by Aaron Crash
“Magica Defensio.” Steven cast his own spell, focusing on keeping his body hidden rather than creating a force field. The same words triggered the spells, but his intentions were what decided what kind of magic was made manifest. Now that he was hidden, he transformed into a dragon. He marched off into the water, enjoying how buoyant his big shape was in the water. He churned the mud at the bottom of the lake with his claws. It was so odd being in water as a four-legged dragon, thirty feet long. Waves from his motion lapped at the bank. “You see, Liam, Mouse’s fire went right through Tessa’s spell. Why?”
Liam nodded. “At lower levels, the shield spells can work against most things, like bullets, objects, and lesser Exhalants. This is why your shields worked against Edgar Vale and those who helped him. As you gain in level, you’ll also gain the ability to cast different kinds of shield spells. Some will guard against powerful Exhalants, while others will protect you from magic missiles or normal projectile weapons.”
Steven couldn’t help but think of card games like Yu-Gi-Oh! Different cards could guard you against different attacks.
Steven’s voice boomed through the trees. “This will make battle far more complicated. Can you overlap shield spells?”
“Yes,” Liam said. “And that is another reason why Dragonsouls have an Escort. Shield spells can be layered, but the process becomes cumbersome. Stefan claimed that he could change a single shield spell on the fly, but I find that hard to believe. Which is why you should rely on your agility as well as your SerpentGrace.”
Steven flapped his wings and sent ripples across the lake. “Yeah, my flying isn’t as strong as it probably should be.”
“Frankly, I’m surprised you can fly at all.” Liam kicked off his shoes and waded into the water. “It takes most fledglings weeks to even get off the ground.”
Steven wondered at that. He had no point of reference to know what he should be good at or how long it should take. “Is it normal that I can’t breathe fire yet?”
“How long have you had the ability?” Liam asked.
Steven faltered for just a moment, thinking. “Uh, about two days.”
Liam rumbled laughter and took his shirt off. He then dropped his pants. Steven looked away. He was getting more comfortable with nudity, but only with his own and his Escort’s. “Be patient, Steven. You are pushing yourself to do what it takes years for most Dragonsouls to accomplish. Years, if not decades.”
Liam’s words were encouraging, but the truth was, Steven didn’t have years. He didn’t have weeks. He needed power now.
Tessa stepped onto her shield spell. Her feet glowed pink as she drifted through the trees like she was riding a magic carpet. “Hey, Liam, can a single Magician cast multiple shield spells to protect against bullets, fire, and lightning? Like all that jazz in one fell swoop?”
Liam transformed into his Homo Draconis form. His scales were bright yellow. “It’s possible, but few have had that ability. Each spell takes more and more Animus. Most wouldn’t take the chance. They’d leave magic for their Impetim magic.”
Tessa patted a Peacekeeper. “Yeah, I’m a different kind of Magician. I have guns. And I can make bullets for them.”
Liam morphed back into human. “Are you serious? From what Steven told me, you’ve only just begun to study magic. Did you really skip the Impetim skill set?”
She shrugged. “Yeah. And it nearly killed me. But I think I can go back and focus on the Magica Impetim spells later on.”
The Ronin shook his head. “The skills build on one another. You cannot skip a set. I don’t believe it. At least not without serious repercussions.”
“Uh, believe it. I’ll make some more bullets today and show you.” Tessa was smiling proudly. Until she saw the troubled look on Liam’s face.
“If you indeed skipped ahead ...” He hesitated, then glanced away. “Well, I doubt you could go back. You might never get access to the Magica Impetim abilities. Ever.”
Tessa’s smile faltered. “Well, this is certainly like my school experience all over again. I messed up and studied the wrong thing in the wrong order. Story of my life. My brother got Montessori, but not me.”
Even though she was joking about it, Steven could see that it really bothered her.
Steven couldn’t stand the disappointment on her face. He flapped his wings, harder and harder, creating lift. He launched himself out of the water and took wing. He was still hidden due to the spell he’d cast before.
