Dragon's Curse (Heir of Dragons: Book 2) Read online

  He gently patted her shoulder. “But I also want to tell you that what you did for Dani took a lot of bravery.”

  “It sure didn’t feel like it.”

  “Being brave never feels like being brave. It’s the act of acting regardless of a good friend’s desire that you do not. That’s why when you were being ‘brave’ last year and trying to find the Slayers, I got so upset. That was derived more from the selfish desire to be right than anything benefiting the greater good of dragon-kin kind.”

  “We thought we were helping,” Jade muttered.

  “Nevertheless,” Alastair said with a chuckle, “I’ll speak with you on it later. Oh, and Kaylee?”

  Kaylee held back for a moment while Jade went ahead. “How is your training with Randy going?”

  Kaylee thought back to the last couple weeks: another unexplained absence by Randy; her powers growing steadily stronger, but still a sense of distance between them.

  “Has he helped you at all?” Alastair said. “You can be honest.”

  “He has,” Kaylee said. She just wasn’t quite sure how much yet.

  “Good. If you ever need to talk to me, I’m here.”

  If you ever need to tell me anything…

  “Thanks, Alastair.”

  Jade and Edwin were waiting in the foyer. Before Kaylee could even say hello, Edwin had wrapped her in a tight hug.

  “What was that for?” She asked, slightly breathless, when he released her.

  “For helping Dani,” Edwin said. He nodded behind Kaylee. “That was also a—”

  “Thank you from me.”

  Kaylee barely had time to catch her breath before Maddox ambushed her with a bone-crushing hug from behind.

  “Thankyouthankyouthankyouthankyou,” Maddox said.

  “Seeing. Spots,” Kaylee wheezed.

  “Oops.” Maddox gently let her feet touch the floor and Kaylee gulped in air.

  “Maddox told me what happened,” Edwin said.

  “I only hate that I didn’t step in sooner,” Maddox said.

  “You know about…about her father?” Kaylee said in disbelief. “How?”

  “Dani and I have known each other since kindergarten. We used to hang out a lot more than we do now. Back in middle school after her mom died her whole attitude went crazy different. She became this, like, super happy person. And she is, really. But I always thought things were a little rough back home. Jade told me you’d noticed she seemed off, and I did too. But I never expected…well, that.”

  “Or that she’d be a dragon-kin,” Edwin said.

  “Do you know what kind?” Jade said. The three of them looked expectantly at Kaylee, who struggled to recall the color of Dani’s scales through the swirling torrent of memory from that afternoon.

  “Light blue. I think they were light blue. And she hit me with water.”

  “Water dragon-kin then,” Edwin said. “Or sea dragon. We won’t know until she starts her training.”

  “Which she probably won’t do,” Kaylee said.

  “She has to,” Maddox said. “All dragon-kin have to learn to control their elemental powers.”

  “She was—she didn’t want her scales. I’m telling you, she won’t start training now. Maybe not ever.”

  “That’s okay,” Edwin said before Maddox could insist again. “Convocation rules do require dragon-kin, especially late ones, to go through training to control their powers. But Dani’s powers aren’t Kaylee’s. Water dragon-kin are pretty common, and their magic isn’t as volatile. That’s probably how she could hide it for so long. I think Alastair will give her some time to adjust before she starts.”

  “Maybe not,” Jade said. She was picking at something at the bottom of her shoe, but her expression was deep in thought. “He’ll want her starting ASAP. Once the Slayers learn of this they’ll be here.”

  Edwin and Maddox were both silent.

  “What does Dani getting her powers have to do with them?” Kaylee asked. “She’s not a storm dragon-kin. She should be pretty safe, right?”

  “Just being a storm dragon-kin wasn’t the only reason the Slayers were in Scarsdale. It was just the biggest,” Jade said. “A new dragon-kin’s power is stronger than normal for a short time. Plus, dragon-kin who haven’t been completely inducted into the Convocation have a better chance of being swayed to the Slayers’ side.”

  Edwin crossed his arms. “The Merlins and Protectors of the Scarsdale Convocation are already working to make sure word doesn’t get out about Dani. They’ll have to tell the Northern Scarsdale Convocation, but hopefully they’ll keep her discovery a secret.”

