“Uh oh…” Braith smacks her forehead. “We have a problem.”
“You mean another problem?” I correct her.
She glares at me in return. “Citizens aren’t happy about the Wyverns. They want to wipe them out.”
I scrunch my face up and stare at the computer screen, which is now displaying a news article titled ‘Wyvern – the new vermin’. “Have the Wyrms convinced them to do that?”
“I doubt it. The people around here are very much ‘act now, negotiate later’.” Isaac squirms in his seat as pictures of Wyverns attacking the Wyrms pop up.
The last sentence catches my eye, however: ‘all citizens who want to eradicate the Wyverns and have the Wyrms bond with our children – sign here’. “What’s that about?” I point to the bolded link.
Braith frowns and clicks on the link, which brings up a petition. The words ‘Wyrms Are Dragons Too’ are dotted all over the screen, filled with comments from people who have signed.
“’We are the WADT and we want our voices heard’,” Marco mumbles, reading the comments to himself.
“This is another spanner we don’t need in the works,” I groan, gawking at the two thousand three hundred and eight people who have already signed.
I spot Ray’s face promoting the campaign, black and blue from the fight. But his limbs look completely normal, which baffles me. How did he recover so quickly? How did that fall not kill him?
“Ray is backing them up; he’s promoting the campaign across the country,” Braith says, cycling through pages and pages of supporters.
“Then we’ll have to hit him where it hurts,” Isaac remarks. “Every political group has a rival, so why not be the WADT’s?”
“You’d be ousted,” I argue. “The Aislados wouldn’t be safe.”
“We’re not safe anyway,” he argues. “We may as well do something good with our escapee status; the Wyverns are outcasts like us. We never turn away an outcast in need.” His brown eyes burn with determination, so I don’t bother arguing with him further. He’s almost as stubborn as Rocky.
“So what? We start our own society, protecting the Wyverns that hate our guts?” Marco crosses his arms and sinks into a chair next to me.
“They need to know we’re on their side,” Isaac says. “You know where they are, right?”
“Unless they’ve moved, they’re about a day’s walk north. Why?” Braith asks.
“The Wyvern Protection Society is going to pay them a visit. And make sure that they accept our help.”
I don’t see how that will work, but we may as well try. Maybe I can find out why they helped in the fight against Ray as well. We aren’t their enemy; they need to understand that.
“They spoke to me last time,” I shrug as everyone turns to look at me. “Maybe I could convince them not to be so hostile.”
“What if they call you an egg stealer again?” Marco rubs my arm comfortingly.
“Then I’ll remind them that this egg stealer is their only chance against Ray and the WADT.”
17
Chapter Seventeen
“Haze, have you got enough food?” Marco asks me as he attaches his backpack to Drea’s back.
“Mm-hm, should last us a few days.” I shake a can in front of him, making him roll his eyes.
“Remember, no more than three days.” Isaac passes me my backpack. “If they aren’t listening to you, come back.”
“Yep, before Ray notices us.” I smile and wrap the backpack around my shoulder. “This isn’t our first time on the road.”
Braith butts into the conversation. “It is without me. Are ya sure you won’t miss me?”
I roll my eyes as she starts bouncing on her heels. “We’ll be fine. You stay here and work on the laptop. Find as much as you can.”
She salutes. “You got it.”
“Be good, Ariadne. Stay out of trouble.”
The dragon that I’m riding, Ariadne, is Isaac’s companion. She’s a snow-white dragon covered in markings that look like mottled grey spider webs. Blinking at Isaac with her deep blue eyes, she nods and grunts at him before lowering her body so I can mount her. Aqueous is still too sick to travel, and Bluey refuses to leave his side. Isaac offered Ariadne so Bluey and Damayanti could stay behind.
My companion limps up to me, one foot drawn up to his chest. Nuzzling my hands, he lets out a sad whine.
“I’ll be back soon, promise,” I whisper as I bring him close to me in a hug. “You focus on getting better and helping the Aislados where you can, okay?”