The water was a silver streak under him. His black scales soaked up the heat of the sun, but instead of getting hot, he simply basked in the warmth, enjoying every second of it. Besides, he was flying so fast, the wind cooled him off. But maybe he could use the heat to breathe fire. Should he even try? Liam had said that normal dragons didn’t just breathe fire the minute they had access to that Exhalant. That it took time. Practice. But again, time was the one thing he absolutely didn’t have.
No chances, no rewards.
Flying, he brought up the skill tree again, going over his stats. He was getting so good at flying, he could do both now, like driving a car and adjusting the radio at the same time. He struck the water with his wings, creating a pattern across the lake. He then whirled and went shooting up higher and higher until he leveled off.
He saw clouds over Liam’s house, so he flew toward them. He thought about what he’d learned so far, about the nature of Animus, shield spells, and how long it should take to learn how to fly and breathe fire. That, and Tessa’s mistake. If she had the Colts, did she really need magic missiles? Besides, her bread and butter had been the shield spells; both of them had used the force fields in creative ways. He remembered reading Marvel comics growing up, where Sue Storm from the Fantastic Four had been able to really save the day using her shields. He wondered if they could master an invisibility spell using the shields—maybe bend light in such a way as to trick the human eye. It was another question he could ask Liam.
He entered the cloud and was lost in the misty haze. It was cooler here, and it smelled so good, like rain on a hot day. He broke out of the clouds a heartbeat later, whirled, and dove back down, letting gravity take over. At the last minute, he extended his wings and swooped out over the house and back to the cottonwood grove.
Aria had returned as well. She was busy practicing flying in and out of the trees like a professional skier working at the slalom course. She was a scarlet flash against the white limbs and gray trunks of the cottonwoods. She was so good, she didn’t break a single branch. Meanwhile, Liam had transformed into a full-grown yellow dragon. He stood knee-deep in the water, the tips of his leathery wings drooping down and just barely breaking the surface. He opened his maw and inhaled a great lungful of air then promptly exhaled a brilliant gout of flame. Unlike with Mouse, Tessa’s pink shield saved her from being torched.
Steven splashed down in the water. A huge wave rushed toward Tessa, but the Magician quickly called up another shield to keep herself dry. Water dripped down the shimmering pink air in front of her.
“Hey, Steven,” she called out happily. “What has two thumbs and can cast two shield spells at the same time? This girl!” She pointed at herself with those two cute thumbs, complete with chipped black fingernail polish.
“I’ve never seen such raw power,” Liam growled, blinking slowly in approval.
“You know,” Tessa said, “even if I can’t ever cast Magica Impetim spells, I think I made the right decision. We needed magic items, and I can make them now. And once we find the second secret volume of the Drokharis Grimoire, maybe there are spells that can reverse my mistake. Or maybe that missing paragraph will help me change my goddamn spell color. I hate this pink shit. I totally hate it.”
“The color doesn’t matter,” Steven said. “I mean, really. Only the results do.”
“I guess you’re right,” Tessa conceded with a lopsided grin. “It’s that whole Reservoir Dogs thing. Mr. Pink. Yeah, we can’t all have cool colors.”
Steve
n didn’t get the reference, but that wasn’t entirely surprising. Tessa seemed to know more about pop culture than just about anyone he had ever met. He turned to Liam. “Do you know what she said?”
“I think it’s an American movie,” Liam said. “But I only watch French films.”
“We’ll try not to hold that against you,” Tessa said with a smile.
Aria cruised over Steven and Liam, going so low and so fast that they had to duck their heads or lose their skulls.
She curled her wings up, whirled, and transformed into her human form. She dropped to the ground at the edge of the water, pulling off a perfect superhero landing. She straightened. “Everyone knows that Bollywood movies are the best, if not in quality then definitely in quantity.”
Steven growled out laughter. It felt so good to be together with his Escort. And Liam wasn’t so bad, he supposed. And as far as Bollywood movies were concerned, he’d heard of them, but he’d never seen a single one. His life of constant work, school, and trying to make ends meet made entertainment a luxury he couldn’t really afford. Too much money. Not enough time.