  “It’ll get out,” Maddox said darkly. “I bet it already has. In fact, I bet when we go to the Slag Heap, Damian won’t be surprised at all.”

  “He’s right,” Jade said with a sigh. “The Slayers are coming. It’s only a matter of time.”

  Out of all Dani’s strengths, Kaylee had to admit perseverance had to be her biggest. Not two days after their meeting at Alastair’s, Dani was back in school. Kaylee caught glimpses of her in the hallway between classes, chatting with her friends. She learned Dani was telling everyone her arms were bandaged as a result of a horrible baking accident, and whenever someone asked Kaylee what had happened to Dani, that’s what she passed on.

  But for all her outward show of normality, there was a shroud over Dani’s usual bright mood that Kaylee now saw whenever she looked her way. That, and it was clear Dani wasn’t even close to forgiving her yet. The few times Kaylee tried to approach her in the hall she’d always mysteriously vanish before Kaylee could reach her. Or she’d come up with a convenient excuse to be somewhere else, always hurrying off with a quick goodbye, without even a glance Kaylee’s way.

  Kaylee tried not to let it sting. And so, even though it hurt, she stayed away. She tried to content herself with the fact that, although the nicest girl in Scarsdale blamed her for ruining her life, at least said girl wasn’t sprouting dragon scales in the middle of English, or returning home to a place of sadness and pain.

  Kaylee’s lessons with Randy continued, and she was happy to have more time to hang out with Jade, Edwin and Maddox afterwards now that the days were staying brighter longer. The bitter chill of deep winter still thawed in the back of their minds, but bright mornings promised warmer days on the way. School drudged on as it usually did. Edwin kept his ear to the ground for news of the Slayers, until finally…

  “Edwin says tonight,” Kaylee said. She checked her phone again. “And he thinks…we should bring Dani.”

  Jade stretched out further on the courtyard bench, soaking up a rare glimpse of sunshine that had broken through the clouds, shining like a spotlight into the courtyard. Other students, eager to linger for any last taste of fresh air, were finishing up lunch around them.

  “Does it have to be tonight?” Jade said. “I have a big test tomorrow and I finally have the time to study for it.”

  Kaylee checked the text again.

  “He said Damian’s keeping the Slag Heap closed for some reason. It’s our best bet to talk to him without anyone else around. And if there aren’t any Merlins or dragon-kins there that’d probably make it easier…”

  “For Dani,” Jade finished. “If she decides to go at all.”

  “I could ask...”

  “And have her scamper away like you forgot deodorant? We’ll have Maddox do it.”

  “Because she doesn’t hate Maddox.”

  “She doesn’t hate you either, Kaylee.” Jade turned so that she was poised sideways on the bench like a swimsuit model. “Dani’s entire life has just changed. Through no fault of your own,” she emphasized. “How would you react? How did you react?”

  “I had you. You showed me your Power Ranger fighting skills and told me that what I believed the world to be like up to that point was basically a lie.”

  “Exactly,” Jade said cheerfully. She pointed to Dani, who was clustered with a group of friends at another table. “And she has them. Give her ti
me. I promise she’ll come through.”

  Kaylee slowly nodded. “Fine. But the Slag Heap’s still tonight, test or not.”

  Jade groaned and rolled over. Mrs. Monroe, the lunch monitor, snapped and jabbed her finger at Jade. Jade reluctantly sat up and plopped down next to Kaylee.

  “I would normally ask him to change it,” Kaylee said, “but Edwin thinks he’s onto something.”

  “He always thinks he’s onto something. Your boy’s a regular nerdy Indiana Jones. With magic.”

  “He’s not my boy.”

  “Uh-huh.”

  “Listen,” Kaylee sputtered, trying to divert the conversation before it entered dangerous waters, “I can help you study. Randy’s going to ramp up the training soon, but right now I might be able to help you get over all this work.”

  “It’s not just the homework. I’ve been…trying to figure some things out.”

  Kaylee waited for her to elaborate. When she didn’t, Kaylee said, “Maddox told me you’ve been talking to the guidance counselor about careers.”

  “He told you that?”

  “Well you didn’t.”

