Jonathan interjected. “I agree. We’re lucky we got of there this time. If she intends you harm, we won’t get out again.”
“I thought she was being sincere.” Sid didn’t see any reason to be suspicious at this point.
“Maybe she was. But she’s scared. Scared people are dangerous. I’m guessing she’s only entertaining the thought so she has something else to bring to the table.”
Sid leaned back in the seat. “If only we could get someone in on that meeting. Then we’d know for sure if she wanted to work with us or was setting up a trap.”
Aspen smiled. “Freddie maybe. Hang on.” She typed furiously into her phone. Then she frowned. “Nope, he’s not invited. I still think we should bring him home.”
Sid ignored her comment about Freddie. “Do we have any other dragons hidden among them that could get in that meeting?” Sid asked.
Jonathan frowned. “No. We were pretty open about who we put where. Next time we won’t be.”
“If there is a next time,” Sid said.
“I sure hope so. Hey, there is one possibility,” Jonathan said.
“Who?”
“You up for another visit with Darneil?” Jonathan asked.
“I doubt he’d want to see me. The last time we met, his daughter disappeared.” Sid would never admit this to Darneil, but he was glad Runa came to stay with him. She’d been a real help in the search for Rowan, and he enjoyed her company.
“Well, he has a few dragons who are already blind that sometimes do spy work for us. They can camouflage themselves so they can get into just about anywhere.”
Sid was pleased with the idea. Underground dragons had excellent hearing so they could listen to the conversation. Sid wondered how they were blinded. They didn’t often take chances when it came to white light. “That’s a good idea. Let’s just hope he’ll talk to me. Aspen, do you have any pictures on your phone of Runa?”
“Hm?” She looked up at him. “I wasn’t paying attention. I was talking to Freddie.”
Sid was starting to get a little jealous of this Freddie guy. Aspen seemed altogether too pleased to talk to him.
“Should I be worried?” Sid asked.
“Why?”
“You seem pretty interested in Freddie.”
Aspen snorted. “He reminds me of Rowan. But he likes dragons. Do you know how many humans I’ve met that feel like I do about them?”
She held up her fingers in the shape of a zero. Sid supposed she had a point. But he still didn’t want to bring Freddie with them.
“What was it you needed?” she asked.
“Do you have pictures of Runa on your phone?”
“Oh, yeah, loads. Why?”
“We’re going to visit Darneil. I’m hoping he’ll at least talk to me after looking at your pictures. He’s not too happy with us keeping Runa.”
“You can’t blame that on us. She won’t come back.”
“He’ll still blame us. Trust me.”
Aspen smiled. “Well, at least I’ll be able to get more pictures of them.”
Aspen stopped Sid on their tenth flight of stairs.
“You know, this place could use and elevator.”
Sid grinned at her. She was taking a break, but she’d never admit it. “Keep moving. Time’s a wasting.”
“I’m getting there. It’s just there’s so many. I wish their eyes were a little more durable.”
“Me too. But, hey, at least we won’t have to climb back up.” Aspen was silent as they trekked down three more flights. Sid worried about her. It couldn’t be easy for her knowing the humans were intent on killing the dragons. Sid wasn’t feeling much better about the flip side, but at least it wasn’t all the dragons.
They hit the ground, and he grabbed her hand and pulled her close to him. Her eyes widened in surprise. He supposed he’d been a little distracted lately. He brushed some hair out of her eyes and kissed her forehead.
“Are you doing okay?” Sid asked.
She laid her head down on his chest and held him tight. He derived a great deal of comfort from her embrace, and he immediately felt guilty. He wanted to support her, not the other way around.
“Of course I am. Obviously this isn’t a fun time, but I have faith we’ll figure it out. When this is over, we’re going to hole up in a cabin somewhere alone for two whole weeks. I don’t like sharing you.”
Sid leaned down and kissed her. She pulled away, giggling. “Come on, we need to find someone to snoop for us.”
Sid took her hand. “I’d rather stay here and make out with you.”
Aspen looked around the moldy room. “I can think of better places.”
“True.”
He pulled her into the cave. At first it was pretty dark, but after a few moments, Sid started to notice the colorful shapes on the ceiling. The mirrors along the ground reflected their bright colors.
“What the hell?” Aspen yelled.
Sid spun around. A small bright blue dragon had landed on her shoulder.
“Sorry,” she said. “He surprised me.” She tickled the little dragon under his chin, and he nuzzled his head into her hair.
Sid gave her a grin. “Understandable.”
Three more dragons fluttered down. A rainbow-colored one landed on her other shoulder, a bright green one on her head, and a purple and gold one clutched onto her back.
“They’re squawking about pictures,” Aspen said.
“Ha. Well, I can go find Darneil if you want to stay here and take pictures.”
Two more dragons attached themselves to her arms. “I can’t. I need to talk to him about Runa and show him that she’s happy.”
Sid took her hand as they made their way farther in. He didn’t want to lose her under the barrage of dragons. He was surprised none had landed on him, but that was probably because he was the king.
