Holy five boroughs.
Did I hear them correctly?
My mind is still reeling from last night’s other events. Noel, my best friend at York Academy took me to my first high school party. Growing up as an only child, then attending an elite private school, and now attending a school for dragon slayers, I didn’t make many friends. So when the short cheerleader wanted to be my friend, I was leery.
Of course, the BFF invitation came after I became the Kill Shot, sending my graduating class to Level 2. What’s a Kill Shot? I was the one who killed the dragon, on graduation night. I thought it would bring me friends, but it’s been the opposite. It’s firmly kept me a loner.
It could also have something to do with me being special. I hate when people say that about me. It’s just the polite way of saying that I’m different. Like I didn’t already know that. I’m a dragon slayer.
Ex-dragon slayer now.
After the party, my Skills instructor, took me off York property to explain why all the secrets him and his brothers have been keeping.
It was shocking to hear, bit I think I took it well.
I have more magic than the average person. In fact, more than anyone has heard of for a couple of centuries. Having no control over it is making my life miserable. I’ve gotten kicked out of my Level 2 magic class and now take private lessons with the stubborn Level 3 prodigy. You remember me telling you that I’m special, right? This is another reason why I’m alone.
So when Bronx and I were walking along the pier last night, the whole pride of dragons descended upon us. We had no weapons to defend ourselves with. But thankfully some of the Level 3 students were out on patrol and saved the day.
They just didn’t realize that we didn’t need saving from the dragons. Most of the animals got away, but one red one died. And neither Bronx or I could do anything about it. We had to watch the Third Years kill the poor, defenseless animal.
Which is why I’m now an Ex-Dragon Slayer.
I won’t be killing any of them, not for the Slayer Council. My parents will be furious at me. They are on the Council. So I haven’t told them yet. What they don’t know won’t kill them.
I blow out a long sigh and hang my head, cradling it with both my hands.
Why me?
Why couldn’t I just have a normal boyfriend, go to a normal school and have a normal life?
No. I had to fall for the nice, homely guy who was assigned as my tour guide at the Academy and became my Skills teacher that first year. During those few hours of him showing me around, and then him stopping to say ‘hello’ every now and then during the eight months I learned to be a slayer, he became my full on crush.
Guy says hello, girl falls head over heels for him. Yep, that’s me. This gal. So stupid. If I had just kept my head down, none of this would have happened.
But then of course, I had to go on an official date with the tour guide after graduating because I couldn’t stay away from him. It’s not like I stalked him. If anything they stalked me.
They, meaning my boyfriend and his two brothers.
Which reminds me, all three of them are still sitting in front of me. Waiting.
We’re in my suite on campus. Bronx brought me back here and called his brothers. It’s they who told me about my magic.
I stand from my bed. Six eyes follow me around my room, watching me put away the hair pins I used earlier tonight. Then I straighten the small collection of paperback books lining the shelf. Running my finger across the desk, swiping for dust.
I should clean my room.
Opening and closing my satchel that has my laptop and history book in it.
My hands need to stay busy.
Standing in the center of the room, I shake my head.
None of this is normal.
I’m a dragon.
Acknowledgements
First of all, I’d like to thank my beta readers: Hilary and Genevieve. This was my first book after the Enlighten Series and was able to take more liberties in my writing, dialogue and scenes. You both helped me chose words and scenarios that molded the Slayer story better.
To my wonderful Development and Line Editor, Rebecca Jaycox. You know this story was also vastly different from my other books, yet you were confident in me that I could pull it off. And on such a fast pace.
Rebecca Norrine, you made such beautiful covers for me. I love them so much!! Thank you!!
Six Queens: Rhonda, Sarah, and Hilary ... you girls are my jam!! You helped me keep focused, picked up my slack so I could do a rapid release with this story. Let’s reign together!!
To the Six Queens ARC Team. Thank you for reading and reviewing in time for my release day!
And finally, thank you to my wonderful hubby. Who I know doesn’t fully understand all the book lingo. But you bear with me until the end of the final product. Without you and your support, none of these stories would come to life.
Call to Action
I hope you’ve enjoyed Brooklyn’s adventure: Dragon Slayers.
Continue reading her story in Dragon Wars.
Dragon Slayer Series:
Dragon Magic, Prequel
Dragon Slayers, Book One
Dragon Wars, Book Two
Dragon Protectors, Book Three
Enlighten Series:
Swords & Stilettos, Book One
Daggers & Dresses, Book Two
Wars & Wings, Book Three
Enlighten Series Novellas:
Fires & Fairies, Sidelle’s Story
Arrows & Angels, Kieran’s Story
Enlighten Series Short Stories:
Poisons & Princes, Finn’s Story
Ninjas & Nephilims, Shay’s Story
Follow me online
Website | Instagram | Twitter | Facebook
Pinterest | Bookbub
USA TODAY bestseller, Amazon bestselling, and award-winning young adult author, Kristin D. Van Risseghem grew up in a small town along the Mississippi River with her parents and older sister. Currently, she lives in Minnesota with her husband and a Calico cat, named Daizy. Kristin also loves attending book clubs, going shopping, and hanging out with friends. She has come to realize that she absolutely has an addiction to purses and shoes. They are her weakness and probably has way too many of both.
In the summer months, Kristin can usually be found lounging on her boat, drinking an ice cold something. Being an avid reader of YA and Women’s Literature stories, she still finds time to read a ton of books in-between writing. And in the winter months, her main goal is to stay warm from the Minnesota cold!
Kristin’s books are published by Kasian Publishing LLC.
Dear Reader,
I hope you enjoyed Dragon Slayers.
Tell me what you liked, what you loved, and even what you hated. I’d love to hear from you. You can write me at Kristin.KristinVanRisseghem.com, visit me on the web at www.KristinVanRisseghem.com, follow me on Twitter @KVanRisseghem, and like my Facebook Page: https://www.facebook.com/KristinDVanRisseghem.Author/ to keep updated about all my writings.
Finally, I need to ask a favor. If you’re so inclined, I’d love you to write a review of Dragon Slayers. Loved it, hated it – I just enjoy your feedback. As you may have gleaned from my book, reviews can be tough to come by these days. You, the reader, have the power to make or break a book.
Thank you so much for reading Dragon Slayers, and for spending time with me.
Sincerely,
Kristin D. Van Risseghem, Author
>
Dragon Slayers Page 17