  It was a feeling alien to Kaylee: learning something about Jade that Jade hadn’t directly told her. But it’d been happening more frequently this past year, and though she didn’t feel quite comfortable with this change in dynamics, she understood it more now. Their lives were beginning to diverge, and Kaylee couldn’t fight it.

  But as long as Jade was still with her for a little longer she’d make the most of it.

  “I’ve been thinking of what to do after high school,” Jade said. “I mean, other than becoming a fully-trained Tamer. I’d still take the test next year, but at least I’d have options after.”

  “That’s great,” Kaylee said. “Any ideas?”

  Jade shook her head. “It could be nothing.”

  “You can tell me, Jade. I promise not to laugh unless it involves becoming a professional clown.”

  This pulled a smile from Jade. “I’ll let you know what I decide to do. Promise.”

  She suddenly waved. Maddox had emerged from the cafeteria. He spotted them and hurried over.

  “Slag Heap tonight.” Jade pointed to the group of girls across from them. “Tell Dani she’s coming.”

  “What am I, your dog?” Maddox complained.

  But he didn’t look upset as he swiveled back around and strode to Dani’s table. A couple girls brushed their hair back when the saw him coming. A couple more giggled when he cracked a joke. He leaned down and whispered in Dani’s ear. Kaylee saw her eyes flicker to Kaylee. She said something. Maddox tried again. Kaylee held her breath.

  Finally, Dani gave a curt nod. Maddox beamed and gave the other girls a wink as he walked away. A couple let out loud sighs.

  “Suave devil,” Jade muttered.

  “We’re good to go, captain,” Maddox said when he rejoined them. He rubbed his hands together. “Let’s see what kind of trouble we can get into tonight.”

  Kaylee was nearly thrown forward into the front seat as Maddox slammed on the brakes, grinding his van to a halt.

  “What the heck!” Jade said, rubbing her forehead where she’d smacked it on the seat in front of her. “A little warning next time, Maddox!”

  Maddox continued peering intently into the headlight-illuminated gravel road leading into the trees. The Slag Heap was just ahead, just out of sight around the bend.

  “Maddox?” Edwin said from the passenger’s seat. “Problems?”

  “Maybe.” Maddox shut off the van. “Let’s walk from here.”

  “Is this how you guys usually hang out?” Dani muttered to Jade as they slid open the doors and piled out.

  “No,” Jade admitted. “Usually there’s at least one monster involved. And magic. Lots of magic.”

  Dani pursed her lips, as if she couldn’t tell whether Jade was joking or not. Maddox and Edwin had already walked ahead of them. Maddox was still squinting into the woods, but other than the lack of people and bone-jarring music that usually accompanied their approach to the Slag Heap, Kaylee couldn’t see what the matter was.

  “I thought I saw…” Maddox said. He shook his head at the surrounding trees. “Never mind.”

  They continued down the gravel road. The woods closed on them again, then opened to reveal the Slag Heap in all its glory.

  “This is what you guys keep talking about?” Dani said in barely contained disbelief. “This is…nice, I guess.”

  “It’s not usually like this,” Edwin promised. “Right now it’s like a completely different place.”

  The only time Kaylee had been to the Slag Heap a party had been in full swing. Music, spotlights, Merlins, even some dragon-kin, had been spread across a multi-acre space that had once been an old gas plant. Without the usual light or noise, the place now oozed an eerie vibe; the metal gas tanks, network of pipes, and crisscrossing stairways standing tall and silent in the dark.

  “Next time you come here we’ll have to get you some mead,” Jade said. “It’s amazing.”

  “Next time. Of course,” Dani said. She stared at the bulldozer that was normally used as a bar to hand out magic-laced drinks and a staging point for bartering charmed goods. To her credit, she was trying to be optimistic about it, but even Kaylee had to admit that without the flash, noise, and people, the Slag Heap was…a heap.

  “Damian’s probably at the warehouse,” Edwin said. He started towards it, but Maddox put a hand against his chest. His spear was suddenly in his hand. In an instant, Jade had drawn her sword.

  “Behind me,” Kaylee said to Dani.

  Maddox’s eyes narrowed at the darkness. Then he leveled his spear. “Get back to the van—”

  There was the hiss of blades slicing air as knives shot right towards them.

