Valley of the Dragons (Rule 9 Academy, #3)

by Rain, Elizabeth

  Valley of the Dragons

  Rule 9 Academy, Volume 3

  Elizabeth Rain

  Published by Elizabeth Rain, 2020.

  While every precaution has been taken in the preparation of this book, the publisher assumes no responsibility for errors or omissions, or for damages resulting from the use of the information contained herein.

  This is a work of fiction. Names, characters, businesses, places, events, locales, and incidents are either the products of the author’s imagination or used in a fictitious manner. Any resemblance to actual persons, living or dead, or actual events is purely coincidental.

  Valley of the Dragons

  First edition. August 10, 2020.

  Copyright © 2020 Elizabeth Rain.

  Written by Elizabeth Rain.

  Table of Contents

  Title Page

  Copyright Page

  Join Me

  CHAPTER ONE

  CHAPTER TWO

  CHAPTER THREE

  CHAPTER FOUR

  CHAPTER FIVE

  CHAPTER SIX

  CHAPTER SEVEN

  CHAPTER EIGHT

  CHAPTER NINE

  CHAPTER TEN

  CHAPTER ELEVEN

  CHAPTER TWELVE

  CHAPTER THIRTEEN

  CHAPTER FOURTEEN

  CHAPTER FIFTEEN

  CHAPTER SIXTEEN

  CHAPTER SEVENTEEN

  CHAPTER EIGHTEEN

  Join Me

  THANK YOU FOR YOUR Purchase!

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  CHAPTER ONE

  JAKE WINTERS HISSED, trying to breathe around the massive bite of steaming meat-lover’s pizza, blowing through his open mouth to cool the burn. His eyes narrowed on his best friends, Pete and Stephan, weaving between tables and making their way to where he sat waiting in the back corner of Haggett’s pizzeria. Tagging behind Pete was Melissa, hand firmly lodged in his. Her admiring eyes followed Pete’s broad back as he drug her along.

  What does he see in her? Pete was Purdy High’s star athlete, and he was nearly as good looking as Jake was himself. He could have any girl he wanted, so why he settled for Melissa was a mystery.

  Jake himself went for tall, willowy, and blond. He preferred girls that were willing and grateful to be in his company. They should be—he was quite the catch.

  Melissa’s own dark hair was a curly mass of brown that refused to be tamed as it swirled about her shoulders, contrasting with her hazel-green eyes. She was pretty enough he supposed if you went for sturdy and never shuts up. He did not.

  They arrived and pulled chairs out. Jake caught Pete’s eye and glared. Pete returned the look with a cheeky grin and settled Melissa in on his right, directly across from Jake.

  Stephan frowned at the pitcher of Mountain Dew and headed back for the counter. He was always on some kind of health kick and refused to drink any kind of pop.

  “Hi, Jake. How did practice go today? Eat any dirt?” Melissa asked, smiling hard at him as she snagged a piece of pizza without bothering to ask.

  Jake scowled, watching her pudgy fingers move the slice towards her mouth, thin strings of gooey cheese trailing over the box and onto the table. His lips thinned and his nose shot up in disdain. He wondered if he’d be out of line to suggest a diet. “A Winters’ does not suck sod. Practice went fine. How did home economics go? Learn any new cookie recipes?” He smiled at her, eyes unkind.

  She shook the slice at him, lips curving in a matching smile that never reached her eyes. “Nope. But thanks for this, it’s delicious.”

  Pete sighed beside them and snatched her hand. His eyes light, he pulled her sauce covered fingers towards his mouth.

  “Stop that!” She snatched her hand back with a roar of laughter and swatted him hard enough to send him careening sideways.

  Jake narrowed his eyes. No way would that fly with him. But Pete laughed out loud and bent in and gave her a hard peck on the mouth. This time her grin reached every part of her.

  Stephan returned with an iced tea. The chair gave a groan when he sat down. At 6’2”, Stephan was all muscle. They liked to kid him sometimes that he wasn’t just a lineman, he was the entire front line.

