A Dragon's Body: A New Adult Fantasy Dragon Series (The MINATH Chronicles Book 2)

by A. L. Tippett

  “That is what they want you to believe, Seraphina. And they do a good job of hiding the truth. I can’t prove anything to you with my words alone. And you can’t prove to me that you are worthy of my trust yet. But actions speak louder than words. We are in the midst of preparations to conduct an extraction from the IRC of one of our members and now it seems Wolfseye wants us to know we can trust you.” Urma inclined her head towards the wooden carving around Sera’s neck.

  “Why do you call Tracker Helena Wolfseye?” Sera interrupted.

  “We use codenames for all of our Little Birds who are working undercover,” Urma explained.

  “Right. So, what do you want from me?”

  “I like you.” The sphinx smiled, revealing two elongated canines. “You don’t mince your words. What we would ask is for you to steal the latest blueprints of the IRC. From what our Little Birds have said, the only copy currently in Mandar City is saved to President Kaesus’ Personal Security Band. We need you to steal it for us.”

  “That’s impossible! I can’t do that. Why can’t Tracker Helena steal it?”

  “She has recently fallen under close scrutiny by the President so she is not performing any jobs for us until his attention shifts.”

  Sera ran her fingers over her hair uneasily. “It’s just… I’m trying to avoid the President at the moment, considering the last time we met he obliterated over a week’s worth of memories. I have a feeling he won’t be so lenient this time.”

  Urma considered Sera for a long moment with her head cocked, her blonde locks cascading over her shoulders, before saying, “It’s for Tormund. He was taken by the IRC and hasn’t been seen for weeks. He has something valuable that we need. And he has been a good friend to the Little Birds. I will do all that I can to save him.”

  “Professor Tormund’s been taken?” she whispered in horror.

  “Yes. Because he dared to share the truth about dragons.”

  “You know they’re not extinct?” Sera exclaimed.

  “As do you, apparently?” The sphinx’s catlike ears perked up and her yellow eyes sharpened.

  Sera chuckled darkly. “You could say that. That was why President Kaesus removed my memories.”

  “I see. That’s very interesting. And I take it you have them back now?”

  “Yes. Alistair— I mean, Greykin — helped return them to me.” Absentmindedly, Sera rubbed her arm where the stone dragon had mauled her. It had healed surprisingly fast. The skin was still tender but only a pinkish scar remained.

  Urma nodded decisively and said, “This cements my belief that you are the right person for the job.”

  “How in Ghaia’s name would I even begin to try stealing his PSB?”

  “The President will be giving a speech at the Choosing Ceremony tomorrow night. Perhaps you could find a way to steal it whilst he’s distracted?” Sera opened her mouth to argue but Urma cut her off. “I would appreciate it if you would think on it. Meet Wren at the Peace Tree when the new moon rises tonight and give him your answer. He will tell me your decision.”

  Sera chewed her lip. “All right then. I’ll think about it. By the way, I have a message for the Little Birds. Greykin asked me to tell you that he’s had to flee. He didn’t say where, but he’ll be in contact when it’s safe.”

  “I had been told his cover was blown but when I hadn’t heard from him I feared the worst. That’s good news that he’s safe, at least for now. Thank you for passing his message on. Now, it’s time for you to return to Mandar City. A warning for you, Seraphina. Prove yourself trustworthy and we will welcome you into our ranks with open arms. Betray us and you will die. Wolfseye is aware of your task. She’ll be watching you closely. If you choose not to accept the mission, you must swear on your life that you won’t disclose any information you have learned here. The Little Birds are everywhere and they whisper in my ears. If you deceive us, we will find you.” Urma’s face lit up with a stunning smile then and she purred, “However, I’m sure you will prove yourself and I won’t need to follow through with any of my threats. And don’t forget, it is Tormund’s life on the line.”

  Chapter Twenty-Three

  Mind whirring, Sera ambled into the entrance of her work and automatically signed in with a touch of her PSB at one of the terminals. She ignored the sleek silvery letters behind the front desk proclaiming this was the Mythic Relations Office, where they ‘fostered mythic-human relations for a harmonious world’ as she contemplated Urma’s request.

