Meeting the Humans

by Jessie Donovan

  Daisy gasped next to him, and Freddie glanced over. She whispered, "Do you think we can touch a dragon today? I really want to."

  Since they stood at the back of the crowd, Freddie decided to tease Daisy. He poked her arm. "There, you've touched a dragon today."

  She frowned. "That's not what I meant. Right now, you're just a human. I want a dragon. Pretty scales, wings, a long tail."

  He shrugged. "I don't know. You've seen plenty of dragons today. That should be enough. Maybe you should go home now."

  Daisy opened her mouth and then closed it. After a second, she shook her head. "No, you're just teasing. They wouldn't be that mean."

  Freddie had heard a lot of things about humans. Some didn't like dragons, some were afraid, and some others were jealous. But Daisy was curious.

  And according to Mr. MacLeod, humans curious for curiosity's sake were usually the best kind. Well, as long as they didn't want to try and drain them of blood. Or make money off them. But he didn't think Daisy would do any of those things.

  Still, it didn't mean he wouldn't tease her. If he was going to be stuck with a girl all day, then he'd make it fun for himself.

  Chapter Three

  Daisy tried her best not to get sad. Her dragon-shifter partner was mean, and annoying, and he liked to tease her.

  Didn't he know that answering her questions would help everyone? After all, the point of the trip was for humans and dragon-shifters to get to know each other better.

  The tall, growly dragon-shifter teacher guided them away from the brick building. They were supposed to stay in the order they'd been called, which meant Daisy was at the back. Again.

  Right in front of Miss Fletcher.

  Which meant she couldn't sneak off and get away from Freddie.

  Good thing the teacher had said his name, because he hadn't bothered to introduce himself. He'd been mean first, so she wasn't going to be super nice to him, either. She'd just have to find a way to talk to some of the other dragon students.

  However, she soon forgot about the boy next to her and watched the people walking around. Clan Stonefire reminded her a lot of some human villages in the Lake District. Loads of cottages, tiny shops, and lots of water and mountains everywhere.

  Maybe one day the dragons would offer holiday cottages on their lands. That would be brilliant, to stay a few days living among the dragons. Being near them all the time meant she could learn even more. Miss Nikki had been nice to her. So probably some of the other adults would tell her more, too.

  But then a dragon flew right over them. Daisy stopped, gasped, and watched as the green dragon slowly got closer and closer to the ground, until they hovered over something in the distance and disappeared behind some rocks.

  She forgot all about how she didn't like Freddie and grabbed his arm. "Did you see? The dragon landed! Where is that? Can we go there?"

  Freddie dislodged his arm from her grip. "That's the main landing area. I doubt we'll go there. Most of the children aren't allowed unless a parent, guardian, or teacher takes them there."

  She looked over her shoulder, but Miss Fletcher must've been afraid of the green dragon flying so close because she was up front, with Mr. MacLeod.

  No one else was behind them.

  She leaned really close and tried to whisper as quietly as possible. "What if we went over and took a quick peek?"

  Freddie frowned. "I don't know. Mr. MacLeod wouldn't like that."

  Daisy knew she should agree with Freddie. If she broke the rules, she might never be allowed back.

  And yet, the dragons were so, so near. Daisy really, really wanted to see one up close, and maybe even touch it.

  Deciding it would be worth the trouble later, she shrugged. "Okay, you can stay here. I'm going."

  She dashed over to a tree and hid behind it. Well, she tried to, but Freddie bumped into her and she almost fell over.

  She frowned. "Hey, it's not nice to shove."

  Freddie sighed. "You're sneaking off to watch some dragons, which you really shouldn't do, and you're worried about shoving."

  "Of course I am. If I get hurt, I can't sneak, can I?"

  Freddie stared at her a second, his eyes changing again. Maybe some would find the round centers changing to thin lines and back again scary, but it only reminded her that Freddie was more than an annoying little boy. He was a dragon-shifter.

  Before she could say anything, he took her hand. "Follow my lead. I know where we're going. So if I say stop, stop. And if I say be quiet, be quiet. Can you do that?"

