by Mandi Oyster
I lowered my head to look at Aurelia. Her mouth hung open in astonishment, but her eyes were fierce, a mixture of contempt and awe. Through gritted teeth and with a strained voice, she said, “That is not what I expected. I doubt any other human has ever transformed into a dragon before.”
“It’s …” I cocked my head. My voice was deep and booming. “It’s not what I intended.” I tried to hide my excitement but didn’t succeed. “I wanted to change into a tiger, but dragons have been first and foremost on my mind for days. I guess it makes sense that I transformed into one.”
“Can you breathe fire?” she asked still sounding strained.
I had no idea how to see if I could. I tilted my head. The movement made the field spin. I tottered but righted myself. Deciding magic would be my best option, a fireball escaped my massive paw, but I didn’t breathe it. “Maybe with some practice, but I don’t think so.”
Focusing on my body, I transformed back into myself. My muscles burned. My body shrank, and I fell onto my hands and knees. The breath squeezed from my lungs. “That …” I gasped. “That could help me defeat Draconian.”
“Yeah.” She turned her back on me. Her voice sounded forced. “However his dragons will tear you apart if you take that form in front of them.”
“Why?” I raised my eyebrows and rolled onto my back.
“Dragons are exceptionally arrogant creatures. They believe they are superior to all other living things, especially humans.” Tension made her normally graceful movements rough. “Dragons can change into human form, and when they do, they respect humans. They actually like the lifestyle humans lead, but in dragon form, they will not appreciate your ability. Even if you free them, they may attack you.”
Hope faded, like the stars lost to the morning sky. It was almost as if it had never been there. I thought being a dragon would help me defeat Draconian, that maybe it was my way out. Now she was telling me if I used it, I would be lucky to survive the dragons’ wrath. I closed my eyes. “How do you know so much about dragons?”
“I have been around for thousands of years. I have met creatures of all types,” she said. “Dragons are by far the most egotistical I have met.”
“Okay, I won’t try to change out of human form again until dragons are off my mind—” I sighed “—but it was pretty cool. Wasn’t it?”
“Yes.” She smiled, but it was strained. “I was shocked you chose to emulate me.”
I was thrown off by her comment. I was more impressed by turning into a dragon than by turning into her. “You were the first person I pictured. After all, I saw you right before I closed my eyes.”
“That makes sense.” She nodded and turned away. “It was weird looking into my own face. You had it perfectly, down to the eyes, and nobody else has eyes like mine.”
“That’s for sure. You have awesome eyes.” I struggled to sit up. Aurelia clasped my hand, sending a burst of energy through me.
“We should return.” She helped me to my feet. “Transformation seems to have taken a toll on you.”
If transforming into Aurelia and into a dragon expended that much energy, how did Aurelia stay in human form all the time? How much stronger was her magic than mine?
Outside the stadium, puffy, white clouds dotted the sky. A soft breeze blew down from the mountains, bringing crisp, cool air with it. We walked in companionable silence until we were nearly at Wisteria Hall.
“I’m no closer to stopping him.” I opened the door and held it for her.
“We will think of something.”
I grimaced. “I hope so.”
We stepped into the dormitory. A few girls wandered the halls. All of them shouted hellos to Aurelia. A few even included me.
“There is always hope, Dacia. Do not give up so easily. I believe in you. You will find a way to defeat him.”
Cody turned off the TV when Aurelia and I stepped into the room. “How’d it go?”
“I have no idea how to beat Draconian, but I transformed into a dragon!” I knew Aurelia didn’t like it, but I couldn’t keep the excitement out of my voice, even to placate her.
“You what?” His voice rose, and his eyes widened.
“First, I turned into Aurelia. Then, I transformed into a black dragon, the one that was guarding you.” I pointed at him. “It was awesome.”
“So, can you turn into a dragon and eat Draconian or something?”
I glanced at Aurelia. Her face was covered by an unreadable mask. “No. Aurelia says the dragons would kill me if they knew I could turn into one.”
He focused on Aurelia. “Why?”
She sounded like she was forcing herself to remain calm when she gave him the same answer she’d given me.
Cody seized the arms of the chair. “But, she’s helping them!”
“Most dragons do not believe humans can help them.” She sat on the edge of the couch and looked at the floor. “The majority feel they are superior, and therefore, they are not willing to admit needing help. Arrogance is the biggest flaw dragons have. That is the main reason why they have been given such a bad rap throughout history. It is not because of their violent tendencies. It is because of their superiority complex.” Her voice had a hard edge to it, and her gold eyes narrowed.
“Their loss.” Cody reached his hand out to me. I sat on the arm of the chair.
“Think of them like wolves,” Aurelia said in a more peaceful tone. “Wolves would not be thought of as monsters if fairy tales had made them seem less vicious. Stories about their cunning and cruelty made them out to be bad guys. They are an important part of the ecosystem.” She looked up, and sorrow filled her eyes. “Dragons have been made into villains throughout history. Those who have seen them tremble at the mere mention of their name. They have been made into horrible, menacing, awe-inspiring beasts, and unlike wolves, because of their arrogance, they have embraced this role. Thousands of years of conditioning are not going to be undone because Dacia is helping them. Some may hold humans in higher regard after she frees them. Others may become infuriated that a human had to save them.”