He came around the corner and saw Darneil sitting on a cushion on his makeshift throne. He was a kaleidoscope of colors. Brilliant reds and greens, with a touch of yellow here and there. Sid thought that by being with Runa he’d have gotten used to the beauty, but it still astounded him every time. He wished there was something in the prophecy about the underground dragons gaining daylight sight. They’d make such a gorgeous addition to the dragons.
Darneil’s head popped up, and a grin split his face. Have you brought my Runa home?
“I am sorry, but I have not. She refuses to come,” Sid said.
Darneil’s face fell. Then how dare you come. Leave. I have nothing to say to you until you bring back my Runa.
Aspen stepped forward, dragons hanging all over her. “She’s very happy. Can I show you?”
Darneil gazed up at Aspen and snorted multi-colored poofs. Would you like me to tell them to back off?
“No, I like them, but it would be nice if I could actually move.”
Give the queen some space. She’ll take all of your pictures. But first, I must learn about my Runa.
The dragons attached to Aspen all fluttered up and landed on the ground around her feet. She looked down and chuckled. Then she shuffled forward so she didn’t step on any of them. The crowd around her grew.
Aspen pointed to the cushion next to Darneil. “May I sit?”
He hesitated. “That’s Runa’s seat. But yes, you may sit.”
Aspen sat down and got out her phone. Every dragon following her stood a little taller.
She held the screen in front of Darneil’s face and flipped through the pictures. “See she’s so excited to be out in the open.”
Darneil nodded somberly. Yes, she is. Do you think she’ll ever come home?
“She misses you. I’m sure she’ll come visit you if you promise not to trap her here. She needs to have freedom to go where she wants. She’ll never be happy otherwise,” said Aspen.
&nbs
p; Aspen paused, and Sid continued for her. “She really is very happy. She’s spending time with her mom, and she loves flying in the open air. But I will tell her you want to see her.”
Darneil glanced at the phone, then up at Aspen. Leave. I want to be alone.
He swiveled around on his seat, curled into a ball, and tucked his head under his wing. Aspen gave Sid a look of concern.
“Aspen, why don’t you go and take pictures. I’d like to talk to Darneil alone.”
She stood and her swarm of dragons all started nosing each other to get close to her. She moved to the other side of the cave. Sid could still see her, but she would be out of earshot of their conversation.
Sid sat down and tapped Darneil on his shoulder. He squirmed but did not reveal his face. “Darneil, I need your help.”
He poked his head out. How dare you ask me for help? You took my Runa away from me.
“She stowed away. I did not take her. It’s not my fault she will not come back. Would you rather I kick her out in the hope she returns here? She won’t. She’ll go find someone else to live with. She’s miserable underground. Surely even you know that.”
He grumbled and nodded. What kind of help do you need?
“The white witch has risen.”
What? You must tell Runa to return, or she will not be safe.
“She’s as safe as she can be. But I will tell her of your concerns. This war has quickly spiraled out of control. The humans have gotten involved. We were hoping they would be on our side, but as of right now they want all the dragons dead. I met with the president, and she said she would consider helping us. But if she decides not to, we can’t risk meeting with her again. Jonathan mentioned you have dragons you’ve used as spies before. Can I use them?”
Under one condition.
Sid already knew what that would be, but he asked anyway. “What condition?”
You bring my Runa here.
“I cannot promise that. I will do everything I can to convince her to come back, but she can make her own decisions.”
Then I will not help you.
Sid slammed his fist down in frustration. Time was of the essence. He didn’t know how to convince this dragon that he would not force Runa to do anything she didn’t want to do.
“I need your spies now. The soonest I could get Runa here would be tomorrow. Even then, there is no way I can ensure that she won’t escape.”
I do not answer to you, Obsidian. You will leave, and you will not darken my door until you bring me my daughter.
“Excuse me. I am your king. You answer to me. Now, your spies. Where are they?”
Darneil stood tall. You are not my king. The underground dragons have always been under our own domain. You will not have my spies. Now I suggest you leave before you have another battle you want to fight. And tell my princess I want her home.
Darneil took to the air and fluttered into a small hole. His words floated around in Sid’s head. Princess. Runa. He didn’t want to believe it. He’d have to ask her about it when they returned home. If Darneil thought he was king of his own people, Runa being the princess made sense. Also, from what Runa said, all the underground dragons pledged allegiance to him. That would in a make him a king. Sid rubbed his hand across his face. As if he needed one more thing to think about.
He found Aspen knee deep in the tiny dragons. “Come on, we need to go.”
She looked over her shoulder, keeping her phone trained on the posing dragons. “Where are the spies?”
“Darneil said no and ran away. Let’s go see if Jonathan has any other ideas.”
She nodded and waved the dragons away. They followed anyway, only stopping when they got to the doorway. No one wanted to risk their eyes.
Aspen gazed up at the staircase. “Oh man. Last time we didn’t have to climb.”
Sid nudged her. “We can’t waste any more time. Let’s go.”
She grimaced but started the climb. “What happened with Darneil?”
