Dragon Protectors

by Kristin D. Van Risseghem

  “We drove around the city for over an hour.” Staten brushes past me. “We stopped for dinner, circled back to make sure we didn’t have a tail on us.” He slaps his brother on the back. “You could let us in instead of hanging out there like idiots.”

  “Sorry, man,” McQueen says. “You lived here, too. You don’t need an invitation. I’m surprised you even knocked.”

  “This hasn’t been my home for three years.”

  “That was your choice to make, dude. You’re the one who decided to leave and attend York. Not me. I’d offer you guys food but since you already ate dinner, I suppose you and Brooklyn should start training. We’ll keep each other company and later, if there’s time, we can hang out for a while.”

  I follow Staten into the basement while the others wander to McQueen’s room. I would’ve liked to spend some time with them, but I know practicing magic is the priority. Later this evening, McQueen suggested that we continue lessons in fighting, especially after I told him a bit more of the dream I had, so that’ll be the time I can hang out with all of them.

  Staten and I drag out the padding, so we’re not sitting on the hard cement. Sitting cross-legged from each other, I get into a comfortable position. I’m not sure what he has planned for tonight. Since he’s training me, I wait for him to speak first. When he continues to remain silent, I take the plunge.

  “So,” I say.

  “How,” he says at the same time.

  “Go ahead.” I motion for him to continue.

  “No.” He shakes his head. “Ladies first.”

  “I was just going to ask what we’ll be doing tonight.”

  “And I was going to ask you how you’ve been doing. You look well and rested. Maybe getting away from school has been a good thing.”

  “Possibly. It’s too early to tell, though. I miss Noelle and the Smarties, but then again not being able to see Sax and Reist, it makes me sad. I want to fight more and keep everyone alive. McQueen and I have been training and practicing shifting. We’ll continue later this evening, after you guys leave. So that brings me back to my question. What am I learning today?”

  “I thought we could try protections and stuns. I think you’ve done a couple of stuns already. At least that’s what Manny and Bronx described it as.”

  “When was that?”

  “On the roof of the girls’ dorms. That massive magic ball that shot out over the courtyard. I wasn’t there to witness it, but from what the boys described, to me it was a stun.”

  I nod, thinking back to the other day when the dragons came out and brought the battle to the school. It was the evening when Reist was killed, just when we came back from burying Sax.

  Of course, I remember the force of it. Remember how my magic coursed through my body. I was angry for not doing anything, being unable to stop the dragons from killing the slayers. The devastation I felt when the slayers fired back against my kin.

  Then the magic exploded out of me on the rooftop. My body glowed bright green. A bubble blasted out from the palms, lighting everything in the area in a faint green glow. It was like a shock wave.

  “Yeah, I recall doing it,” I say. “I didn’t know what it was or why it happened.”

  “Most of your powers have been emotionally driven. It happens to some but not everyone. When your feelings are extreme, sometimes magic manifests and your control won’t be there. We’ll also work on breathing techniques. You could injure others and cause harm to yourself if we don’t take proper precautions. That will take us into next week as long as you continue, even when I’m not here. McQueen can help.”

  I slow my breathing, recalling the same instructions from Mr. Lorimer when we became Level Twoers. In. Out. In. Out. Placing my wrists on my knees, I straighten my back and breathe. I concentrate on Staten’s breathing, his sandalwood scent, and his hazel eyes staring at me.

  “When you’re ready, I want you to call your magic and create a bubble around yourself,” he says. “Think of it as a flexible shield that bends to your wishes. Have it stretch around your body.”

  Staten opens his palm and shows me his flame. It hovers and then grows, expanding into the size of a balloon. Eventually, it wraps around his tall frame. The magic extinguishes, but I know it’s still there. Invisible.

  I mimic his actions. My bright green flame flickers and rises into a tiny sphere. I send more power into it, careful not to pop it. The sides expand, but it won’t settle around me. It hovers in front of my face like a shield. No matter what I do, it won’t mold into me.

