Dragon Fire

by Lisa McMann

  Samheed and Aaron exchanged guilty looks. Like Ms. Octavia said, water was plentiful in Artimé, so there was no need to carry a canteen at home until now.

  Clementi and Fox appeared from where they’d been napping in the stacks. “What’s going on?” Clementi’s stomach emitted a snarling growl, and she winced. “Any progress?”

  “It’s coming along,” said Ms. Octavia. She didn’t mention that she was beginning to struggle to remember the exact dimensions of the window frame—was it two and a quarter inches all the way around the glass, or two and three quarters? Back in her classroom she had the window in front of her to copy and measure if she needed to. Here she was constantly second-guessing herself. Things she’d been certain of before she started drawing now seemed off. And the constant chatter wasn’t helping her concentration. “Why don’t you all do some more searching through the maps and books to see if you can find anything useful.”

  She emphasized the last word with a hint of impatience that sent the rest of them away to the various floors of the library. Samheed went to the Artiméan history section, and Aaron stayed on the third floor and scoured the construction and blueprints materials. Clementi and Fox descended to the section called “Mr. Today’s Duplicate Library: Wisdom for All,” which was almost the entire second floor full of the same books that were in the Museum of Large. He’d rewritten or magically reproduced the books he’d cherished so that people who couldn’t access the not-so-secret hallway would still have full access to all the books in Artimé. His efforts were much appreciated at this time, perhaps more so than ever before.

  Once the others had dispersed, Ms. Octavia pulled her glasses off her nose and rested her snout in two of her octopus arms, shaking her head slightly as overwhelming feelings of inadequacy swarmed her. She hadn’t been prepared to do this. It seemed impossible. And if she didn’t succeed, the humans could die.

  New Life

  I’d always wonderrred what it would be like to be invisible,” Simber said wistfully, flying swiftly toward Artimé while Thisbe, Fifer, and Sky painted themselves invisible on his back. “I feel so frrree. Forrr so much of my life I’ve been pointed at orrr fearrred. People run away frrrom me scrrreaming. No one everrr says, ‘Oh, I didn’t see you therrre, Simberrr.’ I’m impossible to miss. But now… I’m invisible. It’s like I’m living a new and differrrent life. I’m starrrting overrr.”

  Sky leaned forward and hugged the enormous cat around the neck. “Being invisible has definitely changed your demeanor,” she said. “You’re practically—dare I say it? Practically chipper!”

  “Yes, it’s wonderful to see you—or not see you—so happy, Sim,” said Fifer. She put the finishing touches on her invisibility as the mansion came into view. Then she steeled herself for the task ahead and prepared to go inside Alex’s apartment.

  “You just don’t know what it’s like,” Simber went on, “neverrr being able to hide. Being too big to go places, like on the rrrescue mission in the catacombs. Surrre it’s grrreat to be able to scarrre enemies, but I’m tirrred of frrrightening allies. Like new Unwanteds, or the black-eyed childrrren. Did you see them? They werrre cowerrring—cowerrring behind a drrragon, I might add. Am I morrre frrrightening than Gorrrgrrrun or Quince? I’m offended. That does bad things to my self-esteem, being morrre fearrred than a firrre-brrreathing drrragon.”

  Thisbe laughed, then lowered her voice to a whisper. “They just need to get to know you. They’ll warm up in time. But I’m sorry you’ve felt this way. And I’m glad you have this chance to feel like you can sneak around for once. It’s fun, isn’t it?”

  “Indeed,” said the beast, lowering his voice now too. “I haven’t had this much fun in quite some time.”

  Everyone became silent as they approached the second floor of the mansion. They were on the opposite side of the building from where most people usually gathered. It was known as the quiet side, and there was no one about. But they needed to be very stealthy, for the windows were all blown out in the entire mansion, and they could see dissenters stationed on the floor below, keeping watch. As Simber alighted on the balcony of the head mage’s quarters and his riders carefully slid off, they could hear two dissenters below them talking with a definitive air of disgust in their voices.

  “What is the purpose of all of this?” one said. “Are were supposed to stand here forever?”

