward the exit.
    His last vestige of hope died along with access to the dragongate. He’d climb out of Hanassa tonight. Demons take Piedro and this cursed city. He hoped Yaala would rouse enough to climb with him. Otherwise he’d have to carry her.
    Little Liise, the only operating generator, chugged steadily within a side cavern.
    That persistent, unwanted hope flowered once more deep inside his gut. His magic talent stirred in response to the emotion.
    He set Yaala down beside Liise. She roused a little, flailing about with both hands clenched into fists.
    “Wake up, Yaala. You’re all right. Wake up.” He shook her gently.
    Finally, her eyes flew open and she dragged in a deep breath. She coughed the dust-laden air back out again.
    “It’s getting hotter in here. The volcano is getting ready to erupt!” She bounced to her feet and staggered back into Liise. “My head . . . what happened?” She touched her temple with delicate fingertips. They came away bloody.
    “The lower caverns are collapsing. Powwell destroyed the dragongate. I think he killed Hanassa and Kalen when he did it,” Rollett explained as he set about examining the generator with minute care.
    Should he take the raw energy as it left Liise headed for a transformer, or take the refined ’tricity after it left the transformer?
    He opted for raw power. His body would become the transformer. That’s what happened when gathering dragon magic.
    Which conduit? He reached out tentatively with his dominant left hand and touched one of the wires. A slight spark made him jerk his hand away. His fingers tingled just as if he had tapped a ley line, but the power he tapped was stronger, more intense.
    This was what he needed, a renewal of the magical energy contained within the Kardia.
    If either Lyman or Hanassa had reverted to natural dragon form, both he and Powwell could have gathered that magic. Yaala could have gathered power from a purple-tipped dragon—anyone could gather from the rare purple-tips, even mundanes.
    Lacking a dragon of any color, Rollett had to find other sources of energy to combat or elude the Rovers who still ruled the city of Hanassa.
    He reached again for the wire and the energy he needed.
    “No, Rollett,” Yaala pleaded. Still clutching her head with one hand she tried to step between him and the generator. She stumbled.
    Rollett shifted his reach to hold her upright. Her body fit nicely against his own. “Soon, we’ll be free, Yaala, and I’ll be able to hold you as long as we both need.”
    “It’s too dangerous, Rollett. Don’t touch the ’tricity.”
    “I have to. It’s the only way I’ll have enough power to overcome Piedro and get us out of here. I promise that once we’re free, we’ll make time to explore this thing between us . . . this ’tricity you and I generate all on