Tracker and the Spy

by D. Jackson Leigh

  Kyle thought back to the standoff between Jael and Tan at the debriefing earlier and the warm feeling that had washed over her before both Jael and Tan relaxed and Tan backed down. Was that Alyssa? Had Alyssa defused the confrontation between her and Tan when they first met in the hallway of the clinic and were about to throw fireballs at each other? Stars. She was one big ball of world peace all by herself.

  “I know what you’re thinking. It’s not that easy.”

  “What’s a First Advocate?”

  “I can never recall one in any of my lifetimes. From what I understand, she answers directly to The Collective, as does Jael, the First Warrior of The Guard.”

  “Explain The Guard to me.”

  Titan and Second dropped away, gliding downward. Then Bero and Diego followed before she felt Azar also shift to descend.

  “That’s our valley below, so I’ll save the long version for later. Three units exist around the globe, each with seven members. If they were to unite, Jael would be in charge of all because she is the highest ranking, the oldest soul of all The Guard. Danielle, her cousin, is Second Warrior—that’s why everybody calls her Second. I am Third Warrior. The next highest-ranking Guard members lead the other two units in other parts of the world.”

  Kyle took a mental inventory. “I counted only five of you.”

  “You haven’t met Raven and Michael. They returned here with the rest of the dragon-horse army as soon as the train was recaptured, before the animals transformed at dawn.”

  She’s running atop the length of the train car as pandemonium erupts. Cyrus is jumping down from the next car, chased by Jael’s fireball. She gathers herself to tackle Alyssa and hurl the two of them over the side and beyond the spray of bullets. Everything slows and she realizes the night sky is filling with dragon horses carrying warriors who are hurling fireballs at the believers firing upon them and the citizens storming the train.

  “Stars. How big is this army?”

  “Fewer than a hundred.”

  “Seemed like a thousand when they filled the sky over the train depot.”

  Furcho chuckled. “Good to know we make that kind of impression.”

  Only a few lights shone in the valley below them as they touched down in a large hillside clearing nearby, but Kyle could tell from the shadowy outlines of buildings and the movement of livestock under the weak moonlight that the encampment was the size of a well-established village.

  Second waved them over. “Diego and I will fly down to the stables and get a ration of fire rocks for Bero and Titan. He can feed them there and send them to their day meadow. You two wait for Jael and Tan while I find someone to ready the cave stable. I’ll hike back with fire rocks for the others. We’ll probably have to wait until daylight, when Phyrrhos transforms from dragon to horse, to isolate her. Even then, she’ll be a handful.”

  Furcho nodded. “We’ll wait.”

  Azar raised his head and snorted small puffs of white smoke from his nostrils as the others left. Furcho smiled. “Your rocks are coming, my friend.”

  “Rocks?” What exactly were fire rocks?

  “While they are in dragon form, they crave sulfur and phosphorous to supplement their pyro ability. In the wild, they seek and eat rocks containing those minerals. We, however, feed our dragon horses a concentrated phosphorous manufactured into a hard form that also satisfies their natural desire to crush rocks. That’s what those big teeth are for…not eating people or other beasts.”

  Kyle laughed. “I was wondering about those teeth.”

  Furcho laughed with her. “You don’t want to feel them close around your arm or leg, but they normally use them to crush rocks. Anyway, the fire rocks we feed produce a hotter, blue-white flame. When you have a chance to see a wild dragon horse, you’ll notice their flame is the red-yellow flame of a campfire. Not as hot. That’s because they’re eating the volcanic rocks around here that are mostly just sulfur.”

  Furcho stood, and Kyle was almost startled as Specter and Phyrrhos dropped from the sky into the clearing farther downhill. Jael dismounted and reached up to help Alyssa down. Specter shook out his wings impatiently, strolling uphill to join Azar in staring at the path that led to the encampment. Second appeared with two buckets, handing one to Furcho and the other to Kyle. She reached in the bucket and held up a hard chunk bigger than her fist.