The black dragon nods and turns to Isaac, who gives him a warm smile. “You’ll be treated well here, don’t worry. Once you’re better we’ll have you dropping WPS posters around the city. Nothing gets people’s attention better than a colourful poster.”
This makes Aqueous’ eyes light up. I think he’s glad to feel as if he’s useful despite his injury. He’s so impatient; he needs to give himself time to heal.
“Come on, Haze.” Marco glances at the sun hanging low in the sky. “I want to get there before it gets too dark.”
I give my companion one last hug before hopping onto Ariadne’s back. She’s a lot slimmer than Aqueous and Bluey, with narrower shoulders, so my legs hang limply down by her stomach. I take the reins that Isaac loaned me and nod to Marco, who taps Drea’s neck. Instantly the white dragon surges forward and jumps into the air, catching a tailwind and soaring higher into the sky.
Ariadne is elegant: she spreads her wings before leaping into the air. Wind whizzes through my ears as we soar higher and higher, and the temperature starts to drop. Once we’re high enough, Ariadne levels out, flapping her wings twice to keep her momentum going.
It’s strange; despite spending a lot of time in the air with Bluey, I haven’t taken in everything below me. Buildings and roads whizz past in a blur as we fly over the city. A large crowd of people is gathered outside a small red building with a podium set up outside. Wyrms swarm the audience, muttering and hissing in their ears. I guess this is Ray’s doing; losing the battle doesn’t make him look good. As we fly over, my heart thumps as some grey heads look up at us, but they must think that we’re just citizens as they concentrate on the rally once more.
“I think Ray is pissed!” Marco calls out, pointing at the rally as we zoom over it.
“When is he ever not?” I counter, making him grin.
The roads turn to grass as we fly over the fields leading to the Wyverns’ home. Although it was a long walk, it’s a short flight for the dragons. The Wyverns have most likely returned to it, as they seemed quite settled there when they were freed. It must remind them of their old home.
Orange and gold trees zoom by below, the green grass littered with their fallen leaves. I can imagine jumping into a huge pile of the crunchy leaves, but I don’t think we’ll have time.
We’re here to talk, not to have fun.
As the hours pass, I find myself alert, which is rare as usually I’m the first to fall asleep on long journeys. But I guess Ariadne flies differently to Bluey, as she’s managing to keep me awake as the sun dips below the horizon. The mountain comes into view soon after. I point Ariadne towards it, who nods and changes her flight path so she’s headed straight for it.
I hope this time the Wyverns are willing to listen.
* * *
We must have been spotted at some point, because as soon as we touch down in the forest a few Wyverns circle us from above, screaming in their high-pitched voices. Ariadne looks unsettled at first, but ignores them when Drea snaps at her.
“So now what?” Marco asks, swinging his legs off his companion’s back and onto the floor. “I don’t think they’re going to just let us wander in.”
“We’ll head in that direction and see if that Marine Wyvern comes to us,” I reply, watching as a blue Wyvern dances in the sky, its beady eyes focused on me.
My boyfriend shrugs. “I guess so. If we’re so evil they won’t let us get too close to their home.”
&nbs
p; We lock hands as we walk through the forest, keeping our pace slow on purpose. More and more Wyverns seem to appear, but it’s difficult to tell them apart in the dark. Marco squeezes my hand as one lands in front of us to screech in our faces and flap its wings, before jumping back into the air as Drea charges at it.
“At least they haven’t killed us yet,” he jokes.
I look up at the sky, which is now filled with their floating bodies. “No, they’re trying to intimidate us. That Wyvern should hopefully come along soon.”
“The big one? I think he’s like their patriarch.”
“Maybe that’s what we should call him: Patriarch.”
“At least we can spend some time together, you and me.”
“Oh yeah, because being screamed at by a previously extinct species is oh-so romantic.”
“You know what I mean,” he sighs. “It’s nice to get some one-on-one time, without Braith interrupting every two minutes.”
