Professor Raleigh paused in his tracks and slumped into a chair with a heavy exhalation.
“You’re right, Chace. I’ve spent the night on the phone with my supervisor chewing me out. I’ve made a mess of everything. Normally, I’m not supposed to let civilians even know who I am or what I do.” He paused and ran a hand through his hair again.
I wasn’t ready to forgive him or even feel sorry for him, but I could at least listen.
“So?” Chace asked, his chin thrust out stubbornly. “Why are you here?”
Professor Raleigh sat back and looked us straight in the eyes. “Boys, I’m going to go against everything my higher-ups have told me to do. They haven’t been here, haven’t met you. I have to do what I think is best.”
We waited, and I saw Chace roll his eyes. The professor didn’t seem to notice, or if he did, he didn’t say anything about it. Despite saying he’d made a decision, he still seemed conflicted. Finally, he huffed out a breath and continued.
“As I told Harley, the dragon came through a continuum warp. For some reason, Myrtle Beach is one of those keystones that attracts the fantasy realm. The space between the two worlds grows thin, and fantasy creatures are escaping. My job is to capture those animals and return them to a special farm where they are prevented from harming our world and safe from prying eyes. However, wherever you took the dragon is far enough out of range of my sensors that I believe it will be safe.”
“She’ll be safe,” Chace corrected.
Professor Raleigh raised an eyebrow, but nodded. “She’ll be safe. So, I’m going to let her stay wherever she is. I’m not going to ask where. I know you won’t tell me anyway.” He stood and took out his wallet. From it he produced a pair of business cards, distributing one to each of us. “If anything happens, and she’s no longer able to stay where you took her, give me a call. I’ll take her to our preserve. Until then, I hope not to hear from you.”
He walked out the front door. I sat staring at the card in my hand. Chace laughed. I looked up to see an elated grin covering his face.
“Harley, do you realize what this means? We can visit Steria whenever we want!”
I shook my head. “I don’t think so, Chace. I don’t trust him. Maybe later, after some time has passed we can go, but... for now, I’m afraid he’s just waiting for us to lead him to her.”
Chace’s face fell. “You think so?”
I nodded ruefully. “Sorry to disappoint you.”
“You’re probably right,” Chace said, but he was obviously crushed.
“At least she should be safe there,” I offered weakly.
“Yeah.”
We sat in silence for a while, warmed by the rays of sun that streamed in through the windows. On the wall, an old cuckoo clock ticked away, the only sound in the room. At last, I stretched and looked over at my friend.
“Want to go swimming?” I asked.
“Sure.” His smile showed the hurt underneath, but at least it was genuine. “Let’s ask Karis if she wants to take us all up to your place. Maybe your dad will be back by now as well.”
He nodded, and we left the silent room behind and ran upstairs to get my sister.
An Unexpected Escapade:
Chapter 1
The tinkling of the stream greeted Kajri’s ears, as it always did when she crested the hill. She descended into the little valley and lowered her head to drink, satisfying her thirst in the crystalline water. Dust motes danced in the streams of sunlight filtering through the trees. Her muzzle still damp, she moved to the nearest ray and smiled as her single pearlescent horn pierced the light. Lifting her hooves with a gentle movement, she pranced about the small clearing, soaking in the warmth of the sun and reveling in the joy that could only belong to those who made the wood their home.
Stopping suddenly, Kajri pricked her ears straight up, her attention wholly focused on the sound. Was it a voice? It was as if another language flowed from female lips. With slow movements, Kajri tilted her head and flicked her ears to gather the words closer, but the language still eluded her. Just as abruptly as the first sound had arisen, another overlaid it. Kajri pinioned her ears against her skull to shut out the shrill squeal. Her body went taut, muscles gathering to flee. Turning, she tried to run, only to find her hooves no longer touched the ground. Her forelock fluttered into her eyes, and she shook her head, trying to move it aside.
Just as inexplicably as they’d left it, her hooves gained purchase on the forest floor, and Kajri ran, dodging trees and roots in a desperate panic. At last, the screeching finally faded into the distance. Once she was confident it wouldn’t return, Kajri slowed to a trot and then to a walk, her sides heaving. She blinked and came to a standstill as cold drops began to pelt her skin. Her skin shivered and water dripped into her eyes. She looked around her. What had happened? Her own familiar forest had disappeared, and in its place lay a vista of rolling hills with evergreen trees. Where was she?
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More from Kandi J Wyatt
Middle Grade Fantasy
Journey from Skioria
Dragon Courage Series
Dragon’s Future
Dragon’s Heir
Dragon’s Revenge
Dragon’s Cure
Dragon’s Posterity
Dragon’s Heritage
Myth Coast Adventures
An Unexpected Adventure
An Unexpected Escapade (spring, 2019)
An Unexpected Exploit (fall, 2019)
Biblical Retellings
The One Who Sees Me (historical fiction)
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An Unexpected Adventure Page 13