dragons breath 02 - dancing with flames

by Illene, Susan

  As she slowly drove north, she thought back to the last time she’d been on Earth. School had just let out, and she’d been walking to her foster parent’s house when the next thing she knew, she was in another world. The air was dry, the land rugged with a sort of reddish-orange dirt, and the only plants were scrub brushes and half-dead trees. Kayla had been fourteen years old and terrified out of her mind. Then she had spotted a green dragon in the sky, roaring loudly. It had frightened her so badly she raced to a nearby set of boulders and hid between them.

  For almost a full day, she didn’t move from there. She kept ducking her head into her knees, hoping that things would go back to normal soon, but when she lifted her gaze again, everything was the same. Kayla had been convinced she’d die of either thirst or hunger. When a man came walking up to her sometime the next day, she’d thought about running. His eyes were a really scary yellow with black slits for pupils, but somehow, she also saw kindness in them. He felt like someone she could trust. Maybe she’d been a little delusional by that point, but her instincts later proved true. He spoke calmly to her for half an hour until she agreed to go with him. It wasn’t like Kayla had much of a choice, considering she had nowhere else to go, and she was so thirsty. He took her to the shape-shifter fortress where she’d lived ever since. She now knew that man to be Nanoq—the Captain of the Guard.

  Kayla spotted the turn for Lindsey Street and slowed the car to pull onto it. From there, she knew she didn’t have much farther to go. She drove until the road ended at a big red sign, then she turned right onto a gravel drive. It led through a field and on toward a big, white house at the end. Aidan had chosen a nice place for his secret lair away from home. Seeing it reminded Kayla of the house where she and her parents used to live. That felt like a long time ago now and such a totally different life that someone else must have lived it.

  She parked the car and got out. Kayla had expected the slayer to come out as soon as she pulled up, but everything was quiet. This had to be the right place. She’d been very careful to memorize Aidan’s directions exactly as he gave them.

  Grabbing the sack of food from the back seat, Kayla headed toward the house. There was a big white porch in the front that was also like her parent’s home before they died. Theirs had a swing hanging from the roof that she used to sit on during the summer as a little girl, but this one had a couple of wicker chairs and a small table instead.

  Kayla knocked on the door. She waited a couple of minutes, but no one answered. Aidan had said Bailey would be here because he’d left her with no truck or car to leave in. The only thing Kayla could guess was that the slayer may have gone for a walk. Exercise was probably a good idea when you had to fight dragons.

  She tried the knob and found the door unlocked. Without cops around anymore, she supposed there wasn’t much point in locking a place if you weren’t home. Anyone wanting in would just break a window, and then you’d be stuck trying to find a way to replace it. After a moment of hesitation, she opened the door and stepped inside. The downstairs had a big open space for the living room on the right and a dining room and kitchen to the left. A staircase was directly in the middle. Everything looked cozy and clean.

  Kayla carried the sack of food to the dining table and opened it, spreading all the contents out so Bailey could sort them the way she wanted when she returned. After that, she didn’t have much left to do so she wandered through the rest of the house. She found only one locked door at the rear of the kitchen, but no matter how much she tried she couldn’t get it open. Whatever was in there, Aidan must not have wanted anyone getting into it. Upstairs, she found a sword sitting on top of a dresser. It had a wicked looking blade with jagged edges. Kayla couldn’t imagine what it would be like to fight with something like that.

  Picking it up, she tested the weight. It was surprisingly light. She glanced around, half expecting someone to show up and tell her to put it down. Humans weren’t allowed to handle weapons in the fortress, and her parents had certainly never let her play with them. If she was ever going to get the opportunity, it was now.

  Kayla headed downstairs and went outside where she’d have more room. Then she slashed it left and right, loving the way it cut through the air. She could totally kill something with a blade like this and maybe even scare Ruari a little. She danced about, pretending there were enemies in front of her who needed to die. It was the most amazing feeling just to let go and have fun for a change. It had been years since she’d done anything that was just for herself.