  “At least until Frieda gets rid of the Stowes,” said the other. “She’s mad we put Aaron in the library and destroyed the tube before she could get to him.”

  “He’ll die in there soon enough. But about that—why does she hate them so much that she wants to kill them? I mean, Fifer’s screams are aggravating and dangerous, and Thisbe is obviously a threat to be around with her firepower and explosions. But Aaron isn’t even in control. He seemed happy to go back to the Island of Shipwrecks. Why not just let him go?”

  The other one didn’t answer immediately. Then she said, “I think Frieda initially had something against their mother. But that has escalated, and she seems to be taking things to the extreme. It’s… making me uneasy.”

  “Me too. I’m not sure about this.”

  “Quiet—here comes whatshisname. Her new second-in-command.”

  The two fell silent. With the invisibility spells ready to wear off Sky, Thisbe, Fifer, and Simber, they contemplated that conversation while moving slowly and carefully inside the mage’s quarters and continued through the apartment, to the door.

  Fifer stopped there, and all four paused instinctively and looked around the room with heavy hearts. Would anyone worthy ever reside in this apartment again? Could anyone take Alex’s place? They all said a silent thank-you to whatever powers had made it impossible for Frieda to see the secret hallway, for if she had moved in here and sullied all of Alex’s things, they wouldn’t have been able to bear it.

  “Let’s keep going,” said Thisbe after a moment. It was weird being invisible, unable to see anyone but knowing they were very close. Of all the ones in the room, Thisbe felt the most uncomfortable being there, for she had not yet come to terms with the way she and Alex had spent their time together and how they had parted. She didn’t know if she’d ever be able to address the complex feelings she had about him. Knowing Fifer had been given the chance to make up and become friends with Alex wasn’t exactly sitting very well in Thisbe’s craw right now either.

  And now was not the time to start dwelling on those dark thoughts. “Come on,” she whispered as their invisibility spells began to wear off. “We’ve got living people counting on us. We don’t need any more empty rooms like this one to deal with.”

  One More Thing

  They split up. Simber, Sky, and Fifer went to different sections in the Museum of Large library. Thisbe, still feeling out of sorts, went alone to check the tube in the kitchenette to see if it was working. To her great surprise, after having heard Fifer’s account of the main floor tubes being destroyed, the control panel on this tube seemed fine and ready to take its next passengers wherever they wanted to go. Unfortunately, this tube only led to places outside the mansion, not to the rooms where their friends were trapped.

  Thisbe knew where some of the buttons led to, and she and Fifer had been carefully taught which of the buttons were safe to use. One would take them to Gunnar Haluki’s old house in Quill—that house was vacant now. Another button went to the jungle tube. A third would take them to the Island of Shipwrecks. The others led to places only Mr. Today knew, and no one had dared experiment with them to this day, for fear of the dangers they’d end up facing.

  Thisbe eyed the button to the Island of Shipwrecks as she became fully visible. It would only take a minute to check on Kaylee and give her an update. Impulsively Thisbe pushed the button, and a second later she was there, stepping out of the tube and then running down the path to the sprawling, intricate rock structure that served as a home to the three men they called the grandfathers: Ito, Sato, and Ishibashi. All were well over one hundred years old but s
howed no signs of wearing out. They tended a greenhouse where Henry often visited to get herbs to make medicine. This was also where Aaron and Kaylee had lived for years, and their son, Daniel, had spent most of his life here.

  “Kaylee!” Thisbe called out softly, not wanting to wake Daniel in case he was napping. She ducked into the structure, her footsteps loud enough to announce her location. She ran to the large gathering room and looked down the different hallways, wondering which one to search first. “Are you here, Kaylee?”

  Ishibashi appeared from the hallway that led to the greenhouse. “Well!” he said with delight. “Thisbe! Is everything all right with Aaron?” The pleasure drained from his face, and worry filled it up.

  “I think he’s okay,” Thisbe said, still panting from the run. “I just wanted to give Kaylee a quick update before I go back. Things are pretty bad. But nobody’s dead or anything. Not yet, anyway.”

