by F. L. Jordan
The bag behind her rustled and she turned to investigate. Natalie fully expected to find a stray kitten or puppy inside. These were common creatures gangs used to initiate new members. She pulled her pocket knife out of her purse, ready to dispatch whatever poor mangled thing she found.
“Easy, little one,” she hoped her tone was calming as she tore open the bag, gasping at the sight within. Natalie gently pulled the small iridescent grey dragon from the sack and cradled it in her arms. It had several broken bones poking through its tough hide and was obviously weak from blood loss. Even in such a state, the creature still managed to hiss at her and feebly bite Natalie’s thick denim jacket.
Don’t use your energy, little one, Natalie stood and headed for her apartment. The beast glared at her, unsure of what it had just experienced. Dragon’s Tongue was an extremely rare ability. She couldn't blame the little thing for being confused.
She chose to keep talking to it, You’re not crazy, and I don’t expect you to trust me, but I'm going to try and help you, ok?
Ok, a weak, raspy, feminine voice raked against her skull.
I’m going to tuck you into my jacket so I can get you inside the building, Natalie slowly opened her clothing to the creature, surprised to find that the beast eagerly attempted to crawl within. Her apartment had a strict pet policy and dragons were on the top of their ‘not allowed’ list. This wasn’t uncommon for landlords to do. The little lizards were highly destructive.
Natalie knew she couldn’t take the creature to a vet. By law, all undocumented mythicals that were surrendered to a veterinarian were to be euthanised unless they were on the endangered list. Dragons were common stray creatures and considered a nuisance to the city. If Natalie took it to the vet, they'd kill it. So she decided to risk losing her home.
Considering the late hour, she managed to smuggle the little lizard into her apartment without issue, quickly making a bed for it in her bathroom out of towels, “Stay here, little one. I’m going to grab my spell book.”
The dragon draped over the soft bedding pathetically, wincing in discomfort, Not like I can really move.
Natalie ran to her bookshelf, snagging the leatherbound book she’d stolen from a former friend. There was a healing spell in there somewhere. After a few minutes she found it and smiled. She had the necessary ingredients. Natalie quickly gathered everything she needed, including a small cookpot, and ran back to the bathroom. She was surprised to find that the incident had sobered her up immensely. Perhaps her clarity of thought came from the adrenaline rushing through her.
The beast watched her intently as she mixed the potion, Are you some kind of low budget witch?
“Yes,” Natalie laughed. “Incredibly low budget, but very capable.”
We’ll see, the little grey dragon snuggled her face into the cloth, closing her eyes against her pain. Natalie wondered if all dragons were as negative as she and Copper.
“What’s your name?” she asked, stirring the bubbling mixture gently.
Slag, the beast didn’t move.
“Hang in there, Slag,” Natalie encouraged. “This should be ready soon. I’m afraid I’ll have to set your bones first though. Healing them as they are won’t do much good.”
I’ll try not to bite you, Slag said quietly. No promises, though.
Two hours, several bloody fingers, and one melted shower curtain later, Slag was properly bandaged and wrapped up in a blanket on Natalie’s bed. The healing potion had knocked the little lizard out, which Natalie was grateful for. She needed to clean up the mess and run to the convenience store down the block. She changed out of the party dress into some sweats and a t-shirt, stuffed all evidence of magic into a trash bag, and grabbed some cash as she headed out the door.
When she returned home the little dragon was rooting through her trash can, “Hey! Get out of that!”
I’m hungry, Slag ignored her and kept digging.
“I figured you would be,” Natalie sighed and reached into the rubbish, gently lifting the dragon out and setting her on the counter. “That’s why I ran and got you some things.”
As she set the grocery sack down the lizard pounced on it, shredding the plastic sack to ribbons. Natalie patiently picked her up again and set her back on the counter away from the groceries, “You have a choice of hot dogs, salami, or Vienna sausages.”
