Sleeping Dragon (Dragon Echoes Book 1)

by Rinelle Grey

  Verrian nodded immediately. “We need to get out of here. It is not a good idea for us to try to fight Ultrima alone.”

  At the mention of Ultrima returning, heat and a sense of urgency flushed through her. “Where are we going to go? And how are we going to get there? We don’t even have a car.”

  The fact that Karla and Taurian, and even Chase, had completely deserted her, leaving her here with no defence, hurt.

  She was normally good at looking after herself, when she wasn’t being chased by dragons. But the dragon’s presence changed everything. As did the fact that she was stranded in the middle of nowhere with no car and no phone reception.

  But Taurian and Karla would be back, wouldn’t they?

  Trouble was, she couldn’t guarantee they’d return before Ultrima did. She and Verrian couldn’t risk hanging around to find out. They needed to move.

  But where? She frowned. “You probably know this area better than I do. Is there anywhere to hide nearby?”

  Verrian stared at her, his expression blank. He waved his arms at the expanse around them. “Does it look like there’s anywhere to hide?”

  He had a point. But that didn’t help her. She frowned, searching for another option.

  Verrian was the one who spoke though. “There is one place that’s safe,” he said slowly. “The Mesmer chamber. Ultrima can’t get to us in there. It is protected by powerful spells that even he can’t break.”

  A good thought, but there were more flaws than benefits.

  “Fat lot of good that’s going to do us if he camps outside until we come out,” Lisa said flatly. “And since we have no food or water, that’s not going to take long.”

  A frown crossed Verrian’s face, but he didn’t argue. Instead, he gave a half laugh. “You think you have a problem. I haven’t had a drink in three hundred years.”

  Lisa gave a rough laugh. “Then you probably aren’t going to expire from lack of water in the next few hours.”

  As soon as the words were out of her mouth, she realised how callous they sounded. She glanced up at his face, only to see him nodding in agreement.

  “We need to go back to the lair,” she said firmly, “That’s where everyone would head back to, wouldn’t they? It’s the safest place.”

  The Rian clan lair. Just the thought of it made her feel better. Except for one thing.

  “Only problem is, it’s too far to walk,” Lisa said with a sigh.

  “Then we’re going to have to fly,” Verrian said quietly.

  Was he inviting her?

  Lisa had flown on a couple of dragons now. It was the only way to get into the Rian lair, high up in a steep cliff face.

  Somehow, the idea of riding on Verrian’s back was far more exciting.

  Chapter 8

  He saw the look in her eyes. Excitement mingled with longing.

  The expression touched something in Verrian. A vibration deep in his belly responded to her on a primal level stronger than anything he’d ever felt before.

  Was it a remnant of the Mesmer bond? He’d never been this close to someone just after the Mesmer ritual was completed. Usually that was avoided, to stop the strong emotions of the ritual lingering and causing someone to mistakenly think they’d formed a lasting connection.

  That had to be it then, Verrian thought more confidently. He had to be careful not to read too much into it.

  That shouldn’t be too hard. He should be focused on survival.

  Not on how it would feel to have her sitting on his back, her legs wrapped around him, her body pressed up against him. His body stirred in response.

  He gave himself a shake. He was doing this to keep them both safe. Nothing more.

  “We can’t fly,” Lisa said regretfully. “Ultrima could see us. Or whoever else was here. It’s too dangerous.”

  “More dangerous than staying here without food and water? More dangerous than trying to cross this on foot?” Verrian waved his hand at the dry, baked plains again. “More dangerous than still being here when Ultrima returns?”

  Lisa was quiet for a long time. Verrian suspected her mind was warring between wanting to fly, and the dangers it presented. That was what his was doing anyway.

  He longed to stretch his wings after so long asleep. And getting away from here, where everything was so strange and unexpected, would be a boon as well. He couldn’t wait to get back home, to see familiar faces, and hear everything that had happened from his brother.

