“What?” I look around, noting the lack of Max anywhere.
“On the phone,” she says with annoyance, pointing to the small device beside my elbow. I look over and realize the screen is lit up with the picture of Max.
“Oh.” I hit ignore, which I feel bad about, but I’ll call him back. I don’t really want to talk him with E.L. right here. “Yeeees.” I draw the word out, a little uncomfortable with her asking me that.
“You should stay away from him, Alita. He’s bad news,” she chides.
As if she has any right to chide me. And now I’m even more freaked out, considering I haven’t a clue why she remembers my name. Or anything about Max.
“Thank you for the advice, I think. Is that all you wanted to say?” I ask, trying to pack up my things discreetly because clearly, I need to get out of here.
“No. Is this the book you were looking for the other day?” She holds up the very one, about scales of the sea and sky.
“Yes. Where did you find it?” I jump up, holding out my hand for it.
She holds it back, away from my reach. “I will give you this under one condition.” She looks completely serious.
“Oh? What’s that?” I sit back down now, even more curious.
“Explain that chart to me.” She points the flowchart I drew and had planned on showing Max before he got called away.
“I think it’s pretty self-explanatory. What do you want to know?”
In a surprising gesture, the woman sits down across from me. “What is the point in all of this research? What are you hoping to gain by looking into creatures that don’t exist? Are you an author? Just having fun? Is it a bet or dare?”
“Let me ask you something. Why are you asking me? Do you question everyone who comes in about what they’re doing and what it’s for?”
She smirks. “Of course not. But I can’t help but be curious as to why you are so determined to prove that dragons exist. Surely you don’t believe it?” She runs her hand along the drawing of Yackros I doodled out while making my flowchart.
“What if I do? Are you still going to give me the book?” I lean in, wanting to know what she’s after.
“You seem so determined to gather every piece of information on them that you can. It’s almost like you know they’re real. You’ve seen them. And now you just need a way to show someone else because if you can’t find someone out there who believes you, you’ll lose your mind. You are resilient. Every single day you come in here, pulling more books from the shelves, reading every word on every page, refusing to skim even a little bit. I have to know what has you working like this.”
“And what if I said I had seen a dragon? That I knew they existed? Would you believe me? Or would you demand some kind of proof?”
“I suppose that assuming I was a normal, rational human being, I would want proof.”
“So then it doesn’t matter what I say here and now. Until I can prove it, whether I’ve seen one or not, it doesn’t make a difference.” I shrug, and honestly feeling a little smug. I don’t like this woman, who clearly doesn’t like me. And I don’t owe her any answers.
“Well, yes, that’s how it would be, except I am not normal or rational.” She places the book in front of me and gets up. “And based on that drawing, you’ve seen that dragon in real life,” she says with an air of authority in her voice before winking and walking away.
Ignoring her comment and odd behavior, I pick up the pamphlet and glance at the author’s name.
R. Ebony. Of course there’s no full first name. Realizing that will get me nowhere, I open up to the last page, hoping for a bio or picture, or better yet, both. Instead, there’s nothing.
I start again at the beginning, flipping through the pages quickly, trying to catch a glance of anything that might be helpful and read it cover to cover, including the stuff about mermaids. If Yackros is right and the book is a smoke screen, and the author is aware of dragons’ existence, maybe what she’s written about mermaids is real too.
The entire first half is about mermaids. Their culture, beliefs, their lives from birth to death, including the royalty, hierarchy, and laws. How they survive with humans constantly interfering in their “lands,” so to speak.
It’s interesting, especially considering another pearl is mentioned in this book. Not a dragon’s pearl of wisdom, but the lost pearl of the mermaid queen.
I use a scrap paper to bookmark that page and finger through the dragon portion, looking for any mention of a pearl. It’s there, about halfway through. The Dragon King’s Pearl. The king of dragons must be in possession of the pearl or they will not be able to rule the kingdom of dragons, which spans the world rather than being in territories such as countries.