  Am I really considering stealing from the President? But if I don’t steal the plans, and the Little Birds go in there without current information, they’ll probably die and Tormund won’t be saved.

  She mindlessly walked past the elevator she’d usually take to the third floor and followed a hallway towards the rear of the building. She had come here to train in the hopes the exercise would clear her mind and help her come to a decision about the Little Birds’ request. Reaching an opaque glass door on the right side of the hall, she swiped her PSB against the control panel and the door slid open with a hiss. She entered the locker room shared by both Hunters and Trackers as the lights automatically turned on.

  Sera strode across the tiled floor to her locker and opened it with another tap of her wristband. The tidy shelves inside housed her set of throwing knives, her kurrtoh, a safe that housed her gun and bullets, a spare uniform and her standard-issue MRO Survival Kit. She didn’t know how they did it as she never saw cleaners, but a fresh uniform would be in her locker next time she came to train. A single photo of her and Allen at her Choosing Ceremony was pasted to the back wall of the locker. Worry flared in her chest as she thought of her father. She’d been so caught up in her encounter with the Little Birds that she hadn’t had a chance to check on him this morning.

  Her anxiety flared as she felt the pressure building from all the people who were relying on her. Stamping her worries down, she decided not to focus on target practise today, instead grabbing her kurrtoh. The short, unassuming black stick wasn’t usually her weapon of choice, but today she needed to sweat. Skimming her finger over a hidden button, the stick elongated into a stave. Hefting it in her hands to refamiliarise herself with the weight, she twirled it around her body once before slinging it over her shoulder and heading to the training yard.

  ***

  Panting, Sera swung the kurrtoh into the metal dummy again and again. The hum of adrenaline coursing through her veins kept her pushing through the fatigue even as her arms grew heavy. Sweat dripped down her back, drenching her shirt in the heat of the afternoon sun. She spun and twisted around the model of the werewolf, landing strikes on its muzzle, spine and legs, as she’d been trained to do. All Hunters and Trackers were taught how to fight mythics with a variety of weapons, with the goal to incapacitate, rather than execute. The MINATH mantra, “Capture, don’t kill,” was drilled into them from day one of their apprenticeship.

  She continued to jab the dummy, her body drained of energy, but her frenzied thoughts had finally calmed. As she leapt away, evading an imaginary attack, Sera realised she’d taken herself into the same meditative place in her mind as when she used her powers. She swept her kurrtoh up under the werewolf’s silver jaw, but her fatigue caused the angle of her swing to veer awkwardly. When her stave connected with the metal, it sent shockwaves up her arm. The jarring set her teeth on edge and left a numb feeling in her forearm. Halting her furious attack, she straightened and backed away, rubbing her right arm. Her legs trembled and her body sagged as her battle fury ebbed.

  I’ll have a shower, then I’ll go visit Dad at the infirmary.

  Ignoring the other Hunters and Trackers who were now practising in the training yard while she’d focused on her own drill, she headed back to the locker room. The glass door slid closed smoothly behind her and the AI, Frank, said something which she didn’t hear but the tone sounded like a question. Sera pulled herself out of her reverie and asked, “Sorry, Frank, what did you say?”

  “I said
, you seem distracted. Are you well, Tracker Seraphina?”

  “Oh! Um…” Frank had never asked her a direct question before, and certainly not one about feelings. He usually announced any arrivals to the office of the Director and was permanently on hand to answer questions from staff. “I’m okay. There’s just a lot going on in my head at the moment.” A click from the door announced it had been locked and the lights in the locker room blinked out. Fear spiked through Sera and she asked apprehensively, “Erm, Frank? What’s happening?”

  “I’ve been wanting to speak to you alone and haven’t had an opportunity until now.”

  The computerised tone of his voice had few inflections, making it difficult to comprehend the context of his words. Sera waited anxiously for him to enlighten her.