  “She’s working in the garden,” said Ishibashi. “I’ll get her.” He hurried as fast as his old legs could carry him. A moment later he returned with Kaylee, who was drying her hands on a towel. Her blond hair was tied back in a loose braid, and her pale skin was flushed pink from the sun. She had a streak of dirt on one cheek.

  “What’s going on?” asked Kaylee. “I’ve been so worried.”

  Thisbe quickly told her and Ishibashi about everything that had happened in the past couple of days, ending with the news that Aaron and everybody else were trapped. “We’re forming a small but powerful army,” she said. “Florence is assessing the new team members now while Fifer, Sky, Simber, and I are sneaking into the second floor to get some things.” She took a breath. “I saw this tube was still working, so I thought I should give you an update while I had the chance.”

  As Thisbe relayed the story, Ito and Sato gathered and listened in. Now the four adults looked at one another worriedly.

  “I’m going back with you,” said Kaylee, determined. “I have to help.”

  Ishibashi spoke in Japanese to Ito and Sato, and they responded. Kaylee said something brief in that language as well, as she’d learned Japanese by now, after so many years with the scientists. They made a few more exchanges, then nodded in agreement. Kaylee turned to Thisbe. “Ito and Sato will remain here to care for Daniel. Ishibashi and I will come with you and fight for Artimé.”

  Thisbe turned and stared at Ishibashi. “You’ll help us?” she said, her eyes misting.

  “We are family,” said Ishibashi. “I still have fight left in me.” He smiled warmly. “I will gather my weapons.”

  “And I’ll say good-bye to Daniel and get my weapons too,” said Kaylee. She put her hand on Thisbe’s shoulder and gave it a squeeze. “Thank you for coming to get us, Thisbe.”

  A short time later, the three of them were taking the tube back to the kitchenette. Thisbe arrived first, just as Sky was poking her head into the room trying to find her.

  “Oh!” said Thisbe, worrying that she’d been gone too long. “Hi—I was just…” She stepped out of the tube and realized Sky’s arms were laden with books.

  “I was wondering where you were,” Sky said, gratefully handing some of the books to Thisbe. “We could use your help. And we should be getting back to Florence.”

  Before Thisbe could explain, Kaylee and Ishibashi appeared and stepped out into the kitchenette, loaded with weapons and supplies. “Wh-what? How did you…?” Sky sputtered. “Does this tube work? Did you ask them to come? Don’t get me wrong, I’m thrilled—we need all the help we can get.”

  “I peeked in here and realized this tube wasn’t broken,” said Thisbe. “Since it’s not connected to the main tubes in the mansion entryway, I figured I’d give it a try, and it worked just like always. I wanted to update Kaylee about Aaron,” said Thisbe. “And once I told them what’s happening, these two wanted to help. Do you think Simber can carry all of us? If not, a few of us can take the tube to the jungle and walk from there.”

  Sky’s face exploded into a smile. “It’s a short trip, so I think Simber can make it work. And we have enough invisibility paintbrushes for everyone.” She let out a breath. “This is actually quite a relief to have reinforcements.” She led the others out of the kitchenette and down the hall to the Museum of Large. There they found Fifer and Simber talking quietly in front of Ol’ Tater. When the two heard the others coming, they turned.

  “Now, there’s a surprise,” said Fifer. “Look who’s here!” She ran to greet Kaylee and Ishibashi.

  Thisbe explained her brief journey to Fifer and Simber. When everyone was caught up, Thisbe and Sky turned to collect the remaining books and return to the head mage’s apartment to find a rucksack in which to carry them. “We’ll get the invisibility paintbrushes ready,” Thisbe called as they exited the museum. “Are you coming?”

  “In a minute,” Fifer said. She ran back to where Simber still stood in front of the old, dangerous mastodon. “Shall we take the chance?” Simber asked Fifer. He pointed with his nose to one of the books on a small pile in Fifer’s arms.

  Fifer nodded slowly and opened it. “Is there really even a question?” She read for several moments, then looked up. “Thisbe and I have done this live spell before,” she said.