The stories are linked, which is why they’re both in the same book. And that means mermaids are real. I shove everything into my backpack and head straight for the counter. Before I even reach it, the old woman waves me by, which means she knows more than she’s letting on, but I have no way of convincing her to tell me what it is.
I can’t expect her to give me answers. Instead, I plan on asking Yackros. And reading the book start to finish in the forest.
When I arrive on the mountain, the sun is bearing down relentlessly. The walk is long and hard. It’s got to be at least ninety degrees out here. Sweat is dripping down my back, which is gross, but it’s not like I have a choice but to push on. I must see Yackros.
Thought I suppose I won’t get to. But at least when I’m there, I’m closer. Somehow it helps, knowing he’s just inside an invisible barrier, just on the other side of a tree or bush. So close I could touch him, only I can’t.
“Yackros?” I ask aloud.
“Yes?” he answers almost immediately.
“Can you hear my thoughts? Or only when I speak to you?” I realize maybe he’s a witness to my near breakdown.
“For now, only the things you speak to me. But in time, our connection will grow stronger, and thoughts will be shared. But you will also be able to hear mine. Emotions will be greater for each of us, and easier to distinguish who’s feeling them.”
“When you say ‘in time,’ do you mean it just takes time to happen, or it won’t happen until you’re free?”
“Both. Though our bond is formed, like any magic, it takes time and power to truly become something great. The more we connect, the more often you reach out to me, the easier it will become for both of us. But once I am free of this prison, and we can truly be together in time and place, the physical proximity will strengthen the powers between us. And while apart, we are two separate wielders of magic, but together we will be able to act as one.”
“Wait, hold up.” I set my bag down on the small patch of grass among the dirt and sit down, leaning against my tree. I pull out the book on mermaids and dragons, flipping through it, looking for anything that mentions dragons and their human counterpart having powers. “Will you tell me more about this magic I have? What kind of magic are you talking about? Can I control things—or people—with my mind? Can I clean my room without moving a muscle? Can—”
“Alita,” Yackros interrupts firmly. Once I’ve stopped and taken a breath, Yackros sighs. “Not quite what you’re imagining, I realize. But yes, you have magic. Or at least you will. As for what kind, that is a question I don’t know how to answer. It’s one thing and everything all at once. You will be able to learn many things, but perhaps like with many things in life, you’ll only be good at certain parts. It is not something simply handed to you. All humans have magic to a degree, but those who bond with dragons are able to learn more beyond what they could accomplish on their own. And it is not something you just suddenly understand. Like anything you wish to learn, it will take time and studying. It will take work to master.”
I rub my eyes, feeling dizzy at this constant barrage of information. I have magic. Trying to let that sink in is a whole different battle I’m not ready to face. I have magic? What does that mean? If all humans have it, why do we think it’s so
special? Why do we always wish for it? If it’s something we can already do, why haven’t I been able to use it every time I’ve wanted to clean my room with a swish of my arm, rather than spending hours folding clothes, making my bed, cleaning up candy wrappers, and taking dirty dishes back to the kitchen after they’ve piled up for a few weeks?
“What do you mean, all humans have magic?” I know it’s not what’s important right now, but I can’t imagine a world where everyone knows magic and therefore no one is special. Not that magic would make us special, I suppose. But it’s one of those things that people always dream of. Like being a princess, getting a happily ever after, finding the knight in shining armor. Defeating our (figurative) dragons, because I wouldn’t want to defeat my literal dragon.
“Alita, this is a minor fact that I assure you we will go over in the future. But magic cannot help us. It’s not something I can teach you from afar. It’s not something I could even hope for you to begin to understand with no practical lessons given from my mind to yours.” He sounds exasperated. I can’t say I blame him. I’m the cause. Or at least part of it.
“I’m sorry. I know I shouldn’t get so distracted. But dropping a bomb like magic on me with no warning and then asking me not to think about it or dwell on it is easier said than done. Trust me, I understand how important it is to free you, which is why I’m here, Yackros. I got the book on dragons from the library.”