  “Don’t get too much on your hand,” Second warned her. “Light a fireball with a palm full of that dust and you’ll burn your eyebrows off.” She gestured toward Specter. “Give this bucket to him. Furcho will walk Azar over there to feed him. They get possessive over their rocks, and you don’t want to feed them too close together.”

  Kyle glanced downhill. “What about Phyrrhos?”

  Tan had dismounted but paced a jerky disjointed path between them and Phyrrhos, as if she couldn’t decide where she was needed most. Her expression was as fierce as the flame-colored dragon horse that bucked, wings unfurled as she trotted back and forth.

  “She won’t eat while she’s in season, and the last thing we want is to fuel her flame right now.”

  “Okay.” Kyle turned toward Specter but stumbled and fell when Phyrrhos screamed. Stars, that was loud. Her ears still ringing, she scrambled to pick up the rocks she’d spilled while keeping an eye on the agitated mare. Second stooped next to her and scooped up a few rocks. “Sorry.”

  Second’s smile was easy and reassuring. “Don’t worry about it. She made me jump out of my skin, too.”

  Kyle approached Specter cautiously, but he seemed concerned only about the bucket of rocks she carried. He plunged his nose into it before she had a chance to settle it on the ground, and she laughed. “Easy. Nobody’s going to take your rocks.”

  The grinding sound was awful, but she closed her eyes and pretended for a moment that the sound was her own dragon horse chowing down. She moved to Specter’s shoulder and scratched the top of his withers with her nails. Most horses liked that, so she figured dragon horses would, too. He twitched a wing and lifted it, so she took a chance and scratched under where it joined his shoulder. The crunching stopped for a second, and he made a contented noise before he resumed eating. She smiled and scratched some more.

  The moon slipped behind clouds again, and Kyle squinted to make out the shapes of the others in the clearing. One of those shapes approached.

  “The night is always darkest just before dawn,” Furcho said.

  “That’s what Mom used to say,” Kyle said. She missed her mother. And her sister. Everything was happening, changing so fast, she hadn’t even had time to mourn the loss of her brother. “What’s the big discussion about?”

  Jael and Second were arguing with Tan while Alyssa watched. Tan repeatedly broke away, pacing between them and Phyrrhos. The mare’s agitation grew with Tan’s distress.

  “Dragon horses aren’t like regular horses. They rarely cycle into breeding season if they are bonded, and, well, it’s a difficult time for their warrior, too. It’s hard to think clearly. Jael doesn’t feel this is a good time for Phyrrhos to breed. She needs all of The Guard battle-ready, not pregnant and unpredictable. But Tan is influenced by Phyrrhos, and she’s resistant to confining her until her heat passes.”

  “How long will that take? We’re supposed to be tracking Cyrus.” Maybe Jael would come up with a different plan. That would be fine with her. She’d rather just bond with a dragon horse and melt into the army. She’d be happy if she never had to see her father again. She certainly wasn’t looking forward to going on assignment alone with the volatile Tan.

  Furcho shrugged. “Two weeks, maybe three. If she were to breed, the heat could subside in a few days. That’s what Tan is arguing for. Come on. Let’s see who’s winning.”

  They joined Alyssa, who stood, arms crossed over her chest, expression grim as she watched Jael and Second argue with Tan. Kyle felt protective, possessive…no, jealous. Of what? She followed Alyssa’s gaze and watched the body language between Tan and Jael. The First Warri
or was shifting away when Tan approached, her eyes following Jael’s every movement. It was Second, not Jael, who put a hand on Tan’s arm, wrapped an arm over her shoulders, then discreetly stepped between Jael and Tan as the three negotiated.

  Furcho’s glance held a warning. Kyle was about to hear something else she should keep to herself.

  “Alyssa, their history together was only physical. Tan knows Jael’s soul belongs to you,” he said. “You know she respects that. Tan respects you. It’s just that her bond with Phyrrhos is keeping her from thinking clearly.”

  Alyssa’s shoulders sagged and she dropped her arms. “I know.”