Cody rubbed his hand along my back. “Dragons sound like people.”
“They are. Some are friendly and outgoing. Some are mean.” She leaned back and stretched her legs out in front of me. “Almost all of them are arrogant and would not appreciate seeing Dacia as a dragon. Also, unlike people, dragons are not fooled by appearances. If Dacia transformed into a dragon and freed them, they would see a dragon standing before them, but they would be aware it was Dacia. She would not be able to hide that fact from them.”
“Well, it doesn’t matter. I’m not going to change back into a dragon again.” I walked to the window and looked outside. “I didn’t mean to do it in the first place, but dragons are constantly on my mind. I can’t think about anything without wondering what the dragons are going to do … or when I’m going to have to face dragons. If I change again at all, it will be into somebody else … just a disguise.”
“That sounds like a wise decision,” Aurelia said. “Now, unless you want me to stick around, I have some things I need to do.”
“No, that’s okay.” I folded my arms around my waist. “Thanks for your help today.”
After she left, I turned to Cody and asked, “Where are Samantha and Dan?”
“Don’t know.” His gaze shifted, looking anywhere but at me. “I shouldn’t ask, but would you?”
“Cody, I shouldn’t.” I pulled my hand through my hair, gathering it as I went, then held it at the back of my head. “If Aurelia is watching us, she’ll be really mad. When all of this is over, I think I’ll be able to change shape without turning into a dragon. Can it wait until then?”
“Sure.” His shoulders dropped, and he rubbed his neck. “I shouldn’t’ve asked.”
I hated to let him down,
so I closed my eyes and concentrated. Focusing on every minute detail, I thought of a tiger: the exact color of orange, the amber eyes, the stripes, the curve of the ears. When that was all that was on my mind, I began changing. My arms and legs became muscular. I fell forward, landing silently on padded paws. A long tail swished behind me. When I opened my eyes again, I looked into Cody’s awestruck face.
“You’re … you’re a tiger,” he stammered.
He reached out, scratching under my chin. I chuffed. The noise startled me. I bumped my head against his waist, nearly knocking him over. Lying down, I rested my head on my paws, then returned to my body.
My muscles quivered. I tried to push myself up off the floor, but I fell back down.
“Dacia.” Cody lifted me up, cradling me in his arms. “Why didn’t you tell me?”
My lips moved, but the words wouldn’t form.
He sat down, lifted his shirt, and placed my hand on his chest. “Take as much as you need.”
d
Draconian stares down at me from the back of a blue dragon. “Your friends will pay for your defiance. They will suffer unless you hand Nefarious over.” Spit flies from his mouth while he shouts at me.
The beast stands on me. His razor-sharp talons pierce my chest. Spots dance in front of my eyes, making it impossible to focus. Blood soaks the ground below me. My breaths are ragged and shallow. How does he expect me to tell him where Nefarious is? I can’t talk.
“Time’s up.” His cruel laugh echoes through the still evening air. “Bring them out,” he orders his dragons. “She can watch them die!” He climbs down and kneels beside me. “You should’ve given him to me.” His beard brushes my face. He smells like sulfur. “Now, I get the satisfaction of watching you lose all that you love.”
Three dragons fly into the clearing. Each one carries one of my friends in its talons. Blood runs down their chests and backs. My heartbeat edges up a notch, as fear twists my stomach. I try to lift myself off the ground, but my muscles shake, then give out. I’ve lost too much blood. Fuzziness creeps into my vision, softening the edges, blurring images together. Consciousness slips from my grasp. As their faces go in and out of focus, I see desperation in their eyes. There has to be some way to help them.
Where are Arion and Aurelia? I close my eyes, fighting off the wave of nausea that threatens.
“Kill them!” Draconian shouts. The dragons tighten their grips on my friends. One by one, I feel their auras fade to nothingness.
“No!” I scream. The jagged pieces of my heart pierce my soul. Tears flood my eyes. “This … this can’t be … happening.” I sob. I could’ve given him Nefarious. I could’ve defeated him again if Draconian freed him.
Anger like a caged beast rises inside me, slamming against the bars, breaking free. Rage tears through my body, flowing through my veins until I can see only hatred and pain.
I push to my feet. Adrenaline gives me strength. Fireball after fireball flies from my fingertips, driving Draconian back.
Long, black claws tip my fingers. Ebony scales penetrate my skin as I transform into a dragon. Spikes run from the top of my head to the tip of my tail. Razor-sharp fangs fill my jaws, and my body burns from the fire within. Flames stream from my mouth, and for the first time, I detect fear in Draconian’s eyes.
I advance on him without relenting. His defenses diminish. He falls to the ground, trembling.
“They will k-kill you for th-this.” Draconian’s voice quivers as he tries to back away from me.
I smell his terror, drinking it in, wanting it to last.