  “As you know, I see everything in this building. I’m privy to many private conversations. I’ve spoken to Tracker Helena and she’s asked if I could assist you. I can help you get the President’s plans tomorrow night while he’s busy at the Choosing Ceremony.”

  “What? How do you know about that?” she exclaimed.

  “As I said, I am working with Tracker Helena. She can’t afford to arouse any more suspicion so she’s laying low. She mentioned you might be tasked with this job.”

  “How could you help?”

  “I can unlock any door in this building. When the President checks in, I can run a scan on his Personal Security Band claiming it is part of my security process and create a copy of the plans. If you can get to the MRO’s secure server during the night, I can transfer it onto your PSB and from there you can give it to the Little Birds.”

  “Why would you do all this for me?”

  “I may only be a computer to you, but I have feelings too. I have seen some terrible things happen to mythics over the years and I want to help put a stop to it.”

  “How do I know I can trust you?” Sera demanded.

  “I suppose you don’t. It may help your decision to know that Tracker Helena has entrusted me with her codename, Wolfseye. I can also tell you, do not use the elevator to access the basement where my Server Room is, as it has a security camera installed. Ultimately, it is your decision whether you place your faith in me and allow me to prove myself when I transfer you the plans.”

  Sera warred internally. Frank’s solution would make her job a lot easier but she wondered whether to trust the AI. She talked out the possible scenarios in her head to weigh up her options.

  If I don’t accept this job from the Little Birds, Tormund and his rescue team will likely die without the updated IRC plans. If I accept the job and place my trust in Frank, there’s a higher chance we’ll be successful, meaning none of us die. If he betrays me, then it’s the same result as before. No matter how scared I am, I can’t just leave Professor Tormund locked up in there.

  Mind made up, she said, “If Tracker Helena trusts you, then so do I. Your help would be greatly appreciated. Thank you, Frank.”

  “You’re welcome. If you would hold your PSB over the locker room control panel, I will pinpoint the precise location of my server room so you can find it easily tomorrow night.”

  Sera did as she was asked and waited until she heard a beep. She tapped her screen and brought up the map of the MRO that she’d received when she commenced her employment. A small red dot that wasn’t there previously pulsed in the basement.

  “Once the President is giving his speech, sneak away to my server room and I will be able to securely download the file onto your PSB. Do you have any questions?”

  “No, I think I’ve got it.”

  “If you have any trouble along the way, I may be able to help. Just say my name.” Sera could have sworn the tone of Frank’s computerised voice almost had a smile in it.

  “Thank you,” she said sincerely. “This will be an enormous help.”

  The lights hummed back to life and the door clicked as Frank unlocked it once more. Sera placed her kurrtoh back in the locker and grabbed her spare uniform and a towel before proceeding to the shower. Locking the cubicle door behind her, she undressed and turned the hot water on. As she stepped under the spray, the locker room door hissed open. Paying no mind, Sera continued washing her body until an unwelcome voice began complaining loudly.

  “It’s so annoying. I just want to get back out there chasing mythics! I wish the stupid bitch would just get over herself,” Tyler’s voice was unmistakable. Sera’s blood ran cold at the sound.

  Another Hunter answered, “What’s the go with her, anyway? She’s not injured, is she? Why is she still stuck on desk duty?”

  “Apparently, she went crazy while she was lost in the woods.” Sera could almost hear the eyeroll in his voice. “She doesn’t remember anything. But that’s not my problem! She needs to do her job. I’m sick of spending my days doing odd jobs and target practise. I need to hunt!”

  “I get that, man!” The clap of a high-five echoed through the room. Sera kept silent as the hot water ran over her shoulders, praying they didn’t take too long so she wouldn’t have to face Tyler.

  “And another thing,” said Tyler. “On Tuesday, when we were tracking the rogue unicorn, a harpy attacked us. She knew Sera. Sera reckons she doesn’t have any memory of her, but I think something is going on. And I’m going to find out exactly what it is,” he added darkly.