  His eyes crinkled at the edges of his dark face, serious black eyes landing on the three of them. “So, what are we doing tonight, anyhow? Bowling and then ice cream, or a movie and more pizza?”

  The small town of Purdy had few choices for things to do when you were a teenager. Everyone’s best bet was and always had been Haggett’s since it had been erected fifteen years before by some like-minded individual who recognized that a bored teen was a kid looking for trouble. Still, there were only two movies playing at any one time, and the bowling alley’s ten lanes were usually full on a Saturday night.

  Pete nodded with an easy smile, eyes never leaving Melissa. “I thought maybe we’d ditch the place and go swimming down in Green creek. Should be warm enough now after the last few days.”

  Stephen smiled back and shrugged. It was the early part of summer and school had been out a couple weeks already. The creek fed from high in the Greylock Mountains on the edge of the Weminuche Wilderness preserve. Spring fed and cold, it widened near the town of Purdy into a small lake named the same that warmed to just above freezing in the summer. “I’m game,” he murmured, snagging a second piece of pizza. The first had disappeared in a matter of bites.

  They both looked at Jake, whose attention had wandered across the room to another table.

  Jake ignored them, staring at the leggy blonde he didn’t recognize, all alone and sipping on her coke. Slim fingers whisked a fall of straight blond hair off her cheek and tucked it behind her ear. He watched as her perfect lips snugged the straw and took a drink. The motion made his insides tighten. He frowned.

  She must have been new because everyone knew everyone in Purdy. His light brown eyes smoothed over the too tight shorts and the torso hugging tank over slim tanned arms. She chose that moment to glance up and he realized she had caught him staring. Her bright blue eyes widened and a slow blush spread over her cheeks as she dipped her head back down.

  A steady buzz of voices penetrated the fog he found himself in and he realized Pete was trying to get his attention. “Hey, where’d’ you go? Pay attention.” Pete griped.

  Stephan, following Jake’s eyes, grinned suddenly. “He’s busy studying the playing field.”

  Jake shot him a look and snatched his pop up for a drink. But he found his eyes wandering back to where she sat. She’d turned her chair a bit, angling it away from their table. But he could tell she was aware. She sat too still and her fingers moved in a rapid beat against her plastic cup. He’d made her nervous. His grin widened.

  He turned to stare back at Pete. Melissa was talking to him and he unashamedly listened in. “I don’t know about swimming Peter. I mean, I don’t have a suit...”

  “That’s okay. I don’t either. We’ll go in our boxers. Take your shorts off and go in your t-shirt and undies. Covers more than a suit, anyway.”

  Melissa squirmed. “I don’t know. I’m not exactly some skinny little thing.”

  Jake stared and held his tongue. No kidding.

  Pete snatched both her hands up and nibbled on her thumb, making her giggle. “You are right for me. Who wants to get poked with too many sharp edges. I’ll be good, I promise. I might steal a kiss. Or two.”

  Melissa rolled her eyes, but she looked pleased.

  Jake’s eyes moved back to the table and the blonde. She was gone.

  His gaze sharpened on the figure retreating through
the door into the main corridor of Haggett’s. She was heading towards the ice-cream parlor two doors down.

  He pushed to his feet, glancing back at Pete and Stephan. His light brown gaze met his friends’. “Um... you guys go ahead without me. I’ll catch up to you later. I’ve got a craving for ice cream.”

  Melissa’s eyes sharpened on his retreating figure. She hadn’t missed the snub as he ignored her completely and left. “Ice cream’s not all he craves,” she said flatly.

  Stephan shrugged; one meaty paw idle over the last piece of pizza. “Anyone lay claim to...” was as far as he got.

  Melissa had her fork and knife poised above it. “Split it with you or fight me for it.” She smirked.

  Stephan rolled his eyes. “Split it. I don’t want you to hurt me.”

  She nodded, already cutting it clean. “Smart choice.”

  JAKE WAS ON THE MOVE. He paid his bill and waited impatiently for his change, ignoring the clerk when he offered him the receipt. He was just in time to glimpse blond hair disappearing into the small shop up ahead. Could he call em’ or what?