  Practicing with the sword was so entertaining that she didn’t hear the vehicle pulling up until it almost reached the house. Kayla had made her way around to the other side of the place so whoever had come wouldn’t have seen her yet. She flattened herself against the wall and then peeked around the corner. It was a black truck. There was no telling who that could be, but she didn’t really want to find out. She ducked back out of sight and leaned against the wall, trying to think what to do. Kayla had a sword, but she didn’t think she could really use it against someone.

  A door slammed shut, and a set of footsteps headed in her direction, stopping about ten feet away. An angry female voice spoke, “I know you’re hiding back there. Don’t make me come get you or you won’t like what happens.”

  “Bailey?” Kayla asked, praying she guessed right.

  A pause. “How do you know my name?”

  Kayla swallowed, still unable to face the scary-sounding woman. “Aidan sent me.”

  “Come out.”

  “You aren’t going to kill me, are you?” She hadn’t considered how frightened she’d be of the dragon slayer. Bailey was probably a foot taller than her and full of muscles. She could probably just look at Kayla and give her a heart attack.

  There was a loud sigh. “I don’t kill humans if I can help it.”

  Kayla frowned. “How do you know I’m not a shape-shifter?”

  “For one?” Amusement laced Bailey’s tone now. “They wouldn’t hide from me. For two, you don’t smell like a shape-shifter. You smell like a human.”

  “You can smell me?” Forgetting her fear, Kayla stepped out of hiding. She was shocked when she got her first glimpse of the slayer. Bailey was smaller than her, like ridiculously tiny. How was it even possible that such an itty bitty woman could take down a dragon? Now Kayla felt like a complete idiot for how she’d imagined Bailey to be before.

  “Yes, I can smell you at this distance, but only because you were leaking so much fear,” the slayer answered, running her gaze up and down Kayla. “Aren’t you a little young for Aidan to be sending out? And why did he send you?”

  Kayla put her hands on her hips. “I’m sixteen. That’s not too young, and anyway, I do all kinds of favors for Aidan. He asked me to bring you food because he thought you didn’t have a ride.”

  Bailey’s expression hardened. “However old you are, you clearly don’t know how to handle a sword.” She stepped forward, holding out her hand. “Give that to me.”

  Kayla gave it to her. “I don’t get how you could possibly fight dragons. They scare the shit out of me, and I’ve been living with them for two years.”

  Bailey frowned. “Have any of them hurt you?”

  “No.” Kayla shook her head. “It’s just that even in their human bodies they all look big and tough, plus they’re always getting into fights with each other. I try to stay out of their way.”

  “Except Aidan,” Bailey said, not sounding all that pleased about it.

  “He’s different. He saved my life once when there was a missile attack on the fortress, and I was badly hurt. I feel like I owe him, though he says I don’t,” Kayla explained.

  “Huh.” Bailey seemed to mull that one over for a moment. “Well, let’s get you inside. The dragons are going to be flying around soon, and it’s best we’re not seen together. Eventually, shifters are going to figure out who I am, and I don’t want them tying you to me.”

  “Okay.” Kayla followed Bailey into the house.
“So, really, how do you kill dragons?”

  The slayer turned around once she got halfway into the living room. Kayla had to admit she moved with grace and confidence, and there was a subtle strength about her. Of course, it helped that she was wearing the black camrium clothes that warriors wore. It made her look badass, but the tight garments also made her look even smaller.

  A smile played at Bailey’s lips. “Well, I take this sharp, pointy thing here.” She indicated the sword. “And I stab it into the dragon’s heart. It takes them a few seconds to figure out they’re dead, but then they fall over and stop breathing. Works every time.”

  “Very funny.” Kayla rolled her eyes. “What about their fire? No human can get close to it without burning to death.”

  “It doesn’t affect me.” Bailey shrugged.

  “Seriously? Like you can just stand there while they blow flames at you and not get burned at all?” Kayla couldn’t even imagine it.

  “Pretty much.”