  She normally wouldn't let Freddie be in charge, but if it meant seeing a real, live dragon up close, she'd do much worse. "Okay. But promise you'll answer some questions later, when we're not sneaking?"

  "I suppose. Now, come on."

  As Freddie took them behind one house, then a car—she'd never really thought about dragon-shifters having cars—and various trees, she did her best to keep her mouth closed and save up her questions for later.

  It was hard to do, though. Especially as they walked past various shops and things that were different. Like, the tattoo design place. Or, the surgery. Behind the surgery was a huge tent, and she swore she heard a dragon grunt, or roar, or something inside it.

  Finally they reached a rock wall that was several times taller than her. Freddie whispered, "This is the wall surrounding the main landing area. Stay here until I come back. I need to find someone we can trust not to tattle to the teachers before you can come out of the hiding spot. Promise me you won't wander whilst I do that."

  She held out her pinky. Freddie looked at it and then her. She wiggled it. "Let's pinky promise. That way you know I mean it."

  Unsure, he put out his pinky, too. And Daisy took it with hers, and shook. "Okay, now you know I really mean it. I'll stay here, behind the tree next to the wall. I'll only move if someone comes looking for me. Then I'll go to the next hiding spot, over there."

  Freddie shook his head. "Okay, fine. I don't know how your pinky promise means anything, but you can explain later."

  Normally, she'd jump in and tell him straightaway. Because sometimes Daisy forgot things, if she put them off. There were always so many things to do, to ask, to know.

  But not today. Today was special. She would remember everything.