  “Maybe if we stay really low to the ground,” Lisa said slowly. “I suppose we’d have to fly to get into the lair anyway, so it shouldn’t be too risky.”

  “Now then,” Verrian said quickly, before he could second guess himself.

  Before he could think any further about what it would feel like to have her ride him.

  “The sooner we go, the less chance of someone turning up,” he said.

  Lisa nodded. She looked at him expectantly.

  Verrian reached for the tie at the waist of his shorts, not even thinking about the implications of his actions until her eyes widened.

  Somehow, the motion, combined with the expectant look on her face, reminded him far too closely of their time in the Mesmer chamber.

  It made him feel uncomfortable about something that had never bothered him before.

  But he’d be a lot more uncomfortable if he didn’t have his shorts to put on once he’d transformed back into human form again at the other end of this flight.

  Verrian ignored her look and quickly disrobed.

  To his surprise, Lisa looked away quickly as he removed his clothes. He wasn’t sure if it was for his benefit, or hers, but it did make him feel better.

  She glanced back just as he stretched. His skin crackled and rippled as his bones twisted and turned, growing and shifting into his dragon form. His wings strained at the skin on his back until it reluctantly gave way, and they sprung out, beating the air once instinctively.

  It took all his strength not to leap straight into the air and do a barrel roll for the sheer joy of feeling free for the first time in a very long time.

  But they didn’t have time for that. And an exhibition could put them both at risk.

  So he kept his feet firmly on the ground.

  Lisa stared at him, her hand on her chest.

  He couldn’t help stretching and moving, knowing his scales would ripple in the sun.

  It was worth it when a smile lit up her face and she stepped forward, her hand outstretched, to run her fingers tentatively over his scales. He almost felt like purring.

  Almost.

  He bent one knee to allow her to climb up on his back and her eyes widened.

  She picked up his shorts, which he had dropped in the dust, then ascended onto his back.

  He had a brief moment of concern that such delicate cargo wouldn’t be safe on his back, but she quickly allayed that worry by tucking her feet in under his wings, and wrapping her warm hands around the protruding scales on his neck as if she knew what she was doing.

  Verrian flapped once, lifting his feet just off the ground, sensing her presence, alert to any balance changes. When she seemed stable, he flapped more strongly.

  It took all his willpower to remain low to the ground. Low enough for each wing beat to stir up dust.

  At least that might give them some cover from anyone trying to see them.

  He turned towards the cliff where the Rian lair had always been, then hesitated. The fact that more than a few days had passed, and everything he’d ever known had changed was going to be hard to get used to. For all he knew, Rian clan had moved.

  He felt Lisa’s body shift on his back. “This way.”

  Verrian turned his head to survey her, seeing the direction she pointed in. He nodded.

  “I think,” she added.

  The direction she pointed was roughly the direction he had expected. Rian lair must not have moved.

  He stretched his wings, flapping as quickly as he could.

  H
e couldn’t wait to be home.

  Chapter 9

  Lisa could feel Verrian’s raw power stretching between her legs as he flew just inches above the ground. So low his belly must have been skimming the top of the tufts of grass. She was awed he could fly with such precision and still maintain the speed he flew at.

  If they weren’t in such a hurry, she would have taken the time to stroke his vibrant purple scales. Somehow, she hadn’t imagined the purple, even though she should have from the colour of his eyes.

  They covered several kilometres very quickly this way, seeing very little difference in the landscape. They passed a few rocky areas, but while they would probably provide places to hide, they wouldn’t have the one thing they needed the most—water.

  And either way, she wanted to find the others. To know what had happened, and what they were going to do next.

  Lisa stared ahead, hoping she had directed them the right way. But Verrian would know how to find his lair, wouldn’t he?

  Lisa strained her eyes, trying to make out something, anything, that was familiar enough to confirm they were going the right way. She didn’t see any changes in the landscape around them, but ahead of them, she did see a cloud of dust.

