by Sarah Noffke
~~~
After Laurel made it to the top of the ladder, Blisters knocked her over because he was so excited to see her. He’d been afraid she’d fallen to her death, or that a wereeagle had snatched her. The bird might have carried Laurel to its nest, unbothered by her screaming and thrashing, and there she’d have been dinner for the wereeagle’s four babies. That was just one of the many thoughts Blisters had entertained regarding Laurel’s fate.
Overly excited by Laurel’s survival of the possible wereeagle attack Blisters ran straight at her, nearly knocking her over the edge. Her nails scratched at the cliff as she scrambled back up. Manx, in raven form, had grabbed the back of her shirt in his beak and was using it to lift her.
“That’s not helping,” Laurel complained breathlessly. She finished her climb and set her back against the cave wall, winded. “You two are trying to kill me, aren’t you?”
Blisters shook his head. His insides felt like pudding. Harming Laurel had not been his goal. In fact, that was his antigoal, but now he saw how in his excitement he’d put her into a dangerous position. He was always doing this kind of thing—wanting to help and then screwing it all up. It didn’t matter that he was a unicorn with spectacular wings. He was causing more problems than helping.
“I’m sorry, Laurel. Truly sorry,” Blisters said, backing up.
“Where are you going?” Manx asked, having changed into a goat.
“I’ll go check out the cave for bats and leave you here, as far away from me as possible,” Blisters whimpered, his voice hoarse.
“Blisters, I know you were just excited. It’s okay,” Laurel’s voice called from behind him, but he had already made up his mind. He trotted into the dark, slick cave.
~~~
Azure shot a tentative look across the thick wooden table at Oak . The large room was stifling, as if they were inside the belly of a dragon. Azure peeled off her robes, throwing them over a chair before taking a seat.
She realized at once that sitting down might have been a bit presumptuous of her, since all the weredragons were waiting in front of their seats.
Azure shuffled to push out of her seat, but before she did she heard the voice in her head again. Micky’s voice. Own it. Make them think they should be waiting for you, not the other way around.
Weredragon traditions and customs were so strange. Why hadn’t Oak told her anything to prepare her for all of this?
Azure pushed her chest out, making eye contact with Hoarfrost. “You may all sit,” she said, her voice not betraying the fear vibrating inside of her.
“Very well,” Hoarfrost said, motioning to the seats.
To Azure’s relief Oak took the seat next to her. He turned to fix his robes, whispering quietly so only she could hear it, “Well played, Queen. Continue to open your mind to Micky. It will keep you alive, and help our chances.”
Azure nodded, but covered the gesture by raising a large goblet to her mouth. The water was hot, nearly burning her tongue.
“Oak tells us you want one of our scales,” Hoarfrost said, which produced much laughter around the table.
“And he said that although you might give it to him, you won’t give it to me,” Azure agreed, sitting tall.
“That’s correct,” a green weredragon on the far side of the table told her. “A family might be willing to give something valuable to a family member, but they will not offer it to someone outside the unit. Now, what the family member chooses to do with it…that’s their business, especially if it will benefit him in return.”
Azure nodded. That made sense.
“Since we know Oak doesn’t want the scale for himself, it’s important that we know who it goes to and why,” Hoarfrost said.
“I have a genie in a lamp, and I want to release him,” Azure said.
“I’ve never heard that our scales had anything to do with giving genies freedom,” a red weredragon next to Azure said.
“That’s right,” she replied. “There’s a witch in New Egypt who knows how to free the genie.”
“And she wants the scale in return for the information,” Hoarfrost guessed.
“Yes, so grilling me will not offer you what you want to know about where the scale will end up. Will that be a problem?” Azure asked, injecting confidence into her voice.
Hoarfrost and Oak exchanged looks. “Your mission is an honorable one, although you should know that if this witch uses the scale for something nefarious you will be liable.”
If you agree to that they won’t relinquish the scale to Oak. This is a test. Dragons love their games.
Azure ruminated on Micky’s advice, then tapped her fingers on the surface of the table, looking at each of the weredragons briefly. “I refuse to be held responsible for what another person does. As you have mentioned, my reason for wanting the scale and my overall mission are honorable. How dare you expect me to pay the price for someone else? I wouldn’t even do that for someone in my kingdom.”
The weredragons rustled their wings as they exchanged curious glances. “You do not speak like most humans,” Hoarfrost said.
“How would you know how humans speak? You have barricaded yourself inside of Lancothy for a long time. When did you last see a sunset?” Azure dared to ask.
“We do not need to see the sunset. We share our ancestor’s memories and see the setting sun as they once did,” Hoarfrost replied.
Azure gave a quiet laugh. “To dream of a sunset and to experience it are two very different things.”
“You are quite bold, aren’t you, witch?” Hoarfrost asked, his voice crackling with anger.
He can help you with your goal. Demand his help, Micky said in Azure’s mind.
Azure drew in a breath that seemed to burn her nostrils. “Hoarfrost, the officials will be considering something radical very soon. Will you support the idea?”
“Why should I?” he asked, his voice sharp.