Can I see them? Slag asked curiously. Natalie suddenly realized that the creature likely had no idea which one was what.
"Of course," she smiled at the beast, setting the items before her. "This is the salami, these are hot dogs, and this little can has the sausages."
Slag slowly sniffed each one, maliciously attacking the package of hot dogs. Natalie watched her with sadness in her heart, "Slow down and enjoy it, little one. No one is going to take them from you. I'll pick up something better tomorrow when I come home."
You're not going to kick me out? Slag asked, confusion evident on her little grey face.
"Nope," Natalie yawned and scratched the small creature’s head gently, stopping the instant several scales came off under her freshly painted nails. "In fact, I'd be honored if you'd let me be your human."
She'd have to find a different apartment and get a permit, but this would probably be her only chance to actually own a dragon. They, like wands, were insanely expensive.
Can I try it out for a few days before I say yes? Slag chewed slowly now.
"Of course," Natalie watched her new companion, "and if you don't want to stay, that's fine too. You'll know where to find help if you get into a tight spot again."
I grew up in the streets, Slag wrestled a new hotdog out of the package. I'm used to tight spots.
"I get that," Natalie held the packaging for her, "were your parents dumped?"
Mom was, Dad was born on the street, Slag had finished her fourth dog and was starting to feel full.
"Want some water?" Natalie asked as she stood, opening the cabinet above her to fetch a bowl, filling it at the sink. The reptile didn’t reply, but gratefully slurped down the cool liquid before yawning.
Natalie watched as the creature tried to eat more, "If you're full it's ok. I can put it in the fridge for later. Like I said, no one will take it from you here."
Slag looked at her apprehensively before nodding and pushing the processed meat towards her. She watched Natalie intently as she placed the remaining food in a new bag and set it in the refrigerator. Clearly memorizing where it was located.
Natalie smiled at her and picked the critter up gently. Slag shied away from her touch briefly before allowing the action. Natalie set her down on the bed behind them and headed to the bathroom to clean up. When she returned Slag was out cold, snoring softly. Natalie carefully snuggled in beside her and turned out the light.
By morning, Slag was curled into Natalie's side, her bandages barely on. Natalie set out breakfast for the little dragon and got ready for the day. Slag was happily munching away when Natalie finished dressing.
"I'll be gone for a while," Natalie grabbed her keys and wallet. "The salami is on the counter. If you need more water, turn on the sink. I put a bowl in there to catch it for you, just remember to turn it off. I left the bathroom window open, feel free to come and go if you get bored. Just don't tear anything up or bring others back, ok?"
Ok, Slag responded as she burrowed down into the bed's sheets, poking her head through the folds of the cloth as Natalie opened the door, Have a good day!
"You too, little one," Natalie smiled and headed to work, praying her home would still be there when she got back.
~*~
Zach had just set his coffee down on his desk when a soft knock came on his office door, "Christ! Can't a man wake up before people bug him?"
"Good to see that shitty attitude is consistent," he recognized Natalie Lock's voice.
"What do you want?" Zach stood square, his hands stubbornly on his hips. He really didn't want this woman anywhere near Copper and the small creature was currently aslee
p on his desk. He’d never liked the early mornings that were required for Zach’s job.
"I had a question about dragons," her words caused his pulse to quicken.
"Look it up on the internet," Zach strode forward, confidently reaching for his door.
"I did, and I can't get a straight answer," she sounded upset. "You see, I took in a stray last night, and she's pretty malnourished. I wanted to ask you what the best source of protein would be for her?"
Zach paused, if she had a dragon of her own she'd leave Copper alone. "Fish has highly digestible proteins and fats. Stay away from processed meats, they tend to upset their digestive tracts. Do you have an owner's permit?"
He heard her sigh, "No, I was going to apply on my way home tonight, though."
Zach thought for a moment before turning around and pulling a notepad from his desk. He found a pen and scribbled down a few things, hopeful that his handwriting was legible. He tore off the sheet and walked back towards the woman.
