Dragon's Secret

by J. D. Monroe

  He slid into the seat next to Tellana and placed his hands on the table, producing small tongues of flame in both hands like Tellana had earlier. She was mesmerized, but the spell broke when he closed his hands, extinguishing the flames.

  How the hell were they doing it? There had to be something up Taegan’s sleeve, a cleverly hidden device that ignited the flame.

  “Just to be clear, this obviously wasn’t a date,” Chloe said, shaking her head. “You brought me here to see your magic tricks and get into whatever weird roleplaying shit you guys are into.”

  Tellana displayed her hands, turning them over before extending them to Chloe. “Do you see any tricks?” Chloe saw a flawless manicure in blue and gold, a collection of sparkling bangles, but nothing that explained the fire in her palms. “This is all real. Taegan brought you here to present yourself to Izarin. She’s in charge of the dragon community here, and everyone is expected to—”

  “Okay,” Chloe said, standing up. She shoved her drink away. Her mind was awash in anger, confusion, and fear. It was about to boil over, and she was either going to scream or burst into tears simply to release the pent-up emotion. “I’ve heard enough.”

  “You can’t leave,” Tellana said. “Izarin demands it.”

  “The hell I can’t. I don’t give a damn what Izarin wants,” Chloe replied. Both of them stared at her, mouths hanging open. “I don’t care if you’re dragons or some kind of weird sex cult,” she said, pulling her phone from her purse. “I can still call 911 and tell them you’re keeping me against my will.”

  “Oh, for fuck’s sake,” Tellana muttered. “Taegan?”

  “Chloe, please—”

  “No,” she said. “This is crazy. Thanks for dinner. Do me a favor, and don’t call me again.” Clutching her purse tight, she headed for the door. The gigantic man glared down at her. “Get out of my way.”

  “You cannot—”

  “If you don’t get out of my way in the next five seconds, I’m going to call the police, and I’m going to kick you in the balls,” Chloe told him matter-of-factly. “I don’t know in which order.”

  “Let her go,” Taegan said, coming up behind her. “I’ll talk to Izarin.” The large man stepped out of the way, but Taegan’s hand fell on her shoulder. “Chloe—”

  “No,” she said, whirling around to face him. His green eyes were wide, as if she’d hurt his feelings. Maybe he was so clueless that he couldn’t grasp why she was upset. “I don’t know what you’re trying to pull, but I’m not into it. I’m out of here. Don’t ever call me again.”

  At least Izarin was kind enough to close off the terrace before she lit into him, giving him a scolding that brought back memories of being a teenager. Tellana and Malek near their mother as usual, though both averted their eyes as if to spare him the embarrassment.

  “This was a simple task, Taegan,” she said again. Her eyes flitted to Tellana. “And you assured me it would be dealt with. You failed to mention the girl didn’t know she was Kadirai. You made me look like a fool, and you jeopardized our secrecy.”

  Tellana’s shoulders slumped. “Kuthra, I—”

  “It’s my fault, not hers,” Taegan interrupted. Izarin’s gaze snapped back to him. Her disapproval felt like a punch to the gut. “I told her I would deal with Chloe. It was my responsibility. I’m sorry I let you down.”

  His aunt sighed, leaning back into the couch as she pinched the bridge of her nose. “We cannot have a dragon in our city who doesn’t know our laws, let alone how to control her power. Not with everything going on. If Skyward Rest finds out…”

  “What would they do?” Taegan asked.

  Izarin shook her head. “I honestly don’t know,” she said. “I’m a hundred and forty-two, and I’ve never met a grown adult who didn’t know they were Kadirai. A few hybrids, yes. It’s easy enough when you have Wanderers dallying with human women before going back to Ascavar. But not a full-blooded Kadirai. How did this happen?”

  “Her parents died when she was young. She was raised by a family friend, presumably human. There was no one to tell her.” He sighed. “Would the Skywatch hurt her?”