“What about that night on the hill?”
“That was one night. This is three days, just you and me.” He ducks as a Wyvern flies over his head. “And them.”
My prediction came true: a few minutes later, the battle-scarred Wyvern lands in front of us, balancing on his wings. When he snorts in disapproval, condensation comes out of his mouth. He doesn’t look happy.
“We’re here to talk,” I say confidently as more Wyverns land around us.
The lead Wyvern eyes us suspiciously. “Leave.” Marine’s voice makes me jump.
Marco’s mouth drops as she steps out from the Wyvern, her face now free of Wyrms. “Holy shit,” he mutters. “I didn’t think it would look that real.”
“See why she terrifies me so much?” I hiss in his ear, making him snort.
“Leave,” she repeats, more firmly this time.
“No, we’re here to help you.”
“Help?” Disbelief seems to creep into her voice. “No help from egg stealers.”
I roll my eyes. “Your appearance has turned a lot of heads, especially after helping us today. There are people out there who want to hurt you.”
“We win,” she says confidently, and she and the Wyvern lift their heads proudly.
“You can’t win against an army of Wyrms.”
Marine and the Wyverns recoil, baring their teeth. “No Wyrms!”
“They know where you are,” Marco steps in, talking gently. “They’re convincing people to wipe you out.”
“Egg stealers!” Marine screams as the Wyvern lets out a roar. “Wyrms help egg stealers!”
“Yes, we’re trying to help. Believe us, please,” I beg.
Marine and the Wyvern shake their heads. “We win.”
“You can’t! Ray will find you. The Wyrms are convincing people that they can be bonded to children.”
“No more eggs.”
“We don’t want your eggs!” Marco drops his arms to the side in frustration. “We want to help keep you safe.”
“We. Win,” Marine states firmly, bright blue Wyrms starting to wriggle on her face.
Marco recoils in disgust. “What the hell?”
“It happens when they get angry, or desperate,” I mutter, watching carefully as the Wyvern eyes me up and down. “I think it’s a side effect of the serum.”
“Leave,” Marine repeats, and dissolves as the Wyvern steps forward.
The Wyverns around him erupt into screeches and they all bound forward, flapping and nipping at the dragons. Ariadne grabs my collar and pulls me back as a Wyvern gets too close, resulting in Drea giving it a harsh swipe in warning. The Wyverns collectively scream one last time before launching into the air, assembling in a perfect arrow formation as they fly back to their new home.
“Well, that could have gone worse,” Marco mumbles.
“It could have gone better too,” I sigh, sinking to the muddy ground. “They aren’t willing to listen. We’re the enemy to them.”
“Luckily we’ve got a few more days to convince them,” Marco says, plonking himself down next to me. “If we can show them that we’re kind, instead of getting angry with them, they might come around.”
“That’s a big might,” I grumble, resting my chin on my knees.
“But a might you’re willing to try?” he presses, poking me playfully in the stomach.
“We can try, but I don’t know how far we’ll get. We’ll probably go home in three days empty-handed.”
“But at least we can say we tried. So, let’s be super nice to them. Then they have nothing to complain about, yeah?”
“I guess,” I say, rolling my eyes.
“You know I’m right. That’s why you’re so annoyed.”
“Is not.”
* * *
The next day, the Wyverns are still hostile, so Marco and I try to make them feel comfortable around us. My idea is to give them water, as they must have to leave the cave often to get a good supply of it. I leave Marco behind and march up to their home, ignoring the hisses around me. The Wyvern with whom I can communicate, Patriarch, stomps out of his cave, his lips twisting into a snarl.
He growls at me, stepping back and letting Marine materialise in front of him. “What want?” she demands.
“I’m here to help you,” I say, creating a ball of water in my hands. “I know you don’t have a nearby water supply, and I’d be happy to help.”
To my surprise the Wyverns recoil in horror, many of them flaring their nostrils in disgust. Marine flicks her hand for silence. “No help, egg stealer.”