"Since she's off the street, these are some things you'll want to pick up," he handed her the paper, "Good luck getting her to take the wormer, they hate it."
"Thanks," he could hear the smile in her voice, "I don't know if she'll stay with me, but I hope she does."
"What's she look like?" Zach hadn't talked about dragons with anyone for quite a while. His worry had begun to fade into something akin to excitement. He wasn’t used to having the same interests as another person.
"She's greyish," he knew the woman was using her hands to help her describe the animal, he could hear the fabric of her uniform as it moved, "with a rainbow hue that glimmers when she moves. She’s pretty small, though, and I’m not sure her wings are developed correctly. It’s almost like she has an extra bone that protrudes from her radiale. Oh, and she has horns. I haven’t seen a street dragon with horns before."
"Huh," Zach decided to sit down and sip his coffee, "that’s not a color you typically find in stray populations. As for the horns and extra bone, she’s likely got a little Romanian Spike Dragon blood in her. It’s uncommon around here in the strays, but a breeder did get in trouble a few years ago for dumping his failed breeding stock. How did you come across her?"
The woman groaned, "A local gang was using her as their initiation sacrifice."
Coffee nearly came out his nose, "Jesus, woman, don't tell me you broke it up?"
"Well... yeah," her voice held tones of offense, "I'm a cop. It's what we do."
"Not alone! Are you nuts?" Zach set his mug down, afraid to take another sip, "Which gang?"
"Sapphire Pents," her tone of nonchalance frightened him.
"I hope you weren't in uniform," he stated, not even trying to hide his concern, "SPs hate our precinct because we busted their underground black magic trade operation two years ago."
"I wasn't," he heard the frame of his door creak slightly as she leaned on it. "Poor dragon was an awful mess. They damn near broke every bone in her little body. She ripped me up pretty good while I doctored her."
"I'm not surprised," Zach shook his head. "What is surprising is that you have so little concern for your own life. How many of them were there?"
"Five little preteen wannabes," Natalie's voice had risen a fraction of an octave; she was lying, "not that hard to scare off."
"And how did you do that exactly?" Zach knew damn well that SPs didn't recruit 'wannabes'. They always found the meanest kids with the most magical talent.
"I guess I'm pretty scary in a back alley fight," he heard her push off the door frame, "anyway, thanks for the advice. I really appreciate it."
"Wait a minute, Ms. Lock," Zach allowed his authority to seep into his voice, "have a seat."
"I need to report to Betty," her voice had shifted again, she was nervous. What was she hiding?
"Betty can wait," Zach stood and motioned towards the chair that he knew was in front of his desk. "Sit, I want to hear more about the gang activity you witnessed."
She was about to protest when another knock came at his door. This one was hard and urgent.
"Hail, Captain needs you," it was Detective Frickle. "Said something about a special assignment."
"Great," Zach groaned, tapping the snoozing dragon that laid on his desk. "Come on, Copper, looks like we have work to do for once."
He felt the little dragon lazily climb up his arm and rest over his shoulders. Copper yawned then nuzzled his neck, letting Zach know he was ready to guide him, Lock is against the left side of the door frame.
As Zach passed her, he picked up the subtle scent of her perfume. It was sweet, like strawberries. For some reason, it didn't fit the woman he'd created in his mind. He wondered just how wrong his vision of Ms. Natalie Lock was. Probably highly inaccurate, not that it mattered. He’d never actually get to see her.
"We'll chat when I get back," he told her before pulling his office door closed.
"Who said I'll be here?" he felt her lean into him as she whispered. "Some of us actually have to work around here."
Zach felt the gentle brush of air as she walked away from him. He'd never had another officer talk to him like that. Even Captain Levit walked on eggshells around him.
I like her, Copper's voice snapped Zach out of his astonished stupor.
We're heading to the captain's office, Zach got the little dragon back on track, Anything I might crash into?