Liam chuckled. “Yes, Aria, I can’t disagree.” He turned his massive yellow head to Steven. “On a more serious note, Steven, let’s see you try to use your Inferno Exhalant.”
Steven winced. He knew trying again wouldn’t do much, just burn his mouth and fill the air with smoke. However, this was why he had come, he reminded himself stoically. Still ... “Any pointers?” he asked the Ronin.
“Inhale, fill your lungs with air, and feel the air. That is life in you. There is no life without breath for us. And then, there is the Animus in your body, igniting every cell. Exhale and channel that energy into fire.”
Aria took over teaching. “It is like when you cast a spell. You manifest the Animus through word and intention. For Exhalants, it is the same. Only in this way, instead of word and intention, it is breath and intention. Try.”
Steven nodded.
Tessa gave out a “Woo-hoo, Steven. You can do it!” Her eyes glittered. Her encouragement felt infectious.
“Here goes nothing,” Steven growled. He stood up on his hind legs, spread out his wings, and filled his lungs. He felt the power inside of him. Yes, he could do this. He was a dragon, dammit, and fucking dragons breathed fire!
He snaked his head to the right, aiming for the water, and he exhaled, pushing the air from his lungs in one forceful push. At the same time, he concentrated on imbuing the air with Animus, transforming it into fire. At first, only smoke blew from his mouth. Again, he tasted ash, but this time, a citrusy flavor covered his tongue. His dragon scent was orange blossoms and fire, and he could taste both. Then ... a thin flame, not six inches wide, spit from him to strike the water.
He was so surprised, he coughed, choked, and then accidentally swallowed. The smoke struck his lungs. He coughed harder, slipped in the water, and grew dizzy. He went from badass dragon spewing smoke and a bit of fire into a coughing mess, tumbling down until he found himself underwater. His gums, his tongue, his throat, everything burned.
He sucked in water to clear his palate but, again, swallowed wrong. He ended up breaking from the water, thrashing about, choking in gasps of air, and wiggling around in the mud.
To his chagrin, Liam, Aria, and Tessa were laughing.
Liam transformed into his Homo Draconis state. He still chortled. “Oh, Steven, that was quite the spectacle.”
Tessa wiped at her eyes. “Don’t worry, we’re not laughing at you. We’re laughing near you.”
Steven wanted to die from embarrassment. He flopped up onto the bank and then found himself on his hands and knees as a human, gasping.
Aria came over, also human, and stroked his back. “Remember, you are trying to learn years of lessons in mere weeks. Be patient. But also, let us laugh. We needed to laugh. Things have been so very difficult for us these last few days.”
Steven got to his feet. He grinned despite the burns in his mouth. “I’m glad I could be a source of entertainment. But you did see the fire?”
“Dude, totally,” Tessa said. “You could legit light a candle with that, which could come in awfully handy under the right circumstances. I mean, if we need you to roast marshmallows, you could manage that.”
“A single marshmallow, yes,” Liam said, his lips curved.
The Ronin had robes in his truck and he passed them out. Steven put his on, grateful. It was made from thick, soft material. He grinned good-naturedly. “Yeah, you guys are right. I could make s’mores. So that’s something.”
Tessa nodded. “I know how we take out Mulk. Just feed him s’mores, and then let diabetes do the rest. He’ll be dead in a couple of years.”
“What’s a s’more?” Aria asked.
Tessa rolled her eyes then carefully took her hand. “Oh, sweetie, you might be an amazing dragon and so good in bed, but you have a lot to learn about American cuisine.”
They drove back to the house to find Mouse standing out front. She wore a gi—ivory-colored clothes that martial artists wore to train and fight in. She’d stuck the Slayer Blade in the dirt, but in both of her hands she had a wooden katana. Somehow, Steven knew they were called bokken.
Her face was dark.
“You guys go inside,” Steven said. “I’ll talk with Mouse.”
“No,” she said. “Steven and I are going to fight. And if I win, I’m leaving.”
Tessa gasped.