  The moon reappeared, and Phyrrhos glittered as she fluttered her wings and pranced in an odd but beautiful display. Her scream was met by one from Specter, who chased Azar until he rose into the sky and disappeared. Specter flashed his wings at Phyrrhos and spit a stream of fire into the night.

  “Son of a volcano,” Furcho muttered. “This is not good.”

  Kyle had grown up in an agricultural community. It was pretty clear what was about to happen if they didn’t do something. She thought quickly. Tan did respect Alyssa. She’d seen it in the clinic and again in the debriefing. Alyssa had been able to calm her. “So, maybe Jael isn’t the best one to handle Tan. Maybe Alyssa should try. Maybe that would settle Phyrrhos down enough for Jael to get Specter to the day meadow before we have a breeding right here.”

  They stared at her.

  “Out of the mouths of babes,” Furcho said.

  “It might work,” Alyssa said, taking a deep breath and leading them to the arguing trio.

  Tan’s dark eyes were glassy bright, and sweat beaded along her scalp and dripped from her jaw. Second stood between her and Jael, both her hands on Tan’s shoulders, pressing her back. “Think, Tan. Think. You do not want them to breed. Calm Phyrrhos.”

  Alyssa stepped forward and took Tan’s clenched fist in her hands, pulling the fingers open and stroking them. She spoke quietly. “Tanisha. We are all your friends. No one wishes any harm for you or Phyrrhos.”

  Kyle could swear that if she closed her eyes, the clearing around her would burst into sunshine and wildflowers. How did Alyssa do that? She felt drowsy but fought to watch Tan’s face relax. Alyssa edged between Second and Tan.

  “You are important to us, as a friend and an important officer of The Guard. You’re a talented physician. You’re a loyal warrior and intelligent leader. And you’re the best tracker in The Guard. We need that skill more than ever right now. The Collective is counting on you. Your friends are counting on you. I’m counting on you. Please, calm Phyrrhos and let us do what’s best for her in these unusual circumstances.”

  Furcho tugged Kyle from the spell Alyssa was weaving, and she shook herself to concentrate on his whisper. “Go get the buckets and wait by the path to the encampment. Jael is going to deal with Specter. Second and I will take up position to engage Phyrrhos if we need to distract her until sunrise.”

  The night was still very dark, but a faint light shone toward the east. The dragon horses would transform to normal horses soon. The moon showed from behind the clouds again just enough for her to see the two buckets, now empty and turned on their sides. She hurried toward them but snagged her boot on a rock or a root. Her momentum tumbled her a few yards down the incline of the hillside before she managed to catch herself. Sun, she needed some sleep. She was never this clumsy. They must think her a bumbling idiot. Something jabbed into her ribs, and she tugged an uneaten fire rock from under her body. She stood quickly and brushed the grass and damp soil from her clothes. Nothing seemed to be hurt. Maybe it was still dark enough that nobody saw her fall. A loud snort sounded directly behind her and she froze. She could see Specter’s pale form several meters uphill. The other dragon horses had all left the clearing. That left only—

  Kyle turned slowly. Phyrrhos towered over her, a bare half meter away with her wings fully extended and canted forward as if intending to swat Kyle like a pesky fly. One exhale would incinerate her before she could raise her hands to block it with a firewall of her own. The red slits of the dragon horse’s pupils pulsed, and Kyle felt a strange pull. She closed her eyes and tried to focus, to latch onto it. The stench of sulfur breath made her cough, and she opened her eyes to find Phyrrhos’ nose centimeters from hers. Ears working back and forth, Phyrrhos snuffled along Kyle’s neck and sleeve, then her hand where she’d scratched Specter. Her wings fluttered faintly and lowered, and then Phyrrhos carefully took the fire rock from Kyle’s other hand.

  “I’m sorry. They said you wouldn’t want any rocks, or I would have saved you more,” Kyle said. Her words were lost amid the crunching and grinding of teeth against rock, but Phyrrhos’ head bobbed as if she understood.