  Izarin shrugged. “I’m inclined to think not, but they might take her into custody until she’s been trained and understands her power. It’s not the worst possible scenario, but she won’t be happy about it. And I certainly don’t want to answer for why I didn’t handle it.” Her blue eyes pinned him. “You have a connection to her already. Deal with her. If she won’t cooperate, then I’ll have to call in the Skywatch and let them handle it.”

  He shook his head rapidly. “I really don’t want—”

  Her thin eyebrows arched, and her voice took on a sharp edge. This was not Izarin, his doting aunt. This was the dragon queen of Portland speaking. “Nephew, I don’t give a damn what you want. Do not mistake our shared blood for the right to defy me. You will do this. Am I understood?”

  His blood went cold, and he glanced up at Tellana. Her eyes were apologetic. “Yes, su’ud redahn,” he said, using the respectful term to smooth things over. “I’ll figure it out.”

  His aunt softened. “And you’re good at it,” she said. “If anyone can help her along, it’s you.” She glanced back at Tellana. “Right?”

  Tellana gave an eager nod. “Right. You’re the best, serani.”

  He sighed. Her flattery was utterly transparent. Tellana was just glad she wasn’t the one getting her ass chewed, though he suspected she’d still get an earful later. “All right. I’ll go call her.”

  “Good boy,” Izarin said.

  Rising from the couch, Taegan walked toward the edge of the rooftop. The city was a blanket of light below them, the night sky a purple expanse that made him ache to spread his wings and fly. The warm embrace of their community came at a personal cost. He could not depend on their help if he was not willing to do what was necessary. His own comfort, and Chloe’s, was less important than the needs of their people.

  He called Chloe, heart pounding as it rang. Twice. Three times. The call went to her voice mail. His heart sank at the sound of her buoyant, energetic voice. “You’ve reached Chloe Madsen. I’m not here, but leave me a message, and I’ll call you back.”

  “Hi Chloe, it’s Taegan. We have to talk. Please call me back.” He stared at the phone, then rapidly texted a message.

  I understand if you don’t want to speak to me but it’s important. Please at least let me know you got home safely.

  With the message sent, he returned to the bar for another drink to calm his nerves. Dragon metabolism burned through liquor quickly, and the tension of the situation had left him sober as a judge. The bartender nodded to him, a sympathetic smile on his smooth face. “Uh, your date ran out of here pretty quick.”

  “Yeah, it’s complicated,” Taegan said. “Can I get another scotch?”

  The bartender nodded and poured him a drink. Then he ducked behind the bar, coming up again with a small paper shopping bag. He pushed it across the bar. “She might want these.”

  Taegan frowned and peeked into the bag. A pair of tall, black heels was inside. He smirked. He knew this story. This might make it easier to convince Chloe to meet him. “Thanks,” he said, adding another five to the tip jar.

  “She didn’t know, huh?”

  Taegan shook his head. It was hard to keep secrets from creatures with super-sensitive hearing, and Chloe hadn’t exactly been quiet. “Nope. Didn’t go well.”

  “That’s tough, man,” he said. “People were asking me all night who she was. I guess that explains it.”

  “Yeah,” Taegan said. “You mind if I sit for a while?”

  The bartender shook his head. “Things are dying down. Enjoy yourself.”

  His brain kicked into work mode, as he tried to go purely logical and solve the problem. What did he know? He knew she was an orphan, but he didn’t know her parents’ names or who had raised her. She grew up in Seattle and attended the University of Washington. The dragon community at Skyward Re
st could probably start there.

  The last of the ice in his drink was melting when his phone vibrated, sliding across the bar with a quiet buzz. He fumbled to check it, finding a reply from Chloe.

  Chloe: I’m home. Thanks for checking. Please don’t contact me again.

  He sighed as a pang of guilt pierced his gut. What a mess. He contemplated calling her, picturing her glaring at the phone still in her hand. Instead, he took one of the black stilettos out of the paper bag and set it on the bar with a cocktail napkin under the heel. He snapped a picture and sent it to her with a message.

  Will you please meet up with me and let me explain? You have a right to know who you are.

