“All dragons have a lot of attitude, Hildy. That’s just their basic nature. We’ve been in training beside them for years. How could his attitude surprise you?”
“I don’t know,” Hildy said. “But I snapped, Carol. I just snapped. I guess it was like you and the Elf guy at the dance. Maybe we’re more alike than I realized before tonight.”
There was silence as they stood in the dark together. Carol finally let out a breath and with it a laugh. “Even though I shouldn’t be, I’m proud of you… both for what you did and for changing him back. Are we good now?”
Hildy nodded several times to be sure Carol believed her. “Yes, we’re good. Now I get to ask the hard question and I want you to be truthful. Are you mad at me for what I did?”
Carol frowned and shook her head. “If Thane was a jerk to you, you had every right to defend yourself. Being sexy doesn’t mean he gets a free pass. I would have probably done the same thing… or given him my virginity. It would have been a toss up. Guess I’ll never know now. He didn’t seem to like either of us when he left.”
Hildy giggled at Carol’s defense of her. “I wasn’t talking about spelling Thane tonight. I was talking about the elk shifter. I’ve been careful not to talk about it… or even think about it. I haven’t wanted to do it again, so it’s been pretty easy to put it aside. Plus I didn’t want you to think we weren’t still equals in everything.”
Carol laughed and shook her head. “I’m a little envious maybe, but not mad. I was mostly joking about making Thane my first v-entry guy. The dragon is hot—bad pun intended. His dick stick attitude is a turn on to me. I know it’s bad to like that stuff in guys, like really, really bad, but I can’t seem to help it, Hildy. Nice guys don’t do it for me.”
Hildy shrugged and nodded her head towards the dorm. They started walking back, falling into step with each other. She was glad Carol wasn’t mad. “It doesn’t surprise me you go for the bad boys. That’s just so you, Carol.”
“That is so me, isn’t it?” Carol agreed, throwing her arm around her giggling friend.
Chapter 5
“Tomorrow you’re due at Amazon island for three days of fight training. I can’t stress how important it is to keep up those skills for when magic is unavailable to you. I’ve had to fight without my power many times. When you return, you’ll have a couple days off, then we need to make some decisions about what’s next.”
“What is next?” Hildy asked, swallowing her nervousness as she held her mentor’s gaze.
Jezibaba broke eye contact with her charges, rose from her seat, and paced. She looked off. “For starters, Carol will get a new familiar. Emeritus wants to spend some time training you to work more closely with shifters.”
“Why not with me too?” Carol demanded, frowning. “Is he mad at me or something? I’ve been really good with him the last few years.”
Jezibaba chuckled as she turned back. “No. He said you could handle most anything so long as you kept your thinking straight.”
Carol frowned harder. “Oh. Well, that’s okay… I guess.”
“It’s okay to say you’re going to miss him, Carol. I miss him all the time.”
Carol snorted. “Hey, if Emeritus is done with me, I’m done with him. He’s great and all, but I’ll be fine without him.”
Jezibaba rolled her eyes. “You’re acting your age, child. Release the hormonal drama and the sense of abandonment. Emeritus is not done with you. He’ll always care and be willing to help. He’s just wanting you to transition to the familiar I meant for you all along. It’s a little earlier than I planned, but I’m sure we’ll all manage.”
Carol nodded, the frown staying in place. She knew not to press the Jezibaba for more details. She’d also learned to prepare herself for anything—absolutely anything. The last thing she wanted was to let her mentor see she was afraid of the coming changes.
“How much free time are we going to have once we start our advanced courses?” Hildy asked.
Jezibaba shrugged. “Well, there’ll be some travel involved. For example, you’ll go to Europe for six months to study at the Alchemist Academy. That will be the first of many in-depth studies. The next five years will be quite intense for you both. Why do you ask?”
Hildy shook her head. “Nothing. It doesn’t matter.”
Jezibaba stared. “It’s your life, Hildy. It all matters. Speak.”
Hildy swallowed and cleared her throat. “I thought I might volunteer to work with the small shifters in the beginning classes. Being around them relaxes me.”