Steven, though, nodded. “Go inside. And don’t worry. I’m not going to lose.”
Chapter Nineteen
ARIA DREW TESSA INTO the house. Liam followed, stealing one final look over his shoulder. His expression was impossible to read. And just like that, Steven was left alone in the driveway with Mouse. He so didn’t want to fight the petite blonde. He was tired from the flying and his failed attempt at breathing fire, but from the look on Mouse’s face, it wasn’t the time to rest or ask for mercy.
“Why do you want to fight me?” he asked.
She tossed him one of the wooden katanas. With some flare, he moved like a snake, snagging the sword from the air as though he were born with the weapon in his hands.
“It’s my same old thing,” Mouse replied, her tone hard. Resolved. “I’m afraid, and I fucking hate it. I need to know I didn’t make a mistake joining your Escort. I heard what Aria said. Maybe I’m not supposed to be with you. Maybe it would better for everyone if I just left. But I can’t go, not until I’m satisfied you’re doomed.”
“Doomed?” Steven twirled the sword through the air. It felt right to him. Natural.
“Yeah. If you can’t beat me, then you definitely won’t be able to beat Mulk. You and I have never really fought.” She strutted past him and into the yellow grasses surrounding the house. “This is your chance to show me you have what it takes. Or not.”
Steven followed her. The smell of the grasses in the sunshine filled his nose, as did the subtle scent of almonds. “I’ll do this, Mouse, but no magic. I don’t have the Animus.” It was kind of a lie. He didn’t have much Animus certainly, but maybe enough for a trick or two.
“I don’t have the Animus either,” she said. “Just swords. But I have to warn you, my father spent a lot of time with me. We didn’t really talk. But we did fence. Often. And unlike humans, who actually care for their whelps, my father firmly believed in education through pain, so he pulled no punches. You should know that I don’t intend to pull my punches either.” The second she finished speaking, she leapt at him. Her bokken arced through the air in a brutal overhead strike.
Like any kid, Steven had fought his friends with sticks, pretending they were light sabers, but he had no formal training at all. All the fighting he’d done in the past few weeks, however, had done a fair job in training him to avoid attacks, and it had honed his senses. He didn’t want to get a broken bone. And he didn’t want to lose Mouse. He needed every single one of his warriors.
Steven shot forward, bringing his sword up and canting the blade,
hoping to divert the blow. But Mouse was ready. She’d anticipated his response and altered her attack in an eyeblink. She shot right, whipping the blade around in a tight arc, then lunging in, thrusting with the tip of the wooden practice sword. She was fast—deadly fast—and the blunt tip smashed into his gut, just under his diaphragm. A bright jag of pain radiated out from the impact point as the air in his lungs vanished.
He wheezed and wanted to double over, but he fought his natural instincts. He wasn’t about to give up. If he dropped his guard, even for a moment, Mouse would beat him senseless. So instead he danced back into the weeds, buying time as he struggled to regain his breath.
She rushed forward, relentless. “My father, when he was alive that is, always told me that with western swords, the point kills but the edge wounds. Katanas are a slashing weapon. Maybe the Japanese didn’t necessarily want to slay their opponents, only wound them. That’s been my fucking life, Steven, walking around wounded but never slain.”
She feinted to the right. Steven saw it. But this time he didn’t fall for it. Instead, when she swung from the left, he was able to beat her blow away. Clack! The thrum of their swords clashing reverberated through his body. He stepped back, his head whirling. He managed to get a breath in. Instead of attacking, he retreated once more.
“Mouse, I don’t blame you for your doubts. I’m not sure I would join my side either if I were in your shoes. But we’ve survived this far. We got you away from Mulk. We nearly killed Judith, and we did kill at least three of Mulk’s wives.”
“Blah, blah, blah,” Mouse spat. “I’ve heard all of that before. But can you beat me? My father also told me that fighting with the katana is a dance in one move. It takes one stroke to cripple your opponent. I’m coming for you now. Will you survive this dance?”
She ran toward him, a slender figure in ivory-colored robes, her sword gripped in both hands. She let out a cry.