“Because you know I’m right,” Azure began. “The memories of your ancestors will only sustain you for so long, and if you review them you’ll realize there’s little to fear. You are, after all, weredragons. I was under the impression that was something to be revered.” Azure shrugged, peering downward as if she’d changed her mind. “Maybe the rumors are false. Maybe weredragons aren’t fierce after all.”
Several of the weredragons emitted soft growls that echoed around the room, and their eyes glowed brightly as they leaned toward her. Azure pressed back into her chair, slipping her hand under the table to search for her wand. Many of the weredragons leaned forward as if they were about to pounce on her and she had a flash of being overwhelmed by the beasts, unable to combat their fire, ice, and who-knew-what-else. Would Oak be able to save her?
A large silver cart thundered through the door, yanking everyone’s attention in that direction. Sitting on the cart, which was being pushed by a weredog, was a roasted pig, one of the animals from the farms on the far side of the valley. Behind the cart, a werecat carried a tray steaming with other roasted meats. The weredragons turned to the table, gnashing their teeth and uttering guttural growls.
“Dinner’s timing has saved you,” Hoarfrost said from across the table. “As for your demand, Queen Azure, we shall see.”
~~~
A plethora of wereanimals were scattered down the long corridor of the government building. Monet pulled his hood over his head, partially covering his face. Some wereanimals could change into human form, and some were stuck in-between. Many had regressed so far that they were mostly animal, having lost any trace of their human form. The ones in the building were like Laurel. They looked like animals, but exhibited the poise of humans as they conversed and walked. A weregiraffe and a werezebra stared Monet and Ever down as they passed.
“We’ve officially strolled into the belly of the beast,” Monet said between tight lips. “But what kind of beast, I don’t know. Maybe a hippo?”
“Leave the talking to me,” Ever said, stopping in front of a reception desk. A wer
edeer pinned her eyes intently on the two as she waited for them to address her. She uncrossed her hooves on the surface of the desk and recrossed them the other way.
“What is your business here in Lancothy?” she asked.
Everyone in the hall halted to listen.
Ever straightened. “We represent the queen of Virgo. She has a meeting with the officials.”
“Where is the queen, then?” the weredeer asked, looking behind Monet and Ever.
“She had business with the weredragons first,” Ever answered.
The weredeer stood up from the desk. Her long body was covered in a black robe, the kind Laurel wore. “The queen set up a meeting with the officials, but she thinks it better to meet with the weredragons. Is that right?” She shook her head and clicked her tongue with disapproval.
“I’m sure they will understand that we are all pressed for time,” Ever stated as the weredeer opened a door and ushered them inside.
“You know little if you think the officials will be so understanding,” the weredeer told them.
~~~
“Blisters, you’ve saved Oriceran from vampires, found a potion to make Gillian grow, and discovered a plant that produces marshmallows. How can we ever thank you?” Blisters said, his voice squeaky. He trotted forward and then bowed slightly, enjoying his fantasy.
“Queen Azure, saving your kingdom is thanks enough for me. I do all this because I’m noble at heart,” Blisters said, blinking up at an imaginary Azure.
“And then they’ll throw a huge party to celebrate me,” Blisters sang, spinning around, his eyes wide with excitement from his vision. “Witches will lavish me with garlands, and wizards will kneel to me when I prance through the streets. And dumb old Manx will have to clean up after me every single day.”
Something scratched at the cave floor behind Blisters. He whipped around, expecting Manx to have followed him. Even squinting, though, it was hard for Blisters to make out anything. He’d traveled so far into the cave that there was little light. A glow showed in front of him, where the cave emptied into the valley.
Blisters desperately wished he’d paid more attention during his unicorn lessons. How many times had he said that, though? With the right level of concentration his horn could glow, which would offer him a little light, but the elders had given up trying to teach him the skill.
Blisters clamped his mouth shut, held his breath, and pushed all his efforts into making the horn on his head light up. Air shot out of his ears instead.
“Errrr…” he said, kicking at a nearby wall and slipping. His hooves scrambled underneath him a few times before he landed flat on his stomach.
Wet and frustrated, Blisters tried several times to get back to his feet, but only slid back down. He let out a long breath after he finally secured his balance.
“Chicka-chicka-chicka,” something whispered at his back.
Blisters spun around, nearly falling again. “Manx, is that you?”
“Chickaaaaa,” the voice whispered.
“This isn’t funny,” Blisters said. “How did you get on that side of the cave? I didn’t see you pass me.” The dumb pooka had probably flown over Blisters’ head. He had to remember that he could fly now too. He shouldn’t allow the pooka to get the better of him by putting snakes and spiders in his—well, Monet’s—bed. When they returned to the House of Enchanted, Blisters was going to defend himself against Manx. Stand up for himself for the first time.
“Chicka…sssssss,” the voice said.
Blisters froze. Blinked. He needed to see what was up ahead. He strained with all his might to make the horn light up, and a loud fart echoed through the cave.
“Oh, shoot,” Blisters said, his cheeks warming with embarrassment. Whoever was ahead—or whatever—well, they weren’t laughing at him, which was good.