  So she watched Freddie slowly make his way along the wall and out of sight. As promised, Daisy leaned against the rocks at her back and looked to the sky, hoping she could at least see one dragon while she waited.

  ~~~

  Freddie had to give the human credit—she didn't scare easily.

  He'd probably have to clean the classroom for a month, plus whatever his mum thought he deserved as punishment, for sneaking away from the group, but Daisy was his partner for the day. He may not like it and wished he had someone else, but dragon-shifters were supposed to keep their word. He couldn't let her go alone and get hurt.

  His dragon sighed. No one would hurt her.

  I didn't say someone would do it. But who knows what abandoned place she'd find, and then get trapped.

  That would be fun, looking for new hiding spots. Maybe we can try that next, after this.

  I think Mr. MacLeod will notice us gone soon.

  Then maybe she can come back to Stonefire. She's fun, and brave, and could teach us many things.

  Not wanting to get too distracted by his dragon, Freddie told him to hush. He finally reached the edge of the rock wall surrounding the main landing area and peeked around the side.

  There were two people putting on clothes, and another male already naked and moving toward the center of the area to shift.

  The person in the middle was one of the younger dragon-shifters, Keith. He was friends with Freddie's older brother.

  He probably wouldn't tell on him.

  Freddie raced over to Keith, and said, "Hey, wait a second."

  Keith turned around with a frown. "What are you doing here, Freddie? Did your brother bring you?"

  "No." Keith o
pened his mouth, but Freddie hurried to say, "But just a second, okay? I'm showing one of the humans around today and she really wants to see a dragon up close. Can you shift and let her see you?"

  Keith surveyed the space. "Where is everyone else?"

  Freddie tried not to lie, but for some reason, he wanted the human to think he could do anything. Maybe to make dragon-shifters look brilliant or something.

  So he said, "Well, we're each in different areas. So I'm not sure."

  Keith studied him a second. "I don't think that's the full truth, but I'll help impress your friend. There's something special about being the first dragon they ever see close up."

  Keith wasn't quite a full-grown dragon yet, but Freddie wasn't going to risk making him mad. "I'll be right back."

  Freddie jogged toward the wall again, grateful no one else stopped him. If it'd been later, during the evening, then the landing area would've been really busy.

  He reached Daisy and motioned. "Come on. We need to be quick, before someone catches us."

  She nodded silently. It was weird for her to be quiet.

  His dragon snorted. I thought you wanted her to stop talking.

  Some, but not completely. If she doesn't talk, then I can't tease her. And teasing is fun.

  Ignoring his dragon's laughter, he ran back down along the wall and heard Daisy behind him.

  He was happy that Keith was in his dragon form already. According to his teacher, humans were embarrassed about being naked for some reason, and he didn't want Daisy shrieking and drawing attention.

  Once he reached Keith, he glanced to see Daisy a few feet away, staring up with wide eyes and her mouth open. Great. At this rate, someone would figure out she was human and call the teachers.

  Freddie rushed over and gently pushed her toward Keith's dragon form. He whispered, "Pretend as if you see this every day. Standing still and looking like an idiot with your mouth hanging open will give you away."

  His words must've cut through because she stuck out her tongue. "Only because I'm trying to be nice to you right now am I not going to tell you what I really think."

  "Fine, whatever. Are you going to touch the dragon, or not?"

  She looked up again. "May I?"

  The blue dragon bobbed his head, and lowered it until it was right in front of them. Daisy put out a hand and rubbed the snout.

  It was then he noticed tears falling down her cheeks. "Hey, why are you crying?"

  "I'm just so happy. I've dreamed for so long to touch a dragon, and finally, finally, here I am, doing that. Thank you, Mr. or Ms. Blue Dragon. I will never forget this."

  Freddie wondered if all humans were so emotional.

  His dragon sighed. Just tell her some details about Keith. It'll make her day even better.

  Only because I want her to stop crying.

  Freddie cleared his throat and motioned toward the dragon. "This is Keith, and he's fifteen years old. In a few years, he'll be even bigger."

  Daisy gasped. "Even bigger? How big? Maybe as tall as Big Ben? Or that big tower in France? Or, even a really tall mountain?"

  Keith did the equivalent of a dragon chuckle, which was sort of between a roar and a cough.

  And to her credit, Daisy didn't stop petting the dragon.

  For a human, she was quite brave. Chatty, and a little annoying, but brave.

  His dragon added, And fun, even for a girl. I hope she gets to come back some day.

  Freddie answered Daisy's questions. "No, not quite that tall. But maybe you and me stacked together, that much taller."

  Daisy's eyes widened further. "You're a very handsome dragon. And thank you so much for letting me pet you."

  Keith bobbed his head and then glanced to Freddie. The older dragon-shifter needed to go somewhere.

  Freddie touched Daisy's shoulder. "One more good stroke or scratch and then Keith needs to leave."

  For a second, disappointment flashed in her eyes, but then the human smiled again. She gave a few quick pats to Keith's snout. "Thank you, Keith. I'll never forget this, and I hope you're not too late for whatever you need to do."