Sid explained his insistence that he bring Runa back. He left out the part of Runa being a princess. He didn’t want Aspen worrying unnecessarily.
The trek up the stairs was long and tedious, and by the time they reached the top, Aspen collapsed.
“Just give me a second,” she said in a breathy voice. He sank down next to her, and she laid her head on his shoulder.
“Does it feel like we keep hitting one dead end after another?” she asked.
He wrapped his arms around her. “It does. But we’re going to make it. We have to.”
She nodded absently. “And if we don’t?”
“We won’t know any different.”
“I’m not ready to die, Sid.”
“Me either. We’ll find a way. Have a little faith.” He wasn’t sure he believed his own words, but he needed her too.
“I’m trying.”
Sid stood and pulled her up. “Surely Jonathan has other sources. Let’s go see what miracles he can work.”
A rustling came from the room beyond the stairwell. Sid shoved Aspen behind him.
“What’s that?” Aspen asked.
“No idea.” He eased the door open and found two small brown dragons on the ground in front him. He knelt down.
“Are you okay?” he asked them.
Yes. We overheard your conversation with Darneil, and we want to help.
“But your eyes.”
We are spies. We are already blind. Please let us help.
“But what about your devotion to Darneil?”
The shuffled a little. We do not see how we are being disloyal. You are fighting the white witch. We should all contribute. Darneil is acting foolishly because of Runa. He is letting her affect his judgment. We will help. What do you need?
Sid stood, not quite believing his luck. “Come with me. You have a meeting to attend.”
The dragons flew up and landed on each of his shoulders. They stepped out into the blinding sunlight and found the car still waiting for them. Sid instructed the driver to bring them to Jonathan’s place. Then he addressed his two new spies.
“I need you to sneak into the Pentagon and listen in on a meeting with the president and her chiefs of staff.”
We have done this for Jonathan before. The Pentagon is a very large building. We will need guidance in finding the right room.
“I’m sure Jonathan will have someone who can help with that.”
What are we listening for?
“You will need to find out if the president intends to fight with us or against us. If she chooses to fight against us, any information you have about what they are planning and where will be beneficial.”
Sounds easy enough.
Sid sat back in his seat as the car navigated the heavy traffic of D.C. Things were finally taking a turn for the better. He had spies, and so he’d be able to find out for sure if the president was on his side without risking being chained up again. He hoped she’d consider working together.
When they arrived to the brownstone, they pushed the door open and found the once full room nearly empty.
Jonathan sat at the table.
“Where is everyone?” Sid asked.
“They are making their way home. They don’t trust the president.”
“Well, we have spies. Do you have anyone they can sneak in with that can guide them to the right room?”
“I don’t. Sid, we’ve been over this. We were very open with the president about who we had in the government. They won’t trust any of us.”
Sid sank down, defeated. He had no idea what to do next.
Aspen nudged him. “What about Freddie?”
“What about him?”
“He can go.”
“No, he said he wasn’t invited.”
“We don’t need to get him into the ac
tual meeting, right? We just need to get him to find the right room.”
Sid glowered. He didn’t want to involve Freddie. Aspen said he reminded her of Rowan, but that didn’t mean Sid trusted him. Not to mention that even if Aspen didn’t like Freddie like that, Freddie definitely liked her.
“I suppose we don’t have any other options.”
She gave him a big smile and pulled out her phone. Her fingers moved furiously across the screen. Sid waited a few seconds.
“Okay he’s in. Where do we want to meet him?”
“The parking lot of the Pentagon,” Jonathan said. “We can wait for him there.”
Sid nodded. “Sounds good. Let’s go.”
Freddie looked at the two little dragons with wide eyes. “I didn’t know they came that small.”
Sid rolled his eyes. “Yeah, they’ll ride on your shoulders when you enter the building. You just need to get them to the right room. They can get inside themselves.”
Freddie creased his forehead. “No offense, but there is no way I’m going to get them past security. Even if they are harmless.”
“They can camouflage themselves. Watch.”
One of the spy dragons on the ground turned as black as the pavement.
“Holy cow. That’s amazing. Okay, I can get them in. Do I need to wait for them? That might look a little suspicious.”
“Nope. Just get them in, and then come out here to wait with us.”
Freddie knelt down on the ground next to the spies. “Can I keep them when we are done?”
“They’re not pets. They are probably more intelligent than you. Don’t underestimate them.” Sid couldn’t believe the nerve of this kid. He claimed to love dragons, but he didn’t understand anything about their world.
“Can I communicate with them?”
“Probably. They’ll talk with their minds.”
A few moments passed, and then Freddie fell over.
He rubbed his forehead. “What was that?”
Aspen laughed. “Yeah, I had a similar reaction when Sid first talked to me.” She offered Freddie her hand. He took it with a grin, and she pulled him up. Sid stepped in between them. “Time to go. You ready?”
Freddie nodded. The two spy dragons hopped up on his shoulders and blended in with his coloring. Freddie looked back and forth between his shoulders. “Incredible,” he muttered.
The Kings: The Dragon Kings Book 5 Page 9