“You okay? We saw the flames and thought…” His words trailed off as he glanced from the perfectly intact house to her.
“Sorry.” Deanna pasted a smile on her face. “Things got out of hand trying to light the grill.” A flimsy excuse, easily debunked, but the only thing she could think of at the moment.
“The grill?” Chet looked over her shoulder at the blackened forest. “Must have been some barbecue? You sure you’re okay. We don’t need to call the fire department.”
“I’m fine. Thank you for checking on me. It was an accident, but we took care of things.” She wished she’d had the forethought to pull the hose off its reel or something to lend credence to her lie. And whoops, belatedly she remembered Loraj’s words about liars. Considering that she was saving his scaly behind and hiding his existence, he’d better be okay with the fib.
“Okay. If you’re sure…”
“I’m sorry I took you away from whatever you were doing. We’re okay. I promise.” Deanna walked him toward his truck, sensing Loraj lurking somewhere nearby.
“We were feeding cattle. Okay. Call if you need anything.” He got into his truck and a few moments later, went back down the driveway.
Deanna spun. “I don’t know where you are, but you realize I just saved you. He could have called the fire department without even checking first. That’s happened, you know? So let’s keep things a little more discreet should we.” She stormed around the house to see a cowed Loraj in the backyard.
I still don’t like him. Loraj flicked his tail like an annoyed cat.
“I don’t have to stay,” Khalid said. “I haven’t heard from anyone yet, but need to check my messages. There’s a chance that I’ll be summoned to the academy.”
“If they’ve summoned you or you have another assignment, you’re welcome to go. You’re welcome to leave now, but know that I’d like you to stay. I need more training, and I suspect Loraj can’t help me with the books.” She glanced at the dragon. “I think you would agree with that.”
I do not know the magical ways of humans. I can help you work within the dragon’s magic, but it appears that he has trained you well. That does not dismiss what he has done.
Deanna sighed and shook her head. Seriously. Were men all alike no matter their species? Kle gave a little chirrup as he flew toward her, and she smiled. Okay, so she’d admit only some of them were hard-headed stubborn asses. “He’s apologized. He works differently now. Will you blame me for my mother’s turning away from the dragons? Will you blame me for not learning as much from my grandma as I might have?”
She waited. The dragon’s silence answered for her.
“Okay then. Let’s go to the cave. But you are not to harm any of the young dragons.”
Kle stuck his head out and waved it back and forth in warning. Deanna reached up and tucked her hand over him. She turned and headed into the woods, not sure how the big dragon would follow and leaving that up to him. When Khalid didn’t come along, she stopped and turned. “You are welcome to come with us. I wouldn’t mind another human.”
Khalid’s eyes widened. “You realize it will be more difficult if I’m here. Dragons hold grudges.”
Deanna shrugged. “That’s his problem. I understand why you did what you did and you’ve apologized. If I see you acting out of line, I’ll knock you for it. But you haven’t done anything wrong while you’re here and you’re going to be a big help as I navigate this new world. I still don’t know why Loraj chose me or what I’m supposed to do other than protect this place.” She stared at him, not sure what to say and hoping he understood what she was getting at.
“So you wouldn’t be mad if I had a few books about the Musimagium sent to you beyond what you’ve requested?”
“Does it enroll me in anything or demand I do anything?”
“Nope. Just read and keep an open mind.”
“Then I can do that. Come on. I don’t want Loraj to get to the babies before I do.” The big dragon wound his way through broken trees.
Deanna took off at a run, thankful that they’d cleared the path. She ducked her head, pouring on the speed as she wound her way through the trees. Kle launched himself from her shoulder, flying on ahead like a scout. Behind her, Khalid’s long strides quickly caught up and then he ran alongside her.