  Keith gently butted Daisy's side and then moved about ten feet away. Maybe Freddie should've guided her away then, but he wanted her to see Keith take off.

  The blue dragon crouched, jumped into the air, and flapped his wings.

  "Oh!" Daisy squeaked.

  He smiled. Teasing her was fun, but impressing her was fun, too.

  His dragon said, If we hurry, we might be able to sneak her into our house and show her the tattoo we'll have once we turn sixteen.

  Why?

  Why not? If Mr. MacLeod thinks we've been at home, it'll mean less trouble.

  Even though Freddie knew his teacher would find out the truth, he didn't want to go back to the group just yet. Daisy had said they were supposed to learn from each other, so maybe showing her his house would be a good thing. Dragon-shifters and humans were alike in many ways. And Daisy would make sure everyone heard about her day, helping to spread the word.

  His dragon snorted. I'm sure that's the reason.

  Before he could change his mind, he took Daisy's hand and asked, "Do you want to see something else neat?"

  "Really? I thought you didn't want to spend the day with me."

  "Maybe, maybe not. But we've already broken the rules. We should have as much fun as possible."

  She paused a second, and he wanted to scream for her to hurry up. But then she replied, "Okay, let's go. But if you try to do something mean, then I'll be mean back."

  Before he could stop himself, he blurted, "I don't think you could be mean if you wanted."

  She opened her mouth and closed it. After a grunt, she murmured, "Maybe. I don't want to be mean to anyone. So let's just be friends for today? That will be a lot easier."

  Friends with a human. Freddie never pictured that happening.

  And yet, Daisy was fun to hang around. For a girl, anyway.

  He nodded and put out his pinky. "Friends for the rest of the day, I promise."

  She grinned as she hooked her pinky with his. "Good. Then what do you have planned?"

  "It's a surprise. Come on."

  They'd exited the landing area and ran a few paces down the path to his house. However, as soon as he turned the corner, they ran right into someone.

  Looking up, he stopped breathing. The tall, blond-haired form of Stonefire's head Protector, Kai Sutherland, stared straight down at him. He spoke before even Daisy could get in a word. "Here you are."

  Daisy spoke up. "Have you been looking for us?"

  Freddie blinked and stared at the human like she was crazy.

  Kai bobbed his head. "I have. Now, come on. We're going to see Bram."

  For a second, Freddie froze in place. He'd expected to be scolded by Mr. MacLeod, not Bram.

  Daisy didn't miss a beat. "Who's Bram?"

  Kai looked at him and raised an eyebrow. After swallowing, he explained, "He's Stonefire's clan leader."

  Daisy's eyes widened. "Clan leader?" She clapped her hands. "Oh, I can't wait. I didn't think we'd meet him today. But he's been on the telly, and everyone talks about him. Maybe he can answer a question or two from me."

  Freddie swore the head Protector smiled a second before clearing his throat. "Bram is always busy, but maybe he can chat a few minutes with you."

  And reprimand them both, for sure. Maybe Daisy would have to leave straightaway, and never come back.

  For some reason, he didn't like that idea.

  His dragon chimed in. It's because she's our friend.

  Friend? We barely know her.

  Enough to get in trouble and visit the clan leader together.

  The head Protector motioned for them to walk, and Daisy took the lead. And since she didn't let go of his hand, he could only follow her at a much faster speed than he would've liked.

  Chapter Four

  Daisy knew at some point Miss Fletcher would find her, scold her, and then call her mum. />
  But for the second, she didn't care. She'd seen and petted a real-life blue dragon, and was now going to see Stonefire's clan leader.

  He probably would scold them, too. However, Daisy was usually pretty good at distracting grown-ups. The way she went from thing to thing usually made adults forget what they were talking about originally.

  If she could control it, it'd be brilliant. Sort of like having a superpower. However, it was just the way her mind worked.

  And she would get some kind of scolding and punishment later, no matter how much she talked.

  The tall, blond dragonman stopped at the front door of a stone cottage. He spoke, "This is Bram's place. His mate, Evie, will watch you whilst I talk with Bram for a quick second."

  Freddie sighed beside her, but she didn't have a chance to ask him anything. The dragonman knocked, and a woman with red hair opened the door. The first thing Daisy noticed was that she didn't have any tattoos on her arms. And all grown-up dragon-shifters had tattoos on their arms.

  She blurted, "You're a human!"

  The woman's eyes shot to hers, and she smiled. "I am. And I'm guessing you are, too? My name's Evie. What's yours?"

  "I'm Daisy Chadwick. My class came for the day. This is my partner today, Freddie."

  Evie glanced at Freddie. "Yes, I know Freddie."

  Kai whispered something into Evie's ear and then disappeared down a hallway. Evie gently guided them inside. "Normally I'd take you two in the kitchen for tea and biscuits, but if Kai brought you here, then you should probably talk with my mate first."

  Daisy jumped in. "How did you mate a dragon-shifter? Is it fun? Scary? So brilliant you can't ever sleep?"

  Freddie whispered, "Stop talking, Daisy. You'll only make it worse."

  Evie snorted. "Asking questions doesn't hurt. Although I'm starting to understand why you two wandered off."

  Some people might try to lie or blame someone else. But Daisy didn't do that. She liked the truth. "It's my fault. I wanted to see a dragon." She lowered her voice. "And I did! Their scales are much softer and smoother than I thought they'd be."