  “Keep trying,” Staten says. “This is complex stuff. I didn’t think you’d get it on the first try. Now, that would be impressive. Most third years aren’t doing this.”

  I nod. At least I created a shield. I’ll keep working it. It’s like training a new muscle that didn’t exist before. Plus, if most Level Threes aren’t where I’m at, then I’m already ahead of them. Not that it’s a contest or anything. I shouldn’t be so hard on myself. But I need to learn and handle this. Lives depend on it. Not only mine, the Pride’s and the Slayers.

  “So keep practicing that and try to get your shield to flow around you,” Staten says. “If you master that before I can come back here, expand it to encompass others. Get McQueen to assist. Since I don’t want to get blasted from you.” He moves to sit beside me. “Let’s work on offensive stuns. I thought it’d be easier for you to learn shields first, and they are considered defensive maneuvers.”

  He’s close, knees barely brushing against mine. I assume that he’s doing that on purpose; he knows it’s easiest for me to have contact and absorb magic that way. But he once told me not to rely on that because there could be times when I don’t have the luxury of someone else to help me.

  Without him saying anything, I call my flames into my open palms. He nods and does the same. “Let it simmer. Build it up. And when you’re ready, steady your breathing and push it outward.”

  I do as I’m told, letting my magic hover. Glancing at Staten’s hands, I watch his flames dance between his knuckles. It reminds me of those people who can move a coin between fingers. I control my breaths and release.

  My magic is quick and fast. Potent. It slams into the far wall, crumbling some of the cinder blocks. Staten turns to face me and I grin. I didn’t expect that to happen. I didn’t even put that much force into it.

  “Oops,” I say. “Sorry.”

  He chuckles. “I’m glad I moved. That was a bit too much magic. You could use that if you really wanted to kill someone, but we’re not about that. It’s called stunning for a reason. Reign it in, Brooklyn.” He nods. “Again.”

  We continue training for another hour or so. And in that time, I managed not to destroy the walls any further. The force continues to thump, causing them to vibrate. With what we’ve witnessed previously to the house, it confirms that I really do need to keep practicing, learning, and figuring out my magic.

  We finally call it quits and find the rest of the boys hanging out in McQueen’s room. I duck out quickly, informing them that I’m taking a shower and will return.

  When I’m finished, I find everyone sitting in the living room. Danzel has joined them. They’re chatting away and as I step into the room, all eyes land on me. Silence.

  “What’s going on?” I ask.

  Manny stands and takes my hand, leading me to the sofa. “Maybe you should sit.”

  “I don’t like the sound of that.”

  “It’s not bad,” Staten says. “We found out more about the graphic I showed you the other week. You remember?”

  I nod. How could I forget? In some old tome, my dragon form is surrounded by four others. My boys. And when Staten showed me it, my magic flared and the picture animated. Their wings flapped as smoke billowed from their snouts. A line connected between them and me.

  “Good,” Staten continues. “I told Dad about it and what happened.”

  “We think in order for you to become the Pride Leader, you need to find some very old mag
ic,” Danzel says. “Magic that will assist you in being the leader of New York. While other PLs in the world may help, there is a secret society that was created specifically for them. There isn’t too much we normal dragons know about the duties and their abilities.”

  “So, I’m to find another Pride Leader of another clan and ask about the society?” I ask. Everyone in the room nods. “And they’re just going to give me that information?”

  That seems way too easy. And I’m already Pride Leader, aren’t I? That’s what Regan told me, right before he died. Some of his magic passed to me. And when I finally acknowledged that I was a dragon to the Slayers Council, my mind opened, and I could hear other dragon voices—besides from my boys.

  “I highly doubt they will.” Danzel stands. “They might start you on the path, but it’ll be up to you to take the journey.”

  “And I’ll be on this quest by myself?” I ask.

