I turned to Joe. He was slumped casually on the dresser again, as relaxed as if he was in a bar with friends, smiling at me. He shrugged. “Don’t thank me, ma’am,” he said, mocking himself gently. “It’s all in a day’s work for the P.I.D.”
I laughed.
“Hey,” I said. I stepped toward him and was surprised by the urge to rush and embrace him, too. For an instant the idea of kissing him passionately on the lips, of running my hands under his shirt, flashed through my mind. I pushed the image away, flushing hot with embarrassment. What the hell are you thinking, Lia? Any case, you have a boyfriend. Geez, girl, what are you like?
Joe met my eyes, and it seemed he was going to say something else, but changed his mind.
“You must be very tired, Amelia,” Grandma said, breaking the spell of the moment. “Are you hungry?”
I thought for a moment, stopping for the first time to reflect on how I truly felt.
“No,” I answered. “I’m not tired. Not at all. In fact, I feel awesome! I know I should be exhausted, right? But I’ve ever felt stronger. And I’m not hungry at all.”
Grandma nodded as if that was the answer she’d expected. “That’s the power of your Dragon blood awakening, my dear. It’s not without its advantages. It’s potent enough for a Dragon. This human form can run for a long time without sleep or rest when it’s charged by Dragon blood. You will be stronger, too. Be careful at first. You may need to exercise additional restraint.”
Grandma shot a quick, sideways glance at Joe Summers, as if she’d just realized she’d been indiscreet.
“It’s alright, Grandma,” I said. “He knows.”
Joe smiled again and lifted both hands, palms out. “Your secret’s safe with me, ladies. In any case, I help you; maybe one day you can help me.”
I nodded. “Sure. I hope so.”
I was glad at the idea this wasn’t going to be the last time I’d see him. Although why I should like him so much I still hadn’t figured out. Well, you know, apart from the obvious, like saving my life and all that.
I realized we were still looking into each other’s eyes. I didn’t need psychic powers to sense the chemistry between us.
“Suits you,” he said, suddenly shy and nodding to my dress.
“Oh God, this thing!” I said. “I left my real clothes in Victorian London. I think I’ll skip going back to get them. I’m amazed how well this came through,” I added, picking up the skirts and giving a little twirl. “I don’t think it was designed to see that kind of action.”
“They sure don’t make ‘em like they used to.”
I laughed. For a moment there was silence.
Then I said, to neither of them in particular, “I did it. I shifted.”
“How was it?” Joe said.
“It was…it was totally awesome. I mean, on the scale of awesomeness, it was way off the scale.”
Grandma’s hand rested on my shoulder. “Welcome,” she said solemnly. “To your true self, Amelia. You are now a Guardian. You are Dragon-born and your blood is awakened. You have destroyed your first demon. But this is only the beginning. To learn how to wield such power rightly will take a lot of training and hard work.”
“I guess,” I said. “Although I can’t help think you’re kind of spoiling it with the solemn lecture, Gran.” I grinned.
And Grandma laughed, too. “Truth is,” she said, “in normal circumstances, this is a great occasion and we’d have a party, some kind of celebration. But with one thing and another…”
Her voice trailed away, and we stood together in the kitchen, in silence, adapting each in our own way, to the new situation.
The doorbell rang.
Grandma glanced at the clock. “Who on Earth can that be?” she said.
“I’ll go, if you like,” said Joe. “Ward off anyone unwanted. I think both you ladies deserve to be undisturbed at the moment.”
Grandma nodded her consent and Joe left the room, making his way along the hallway to answer the door.
In the few moments of anticipation, neither Grandma nor I spoke. We stood, our eyes locked together, communicating at a depth beyond words.
He took Mom and Dad, didn’t he? I said, psychically.
Yes. With the help of his demonic masters. But I believe they are alive and, for now, still safe.
Where?
From what has just happened, I imagine in another place and time.
I’ll get them back. Now I’m in my power. I’ll get them back.
Lia, there’s something you ought to…
But the brief silence, and the communication, was broken. The front door latch lifted, and the door opened.
“Hello, can I help you?” Joe was saying.
“Er, hi. Is Lia in?”
Dan!
“Who’s asking?” Joe said. I thought I sensed just a subtle hint of hostility in his voice. I shot a look at the wall clock. Seven forty-five. “What day is it, I’ve lost track?” I said.
“Sunday evening.”
“Oh. My. God. The fancy dress Ball at Uni!”
The kitchen door opened. Dan walked in with Joe hot on his heels.
“Hi Lia,” he said brightly, but clearly a little puzzled.
I guessed he could sense the atmosphere. And I knew how he felt, walking into a room where everyone else has just shared a secret and you don’t know anything about it.