“Hello?” Blisters asked. “Is someone here?”
Blisters felt something scuttle by him. Something large…nearly his size.
“Hello?” Blisters asked, pressing back against the wall, his heart hammering. “Who are you?”
“Scabs,” something said, its voice deep.
Blisters shuffled forward. Maybe he’d just met a friend. The light from the other side of the cave grew in intensity as he went in Laurel and Manx’s direction.
“Scabs? I’m Blisters,” he said.
“I know who you are,” the voice said from in front of him. “I’ve been watching you.” Scabs’ voice was now behind him.
“Watching me? Why?” Blisters asked, turning around and blinking in the dark.
“Because I’m your shadow,” Scabs said.
“Shadow?” Blisters laughed. “That’s silly.”
“Is it? Not if you’re me, and tired of being left in the dark,” Scabs hissed.
Blisters pushed power into his horn, focusing like he’d never done before. He felt the horn warm and then the faintest of glows blossomed between his eyes, bathing the area in a soft light—which was when he saw it. Standing only a few yards away was a unicorn just like him—the same size, and with wings and a glowing horn. But Scabs wasn’t white with rainbow hair and blue eyes. Scabs was black. Entirely black, and he wore a sinister grin.
CHAPTER SIXTEEN
“Queen Azure,” Hoarfrost said, pulling one of the closest platters of meat toward him, “All we have to serve you is meat. If that is a problem—”
“It’s not a problem.” Azure grabbed a drumstick from a roasted chicken in front of her. She bit straight into the meat, tearing through skin and gristle.
Hoarfrost watched her for a moment. Micky was obviously telepathic. Were the weredragons telepathic as well? She didn’t think so, for some reason. Or maybe her mind was open to Micky and closed to these weredragons. Gran had said that telepathic links were sometimes automatically established when someone became a protector and was therefore trusted.
Beside Hoarfrost a weredragon with red scales and wings held up a giant chicken thigh. He opened his mouth and fire shot out, blackening the meat.
“It was cooked perfectly,” the weredragon next to Azure said. She had yellow scales and more elegant wings than the others. “I’m not sure why you insist on burning your food, Inferno.”
“I don’t dictate how you eat your meat,” Inferno replied, his red eyes narrowing. “Why do you think you can tell me how I should eat, Lightning?”
The weredragon didn’t answer. turning instead to Azure, her eyes brimming with curiosity. “What does Oak want from you in return for the scale?”
Azure wiped the grease from her mouth with her fingers since napkins hadn’t been provided. She could be a real pain in the ass and ask for one, but decided that she’d better play it safe since she hadn’t been struck with fire, ice, lightning, or anything else just yet.
“How do you know he wants something in exchange for the scale?” Azure asked. Oak was deeply engaged in a conversation with the green weredragon on his other side.
Lightning smiled, showing deadly sharp teeth. “This world and all others are based on exchange. Nothing exists for long that does not take and give. It is the natural order of things.”
Azure mused on this notion. “What about gifts? Maybe Oak is simply giving it to me.”
The weredragon nodded. “Gifts are given with the intent of receiving something in exchange. Is that what he’s doing? Usually it is affection, admiration, or good will. Is that the case? Is Oak giving it to you as a gift?”
Azure shook her head. “It’s true that he’s asked for something. He wants me to give him the essence of true love in exchange for the scale.”
Lightning leaned forward, appraising Oak with admiration. “That warrior never gives up, I’ll give him that much.”
Azure turned to look at Oak, perplexed. He was still talking excitedly to the other weredragon and didn’t seem to know he was the subject of the neighboring conversation. “You mean,” Azure said to Lightning, “Oak has been trying to get this for a while?”
“I do not
know Oak, nor do any of us,” Lightning began. “However, we are connected through our ancestral consciousness, and that informed me long ago that Oak was on the hunt for the essence of true love.”
Dragons were incredibly strange and wonderful creatures, Azure thought. They had such an interesting connection to one another, like how Micky was hooked into Azure’s mind. Now that she was aware of the connection, she felt the dragon in her mind like a hook in fabric.
“If he’s been trying for so long, I’m guessing securing it will be difficult,” Azure said mostly to herself.
“I understand that true love—or any emotion, for that matter—is nearly impossible to contain. True love will probably be the most difficult,” the weredragon said.
Azure set down her drumstick as doubt filled her insides, making her suddenly lose her appetite.
“Most don’t know how to contain true love correctly and waste their chance, since it can only be caught when the emotion is first felt and therefore flaring strongly,” Lightning said, her bright-yellow eyes intense. “But the real problem is that finding true love is incredibly difficult. Furthermore, being in the right place at the right time to capture the emotion is another impossible part of the equation.”
Azure’s face must have registered her defeat because Lightning said, “This doesn’t mean that it’s impossible. Unlikely, maybe.”
“It sounds like my first problem will be finding out how to contain the essence of true love,” Azure said. She’d never heard of emotions being contained, and wished she would have asked Gran about it when she’d had a chance.