  “Well, that explains a few things,” Kayla said, looking back on the few times Aidan had spoken about Bailey. There’d been something in his voice that she’d been trying to identify, but now she thought she had it figured out. He could touch the slayer without hurting her.

  “What do you mean?” Bailey asked.

  “He cares about you. I didn’t think much of it since shape-shifters can’t even touch humans without burning them, but if you’re immune…has he touched you? Like kissed you or something?”

  Bailey’s cheeks turned red, and she cleared her throat. “That is none of your business.”

  “Oh, my God. He has, hasn’t he?” Kayla loved nothing more than discovering secrets and this was huge, not that she’d ever tell anyone. She was loyal to Aidan and would never betray him.

  “Just one kiss before we both realized it was a bad idea,” Bailey admitted, then looked away. “He’s kept his distance ever since.”

  Kayla could detect a note of sadness in the slayer’s voice. Bailey was trying to hide it, but when a person felt something deeply enough, they could never cover it up all the way. She decided to give the woman a little something to make her feel better.

  “You know, ever since he came to Earth, he hasn’t touched another woman. I mean, he wasn’t going around before sleeping with a bunch of them or anything, but he wasn’t a monk, either. It has to say something that he’s not interested in anyone else.” Kayla hoped she could find a man like that someday who wanted no one else except her—after she got a little older.

  Bailey looked up. “Thanks, but that doesn’t matter. In case you haven’t noticed, Aidan and I are technically on opposing sides. We can’t even be friends openly, much less anything else.”

  Kayla chewed her lip. She had grown up reading about fairy tales and impossible romances, but looking at it now, she realized what Bailey said was true. If Aidan’s brothers ever found out he was meeting with a dragon slayer and maybe even had feelings for her? He’d either end up dead, locked in the dungeon, or branded as an outcast. Kayla didn’t like any of those possibilities.

  Her shoulders slumped. “Yeah, I see what you mean. I’m sorry.”

  “Don’t be.” Bailey came up and patted her shoulder. Her hands were warm, but not hot. “Aidan and I are well aware of the circumstances, and we accept them.”

  Kayla nodded. “I just want him to be happy. You have no idea how bad it is for him right now with his family.”

  Bailey’s brows drew together. “How bad?”

  “Do you have a few minutes?” Kayla asked.

  “We better sit down.”

  They settled on the couch, and Kayla told Bailey everything she knew. Aidan probably wouldn’t like it, but he had to trust the slayer with his life, or he wouldn’t be working with her. Bailey deserved to know what she was getting herself into, and Kayla was happy to have someone to talk to after so many years of being alone. There weren’t any other girls her age at the fortress and the older women just ordered her around.

  It was liberating being out here. She was going to enjoy every moment until it was time to get back for midday meal preparations. After all, they’d notice if she didn’t get her famous sweet buns in the oven on time. Bailey listened intently, letting her talk without interrupting her once. Kayla found herself thinking she’d have to find excuses to come back again.

  Chapter 10

  Aidan

  The chasm came into view up ahead. Aidan had only come this far south once since crossing over to Earth, and that had been months ago while most of the dragons were still in Kederrawien. He’d been able to explore the countryside freely and get a better lay of the land than what he’d been able to view from the other dimension.

  Aidan found the chasm to be every bit as massive as he remembered it. The ground had separated to leave a wide crack in the terrain that extended for hundreds of miles from east to west. It went down so deep Aidan couldn’t make out what might be at the bottom. Perhaps someday humans would be able to engineer a bridge to cross, but not until civilization regained a foothold. He had no idea how long that would take.

  Aidan and Falcon flew over the chasm, entering neutral territory. No toriq claimed this section of land, and any dragon could enter it without fear of reprisal. They continued south until they reached what the humans called the “Red River,” which marked the beginning of Faegud territory. Aidan and Falcon landed on the other side close to the bank. This was as far as they dared go if they wanted the other toriq to hear them out. Aidan folded his wings and searched the area, but he did not see any other dragons nearby. They’d be along soon enough. Every clan patrolled their domain frequently if they hoped to hold it.

