My Dragon Masters

by Krystal Shannan

  “D! What the hell?” Eira blurred to my side and tried to grab the knife, but surprisingly I held my own. She swore something I didn’t understand under her breath, but stopped trying to pull the knife away.

  I raised my hand over the empty glass and let my blood trickle into it, filling it at least halfway, before she started protesting that it was too much. Opening my hand, I held it up and blew ice-cold air across my bloody palm. The bleeding stopped almost instantly and the cut began to knit back together.

  Eira sucked in a quick gasp beside me and leaned closer to my hand. “How did you know you could do that?”

  I really didn’t know. It’d felt almost like muscle memory. “Instinct I guess,” I replied.

  “Thank you for the blood, but you really didn’t have to do this. I can go weeks if I need to.”

  “But you don’t need to. And since we don’t want to freeze your pretty face off, I figured this was the next best way.”

  Eira laughed out loud and held up the cup. “I never thought I’d get to taste the blood of a dragon. It’s an honor.”

  “You are welcome. I hope it helps.”

  She nodded and took a long drag from the cup. I grimaced watching her, not able to imagine the taste of blood being pleasant, but she certainly seemed to be enjoying it. A minute later she was draining the cup of the last drop and licking her lips.

  “Well? What does dragon blood taste like?”

  “Better than a thousand-dollar bottle of wine. Holy mother of the gods, you taste like pure heaven and energy.”

  I smiled and dabbed my forehead with the back of my hand. My heat was getting worse again. And I could smell every single male in this establishment. Chad was two rooms away. But there were ten other males on this floor with us and I wanted all of them. By the gods indeed, there had to be a way to get this to stop. I eyed the closed door and then let my gaze flick back to Eira.

  “Your heart’s racing. D, what’s wrong?”

  “It’s the heat cycle, it’s building again. It’s a pain worse than starving. I know I can’t give in, but I keep considering it. I’m afraid the pain will overrule my will.”

  Eira set the cup on the table by the window. “Just lie down and count the dots on the ceiling. I’ll be back shortly with something for you to eat. Do. Not. Leave. This. Room.”

  I walked back to the iced-over bed and sat down, the blankets crunched under my weight. It was ridiculous. How hard was it to sleep on a bed without freezing it into a block of ice? “Bloody hell.”

  “It will get better. You will figure out your powers or we will find someone who can help.” She said, slipping from the room.

  The door closed with an ominous snap. I listened as her footsteps became fainter. I wanted to leave, but I wouldn’t. Being shot at again or taken by someone was not on my agenda for the day. Still, it was hard for me not to leave the room and explore.

  But, every time I stared at the closed door, I remembered the screaming and yelling of the people in the streets, and the pain and terror I’d felt when the soldiers started firing at me with those metal weapons. Eira told me they were called guns and could fire from a long range.

  I’d never seen anything that shot a projectile besides a bow and arrow. I found it strange I could remember tidbits about how life should be, but nothing specific to my life. It was like they’d taken my memories of people and myself and left me with only factual information. But even the facts were foggy.

  I pressed my lips together tightly, closed my eyes, and screamed on the inside. When I opened my eyes again, the whole room had another layer of frosty ice covering every surface—the furniture, both beds, and the mirror in the washroom. Bloody hell!

  The only thing not covered in ice was me. And because of this horrid mating heat, the blankets beneath me were melting. How could I be so warm and yet be able to cover an entire room in ice with a mere frustrated thought?

  CHAPTER TWELVE

  DIANA

  The door to the room squeaked and shuddered on its frozen hinges as Eira pushed it open. She stepped into the room and her feet crunched on the frosted carpet.

  “D! Really? Again?” Her voice was filled with more annoyance than usual. She closed the door and yanked one of the chairs free from the floor, shaking it until all the ice broke free. Then she sat at the frost-covered table and set a brown paper bag on it. The smells coming from the bag were greasy, but appetizing. My stomach rumbled hungrily at this point, willing to eat about anything.

  I followed her example and cleaned off the other chair next to the small table by the window. After brushing away as much ice as would come loose, I sat down and sighed.

  “I am sorry. I didn’t mean to do it.”

  “They will be able to track us because of this. The hotel will report it.”

  “I can leave. You have all done enough already. I should not be putting you in danger because of my lack of discipline.” I started to stand, but she put her hand on mine and then jerked it back.

  “Damn, girl. For all this ice, you’re burning up. Kind of an oxymoron, you freezing the room, yet burning up like an overfed furnace.”

  “I don’t know what you meant by half of that, but yes. I am confused by the conflicting elements. On top of that, I feel as though I will go mad if I do not find a man to … satisfy me soon.”

  “Don’t you dare. You’ll end up icing them or the whole hotel.”

  I grimaced. She was right, but it was so hard to hold back. “I can smell them. Chad is only two rooms away and there are ten other males in this establishment right now. I know exactly where they are. Their scent calls to me like—”

  “Like nothing, dragon lady. You need to keep your icy breath and fiery skin to yourself until we get to Ada and talk to my friend.”

  “What will your friend be able to do?”