Carol rolled her eyes and laughed. “Why don’t you just ask Jezibaba if Chuck the Baby Bear can be your familiar?”
“Shut up, Carol. I’m not asking that.”
Jezibaba’s eyebrows rose, but she opted not to chastise Hildy for her small weaknesses. Well aware of the teasing dynamic between the two girls, she always opted not to get involved unless it was necessary. This discussion was turning out to be one of those times.
“I think that would be fine. Your participation just wouldn’t be regular. Talk with Professor Smoke and see if he’ll add you to their roster. You can keep him apprised of your schedule.”
Hildy put a hand over her racing heart. She was so happy it felt like it was going to beat out of her chest. “Thank you. I will do that today.”
Jezibaba nodded. She turned to Carol. “You got any extracurricular interests?”
Put uncomfortably on the spot, Carol narrowed her eyes at a grinning Hildy. She looked back to the Jezibaba. “Yes. I’d like to work with the fight coaches at the school.”
“Excellent idea,” Jezibaba declared, nodding enthusiastically.
Carol and Hildy exchanged glances.
“I saw that look,” Jezibaba said. “What does it mean?”
Hildy shrugged. “You’re just being very accommodating.”
Carol’s gaze swung to gauge the reason their mentor was laughing.
“You’re both nearly eighteen. It’s time you started helping plan your futures. You’ll still have academic studies, but your free time should be your own. However, solo travel will be of short duration and always with your familiars. The element of danger is far from gone in your lives. In fact, the real danger is just beginning.”
“Okay,” they both answered.
“Good,” Jezibaba said. “Now let’s do something fun today. Let’s go shopping.”
“Shopping?” they both chimed in appalled tones, before looking guiltily at each other and giggling. Their mentor’s tastes in clothing… yeah, not so great for them.
“We need to pick up your adult level magic tools,” Jezibaba declared.
“Oh. Thank the Goddess,” Carol said in relief. “I’ve been needing a new athame.”
“You need stronger wands, too,” Jezibaba said. As did she. These days she was needing to keep several fully charged spares nearby.
“Wands?” Hildy repeated. “We use our hands. Why would we need wands?”
“Because your hands will get tired. A charged up wand can take care of business until your energy returns. I keep mine tucked in my bra at all times. Sound good?”
Jezibaba waited until they nodded their understanding. “Excellent. Anyone need to do anything before we go?”
Carol and Hildy shook their heads as they stood and walked to Jezibaba’s side.
She stared down at her charges, but not as far as she had just a few years ago. “You two are growing up fast. In a few years, I imagine I will miss this time… or not.” Her laughter filled the room as she placed a hand on each girl’s shoulder.
Not knowing what to say in response to their mentor’s sentimental musings, Carol and Hildy said nothing. Moments later they all disappeared and reappeared in what looked like a Medieval reenactment happening in the woods.
“Come along,” Jezibaba declared, releasing her grip on them to walk away. “We’re a little early so we have time to stroll through the market.”
They fell into line behind her, s
taring around in stunned surprise at where they were.
“Hildy! We’re in an Elven forest. Why does this always happen to me?” Carol whispered.
“Let’s hope news of what you did to Iren at the dance hasn’t traveled back to his homeland yet.”
Carol made a face and nodded.
***
Nigel chuckled as he watched the young dragon in human form exit from the woods in a run. When he’d suggested they meet beyond the Witchery U grounds, he’d assumed the beast would fly to do so. He bowed his head in order to hide his laughter and hoped the dragon thought it was a show of respect.
“I have come as requested. Where is Nigel?” Thane asked.
“I’ve come in his place, M’lord Dragon. Lord Frederick Magna at your service,” Nigel declared, bowing from the waist.
Thane frowned. “Tell Nigel our deal is off. I must withdraw my support and my services. One of the witches turned me into a fish last night. The other pleaded my case and made her change me back, but I cannot continue to woo such females. It will do me no good to add to my hoard if I am not able to enjoy my riches in my natural form.”