  He entered as she got in line, taking his place behind her and looking at the mint-green walls like he hadn’t a care.

  She stepped forward in line and glanced back at him.

  Jake felt her eyes but ignored the pull. He didn’t want to seem too obvious.

  She giggled and turned back around. “Oh, well. Maybe I was wrong and you aren’t interested. My bad...” she murmured.

  Jake jerked his head down to hers as she gave the teenager manning the counter her order and paid.

  “Who says I’m not interested.” Jake protested to her back.

  She turned to give him a sly look from beneath her lashes. “Who said I was talking to you?”

  She turned to take her cone and moved away from the counter. He was next. Dumbfounded, he snapped out his order and waited.

  Cone in hand, he looked around for a place to sit. Tonight wasn’t turning out like he’d planned.

  A soft voice spoke just loud enough for him to hear from the corner of the small parlor. “Are you going to join me or not?” she purred.

  He jerked around and stared at the table for two by the back wall where she sat. She gave her double dip strawberry ice cream cone a long lick. Was she playing with him?

  He hesitated. His eyes fell to the front of her frilly top and the top button that had come undone. He wondered if she knew? He discounted the thought and took a seat across from her.

  “You’re not from around here.” Was the first thing that came out of his mouth. Inwardly, he cringed. Smooth move, Romeo.

  She nodded. “You’re observant.” Her voice was honey sweet. She took another lick and dipped her head towards his own cone.

  “Are you going to eat that, or just wear it for a decoration?”

  He looked down at the rivulets of chocolate that had run down the side of his cone and pooled on his hand. “Dammit.” He bent forward and got busy.

  Cones finished, he used the napkin she handed him and sat back.

  “What I meant to say, is I haven’t seen you around before. I’m Jake. Jake Winters. You are?”

  “Lucy Sawyer.”

  “Nice to meet you Lucy. Where you hail from? We don’t get many newcomers to Purdy, Colorado. Too remote.”

  “I bet.”

  Jake blinked. “What?”

  She shrugged, eyes moving away and around the room. “Oh, nothing. I just moved here for the summer. Dad is in sales. In the summer I come along and keep house while he works. I enjoy being able to visit unique places.”

  Jake frowned. “What about your friends, don’t you miss them?”

  “Well, sure, I guess. But I enjoy making new ones, like you.” She sat back and crossed her legs, pulling his eyes hopelessly to the long tanned length and her little pink toes. He gulped. “You know, it’s been forever since I bowled, I don’t suppose...” she murmured.

  “I can go check, see if a lane has opened up?” He was already out of his seat.

  She looked up at him and smiled. “Would you? That sounds like so much fun.”

  Eyes filled with calculation watched him hasten away to ask.

  “WOW. THAT MAKES YOUR third strike in this game alone. Do you play on a league?”

  Jake puffed his chest up. “Nope. Just comes natural. I’ve always been good at sports. I play football and run track, also.”

  She smiled at him, laying her hand over his as he unlaced his shoes. “And hunting? I bet you like to kill things too.”

  Jake’s smile slipped sideways in confusion. “Well, yeah, I guess. Bout everyone on the mountain hunts and fishes. Why, do you hunt?”

  Lucy’s eyes grew shuttered. “I’ve been known to take part in large game season.”

  Jake was wondering how talk had slipped away from his athletic abilities. It was the strangest conversation he could ever remember having with a girl.

  “Well. That’s great, isn’t it? My sisters hunt. A lot more girls are doing it nowadays, right?”

  Lucy slipped her shoes on and reached for her purse. “Do you live in town, Jake?”

  He shook his head and stood up, taking both bowling balls from the return to place them back in the racks along the back wall of the room where they belonged. “Nope. Our family has a place up the mountain. They’ve never been much for city living.

  “No, I could see that.” She murmured as they walked together to return their shoes.

  “See what?” he asked, not really paying attention. All his focus was on the sweet scent of her perfume as it teased his nostrils, making them twitch. She ignored him.