  Her heart hammered in her chest.

  A car.

  But was it a friend or foe?

  It could be Karla and Taurian, or Chase, returning to find her.

  Or it could be whoever had startled them and broken up the fight with Ultrima.

  They couldn’t afford to take a chance. It was heading in their direction, and quickly.

  “We need to land,” she said firmly to Verrian. “Someone’s coming.”

  “I can out run them.”

  Verrian’s voice filled her mind, rich and powerful. The unexpected sound almost made her lose her grip, especially as he turned sharply at exactly the same moment.

  The ground rushed past at tremendous speed, but even so, Lisa knew it wasn’t going to be fast enough. She shook her head, then realised he couldn’t see her. “You can’t outrun a car,” she said firmly. “Even if you could, what if it’s Karla and Taurian? No, we need to stop, and you need to transform into human form. Quickly.”

  Verrian’s speed didn’t slow, and for a moment Lisa thought he was going to ignore her. It hit her, with a sickening thud, that there was nothing she could do if he did. But even as she glanced back at the yellow car that was just beginning to appear out of the dust cloud, his speed slowed.

  A yellow car. Not Karla and Taurian, or anyone in their party then.

  The car approached even more quickly as Verrian slowed. Lisa tried to calculate if they would have time for him to change before it was too close, but there were too many variables for her to even begin to guess.

  She felt a soft thud as Verrian’s feet hit the ground, and almost before he stopped moving, she felt his muscles and bones begin to twist under her. She slid off his back, staring at the car that was far too close for comfort.

  They must be able to see Verrian.

  By the time she turned back to him, all that greeted her was a naked human.

  This time, she didn’t have time for blushing. She shoved his shorts at him, grateful she’d managed to keep hold of them during the wild flight. “Put these on, quickly.”

  Then she turned back.

  The car was far too close to pretend she hadn’t seen it, or to hide. Close enough to recognise Rita Thorne’s car. The local newspaper reporter.

  Great. Just great.

  That was why Karla and Taurian, and even Ultrima had fled. She could just see the headline plastered all over the front of the local paper, “Dragon’s battling in the Australian Outback.”

  She bit back a laugh. No one would believe it, they’d be sure it was a spoof. People would be trying to figure out how any photos or videos had been faked. But it would bring those who were gullible out here, and eventually, enough people would spot a dragon that the news would be confirmed.

  That would not be good.

  Thinking fast, Lisa knew there was only one option.

  She waved her hands above her head. “Over here!” she called out.

  “Is it Taurian?” Verrian asked, his voice hopeful.

  “No,” Lisa said flatly. “It’s a reporter.”

  He had no idea what that was, of course, but just the fact that it wasn’t his brother was enough for him. Verrian’s hand landed heavily on her shoulder. “Is this the person that made both my brother and Ultrima run? Why are you calling them here?” he growled.

  “It’s the only option,” Lisa hissed. “Just trust me, okay?” She turned just in time to see his deep purple eyes bore into her.

  She’d just asked him to trust her. Was she crazy? What possible reason did he have for trusting her? He knew nothing about her.

  But to her surprise, he nodded, once.

  She didn’t have time to question him, the little yellow car was skidding to a stop in front of them.

  Rita jumped out, her brown ponytail bobbing to her swift movement. “Lisa!” she exclaimed. “Great. You’ll be happy to tell me all about this dragon for the Mungaloo Daily News, won’t you?”

  And before Lisa could blink, Rita’s camera flashed in her face.

  She’d gone to school with Lisa’s older brother. She hadn’t really liked her then either. She’d always been a bit of a gossip, and she’d always found way too much to say about Lisa.

  Lisa took this moment to stare down her nose at the woman. “Dragon? What on earth are you talking about? I thought I’d spent too long in the sun. Apparently not as much as you have.” She gave Verrian a sideways glance, hoping he would play along.