“You must have old and sick; how do they get water? Let me help them. I promise I won’t hurt them.”
Marine screams along with the Wyvern patriarch, much to the joy of the Wyverns around us. With an angry flap of his wings, Marine disappears and the patriarch leaps into the sky, several Wyrms following him. What surprises me is that a few stragglers stay behind, growling to each other. Eventually one approaches me, nosing my hands.
“Oh, sorry.”
I quickly generate another ball, which it hesitantly laps up before turning to its companion, who all reply in the same tone. With a sharp nod, the Wyvern noses me towards the direction of the cave.
“I don’t think I’m wanted there,” I say.
The purple Wyvern rolls its eyes and noses me forward, while a red one takes the lead. Despite having no front legs, they are surprisingly fast at hopping along on their wings. Now that I’m up close I can see that the wings are bulging with muscles and a thin layer of scales – perfect for flying and travelling on the ground. The red Wyvern halts and pushes me back as it disappears into the undergrowth. For a few seconds I’m confused and consider following it, until the purple one grabs my hand and yanks me back.
“You want me to stay back?” I ask.
It nods in reply and swivels its ears as the red Wyvern re-emerges from the bushes, a weak green Wyvern following it. The green one is not as well looked after as the other two; it is so thin you can almost see bones sticking out. Upon noticing me it flattens its ears and hisses, until the red Wyvern comforts it with a lick.
I generate another ball of water as the green one approaches, licking its cracked lips as the water forms in front of it. Giving me a warning glare, it starts lapping at the water, so much so that I have to keep reforming the ball. Once satisfied, it steps back, licking its lips for the last droplets. While some of the Wyverns are living it up in the cave, this one seems to be on the outskirts.
“Why aren’t you in the cave with the others?” I ask gently.
All three Wyverns flatten their ears, but Marine doesn’t pop up to translate. I guess only the patriarch can use Marine to communicate. While the situation isn’t ideal, maybe if I can gain their trust, I can gain the trust of all of them.
“Do you need anything else? Food? Medicine?”
The green Wyvern’s ears prick up at the sound of food, but the purple Wyvern hushes it before it can so much as squeak. So, they’re hungry, and separated from the group. But why? My eyes dr
ift to the bush they appeared from, but there’s nothing that gives them away. The leaves are slightly crushed from them entering and exiting, but that doesn’t give me much to go on. I only have three days, but I’ve got to convince them all to trust me, and then the Aislados.
“Look, if you’re uncomfortable with me being here then I can send Drea or Ariadne, the dragons we are with, to deliver food for you. You clearly aren’t being cared for by the rest of your group.”
The red Wyvern flattens its ears but the other two nod enthusiastically.
“Okay, good. Is it just the three of you here?”
All three nod a bit too quickly for my liking. They’re hiding something. Something the rest of the group has ousted them for. Not wanting to pry right now, I back off, letting the Wyverns relax a little.
“I’ll get Drea to come along later with some food. There’s plenty in the forest for all of us.”
Gratitude seems to flash in their eyes, but they quickly mask it by turning their faces to the ground. With a little wave, I leave them alone, jogging through the forest on my way back to Marco. We may have a chance here. Maybe we can reunite them with the other Wyverns? Or help them get back to their full strength?
I hope that three days is enough. It’s a strict deadline, but we don’t want the Wyrms finding us with the Wyverns. If even one escapes, then Ray knows. That means the WADT can begin their sickening hunt.
18
Chapter Eighteen
Rocky raises an eyebrow as Violet starts giggling on the bed, swinging her legs up and down. She stares at the ceiling, grinning at something that isn’t there. Eryk stands on his tiptoes to whisper in his ear.
“Is she okay?”
“You seriously think that is okay?” he hisses back as Violet falls back and swats her hands in the air.
“She says it’s the Fairy Dragons.”
“There’s fuck all there.”
“She says we can’t see them because we can’t hear their whispers,” Eryk presses. “I think we’ve pushed her too far; the stress is getting to her.”
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