She reached the clearing just as Loraj arrived. The huge dark dragon stepped into the open area, his tail knocking over broken tree stumps nearby. He stared at the cave and at the small dragons flitting around the opening. Kle landed on the ground in front of the cave, putting himself between Loraj and the opening. He puffed up his chest, fluttering his wings and letting his tail stick out straight behind him. Deanna moved next to him. Behind her, the fluttering of small dragons filled the opening of the cave. Their mixture of curiosity and wariness ebbed to her, and she radiated calm to them.
“You will not harm them,” Deanna said. “They are your children and under my protection.” She motioned for Khalid to move back toward the cave, near the nesting areas.
Loraj stepped forward, head lowered. A low growl rumbled through him.
Deanna held out her hand. Had her grandmother still been here, perhaps she would have told Deanna what to expect when Loraj faced his children. His reaction could be the same primal male response to any youngster, but without Leje here for mating, the young dragons shouldn’t be any threat. One by one, the other dragons crept out of the cave to stand behind her. Some cowered at the sight of Loraj; others huddled closer to the opening of the cave. “I am protecting them.” She laid down a line of energy directly in front of her.
Loraj stepped back. You would keep me from seeing my children? His low rumble turned into a full throated growl.
“You’re scaring them,” she countered. Strength wound through her. “I stand between the threat and the innocent. Though I have no wings, I take them into my arms and keep them safe from storms and wrath. I protect those who cannot protect themselves. I am a dragon mage.” The words rolled from her unbidden with the feel of ritual. She held out her hands, as if by will alone, she could stave off any attack from Loraj.
The growling stopped. He lowered his head. I see. May you allow me to see my children? I vow not to harm them.
“Yes.” Deanna stepped aside.
As one, the tiny dragons rushed forward, their cries a cacophony of chattering and joy. They surrounded the big dragon, clinging to his legs, his wings, one green dragon even landing on top of his head. Loraj settled himself on the ground, claws tucked against his body, wings draped out, tail winding gently through the woods, while the youngsters climbed all over him.
Deanna backed to stand next to Khalid. “I think he’s accepted them,” she commented. “Though I suspect I still must keep an eye out. Part of me wants to give them time alone. The other part wants to stay here and be diligent.” However, when she searched Loraj for his intent, she sensed only peace and contentment. With a nod to the big dragon, and to Kle who snuggled next to his father’s broad head, she walked back into the woods and back to her house.
A parcel sat on her front step. She picked it up, seeing the address and realizing it most likely contained books that Khalid had requested. She glanced at him, since the postmark date was several days ago. Had he requested them as he arrived or right after? And if so, why had he done it without talking to her, especially since they’d been looking at the books. “We’re going to have to talk about this.” She tucked the box under her arm and opened the door.
“I have the books. I’ll read them. But you will not push. If I join the organization, I will do so on my terms. I’m still finding my way with the dragon magic, and I won’t be pulled into something.” Her stomach rumbled. “Or maybe I’m just hangry.” She laughed, because she knew even if her words had come out more biting than intended. She opened the box to see the books, then went to the kitchen and put some leftovers into the microwave.
“Did you mean it?” Khalid asked while Deanna made some lunch. “That I wa
s welcome to stay.” He glanced at the books. “I fear I’ve overstepped again. And Loraj has a right to be furious with me over what I’ve done in the past.”
“And that’s the past. If we keep holding people to it, then we’ll never move forward. We can’t forget it. We have to acknowledge what happened and why it’s wrong and then fix it. We need to move forward.” She set the plate in front of him and made one for herself.
“I wish many in the Musimagium had your insight.” Khalid picked up his fork. He frowned. “The scientific techniques might have changed, but the people haven’t.”
Deanna stared at the box of books that sat opened on the edge of the table. She sighed, wondering what she’d find and if it’d tell her anything new about the organization. “There are always those who prefer to look back rather than forward.” She ate, her thoughts moving to the cave. She sensed Loraj exploring, moving deeper into the cave to search it out. The smaller dragons seemed to surround him, a bit mystified since they hadn’t seen him before. When she reached out to Kle, his contentment and joy radiated through the link.
“We need a plan,” she said. “Do you know when you’re going to the academy?”