“Tell me what it says about the pearl,” he commands. It seems this information is more important than my apology. Or perhaps it’s enough to make up for it.
I open it to page number fifty-seven when the eerie sensation returns that someone is watching me. I look around, wondering if I can spot anything this time. But it would appear not. I shake my head and just sit for a moment, wondering what to do.
Without knowing for sure, there really isn’t much I can do, and I don’t want to spook Yackros, so with a sigh of resignation, I run my hand over the page, my forefinger over the words as I figure out where I was, and read for Yackros.
“The dragon king shall not lose his pearl, for only the true carrier of such a precious gem can rule over his charges. With that pearl, wisdom is given that reveals unto His Majesty all things that need be known. As such, the pearl is also a compass for morality. For an unjust king the pearl shall burn, calling unto the dragon whose heart it knows to be true and pure. Like a fire burning, the phoenix reborn from the ashes, the pearl shall become a beacon to those who need it and their intentions be pure.”
None of this is really making sense to me, but I try to keep track of the information, noting everything in my mind as I go. I clear my throat and continue.
“Be forewarned that the pearl may be corrupted. Only with the darkest powers, provided by someone with the greatest strength, across the spans of time, then the pearl may cling unto him, and no matter the darkness of his purpose, the pearl shall let him lead.” A chill runs down my spine, and I’m not even sure what the book is talking about. At this point, it sounds like a whole lot of mumbo-jumbo.
“Yackros?” I ask, not because I have a question or wish to comment on the contents of this book, but because I need to know he’s still there. For a moment, simply reading this book, it feels like all hope has left. And darkness will reign.
“Yes, Alita?” He sounds as disheartened as I feel.
“Please tell me that whatever this means, whatever this pearl is, it hasn’t lost that battle yet. Please tell me that King Fyazum, the true ruler of dragons, has it in his possession, and that he’s okay.”
I close my eyes, envisioning Yackros, the way he shakes his head ever so slightly. And I realize I’m feeling what he’s feeling. Doubt. Fear. Everything I was feeling on my own. A deep understanding of what’s to come if that pearl is being corrupted.
“It’s not gone yet, but Ruxsiu is working on it, isn’t he?” I ask, encompassed by the dread filling him.
“I should have known, Alita. I should have seen this coming. It only makes sense. Already half the dragons follow him, believe in him. They follow his orders without hesitation, even when those commands aren’t given with our well-being in mind. I did not think he would stoop so low, only that he wished for power. But to steal the pearl and corrupt it, it would take—”
I feel the realization settle into his very bones. “It would take what?” I ask.
“It would take several hundred years or so.” His voice has gone quiet. And his emotions, while still heightened and taking over my own, have become muddled. I can feel what he’s feeling, but none of it is distinguishable.
“How long has Fyazum been missing?”
“Nearly two hundred years. The same amount of time we’ve hidden from the world of man, tucked away in small corners of the world, waiting for the day we could be free again, and not risk having to kill the humans we once would have given our very lives for. This war began with one human and one dragon wanting more. Needing more power, more control. The ability to make those they deemed below them into their servants.”
“How did it start?” I wipe a stray tear from my eye, refusing to let it fall.
“This is what I showed you, Alita.”
Those words come with a deep silence so heavy in the air, it’s as though I could reach up and rip apart the dense horror that hangs over us. The pearl, something I knew nothing about an hour ago and is now something that holds my future hostage, is being corrupted. Slowly turned to evil, allowing a monster to rule where he has no place doing such.
“I wish—” I wish I didn’t tremble in fear. I wish more tears didn’t spring into my eyes. I wish the weight of the world wasn’t on my shoulders. “I wish I could have been there, Yackros. I wish I could have known you before, in a time when I didn’t have to lie to everyone I care about because they think I’m crazy. I wish I wasn’t afraid of losing you because of things beyond my control.”