  “We don’t need that one quite yet,” said Simber. “How about the otherrr?”

  Fifer continued to read, turning a page or two to make sure she wasn’t missing anything important. Then she nodded slowly. “Yes,” she said, then looked up. “I can manage that. Where to? The jungle? Or downstairs?”

  “If we put him downstairrrs, they’ll know someone’s been up herrre again. I think we’d rrratherrr they didn’t find that out quite yet. Trrransporrrt him somewherrre you can easily get to laterrr when it’s time to activate him.”

  Fifer put her books on the floor. “Got it.” She moved closer to Ol’ Tater, then nervously put her hand flat on his cool, stone side. There were stories about him stomping around on the pirate ship during the battle Artimé fought when Fifer was two years old. He was very dangerous and didn’t know friend from foe, so if they ever brought him to life, they’d have to be very smart and cautious about it. For now, getting him out of here and putting him somewhere they could access fairly easily seemed to be a good idea.

  Fifer closed her eyes and drew in a breath. Letting it out, she envisioned a specific part of the jungle not far from Artimé’s lawn but hidden from view, and near one of the wide paths that the rock had mown. It was important that Fifer place Ol’ Tater far enough from where the little dog and Panther lived so they weren’t squashed by his sudden arrival in case Fifer’s aim was off. In her mind, Fifer stayed focused on the spot where she wanted the sleeping statue to land. Then she whispered the word few mages in Artimé had ever used in its magical form. “Transport.”

  The giant statue disappeared. Simber and Fifer waited in breathless silence, listening for any unusual shouts or screams or crashing sounds that would indicate a horrible mistake, but they heard nothing. After a moment, Simber nodded at Fifer with respect. “Well done. It took Alex a few trrries the firrrst time,” he said. He hesitated but seemed like he was about to say more. But then he turned and didn’t speak.

  “Thanks, Sim,” said Fifer. She gathered up the books and started out the door, catching up to the others to get her invisibility paintbrush for the ride home.

  Despite the danger at hand, a contented expression played around Simber’s jowls as he watched her go. It was nice to be working directly with Fifer again. She’d handled the situation after Alex’s death with poise that most thirteen-year-old humans didn’t possess, and they’d gotten along so naturally, in a way that hadn’t happened quite so early on with any of the former mages.

  Perhaps it was because she was familiar. But Simber thought it more likely due to her inner strength and the leadership skills that came naturally to her. She was calm and collected when it came to big decisions and big, risky spells—much more so than Alex had been at this age. And there was no denying she was one of
the most magical people Artimé had ever seen. If anyone could handle leading this group to victory over Frieda Stubbs, it was Fifer. She made Simber’s decision to defy his ingrained calling a bit easier. Especially when he could envision the head mage robe on Fifer Stowe someday. He’d almost said so to her just now, but then he held back—he didn’t want to put any undue pressure on her. Would Fifer even want it? Or would she choose to follow her maternal ancestors back to the land of the dragons, like Thisbe seemed inclined to do?

  The thought of both of them leaving Artimé was a hard one. But that could happen in the future. And there were things to overcome now. Simber knew that there would likely be many battles ahead of them. And he would be honored to fight alongside the girls at any step of the way. If they survived this one, anyway.

  Growing Restless

  I’m losing my mind,” Ibrahim muttered to Seth. Both boys lay sprawled out on the lounge bar, staring at the ceiling.

  “We could race with magic carpets again,” Seth said listlessly.

  “Thatcher said we shouldn’t waste any more components,” Ibrahim reminded him.

  Seth grunted, too bored to say actual words. They lay there for several more minutes, listening to the conversations around them. There was an air of anxiety and despair in the remote room.

  Nearby, Carina and Claire were attempting to create a new spell component to mimic the transport spell, only for living creatures. But they weren’t having any luck, and not just because neither of them had ever done the transport spell in the past. “I don’t think there’s even a component for transport,” Claire said. “I believe it’s done through energy and thought, like the seek spell.”

  Lani looked up from her notes at the table next to them and confirmed it.

  “Speaking of the seek spell, should we risk sending one?” Carina asked.