“I’ll know when I’m called.” He pushed the box of books closer to her. “You need to study. You won’t be asked to choose now, but someday, the Musimagium will come for you and you must decide.”
Chapter 15
Deanna stood in the clearing by the cave, letting the sunlight beam warm against her face. The cloudless blue sky filled her with hope, as did the new shoots on some trees. Loraj stood over the nesting area, digging and sniffing as if looking for something. He refused to tell her when she asked.
“Are you going to keep doing that or are we going to learn something today?” She grinned. “My other teacher wants to talk dry book stuff, so the longer I can stay out here—” She tried to keep her tone light.
Loraj lifted his head. With a claw he flicked a large chunk of egg shell to her. It was the size of her palm, curved and jagged where the dragon’s egg tooth had pecked through and popped off the top. Other dragons hatching must have stepped on the shell or broken it in their play. She caught it, careful not to break it, though the thick shell made that difficult.
What can you tell about this?
Deanna closed her eyes. She wrapped her fingers around the rough edge of the shell. At first nothing came to her. Then, her hand tingled. An image of a tiny red baby dragon scrambling free filled her mind. “I see a red dragon hatching.”
Good. How long ago?
How long? Deanna opened her eyes and frowned at the shell. How was she supposed to know how long? She turned it over in her hand, noting how dusty it was, how the membrane inside had long since dried up. She pursed her lips and smelled it, then pulled it away as dust filled her nose. Her physical senses told her nothing and Loraj stared at her, blinking occasionally, hunched over the nesting area like a guardian. She closed her eyes and returned to the image of the dragon hatching. Her magical senses pulled at her, dragging her back into time. “Four years,” she said, not sure where the number had come from, but it felt right.
Good. Now which dragon is it? Loraj lazily showed a trio of red dragons playing near the cave opening.
To her, they all looked alike, though the longer she studied them the more she noticed subtle differences in their pattern. One looked like the rich dark color of a garnet, while the other appeared shinier, with spots on its shoulders. The third one was the color of the hatching dragon, and she told him.
Very good. You’re getting better at this.
“You’ve drilled me every morning since you came. When are we going to fly?” It was the image that kept coming to her in her dreams. If she were to take over as the guardian of these dragons and everything she’d seen so far had indicated she’d accomplished that, then she needed to fly. She glanced at the sky. Today would be perfect.
You’re not ready.
“Then what do I need to know to be ready?” Deanna walked towards him, aware that approaching a dragon like this could be construed as a threat. She held out a hand and touched the side of Loraj’s huge head. “Tell me. You won’t scare me. I’m not afraid of you.”
Maybe you should be. He pushed past her, sending her scrambling out of the way of his body and tail as he surged forward to the end of the clearing, then whirled around faster than she thought to face her. Smoke billowed from his nostrils and his jaws gaped. Sparks danced in the back of his throat.
Deanna held her ground. “You can’t bully me. I will not back down.”
Loraj stalked forward. His eyes flashed. Sparks danced along his canine teeth, spilling out of his mouth to fall onto the dry ground.
Deanna focused on them, putting the flames out before they could spread, heedless of the fact that the huge dragon headed straight for her. His hot breath blew around her, so warm she smelled the ash of burnt wood and the hot coals from his Ignis System, a series of glands and chemicals that caused the fire to burn deep inside him to be belched out at will. She remembered reading about that in one of Khalid’s books.
The smell of burnt hair told her he’d gotten too close and yet, he was well more than an arm’s length away. She’d had enough of this, enough of his bullying and his trying to get her to bow down to his superior whatever. Whether he hated humans in general or just her, she didn’t know, and frankly, she didn’t care. She’d been made the protector of these dragons and having Loraj throw a temper tantrum every time she asked for something was only making her mad.