I use the edge of my shirt to wipe away the stray tears and get up, brushing the dirt from my pants. I stuff the book in my bag and sling it over my shoulders. “I wish we weren’t separated by invisible bounds, and that I didn’t have to worry that I may never see you again.”
“Don’t fall into despair, Little Wingless. I long for all that you do. But it is not so, and therefore I remain grateful we’ve had the time we did.”
“I wish we didn’t have to be grateful for such a small span of time. But I can’t keep wishing. I know it will get us nowhere. I refuse to let this be our end. If Ruxsiu gains control over this kingdom, I know without a doubt that he will kill you, and nothing and no one will be able to stop him. Which is why I am going to do everything in my power to stop him. To get the pearl. To save Fyazum. And to free you.”
“I will tell you again what I told you the last time you made that promise, Alita. You cannot give up your life for me—I am not your whole world. You have family and friends and education that demand your attention. I love you, child. You are a part of me forever. You have given this old dragon meaning again, a purpose in life when everything was lost. I never should have allowed you to entangle your life with mine. The punishment I bear now is one even Fyazum would have had to give me, but my dear, it was worth it. Knowing you was worth this and everything. Appreciate the time we were given. I do, and your image is always in my mind. I can’t risk forgetting your beautiful face. Because as much as I long to hope, dare to dream, I cannot say I believe I’ll ever be free. Not from this prison, or Ruxsiu’s ruling.”
Out of instinct or habit, I reach out to pat Yackros’ scales. To comfort not only him, but myself. But he’s not there. He’s only in my head.
“I dare to dream. I long for love. I’ll fight for our freedom. Don’t hope—you don’t need to because hope is right here. I’ll hope for both of us. All I ask is that you believe in me. I will keep my word, and so long as you believe that, you can lie down and rest. I’m coming for you, Yackros. My dear Sparkles. This isn’t over.”
After I leave Yackros with the intent to go home, I w
alk the long way around, standing behind a large rock formation and wait, in pain from barely breathing as I try not to make a sound. Counting to ten as slowly as I can muster, I peek around the edge.
Kneeling down, touching the ground where I was just sitting, and then the tree, is the librarian who made it clear she hates me.
14
A cat screeches and tears through the front yard after another feline, disappearing into the shadows. Though the days are long and painfully hot, the nights are biting cold. The windowpane my face is against is like ice.
It would feel nice against a hot sunburn, but right now, it’s mind-numbingly frigid. Yet I don’t move. I can’t seem to find the willpower to get up. Or do anything, really. I promised Yackros I would save him, but even after reading that book, I didn’t get any information that would help me on that mission.
And now a woman who made it clear she doesn’t like me, thinks I’m crazy, and has been incredibly rude to me, is following me around. Watching my every move. To say I’m creeped out is an understatement.
Everything is backwards. I’m finding people I want nothing to do with and I can’t find the one person I really need.
The king is nowhere. There wasn’t even a mention of him, or where I could find the pearl. No hint as to where I could start, which makes me wonder why I so desperately needed that book.
Which begs the question, if the librarian knows anything about dragons, anything about the world I wish to expose, why would she offer up that pamphlet as though she was doing me a favor? Why ask me so many questions and then follow me around? What is she after?
It doesn’t make sense. Maybe I’m wrong. Maybe she really doesn’t know. She found it in the back or on a different shelf and knew I was looking for it. That would be the truth, right?
Or is she somehow under Ruxsiu’s spell? Doing his bidding in the human world to keep us from finding them? I suppose it’s plausible, assuming that’s even a thing. If I were a large beast stealing power from the rightful ruler, hidden in the midst of the human world, creatures I thought below me, perhaps I would want someone among them to be my lookout. To make sure no one gets to close. But then, why the librarian? And again, if she was a spy, why would she give me the one book of information I needed the most? I knew absolutely nothing about the pearl until I read that.
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