  Outside he paused, indecisive. Jake wished he knew more of what she was thinking. He shifted from foot to foot. “Well, I suppose I’ll see you around if you’re staying for the summer. Can I get your number or something?”

  The breeze in the night sky was stiff and hot as it moved over them, brushing her hair forward and casting her face deep in the shadows. It was difficult to read her expression as she looked up at him.

  Her voice grew deeper, with a slight husky quality to it that made his fists clench in reaction. It was difficult to swallow.

  “I could do that. But... does the evening have to end? Would you like to see where I live?”

  Jake gulped. He liked things to move fast. But this was better than his wildest dreams. “Um...what about your dad? Won’t he... I mean... it’s late to be bringing someone...”

  “Are you frightened to be alone with me, Jake? Dad is gone for the entire weekend. We’d be all alone. Just you, me, and the buttered popcorn. But if you’re afraid...” She left the last unfinished.

  Jake rushed in. “No, not at all. That sounds incredible.” He took her hand in his and almost let it go again. Her hands were slick with sweaty nervousness. He relaxed. She was just as scared to be alone with him as he was her. How sweet.

  He was used to fast girls with faster morals. It wasn’t his first rodeo. But for her, he determined, he’d go slow.

  “YOU LIVE IN A WAREHOUSE?” he asked, voice sounding louder in the shadowy darkness as they turned down Birch Street. Now who was getting nervous? They’d left the homes and main part of town behind as they walked and chatted. The only buildings on birch street were several long deserted warehouses. With the recent dip in economy, they abandoned most.

  Lucy smiled in the dark and the lamplight reflected off the brilliance of her smile, her teeth looking sharp.

  Jake’s senses were suddenly on full alert as the metallic bitterness of chemicals teased his nostrils. That wasn’t unusual. Who knew what they stored in those buildings?

  “Are you worried Jake?” She stopped him on the sidewalk and looked up, the blue glow of her eyes all but invisible in the gloom. She ran her hands along his arms.

  “No. But maybe I should be for you. You aren’t like homeless, are you? I could help..”

  Her hands stilled and his senses jangled in warning. Experience had taught him not to ignore t
hem. Her fingers were light along his forearms, but he didn’t miss the shake in them. Lucy was scared.

  Of the Dark? Or to be alone with him?

  “Um... Jake. I’ve been thinking. We don’t have to do this tonight. Maybe we should make it another night, hmm? It’s late and you should probably get home.”

  “He chuckled. Hey, we’ve come this far. I won’t let anything happen to you. And I love popcorn.”

  She shook her head. “Look, I’m trying to tell you. I’ve changed my mind. I’m not ready for...you. Go home, Jake, before it’s too late!” Her voice had risen with her words until they fairly echoed off the dull metal of the nearest building, bouncing back at them.

  Jake stared down at her in confusion, alarmed by the sudden agitation in her voice. It occurred to him she wasn’t afraid of him. She was scared for him. Why?

  A sudden noise in the next block over had him freezing as he strained to identify it. Tumbling rocks? Or a shoe off a tin can? Whatever it was, Jake was suddenly positive he didn’t want to meet the owner.

  For a human, her hearing was sharp. The sharp hiss of panicked breath she sucked in said she’d heard it too.

  “You’ve got to go Jake, now, before it’s too late. Leave a different way than we came in...” she started.

  Jake shook her and gripped her arms, his eyes lighting up in the dark and taking on an amber glow. “Not without you I won’t. I don’t know what’s out there that’s got you so scared, but something isn’t right, I can feel it. But you’re coming with me, let’s go.”

  They’d been passing a smallish warehouse that looked like it had been abandoned for years. Not all the windows that ran around its upper dormers were intact. Several had been broken out, the sharp fangs of glass smiling down on them, reflected in the sliver of moon that lit their way. The soft cooing from within told him the pigeons didn’t mind and had taken up residence there long ago. He held tight to Lucy’s hand and pulled her with a hard yank left to get off the main drag. He moved deeper into the shadows as they ran diagonal to where they’d come in, slipping down alleys between buildings and heading for the woods to the North. If they could make that, they’d be on his home turf and he’d feel more comfortable.