Kle chattered a warning. “I’ve got this little one,” she said. “I’m not moving.” Her face burned. Heat suffused her hands and arms, tiny sparks erupting on her shirt. She doused them turning her head to take a long, hot breath, sprinted toward him. Without thinking about her actions, she grabbed one of his horns and swung herself onto his back. As if he’d been made for her, she sat astride him just behind the ridge where his neck met his body, a small bony plate in front of her giving her something on which to hold.
Loraj roared. He reared onto his hind legs, his wings unfurling and battering the air as he twisted to unseat her. He hunched his back, hopping forward, then twisting and launching himself into the air.
She clung to him, wrapping her fingers around the bony plate and shifting her weight with his. He blew a jet of flame toward the nesting grounds and she doused it before it even hit the ground. He snaked his neck around and glared at her and then with a gape of his jaws soared high above the trees. Wind rushed past her and she thought perhaps she might need to have some kind of helmet. Then he dove back down, twisting in the air to barrel roll back to earth.
She bit her lip to keep from screaming as if she were on a roller coaster ride. She refused to show any weakness. Instead, she held on, basking in the feeling of soaring and plummeting as Loraj rode the currents, trying to shake her loose. They skimmed the tops of the broken trees. Branches reached for her jeans, snagging them. Her legs stung with scratches.
An orange blur caught her attention. Kle! He flew alongside, his legs outstretched as if his small talons could take Loraj out. “Kle! No!” Deanna called. “You’ll get hurt.”
A shriek filled the air, a sound far louder than Kle’s small form could have created.
Loraj turned and roared. The force of his bellow sent Kle tumbling from the air.
“No!” Deanna reached for the small, orange dragon now whirling uncontrolled from the sky.
Loraj spun around, diving as if he intended to follow.
“No!” Deanna wrapped her energy around the small dragon, slowing his fall and bringing him back to her.
Loraj leveled out. You protect him from me?
“Always. These little ones will always have my first priority.”
And they protect you. He dove, sweeping his nose beneath the small dragon to catch him. Gently, he circled until he reached the clearing and landed.
Deanna slumped forward, waiting until her heart stopped pounding before slid
ing from Lora’s back. She landed in a heap next to him, her legs numb and unwilling to support her.
Give it a moment. I probably was too rough. It’s been a long time since I’ve had a human on my back. You’re brave and bold. I can work with you. Loraj lowered his head next to her and gave her a soft nudge. I won’t test you again.
“Okay.” Deanna mustered her courage and resting her hand against Loraj’s side, rose to her feet. She waited, the ground wobbling beneath her. She noted how soft his scales were. Not as soft as Leje’s, but still softer than she thought. Now that she wasn’t hanging on for dear life, she noted the padded area, a lump of fat, behind the seat area that gave her somewhere to sit without getting poked in the butt with a vertebra. Even the ridge of bone was covered with soft scales and fuzz. “This is amazing. You’re amazing.”
While she’d been admiring Loraj, the smaller dragons gathered nearby. Kle fluttered next to her and she held out her arm for him to land. He crawled to her shoulder, then cooed into her ear.
Power surged through her. Waves of energy stronger than any she’d worked with before surged through her body. Her vantage point shifted. Her eyes, her head rose, higher and higher until she could look close to the top of the cave and over the broken tops of the trees. A great roar erupted from her throat and a jet of flame shot into the sky. Her head swooped around, roaring triumph and ownership. Then, as soon as her perspective changed, it snapped back into her own. She turned away from Loraj and vomited from the disorientating feeling.
“That happens a lot with new bonds.” Khalid stepped into the clearing. “I know Loraj was hiding himself from non-magic users, but I saw him. You guys looked amazing together.” Awe filled Khalid’s voice, and a bit of longing. Whether or not Eklan was his, they weren’t bonded yet.
Deanna dropped to her knees and pressed her hands to the ground to anchor herself as magic and dizziness swirled within her. If this was what the bonding felt like, she didn’t really want it to happen again. Except there was Kle and he hovered close to her as if she worried him. She staggered to her feet and felt a clawed hand reach around her to hold her upright.
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