  “Hopefully break whatever spell is messing with your memory. I’ve never met a supernatural that didn’t have control of their powers. Whatever’s missing in your brain has to be affecting your abilities.” She opened the bag and handed me a warm bit of food wrapped in brown paper.

  I unwrapped it and took a bite of the strange conglomeration of meat, cheese, and bread. It was not unpleasant, but it certainly was not great, either. My stomach couldn’t care less and I ate it quickly, relishing every greasy bite.

  Licking my fingers, I eyed the strange-looking yellow strips Eira was putting out on a napkin in front of me.

  “Guess I don’t have to ask if you liked the hamburger,” she said, smiling. “Try the French fries. They’re the best around here, so I’ve been told. We’re heading out this afternoon to try and get a jump start on the next stopover.”

  “That thing did not taste like ham.” I stated, before biting into one of the soft yellow strips she’d called French fries.

  “That’s probably because there’s no ham in it. It was beef.”

  “Oh. Why do they not call it a beef-burger then?”

  “Good question, D. I don’t know.” Eira’s face contorted into a suspicious smirk.

  After finishing the strange meal, I returned to the now-soggy bed and sat down. The mattress squished beneath me and I wrinkled my nose in disgust. At least the enchanted clothes she had provided would dry almost instantly when I stood again.

  “I’m going to go talk to Charlie. Stay in the room.”

  “Of course,” I answered, waving as she disappeared out the door again. I couldn’t blame her for wanting to go. The room was cold, wet, and covered with layers of ice and frost. It was terrible and I didn’t want to be in it, either. It couldn’t possibly hurt to sit outside in the fresh air.

  I stood and walked to the door, pulling it open a crack to listen. No one was outside my door, so I stepped outside into the chilly air and took a deep breath. The fresh air was invigorating and I sat down on the lip of the walkway outside our door. The inn was secluded. In the distance I could see a large body of water, possibly the lake Eira had mentioned last night.

&n
bsp; Footsteps to my left made me turn my head, but I already knew it was Chad from his scent on the breeze. I stood and moved back to the cracked doorway, not trusting myself with him this close. He stopped and nodded, tipping the strange, wide-brimmed hat he was wearing. He was so handsome. But it was really his scent that made my entire body weak with want. It filled my lungs and I dug my fingers into the wood trim of the doorway to hold myself back. I wanted him. In my room. In me. Wherever I could have him, actually.

  “How are you doing traveling with Eira?”

  His question caught me off guard. The tone of his voice wasn’t unfriendly, but he seemed upset.

  “I am well, thank you. Eira is an excellent companion.”

  “Did you feed her?” His voice was accusatory. “She looked perky this morning. You shouldn’t, you know. It’s dangerous to let one of them get attached to you.”

  “I’ve saved your ass on more than one occasion, so just put a sock in it. As far as Randall and Charlie go, I’m as old as dirt and know a lot more about this world than they do,” Eira said, appearing suddenly at the door next to Chad. Her eyes were ringed with red and she looked cross. “I told you to stay away from her. Her powers are unstable. Would you like to be turned into a human Popsicle?”

  He glared at her before turning on his heel and walking off, his boots thumping the hard stone-like ground like a fuming bull.

  I swallowed and turned my gaze back to Eira. She narrowed her eyes and came toward me. I moved and allowed her into the room.

  “I asked you to stay in the room.”

  “Why would he care if I fed you?”

  She slammed the door. Sheets of ice shook loose from the walls and crashed to the floor. “Look … as a rule, wolves don’t like vampires, but they need me. I can jump the Republic fences and they can’t without me. Makes crossing the borders much stealthier. They won’t let me drink from any of them because they fear that I’ll bond to them or some such shit. Which is only true if I drink from the vein.”

  “What kind of bond?”

  “A sexual one.”

  I raised my eyebrows. “But I cut myself to feed you. You didn’t have to bite me. Why would they care about that? You do look much better. Your color and everything is brighter.”

  Eira sank into the chair by the small table and frowned. “They’re just stubborn, superstitious, and most of the pack only tolerates my presence because Charlie and I are friends.”

  “How did you come to befriend a werewolf, if none of them like vampires?”

  “It’s an interesting story and one that ends with me saving her mother’s life a long time ago.”

  “Yet, even Charlie will not allow you her blood?” I didn’t understand. How could she deny this person what she needed to live if she owed her mother’s life to her? Why didn’t the whole pack adore Eira?

  “I can see the questions rolling through your brain. Just forget about it. Even though we are friends, Charlie still grew up believing that vampires are evil, bloodsucking monsters that enslave the people they drink from. Needless to say, I normally have to go a week or two between feedings. It’s hard to find people out alone these days in the country. Humans have been educated to be a little smarter and I prefer to drink from people who take care of themselves, rather than the homeless and sick who live on the street.”

  “I do not mind sharing whenever you have need. It is the least I can offer for you stepping in to save my life and explain this strange world I find myself thrust into.” I sat down in the chair opposite her and she smiled at me.

  “Thank you, D. Though I would like to have some every day, I really won’t need more for several days.”

  “It is yours when you wish it. You need only ask.”