I hugged him. “Hey Dan,” I said. He kissed me and his eyes flashed to Grandma.
“I’m glad you’re all right, Mrs. Stone,” he said.
Grandma raised her eyebrows, and then as realization dawned, said quickly, “Oh, thank you, Dan. Yes, I’m fine. Just a funny turn, but I’m fine now, thank you. Nothing a good night’s sleep couldn’t resolve.”
Dan stood back, taking my hands in his. “Well, that answers my question. You haven’t forgotten. I’ve been trying to call you all day.”
I realized I’d left my smartphone in the pocket of my leather jacket.
“That’s an amazing costume, Lia! Really fantastic. You look beautiful in it and… well, it seems so authentic.”
I smiled a little stiffly, I think. “Oh…um…yes, the costume. Cool. Glad you like it. And yours is…”
I took in his outfit. He was dressed as a pirate. It was a get-up he’d obviously hired from the party store.
“It doesn’t compare, I know,” he said gallantly. He shrugged and grinned. “Still, I don’t mind if you outshine me. I guess you would in any costume.”
I was shocked by my inner response. He was paying me a compliment. It was kind of cheesy, sure. Still, I should at least have been gracious, if not happy. But I just felt annoyed.
He looked suddenly ridiculous in his pirate gear. He seemed like a child to me, like a kid I was supposed to take trick-or-treating come Halloween. A chasm was opening up between us. He was just a nineteen-year-old human whose most pressing problem was whatever grades he’d get at the end of next semester, and I was an Old One, Daughter of Dragons, Demon-Hunter and Guardian of the Gates.
But I forced myself back from the brink of that chasm’s edge.
Dan had brought me happiness. He’d been the first to welcome me here. He’d introduced me to my friends. He’d been kind. I owed him that, at least.
I figured it would take time to adjust that’s all. I couldn’t help being what I was any more than he could help being who he was. I could still have friends in the human world and live something like a normal life between bouts of demon-slaying, couldn’t I? I hoped so. I hoped so with all my heart.
But I don’t know if right now I need to go to a fancy dress Ball.
I looked at Grandma for help, but her gaze was inscrutable. There was love there, of course, and perhaps sadness.
Then, out of nowhere, she clapped her hands together and said, “Well, don’t let me and Detective Summers keep you young people from your fun.” She turned to Dan, wagging a finger in jest. “Now, you take care of my girl, won’t you young man?”
Dan slipped his arm around my waist. “Oh, I’ll do that, Mrs. Stone,” he said. “This is one treasure I won’t let anyone steal from me.” He threw a pointed glance at Joe.
“Good. Now Amelia, go and have a good time. I won’t wait up for you. I’m sure you can look after yourself.”
I realized I would have to go to the Ball now, whatever. I guessed it was for the best. And thinking again, maybe that was what I needed. Maybe it would help ground me back in everyday reality.
I released myself awkwardly from Dan’s embrace and kissed Grandma on the cheek.
“See you later,” I said. “And don’t worry. I’ll be fine.”
When I turned back, Dan was standing grinning like the cat with cream, but Joe Summers had vanished.
I looked back at Grandma, but she just shook her head, as if to say, don’t ask anything.
At the front door, I grabbed a coat and hat. Then I let Dan lead me down the steps, onto the gravel driveway. The night was cold and crisp, the full moon beaming in a clear, ink-dark sky. He opened the car door for me and I slipped into the passenger seat.
I took a deep breath. It’s over, I told myself. At least for now. Besides, Lia, you definitely have something to freaking celebrate, right?
I pushed all thoughts of evil occultists, burning temples, missing parents, and Joe Summers, from my mind.
I opened my eyes. I’m back. This is my reality for tonight.
I leaned over and kissed Dan on the cheek. He fired up the engine, and the car crunched over the gravel. I flicked on the car stereo and the tiny space was filled with music.
“Ready for a good time?” Dan said, grinning.
“Believe me,” I said brightly, dancing in my seat, as the last images of Victorian London slipped from my mind. “There’s no time like the present.”
###
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ABOUT THE AUTHOR
Austin worked in theater and television before becoming a full time writer. He’s always loved storytelling, adventures, mysteries, mythology, magic, animals, technology and science, and so all those things tend to appear in his stories. He’s usually busy writing the next adventure, but you can connect with him on Twitter.
Austin’s Twitter handle is @AGHackney
He also blogs about writing and other stuff here:
Austin’s Blog
Table of Contents
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
About the Author
Dragon Moon: Lia Stone: Demon Hunter - Episode One (Dragon-born Guardians Series Book 1) Page 7