  “If Sera is doing something dodgy, you’ll figure it out,” said Tyler’s friend.

  “Come on, man, let’s forget about her and go shoot some shit.”

  Two pairs of footsteps exited the locker room. As soon as the door hissed shut, Sera let out an explosive breath and turned off the shower. She dried and dressed herself swiftly before exiting the cubicle and throwing her sweaty uniform into the laundry chute in the wall. She hurried down the hall away from the training yard, glancing over her shoulder to make sure Tyler wasn’t there, and added another worry to her growing list.

  What am I supposed to tell people now that I have my memories back?

  Chapter Twenty-Four

  Sera arrived at the front desk of the MRO to see Irvin manning the phones today. She wasn’t well acquainted with the Tracker, but he was nice enough. He’d been placed in the office when his Hunter passed away on a mission and he hadn’t found a new partner yet. His caramel-coloured hair was styled neatly and he smiled warmly as Sera approached.

  “Good afternoon, Tracker Seraphina, how can I help you today?”

  “Hi, Tracker Irvin, I’m wanting to see my father in the infirmary, please.”

  He looked puzzled. “Your father? That’s Tracker Allen, right? I didn’t realise he was in the infirmary, what happened?” he asked as he picked up the phone and dialled the internal number for the medic team.

  “He’s been unwell for a couple of days and checked in last night.” She waited while he spoke quietly. Sera plucked at a loose thread on her shirt and shifted her weight impatiently.

  Hanging up, he said with a frown, “He’s not there, Tracker Seraphina.”

  “Really? I guess he must be feeling well enough to go home. That’s good, but a bit odd that he didn’t call me.”

  “No, I mean, he was never there. Who told you he was in the infirmary?”

  “What?” she exclaimed. “I called the after-hours line last night and spoke to Quill who said he was here! He was asleep when I called so I didn’t get to speak to him directly…” She trailed off, fear lancing her heart, her breathing erratic and a strange ringing in her ears.

  “Quill? There is no Quill who works here. Trust me, I know everyone who works behind the desk. I’ve never heard of a Quill.”

  “What in the Four Gods’ name has happened then?” she cried. Irvin watched sympathetically as she pulled her phone out and called her father. The phone went straight to his message bank. Hanging up, she blinked the tears out of her eyes. “Can you please contact Tracker Helena and let her know my father is missing?” she asked around the lump in her throat. “I’ve got to go.”

  Leaving the MRO behind
, she flew along the pavement, sprinting to the stables. Pushing her fears aside, she reached out to Arius.

  I’m sorry to keep doing this but I need your help again.

  Are you all right, my love?

  My father was never at the infirmary. He’s gone missing. I have no idea where he is, or if he’s even… she was unable to complete the sentence, refusing to believe that he was dead.

  I’ll do a scout for you and see what I can find. Link your mind to me later tonight and I’ll let you know if I’ve found anything.

  Thank you. I love you, Arius.

  A warm rumble filled her head. I love you too, Seraphina. Stay safe, my love.

  Fly fierce.

  Strike strong, he responded.

  She’d arrived at the stables now so cut off her connection with her Soulbound. Entering the well-kept barn, she rushed down the line of stalls that opened into the paddocks. Locating Balthazar’s, she peeked over the stall door. The buckskin unicorn was lying down, snoring softly. A small sliver of guilt pecked at her for waking him, but this was an emergency.

  “Balthazar,” she called softly.

  With a grunt, he woke up and looked around in a daze. Spotting her head over the door, he nickered softly and stood up. “Seraphina.” His deep voice was a welcome sound after not seeing him for three days.

  “How are you?” she asked as she let herself in and wrapped her arms around his neck, burying her face in his black mane.

  He tucked his head over her shoulder and pulled her close, whuffling into her auburn hair. “I’m much recovered, thank you. Not quite at full strength, but I should be well enough to return to work next week.”

  “That’s so good to hear, I’ve been worried about you.” She kept her face hidden, struggling to control the panic that threatened to overwhelm her.