  “I really hope my friend in Ada can help you. I’m dying to know who you really are underneath all that well-mannered tactful speech. Because the woman fighting last night was a badass, not the proper and fancy lady-in-waiting type.”

  I gave her a quick nod. More than anything, I hoped for the same thing. Even more, I wanted names to go with the faces of the two men, the twins that haunted my dreams. I wanted to know why I would awake in the middle of the night, sometimes sobbing, and hear the cry of a baby in the recesses of my mind. But deep down, I really wanted to know who had stolen my life from me so that I could take my vengeance on them. So the beast inside me could rest from its relentless pacing and fury.

  CHAPTER THIRTEEN

  DIANA

  Day after monotonous day passed. The group moved steadily west each night and I continued to feed Eira every third day. She tried to say it was too often —an unnecessary risk— but I didn’t see it that way. I saw it as something I could contribute to this group. Because nothing I had done so far was making this trip any easier.

  My body burned at the touch and I iced everything around me when I slept. I’d taken to sleeping in the woods instead of the hotel where the pack holed up during the daylight hours. It was better than continuing to raise alarms when I ruined one hotel room after another. I hated that I inconvenienced Eira, but she said spending the night outdoors was nothing new to her and that my winterization didn’t bother her at all.

  She speculated one evening while we were walking, if all the ice was my powers trying to cool the fever that raged inside me from the heat. I wished I had an answer for her, but I did not. I saw it as torture. The desire to touch and be touched coupled with the knowledge that it could never happen. The heat within me was burning hotter than ever. Now, I would burn anyone who touched me. Even Eira refrained and joked that “in the middle of winter we could fry an egg on your stomach”.

  I looked up at the rising sun in the distance. Seeing the pinks, purples, oranges, and yellows every morning had become a favorite memory. I knew I’d been in that tower a long time. But there had been no windows, no way to measure the passage of time. Now witnessing the rise and fall of the sun each day was a blessing I would never again take for granted.

  “It’s beautiful, isn’t it?” Eira spoke next to me, her voice quiet and almost mournful. “I was trapped in the dark for so long before I got this ring.” She rolled the gold band around her finger and sighed. “It’s little moments like these that remind you why we want to keep living. Keep fighting.”

  “I do not know how long I resided in that prison tower. Most likely centuries. I know nothing about myself or my kind and neither do you because they all disappeared off the face of the earth.” I kept walking and waited for her response.

  “No matter how long you were there, you have to focus on the here-and-now. You’re out and free. Don’t dwell in the past. I did that for a long time and I can tell you it sucks.”

  “Donkey balls?” I asked, trying to stifle a giggle.

  She laughed. “Yes, it sucks donkey balls, you crazy woman.”

  A howl echoed through the cold night air, making the hairs on the back of my neck stand on end, sending the joviality I’d felt skittering away. Since the night we’d been attacked, several of the group had taken to patrolling in wolf form to try and keep soldiers from being able to sneak up on us again.

  Eira tensed beside me and waited. I watched the muscles in her jaw flex as she tried to decide what to do.

  Another howl joined the first, followed by several short yips.

  “Soldiers?” My voice was no more than a breath of cold air, but Eira nodded.

  Footsteps sounded behind us as the group gathered. We moved off the road together into the dense trees and overgrowth to our right. A shot rang out, cutting through the night and one of the wolf’s songs was cut short.

  I whimpered and Eira covered my mouth with her hand, then drew it back again with a hiss. She’d forgotten the slightest contact burned like a live flame.

  “You have to be quiet, no matter what,” she whispered.

  Others crouched nearby and the tension in their bodies was nearly unbearable. I could feel their anger and their sorrow over losing one of their own. Yet they didn’t move. How c
ould they stay here and—

  Another shot ended the remaining howling. Silence made the night air empty and stagnant. The breeze had died down, too. Both wolves were either dead or dying and we were all hiding.

  I did not like it.

  The beast within me did not like it.

  It was not right.

  Everyone looked to Eira, but she shook her head. Charlie was only a few feet away and she nodded to the vampire, agreeing with her assessment. I could hear noise in the distance. Voices. Conversations. The rumble of the large machines they called vehicles.

  “Why aren’t we doing something?”

  Eira shushed me and glared. “There are too many. We’re only twenty people. They have at least a hundred in this regiment. Can’t you hear them?”

  I nodded. I could, but I still wanted to fight. Being stopped by these men was not an option. Answers waited for me in Ada. At least I hoped they did. Two wolves had possibly already given their lives tonight. Did they expect to hide in these trees and never be found?

  Crawling forward slowly, I peered up and down the empty road. I could hear them coming, but it would be several minutes before they arrived. Eira crept up beside me and hissed. “Stop. What the hell do you think you’re doing?”

  “I’m going to fight.”

  “You’re being ridiculous. You can’t even control your own sweat, how are you going to fight a hundred highly trained soldiers?”

  “You know this heat I’m in is not my fault,” I shot back. “The beast wants to fight. It doesn’t like hiding. I don’t like hiding.”

  “Well la-de-dah to the beast,” she growled. “I would rather not die because you have a sudden hero complex.”

  “We beat the last group that attacked us.”