“Are you saying you’re afraid of them then?” Nigel asked. His facial neuropathy was a blessing as it sent his smile sliding down one side of his face. The dragon winced and looked away, but soon brought his fiery gaze back.
“If you paid me more, I’d kill them outright for you,” Thane said tightly.
“Others more powerful than you have tried and failed. They’re immune to dragon fire—all bloody three of them. And you don’t want to anger their goddess. She will curse you and your family with servitude to make it up to her,” Nigel declared, glaring for all he was worth. “The only way to destroy them is to split them up and make their Baba Yaga future impossible.”
Thane snorted, smoke puffing from his nostrils. “The females are thick as thieves. It can’t be done.”
Nigel waved a hand to the young, handsome dragon standing before him. “They are ripe young females who dream of nothing but being deflowered. Of course it can be done. I once wooed and bedded the Jezibaba herself. I assure you, Lord Dragon—it can be done. The only question is what price you’re willing to pay to do so.”
“They are not worth risking my dragon existence.”
Nigel shrugged. “Fine. If the money no longer interests you, we will start again with someone new, but no one will thank you for failing, M’lord Dragon. The Chosen Ones are done with their initial studies. The time to divide them is now. Soon they will go on to their advanced training. They will be sheltered in places we cannot reach.”
Thane nodded even as he glared. “I have alienated the easier one of them. That leaves me no choice except to court the more vicious of the two. She has a viper’s tongue and a streak of evil. Most males fear her. I feel nothing—nothing at all—which is as debilitating as fear. What you ask may not be possible.”
“Are you defeated before you even try? My, my. Perhaps we should look for someone else.” Nigel motioned to the dragon’s crotch. “Is your willie truthfully unwilling?”
Thane’s gaze dropped to his crotch confused. “I don’t understand your reference.”
“Can you get your prick up for the evil one or not, M’lord Dragon?”
Thane chuckled. “If I get that far, concluding the deal won’t be a problem, old man.”
Nigel grinned or at least he tried. “It’s not a problem for me at my age either. I close my eyes and think of all my riches. I find it helps me get through the most loathsome of willie wilters.”
Thane shook his head. “Who are you? You do not speak like a lord.”
Nigel snorted. “Harsh criticism from a dragon with willie dysfunction.”
Thane crossed his arms. “Nothing on me is dysfunctional.”
Nigel chuckled. “Fine. Are you still in or not? Your job is to bed one of them and create a riff that can’t be mended. No one cares how you do it. Just get it done.”
Without another word, or even a weak promise, Thane turned and headed back to the forest.
“Should I take that as a yes?” Nigel called out the question to Thane’s retreating back. He watched the angry dragon storm away and smiled.
Dragons. Their arrogance made them so very easy to goad. He had no doubt now that Thane would do his level best to accomplish his goal.
Pulling a wand from inside his shirt, Nigel twirled it in a circle and disappeared.
Chapter 6
Jezibaba looked at the chalkboard. Not the best of surfaces on which to plot, but the evidence was easily erased afterward. The solution would spare her from the risk of using her unstable magic to cover things up, so the chalkboard would just have to do.
“What do you think we should do first, Nathaniel? Magic training with Mage Arlane or the I-can-beat-this-species tour?” Her warlock’s silence had her turning to him. “Nathaniel? Didn’t you hear my question?”
“Aye, M’lady. I heard.”
Jezibaba lifted both hands, wincing when she saw they were covered in chalk dust. She glared at her right-hand warlock. “You know I hate waiting… and it was a rhetorical question. For Goddess sake, don’t you have an answer yet?”
Nathaniel shook his head. “I’m still formulating an acceptable one.”
“Will we get to hear it in this century?” Jezibaba demanded, her voice rising. No answering flash of irritation in his soft gray eyes made her frown. “What is it, Nathaniel? What are you struggling to tell me?”
Nathaniel stood from his seat to pace. He did a few steps in each direction, then stopped.
“Remember the first year we found the Chosen Ones. You persuaded the Council of Witches to support our decision to protect them.”