  “Of course not,” McQueen says. “I’ll go with you.”

  “I actually think you four need to go,” Danzel says as he turns to look at the boys. “You are, after all, her protectors.”

  “If we do this,” Staten says. “It means that we’ll be leaving the school. Permanently. There is no going back from this.” They all nod. I don’t think they really want to be there, anyway. I know they’d rather be with me, to watch over and protect me. “Let’s get Noelle here and massage her into being our spy while we’re out and about,” Staten continues.

  “That I can do,” I say. “When do we leave?”

  “As soon as possible. The Council is meeting here in a couple of days. That should allow plenty of time for the boys to get their affairs in order.”

  Quiet descends upon the room as we all think about our next move. I need to decide how I’m going to approach Noelle. Since she has no magic, she still could remain at the Academy and become an instructor. Eventually, they won’t allow her out on missions, even if she graduates to Level Three. Being surrounded by others with magic does allow her to see the dragons, but by herself she won’t see us.

  “Well, I’ll let you guys hang out.” Danzel leaves the room.

  “It’s good to see you again, Brooklyn.” Manny comes and sits beside me. “I know it’s only been a few days, and I’m sure I say this for Bronx and Staten, too, but we’ve missed you. We liked seeing you every day, but we’re relieved that you’re here and safe with McQueen.”

  “Thanks, Manny. I miss you guys like crazy, too. It’s been good here. McQueen and I have been training, so that keeps my brain from remembering the horrors of why I’m here in the first place. And when I’m alone at night, I do recall the battle. I think it’s good that I’ll always remember. Someone should remember them. Their sacrifice. Their lives.”

  “And that is why you’ll be a great Pride Leader,” Bronx says as he comes to sit on my other side. “The rest of tonight, let’s just hang out, be normal, and tomorrow we’ll start walking down our new path. In the meantime, you and McQueen should research the other PLs and get some background information.”

  “What do you guys know about the other leaders?”

  “Around the world, there are about seven who lead the different Prides,” Staten says. “Their numbers vary but New York is one of the larger ones. Since the beginning, there have only ever been male leaders so you, Brooklyn, will be the first female. We’ll want to figure out which one will be the most accommodating toward us.” Staten walks to the back of the couch, placing his hands on my shoulders. He squeezes them and takes the recliner. “Dad should be able to help with names and locations on where to find most of them. But some don’t want to be found, and others may not help.”

  “How about we have a bonfire outside?” McQueen says. “We can watch the moon rise, listen to the city’s pulse, and if we’re lucky, some boats may pass by in the harbor.”

  I decide to add layers while the boys grab chairs and start the fire. When I walk into my room, the jewelry the boys gave to me for my birthday beckons. I’m not sure what pulls me to them, but I need to brush my fingers along the cool metal. All four of them pulse with something. Magic maybe? As soon as I’m close enough to reach out to them, my own flames appear, mixing with their strange calling. Images flash in my mind, too fast to even figure out that it’s showing me. They are blurry enough that I can’t make out anything. All I know is that they’re important. They’re not only special to me because my boys gave them as a present, but more.

  I need to ponder on that later. After grabbing a hoodie, I stroll into the backyard. Five chairs are sitting around the campfire, which now is blazing in the cooling night air. One seat between Bronx and McQueen is left for me.

  Staten is the only one able to legally drink, but that doesn’t seem to stop any of them who have bottles of beer in their hands. McQueen offers me one as I approach. I shake my head, not wanting Manny to be the only one who isn’t drinking tonight.

  I am curious why Manny doesn’t touch the stuff. Bronx had told me that he couldn’t hold his liquor and went on some sort of rampage around the city. Now, thinking back on it, Bronx never said if it was in his human or dragon form when he caused so much destruction. I do know that sometimes when emotions run high, the inner beast takes control. It could also be that since Manny is the youngest, he might not have as much control over his dragon. And with drinking, that lowers his inhibitions and reasoning.