  He stared at the phone, hoping for a response. The typing animation appeared once then disappeared. He stared for a solid five minutes, willing her to reply, but there was only silence and the quiet accusation of the Read: 12:49 am just under his message.

  Great.

  Taegan woke the next morning with a dull headache and anxiety twisting in his gut. Izarin had given her blessing the night before for him to call the Skywatch on her behalf, and Tellana had promised to send him the race registration information before going to bed. Chloe’s reprimand echoed in his head, even as he dug even deeper into her private life.

  As promised, Tellana had forwarded him the document with all of their race registrations. He scrolled until he found Chloe’s entry, which included her birthday and current address. When he’d snooped before, he just jotted down her email and phone number. This time, he took a screenshot, attaching it to an email, along with the other details he’d gathered from their conversation. With the beginnings of his Chloe Madsen dossier in hand, he called the Skywatch dispatch office.

  There were a number of dragon communities here in the human world. Some congregated around the Gates connecting back to the dragon world, such as the communities in Las Vegas and Seattle. Those dragons were under the watch of their respective Gatekeepers, and by extension, the queens back in Ascavar.

  Other communities, colloquially called Exiles, had flourished beyond the Gates and the rule of the old world. The biggest by far was the Asheville dragon community, which was under the eye of Queen Valella in Skyward Rest. While Izarin was in charge here in Portland, she ultimately answered to Queen Valella and the laws of her Skywatch. Over drinks—and out of her mother’s earshot—Tellana once joked that they were like a franchise, and Izarin was middle management. Regardless of where Izarin stood in the pecking order, she was above Taegan.

  The ringing ended abruptly. “Skywatch dispatch,” a pleasant female voice said. “How may I help you?”

  “Good morning,” he said, hoping he sounded official. “My name is Taegan Asharin, and I’m calling on behalf of the Portland community, with authorization from Izarin Asharin.” He’d done this before, helping Tellana build a database of the local dragons. Just as Izarin left the fundraising to her daughter, she was happy to delegate computer work to him.

  “Understood. One moment,” the woman said. There was typing on her end. “Ah, yes. I see that Izarin has authorized you to make requests on her behalf. I’ll transfer you.”

  A few seconds later, a male voice picked up the line. “Records, this is Nashan,” he said. Quiet music played in the background.

  “Hi,” Taegan said. “My name is Taegan Asharin. I’m calling on behalf of Izarin Asharin to request information.”

  “Go ahead,” Nashan said.

  “I need information on someone who recently moved to our community,” he said. It wasn’t entirely a lie. “I’ve got some identifying information, if I can send it to you.”

  “Sure,” Nashan said. “Listen, is this an emergency?”

  “Not exactly,” Taegan said.

  “Cool,” Nashan replied. “We’re dealing with some issues out here that have to take priority. If you can send me what you’ve got, I’ll get back to you as soon as I can, but I can’t pull anything for you today.”

  Damn. He’d been hoping for a quick response, but he was in no position to make demands. “I understand. It’s not a huge rush, though obviously I’ll appreciate it as soon as you can.” His phone buzzed as he spoke, and he pulled it away to see New Text Message. His heart thumped in anticipation.

  “Great. I’ll give you a secure email. Send me anything you think is relevant. Ready?”

  “Go ahead,” Taegan said. Nashan spelled the email address for him, and he rapidly typed it into the tablet then sent his email and attachments. “Got it. Just sent it. Thanks.” He was practically squirming with the need to read the new text.

  “No problem. Anything else?”

  “That’s it,” he said. “Thanks.”

  As soon as he ended the call, he opened the message and smiled to see Chloe’s name.

  Chloe: I guess I can meet you. Just for my shoes. Buona Bean?

  How about Marigold Park? It’s public. And wear your running shoes.

  Chloe: ???

  I’m not trying to be weird. I promise I’ll explain. Noon?

  His heart pounded as she typed for what seemed like an eternity.

  Chloe: ok

  A two-letter response was underwhelming, but he’d take what he could get.