Draconian lifts his hands in surrender. “I can stop them.”
Low growls rumble all around me. I tear my eyes from Draconian. Dragons surround me, stalking toward me, death in their eyes. “You unworthy, insignificant fool! How dare you!” one of the dragons shouts at me.
Draconian’s fear turns to pleasure. “You chose the wrong form, Dacia! You have sealed your fate.”
The dragons attack me with a ferocity I haven’t seen before … tearing me limb from limb, and the last thing I see is a gruesome look of satisfaction cross Aurelia’s face.
Chapter 32
Trust Issues
My eyes burst open. I’d fallen asleep drawing energy from Cody. Oh, God. What did I do? I sat up and looked around. I was on the couch, and he was sleeping in Cookie Monster.
“Cody,” I whispered.
He forced his eyes open, blinking several times. “What?”
“Are you okay?” My words were rushed. “Did I take too much?”
He blinked again finally focusing on me. “Why …” His voice caught. “Why are you covered in blood?”
The light flicked on. Dan stood by the door, and Samantha looked over the rail of her loft. “What’s going on?” she asked.
I closed my eyes to keep the room from spinning. Aurelia’s face took shape, the anger, the hate, the satisfaction.
Does she want me dead? Why? I thought we were friends. Dream or premonition? Will I know before it’s too late?
“Dacia.” Cody’s voice snapped me out of it. “You okay?”
I shook my head.
Cody sat down beside me, pulling me onto his lap. “Do you need more?”
“I can’t. It’s too much.”
“What happened?” Samantha asked.
“Draconian … dragons.” I closed my eyes to think healing thoughts, but all I could concentrate on was the smugness in Aurelia’s eyes. I slumped back.
Cody tightened his grip on me. “Dacia.”
“I can’t concentrate. I can’t heal.” Everything was far away and slipping further with each breath.
“Why?” Dan asked.
“I watched all of you die,” I whispered. “Then I died. Aurelia seemed … happy about it. What am I supposed to think?” Panic cracked my voice.
“Why would she want you dead?” Samantha asked.
“I don’t know.” I leaned my head against Cody, breathing in his scent. “Every time I close my eyes, I see her face.”
“It was a dream,” Dan said.
Cody’s chest vibrated when he said, “Some come true.”
“Yes, I’m aware of that,” Dan’s voice was calm and soothing. “But, what makes you think this one is a premonition? Aurelia has done nothing but help you.”
“The look she gave me was so … hateful.”
“Concentrate on healing.” Cody rubbed my arm. “Take my strength.”
“I can’t. I took too much earlier.”
“Dan, Samantha,” Cody said.
“I got it, Sam.” Dan sat beside me on the couch and clutched my hand. “Go ahead.”
While I pulled energy from Dan, Cody told Samantha and Dan about my lesson.
“She did what?” Samantha’s voice was filled with excitement.
“Aurelia didn’t like it,” Cody said.
“Wow, I’ve gotta see that when you’re better,” Dan said.
“Not until this is over.” Cody’s voice was stern. “If she turns into a dragon and they find out, they’ll kill her.”
“We can wait,” Samantha said. “Nobody wants Dacia to get hurt, including Aurelia.”
“It’s …” I gulped in air. “It’s not … working.”
“Do you want me to get Aurelia?” Samantha asked.
“Don’t know … if I can trust …”
“You can, and you will.” Samantha strode to the door.
My head fell back against Cody’s shoulder. I shut my eyes, trying to block out the pain.
Aurelia’s hands were hot, like she had been warming them by a campfire. Her eyes filled with concern, and I realized my friends were right; it was just a dream. She didn’t mean me any harm.
I heard Aurelia’s voice in m
y head, Arion told me about your dream. He did not mean to eavesdrop. He is here to protect you. Please do not think I intend to harm you in any way.
I know. I’m sorry, I answered so only she could hear. The dream was so real. I wasn’t thinking.
“You are healing nicely now, Dacia,” she said aloud. “You will be fine.”
I pushed myself off Cody’s lap and staggered across the room to my robe.
“What are you doing?” Samantha asked.
Pointing at myself, I said, “I’ve gotta get this blood off me.”
Samantha tossed off her sheet and joined me. “You don’t look very steady. I’ll go with you.”
“Thanks,” I said.
Cody looked down at the blood on his clothes. “Aurelia”—Cody stood—“could you?”
“Of course.” She rested her hand on his shoulder, and they disappeared.
Cody and Aurelia were waiting when we returned. I plopped down in Cookie Monster. “Cody, take my bed. I don’t have the energy to climb the ladder.”
Aurelia grasped my shoulder. “Rest.”
My eyes fought to stay open. I leaned back and fell into a deep, dreamless sleep. When I woke up, everybody except Aurelia was gone. “Where is everyone?”
“I convinced them it would be good to go to class,” she said. “Samantha thought it was a good idea, but Cody was … hesitant.”
I chuckled. “I imagine.”
“How are you feeling?”
“Much better. I slept like I haven’t slept in a long time.” I thought about last night’s events. “You put a spell on me.”