  “You remember that one time,” Bronx says, “when we went four-wheeling in upstate? Gosh, Manny and I must have been what, ten years old? We found that old, dilapidated house in the woods.”

  “Yeah, you guys didn’t go to sleep for over a week,” McQueen says.

  “Why?” I ask.

  “They got scared,” Staten says, chuckling. “We dared them to go inside, have a look around. As soon as they went through the door, McQueen and I went around back. Hid until we heard them coming into the kitchen. I had a bit of magic early on and was just practicing moving objects. It wasn’t anything to brag about, but I could call up wind. So I used that to move the ripped curtains. I sucked out most of the air in the room, so it was super still and quiet. By the time those two arrived, they were shaking so hard, I thought at least one of them would piss their pants.”

  McQueen laughs. “Yeah, and just to really make sure one of them did,” McQueen says. “I found some old fishing line and tied it to the door knob and cabinets. So when those two actually came into the kitchen, they felt something strange. With Staten removing the air and making the curtains blow, those two were trembling like little girls.” I scowled at him. “Sorry, Brooklyn. But then I opened random cabinets.”

  “I don’t know which one screamed first. But they ran into each other and tried to get out of the house as fast as they could,” Staten said. “It was like a cartoon. They fumbled around and couldn’t figure out how to get out of the room fast enough. It only really was a couple of seconds, but it seemed longer than that. They were about to step through when McQueen slammed the door on them.”

  “They ran through the entire house. We barely managed to get to the front yard in time to see them running out like they were on fire.”

  “That was not cool,” Manny says. “I still can’t go into old houses. You traumatized me. Fools.”

  I can see McQueen pulling a stunt like that. But it’s nice knowing that Staten, too, has a fun side. Hearing them tell stories makes me love them even more. How they grew up together and have each other’s backs. I can see in their eyes that they love each other as family, even though Staten and McQueen are the only ones who share blood. The way each relaxes in his chair speaks of their connection; even Staten slouches a bit.

  The sun is almost rising by the time we call it a night. No one seems to want to leave. Because if we do, it means we are acknowledging that today is a new day, and our lives will change forever.

  The boys are quitting today. Instead of handing in letters of resignations, they decided to just stop going and slip out. Pack only the things they can’t l
ive without and leave. But only after I give them the word that Noelle has agreed to my request.

  I need to get Noelle pulled out of school, so I can have a chat with her and convince my best friend that she needs to spy for us. We’re starting our new mission in two days.

  I hug Manny, Bronx, and Staten, wishing them good luck. McQueen and I see them off. I hope they get a few hours of sleep before their world is turned upside down.

  Even though we’ve been up all night, I’m not tired and suggest to McQueen that we still work out. I can take a nap later, but I need to continue building up muscles so when I’m in my dragon form, her weight and movements aren’t so exhausting. And after my nap, I plan to work on using magic, just how Staten showed me last night.

  THE NEXT MORNING, DANZEL stops by the basement to remind us that the Dragon Council meeting is tonight. And that reminds me that I need to chat with Noelle. I don’t want her coming to the house, especially tonight since there will be a bunch of dragons in the house. Maybe she can come over tomorrow morning before we start our journey.

  McQueen and I have continued weapon skills and endurance training. He’s almost as bad as Bronx in pushing me to the limits, but that’s where the similarities end. McQueen, unlike his cocky exterior and brazen behavior, is patient and explains techniques thoroughly, almost to the point that it’s overkill. Just like the nights when we’re in our dragon bodies, he shows me different maneuvers. He’ll tell me in my mind what he is going to do, shows it to me, and then has me try on my own.

  That’s what we’re doing as we end this morning’s session: hand to hand combat. The only difference is that McQueen is speaking instructions out loud.

  He’s demonstrating soft spots on the human body. Target the eyes, throat, chin, and groin. Hits don’t have to be hard, but they do have to be direct.