Lang didn't push in her chair, Laws left his trash in the aisle again, and the delivery guy stuck a bunch of packages by the captain's door, Copper answered as he surveyed the room.
Wonderful, Zach replied as he stepped forward. He'd been blind for almost three years now, yet stepping out into spaces like this always felt like walking into a trap. He walked with confidence, carefully avoiding all obstacles as Copper guided him around the room.
Now that Zach had figured out how to understand his surroundings through sound, he needed Copper much less than when he'd first been blinded, but having him at his side was comforting. He utilized the dragon in much the same way a child desired their favorite toy or blanket. Zach just felt safer when Copper was with him.
Zach knocked on the captain's door, opening it without waiting for permission, "You wanted to see me?"
"Yes," Captain Levit's voice held a serious tone that Zach knew well. He was about to be sent into the field. “We've located the central storage facility that's been distributing black magic materials. The commissioner wants you to take it down."
"The whole building or just the operation?" Zach clarified. "You know I can do both."
"The whole building and everything inside," Zach heard papers rustling. "Here's the file. There's believed to be a shipment of grave soil in there."
"Oh," Zach reached out, grasping the file as his captain placed it into his hand, "that could be problematic if it got into the wrong hands."
"Definitely," Levit lowered his voice. "Lord knows the gangs have plenty of dead they could rise. I don't know about you, but I don't feel like dealing with an undead army."
"Yeah, no," Zach laughed, "I'd rather not. When do I go in?"
"Tomorrow," Levit stood, gently pressing his hand to Zach's back to signal that it was time for him to leave. "Spend your day today getting prepared. Let me know if you want anyone else to assist."
"I won't," Zach left and headed back towards his office, his interaction with Ms. Lock completely forgotten as he focused on the special assignment.
2000 square foot warehouse in the middle of the Lower Heights district, Copper read the file to him. That's an issue.
Just means we can't use dynamite, Zach felt his lips curl in a smile, it had been a while since he'd gotten an exciting task. It's a warehouse full of black magic items, all we need to do is find Black Quartz, Midnight Fennel, and Red Sage.
Then run like hell, Copper's sarcastic tone let Zach know he wasn't amused. You may like the idea of spending your life in a different dimension, but I don't.
Oh, calm down, Zach closed the file and pulled his
phone out of his pocket. Strategically placed, that spell is easily avoidable.
Who are you calling? Copper watched as his human hit the home button.
“Call Steffani,” as Zach said her name Copper smacked the phone from his hand and snatched it before it could hit the ground, “Copper, what the fuck?”
The dragon was happy when the phone stated that it hadn’t heard Zach’s command, No! I’m putting my foot down, Zach! No Steffani, I can deal with John, but not her!
Give me the phone, Copper, Zach held his hand out, impatiently waiting for the dragon to obey. I need her to get me the sage.
Find someone else! Copper shoved the phone under Zach’s bookcase. You might think Steffani is on your side, but she’s not. Everytime you make a deal with her you get screwed. I’m not watching you do this to yourself anymore.
Damnit, Copper! Give me my phone! Zach stood and slammed his hands down on his desk.
No! Not unless you promise me you’re not going to call her! It had been a long time since they’d gotten into a fight, but Copper didn’t care. He knew that if Zach met with Steffani, the sage wouldn’t be the only thing he’d buy. Copper desperately didn’t want to deal with Zach overdosing again.
Who the hell else am I going to call to get Red Sage? Zach placed his hands on his hips stubbornly, his irritation had caused his face to flush. Copper didn’t really care.
You said it yourself, Zach, it’s a warehouse full of black magic materials, The little dragon pushed the phone further under the bookshelf with his tail. We’ll find it when we get there, just like we’ll find the Quartz and Fennel.
Fine, whatever, just give me the phone, Copper watched as Zach dropped his arms in defeat, holding out his hand once more.