  Two hours later, he sat in the parking lot of Marigold Park, staring at the recovered shoes and trying to figure out how he was going to defuse her anger and ease her into the dragon world. He should have just told her when they’d met for coffee. But he’d been so infatuated with the idea of a proper date, and once they met for dinner, he’d been so swept up that he somehow thought the situation would handle itself.

  Children poured out of a minivan next to him, with a frazzled-looking woman chasing behind them as they streamed toward the playground. He smiled at the sight of the children scattering like little invaders over the brightly painted structures.

  Motion in the rearview mirror caught his eye. A familiar silhouette emerged from a silver car in the row behind him. Chloe wore slim black leggings that accentuated her athletic figure. Her long, auburn hair was pulled back in a ponytail that waved in the breeze. Her brow furrowed as she surveyed the parking lot. He sighed. It wasn’t fair that she was drop-dead gorgeous in addition to thinking he was insane.

  His heart thumped in anticipation as he turned off his car and got out. The Asharin bloodline was one of warriors, brave and unflinching. He’d never gone to war, but approaching Chloe felt like the most courageous act of his life.

  Her eyes narrowed when she saw him, and she froze halfway across the parking lot. Her posture tensed, one foot poised on the toes like she was preparing to bolt. He put up his hands. “I just want to talk to you.”

  “I’m here for my shoes,” she replied flatly. Her gaze drifted to his empty hands. “Where are they?”

  “I know last night freaked you out,” he said.

  “Where are my shoes, Taegan?” She held out one hand. “And if you think this is going to be a Cinderella thing, I’m not about to call you Prince Charming. Not after yesterday.”

  “You didn’t come here for your shoes,” he replied, folding his arms across his chest and hoping she wouldn’t call his bluff.

  She scowled. “Oh, are you a mind reader in addition to being completely insane?”

  “No,” he said. “No offense, but your shoes are from Target. They look great on you but they’re not that expensive. If you thought I was that crazy, you’d cut your losses. It’s not about the shoes.” Her jaw dropped but she didn’t speak. And she didn’t run. “Please, just let me show you what you are.”

  “Why does it matter to you? Not that I believe any of your crazy dragon crap.”

  “Because it’s not fair that you’ve missed out on part of your life,” he said. He tilted his head toward the athletic field complex in the middle of the park. An asphalt walking track surrounded the perimeter of the fields. “Walk with me.”

  “I’m not going anywhere with you.”

  He ignored the stab of guilt. “It’s out in the op
en. If you feel unsafe, tell your friend you’re here with me. I’ll give you my address and everything.”

  She tilted her head, eyes narrowed like she was trying to peer into his mind. “What’s in it for you?”

  “Well, my aunt gave me orders, so I’m trying to stay out of trouble,” he admitted. “But I really do want to help you. And whatever you want to do afterward, you should at least know what you are.”

  Taking her phone from the slim pocket on her leggings, she typed rapidly. She glared at him over the edge of the phone. “I’m telling my best friend I’m here with you. If she doesn’t hear from me in an hour, she’ll call the cops on you.”

  “That’s fair,” he said.

  Still regarding him warily, she put the phone back in her pocket, heading for the walking track. Once he joined her, she veered to the opposite side of the path, putting her at arm’s length from him.

  Giggles and shouts carried through the still afternoon from the children conquering the playground. Their shoes scraped rhythmically on the asphalt. Even though he was itching to talk, he could wait her out. Her heart raced, pumping warm blood that smelled faintly of smoke. It was so familiar that it made his heart ache to think of her all alone. He couldn’t imagine growing up without any family, not knowing about such a huge part of himself.

  Finally, she spoke. “How did you do the trick with the fire last night? I was up all night trying to figure it out. I figured you had something up your sleeve, but your cousin had to be hiding it in her jewelry or something.”

  “No tricks,” he said. He glanced over his shoulder to make sure there were no nosy spectators watching them walk. He cut her off, forcing her to stop. With one hand in front of Chloe, he summoned a small flame. “Look. No tricks.” She grabbed his wrist, turning it over like she was looking for a hidden device. Her skin was blazing hot on his, sending a shiver down his spine. Probably a flame dragon, like him.