  Her heart thudded in her chest. She had no idea how much Rita had seen, but if it wasn’t much, there was a chance to convince her she’d imagined it. If Verrian continued to disagree with her though, they had no chance of pulling this off.

  To her relief, he flashed a smile at Rita.

  A smile containing just the right amount of flirty. Good. If Rita was too busy thinking how gorgeous he was, that just might give them the edge they needed.

  She ignored the protest in the back of her mind trying to cry out that he was hers. He wasn’t. She wasn’t looking for a commitment. She needed to remember that.

  Rita flashed a smile back at Verrian. She wasn’t immune to his charms, no one could be.

  But she was determined. She shook her head, her ponytail swaying, and waved her finger with a grin. “Come on, Lisa. No point in pretending. I have a photo to prove it.”

  Lisa’s heart sank. That was not good at all.

  But something about the woman’s tone gave her pause. She’d had enough practice at dealing with gossips to know when they were bluffing. There was more bluster than excitement on Rita’s face.

  So she forced a fake laugh. “A photo of a dragon. This is going to be good. Show me then.”

  If she’d hoped to call the other woman’s bluff, she’d lost. Without pause, Rita pulled out her phone and held up a picture.

  Sure enough, there was a distinctive purple blur hovering above the grass tufts.

  Distinctive because she recognised the colour as belonging to Verrian. Otherwise, just a blur.

  She gave Rita her best scathing look. “Should look great in the paper. Maybe put it next to a picture of the Loch Ness Monster for comparison?”

  She heard Verrian give a snort behind her. Apparently that story had been doing the rounds for at least three hundred years.

  Rita’s eyes narrowed, and she put her hands on her hips and stared from Lisa to Verrian. “It might not be the greatest picture, but my eyes didn’t deceive me. I know I saw a dragon, and I’m not the only one. There have been reports, you know. People tell me things.”

  Lisa’s heart sank. Maybe Verrian had been right and they should have tried harder to outrun the car.

  Maybe then Rita would have a better picture.

  Then the reporter’s last comment registered. “Who tells you things?”
she demanded.

  Rita had known exactly where to come, at exactly what time. There was no way she’d stumbled upon them at Verrian’s Mesmer chamber by accident. Someone must have told her.

  But who?

  Rita folded her arms. “A reporter never divulges her sources.”

  Of course not, because that would be too easy. Lisa quickly ran through everyone who knew their plans for waking Verrian, but the list was too long. And some of the human contingent could have mentioned something to friends or family.

  She didn’t have time to figure it out now, because Rita wasn’t letting up. “Are you denying this story?” she demanded.

  Well, she certainly wasn’t going to make it easy on Rita and admit it.

  Lisa gave what she hoped was a convincing laugh. “The story that there was a dragon, here, in the middle of the Australian outback? Sure I’m denying it.” She forced her voice to soften. “It’s pretty hot out here, Rita. I think you might have a touch of heatstroke.”

  The glare Rita shot her was far hotter than the oppressive sun. The reporter glanced back at Verrian, her eyes roaming his body, a touch too appreciatively.

  It took all Lisa’s willpower not to tell her to keep her eyes to herself. This time, she could blame her annoyance on Rita’s determination to find out their secrets.

  Rita’s looked over the distinctive tattoo spreading across Verrian’s chest. “What’s that then?” She held up her phone, and before Lisa could move, she’d snapped a picture of Verrian’s chest.

  Lisa suspected that her first instinct to knock the woman down, take her phone, and delete the pictures, would cause her more trouble than it was worth.

  Even if it would feel very satisfying.

  She took a deep breath, and tried to keep her voice even. “It’s a tattoo. Lots of people have tattoos of dragons. That doesn’t make them a dragon.”

  Rita frowned, then her gaze fell on Verrian’s eyes, and stopped there.

  Lisa suppressed a wince. Even though technically they could explain away Verrian’s purple cat-like eyes as coloured contacts, Rita wasn’t going to believe it.