  Chapter Thirteen

  Kaylee brought up her scaled arms, deflecting the first of the blades as they reached her. More sprung from their right but by now Edwin had conjured a shield and the rest bounced harmlessly away from Maddox and Jade.

  Slayers leapt from the shadowy overhang of the nearest boiler, clothed head to toe in black body armor, armed with numerous sharp objects Kaylee was sure were meant just for her.

  The lead Slayer pointed to his three companions, then to Jade. “Kill them. The dragon-kin is mine.”

  The Slayers charged, but Jade, Maddox and Edwin were already moving, drawing the brunt of the attack towards them. Kaylee grabbed Dani’s hand and yanked her up the rusting stairs wrapping the nearest boiler. Her foot came down hard on the next step. The beam beneath crinkled, nearly throwing her off the side. Kaylee felt the beginning sensation of weightlessness just before Dani pulled her back.

  “Thanks,” Kaylee muttered, steadying herself.

  “Next step’s just as bad,” Dani said. She had somehow remained calm through all this.

  The top of the boiler gave them nowhere to hide. In the Slag Heap grounds below, Kaylee spied the intermittent flash of Edwin’s magic. Blurry shapes moved back and forth in the darkness as Jade and Maddox traded blows with the Slayers. Kaylee’s stomach clenched in fear.

  Relax. They know what they’re doing.

  “Kaylee?” Dani said uncertainly. “Kaylee he’s coming!”

  The metal shook with the pursuing Slayer’s footsteps. Kaylee looked for a way out. It wasn’t that she was particularly scared of a single Slayer, but she’d been hoping to get Dani to a safer place before taking this guy out. Her eyes fell on a thick pipe bridging the gap to the next boiler.

  “Across. Now.”

  Dani backed up when she saw what Kaylee was pointing at. “That has to be a fifteen-foot drop!”

  A sting of pain raced across Kaylee’s cheek. She turned as the Slayer reeled his arm back, returning a blade connected to a thin metal thread to his hand.

  “Come here, little dragon-kin,” he jeered. “If you don’t make me work to get you, maybe I’ll let your pretty friend live.”

  Kaylee backed up, pressing Dani o
nto the pipe.

  “I’ll hold him back until you get across. Then I’ll follow.”

  “Kaylee—”

  “Time’s up!” The Slayer snapped. He flicked his hand and whipped the knife at Kaylee. Kaylee shoved Dani onto the pipe and caught the string around a scaled arm, wrapping it tight. She pulled. The Slayer was yanked forward, but dug his feet in at the last second. Kaylee tugged again and this time the Slayer relented, plunging for her and swiping at her head. Kaylee ducked and swiped back, her claws slicing ribbons off his body armor. His fist clubbed her across the cheek. Copper exploded in Kaylee’s mouth. She crouched, feeling the warm taste coat her tongue. The Slayer cracked his knuckles.

  “Thought a storm dragon-kin would be a bit more of a challenge. Guess Lesuvius was wrong.”

  Magic sang in her ears, begging for release. Kaylee focused her thoughts, prayed she wouldn’t lose control, then let it go.

  “That’s because I haven’t started trying yet.”

  A gust of wind blasted the Slayer sideways. A sheet of ice frosted the metal beneath their feet, making him slide. He growled and dug a knife into the metal just before falling off the edge, jerking him to a halt. Thunder rumbled overhead. Kaylee’s body thrummed with power. She focused on embracing it, on keeping it in her control.

  Hot pain lanced through her left calf. The Slayer drew back his knife.

  Move your feet! Randy’s voice yelled.

  Kaylee leapt as the Slayer struck again. When she came down she slammed her hands to the metal, forcing the Slayer to roll aside as a thin bolt of lightning skittered across the metal towards him.

  Move your feet. Duck. Attack.

  The Slayer rolled up to a crouch. He pulled out a metal jar.

  “Now you’ve made me use this.”

  Kaylee didn’t wait to see what ‘this’ was. She brought her claws together, then drew them apart. A network of spider-webbing electricity formed between them. She lobbed it at the Slayer. His eyes widened in surprise a second before it caught him in the chest, sending him hurtling back and off the—

  His knife caught the lip. The Slayer let out an angry roar as he scrambled to climb back on top of the boiler.