  Falcon let out a puff of steam through his nostrils and spoke telepathically to Aidan. Did your father tell you who leads the Faegud now?

  No, Aidan answered. He only said that their former leader died recently.

  The Faegud have many fierce warriors, Falcon said, wisdom shining in his eyes. I’ve fought with them and against them. I’d certainly rather have them as an ally than an enemy—if I had a choice.

  Falcon was over five hundred years old and in the prime of his life. They’d dueled once a couple of months ago, and it had been the most difficult battle Aidan had ever fought. He’d won against the older shifter, but barely. Falcon worked to be among the best warriors of the clan because his people needed strong fighters, but he was wise enough to wish for peace over war. The older male had a good deal of experience that would be useful in their current endeavor.

  It was too bad Falcon was not eligible to become pendragon. Aidan would have gladly supported the shifter over his own brothers, but he came from a lesser background, which worked to his disadvantage. There were only a handful of highborn families in the toriq with eligible shifters. The rest stood somewhere below them. Much of it had to do with the numbers of warriors each provided, as well as their past and current contributions to the overall welfare of the clan. Falcon was an anomaly—the only warrior in his family while most of the rest were lazy drunkards or outcasts who had been banished for one crime or another. He worked every day to rise above the stigma that followed him.

  Let us hope this new leader is more amenable than the last, Aidan said.

  Agreed.

  They waited patiently for a few more minutes before the figure of a dragon appeared in the sky to the west, following a path along the river bank. Its coloring was different than that of the pure dragon clans in Oklahoma. Rather than being green, the Faegud’s scales tended to run between beige and burnt orange. It was partly from mixing with shape-shifters, but also because clans in different regions developed distinctive coloring and traits unique to them—much like humans.

  As the dragon got closer, Aidan recognized this particular male’s markings. He had a beige underbelly, burnt-orange top scales and spikes jutting from his tail. Pure dragons didn’t have spikes, only those with sufficient shifter blood. Aidan moved forward to greet his old childhood friend, but his welcome was m
et in a different way than expected. Lorcan flew straight for him, talons outstretched. Aidan lashed out with his teeth and clamped onto one of his legs, yanking the dragon to the ground. They rolled across the hard-packed earth, nipping and clawing each other.

  It lasted for several minutes before Lorcan chuckled telepathically and called the battle off. Enough, friend, I see you have not grown weak since our last meeting. I’d worried.

  I’d had the same concern about you, Aidan replied. You were getting a little soft the last time we met. Too many females sniffing after you and keeping you in your den.

  A rumble came from Lorcan’s chest. I’ve never been soft anywhere it counts.

  So says the dragon without a scar on him. This came from Falcon, who strode up to them. Scars were a dragon’s pride but not easy to obtain and survive. They came from being severely wounded in the same place several times so that the body no longer knitted back together cleanly. It was dangerous when it happened because the recovery took longer, and the risk of getting an untreatable infection rose.

  Perhaps I am just a better fighter, Lorcan pointed out, smugness in his tone.

  Falcon snorted. Or perhaps you only fight one enemy at a time to preserve your worthless hide.

  He has you there, friend, Aidan flashed his teeth in a dragon smile.

  Lorcan dipped his head in acknowledgment. Tell me what brings you two here.

  We wish to negotiate a new alliance between our toriqan. We’ve heard Severne is dead, and you have a new pendragon who may be more amenable to peace. Is this true? Aidan asked.

  The male dragon cocked his head. Where did you hear that?

  Aidan exchanged a glance with Falcon. They could hardly reveal that their best spy—a female shifter with the rare ability to change the color of her scales and body type—had gained the information through duplicity. The fact that she could blend in anywhere made her an important asset to the Taugud. When they first discovered her gift as a young girl, the pendragon immediately ordered it to be kept secret, and she began training for espionage right away. That was less than a century ago. Only about a dozen members of their toriq knew about her abilities, including her immediate family.