“Yes. I recall that all too well,” Jezibaba said quietly. “When we left, you had a strange look, but would never say what it was you had observed that caused it.”
Nathaniel nodded, his hood bobbing slowly. “I saw a strange look pass among several members of the council. The first glance originated from Arlane but spread to others. At the risk of being convicted of magical treason, I still would not trust Carol’s or Hildy’s mage training to anyone on the Council of Witches. The Chosen Ones would be far safer in the care of someone who cannot be bought.”
Jezibaba stood transfixed. “You’re actually serious, aren’t you?”
Nathaniel nodded. “Yes. I probably should have shared my fears before now, but it seemed presumptuous of me. Nothing in the last eight years has changed my opinion regardless of the lack of evidence to validate my instincts.”
Jezibaba studied the chalkboard while she gnawed at her bottom lip. She hated all nervous habits because they betrayed her real emotions. Goddess, she was tense. She was running low on power and now this. Nathaniel was never wrong. Never.
She walked to a seat and sat, breathing deeply to maintain her focus.
“I’m tired Nathaniel… very tired. It’s been eight years and how much progress have I made in removing threats from Carol and Hildy’s lives? I haven’t even been able to find that wraith travelling weasel of a warlock who used his magic to help the mutant dragons. I know Nigel’s working for someone on the council because he bragged about it. They’re getting a lot damn better at hiding him from me.”
“If I might interrupt your self-pity for just a moment…”
Jezibaba chuckled. “See? There was a time I would have killed you for a remark like that. Now it just makes me laugh. I’ve gone soft.”
“No. You’re feeling insecure because things are changing faster than you can adapt to them. Life gets hard when you’re raising children and that’s essentially what you’ve been doing. I have every confidence you’ll take that nasty Nigel down eventually… just as you have all the others.”
“Will I? I was ready to quit this work over a hundred years ago. I don’t know how much longer I have it in me to be the Jezibaba.”
Nathaniel walked to a nearby chair and sat down too. “I think that every day, M’lady. Not
about you, but about my own waning contribution. I think my time in your service is nearing an end.”
Jezibaba snorted. “Waning contribution? Yes. That’s a good term for it. We’re both waning, you and I. And the replacements are nowhere near ready to take over yet.”
“No, M’lady. They’re not.”
Jezibaba sighed—something she rarely did in front of anyone. She turned to face Nathaniel and met his concerned gaze beneath his cowl.
“What choice do we have but to allow them this risk? Nearly all the best mages in the world sit on the Council of Witches. If those mages can’t be trusted to train my successors, who can be? I can teach them to be smart in the middle of a real fight, but it takes a true teacher to draw out the deepest magic in a person. Goddess… I fear for them, Nathaniel. I fear for them in a way I haven’t feared for anyone before.”
She hung her head until Nathaniel reached out and put a hand on her arm—something he’d only done a dozen times in all the years he’d known her. Her gaze met his determined one under his cowl.
“If you will allow me to intervene, I know a very powerful teacher, more magical than anyone currently sitting on the council. Unfortunately, the mage I know is not known for being cooperative with others. He’s quite the legend for his contrary nature and deservedly so.”
Jezibaba shook her head while she laughed. “I know of only one magical who is that anti-social. But surely you’re not talking about Zenos? No one knows where he came from or how old he is or who he serves. That mage is a total enigma.”
Nathaniel lifted his chin. “Here is what I know… Zenos serves no gods. He seems to hate them as much as he does all of humanity. Honor is the only weakness he has. Zenos owes me a favor and it’s long past time I collected.”
“He owes you? How do you know him, Nathaniel? I’ve never laid eyes on him nor come across him in person in three centuries. I know he thinks I’m an idiot for even serving the Council of Witches because he sent someone to tell me so. He suggested I rebel against Morgana and relegate my duties to some other fool. Those were his exact words.”
Magic and Mayhem: How To Date A Dragon (Kindle Worlds Novella) (Baba Yaga Saga Book 2) Page 4