  The sky was growing lighter, and as soon as Phyrrhos ate the fire rock, she folded her wings. They seemed to shimmer and gradually disappear, along with the horny ridges running down her face. Her pupils morphed from red slits to dark, round pools. All that remained of the dragon was the coppery hide that glittered even brighter under the rising sun as she trotted over to her bonded.

  Tan, her expression unreadable, stared at Kyle. Alyssa still stroked Tan’s back and talked in soothing tones. Furcho and Second were converging on them from the edges of the clearing, but Kyle hesitated. She was uncertain of her place among them, or if she belonged among them at all. She stiffened when a strong hand gripped her shoulder.

  “For a minute there, I thought you were cinders.”

  Kyle’s face grew warm as Jael studied her with questions in her eyes, but Kyle didn’t feel a mental probe she knew Jael was capable of initiating.

  “Me, too.” Should she tell Jael about the strange pull she’d felt? Stars. She didn’t even know what to call it. It was probably just Alyssa’s calming influence on Tan flowing through Phyrrhos. Yeah. That was probably it. “I guess Alyssa calmed Tan just in time.”

  “Maybe.” Jael’s gaze didn’t waver. “Let’s hope that’s all it is.” She gave Kyle’s shoulder a rough pat. “Let’s join them.”

  Kyle fell into step behind Jael. What did Jael mean? What else could have caused Phyrrhos’ reaction? She had so many questions, but she’d always been an observer rather than an interrogator. She’d hold her tongue until she had more information and could ask better questions. She didn’t want them to think she was a klutz and an idiot.

  “What did you do to her?” Tan stepped around Jael and snarled at Kyle.

  “I let her take the fire rock that was in my hand. Second said she wouldn’t eat, but didn’t say not to feed her.”

  Kyle exceeded Tan’s height slightly and didn’t back down as Tan came chest to chest, nose to nose with her. Their voices rose with each exchange.

  “I shouldn’t have to tell you not to touch another warrior’s dragon horse. You were lucky she didn’t fry you.”

  “If it were up to you, I’d probably be a pile of ashes right now.”

  “You’re right about that.”

  “Son of a dung eater. What have I done to make you hate me?”

  “You’re breathing my air.”

  A loud snort sprayed both of their faces and they instantly broke apart, wiping away wet sooty horse snot with their sleeves or shirttails—anything available. Jael crossed her arms over her chest, looking amused while the others laughed.

  “Phyrrhos, that is so nasty.” Tan glared at her bonded, who stomped her front hoof and swished her tail impatiently. “Okay, okay.” They pressed foreheads together, and Phyrrhos swished her tail angrily several times at the mental pictures Tan was showing her.

  “Sweet feed,” Kyle whispered to no one.

  Jael glanced at Kyle.

  Show her there’ll be a bucket of sweet feed in the paddock.

  Kyle blinked, nearly missing Tan’s signal that Jael’s telepathic message had been received. How did she do that? Had Jael broadcast that to everyone standing there or just to her and Tan—like copying her on a forwarded d-message?


  Tan pulled back at last, her shoulders sagging. “She’ll go.”

  Second stepped forward to slip a rope over the horse’s head. “I’ll take her up. Furcho’s going to drive you to the village and put you on the train to San Pedro Sula.”

  Tan tensed, instantly vibrating again like a taut bow string, and snatched the rope from Second. “No. I’m not leaving Phyrrhos.”

  Alyssa put a hand on Jael’s arm to stop her from going to Tan. Kyle didn’t know these women well enough to understand what to do if a disagreement erupted. Jael was obviously in charge. But, for reasons she couldn’t imagine, her every instinct screamed to protect Tan.

  Furcho defused the confrontation, flinging a casual arm over Tan’s shoulders. “Diego has arranged everything—a very private luxury house where you can relax for a week. It has a hot tub and sauna.”

  “No. I’m not going anywhere.” Tan pushed his arm from her shoulders, but Furcho was quick. He grasped her jaw firmly and brought his face close to hers, but his voice was gentle.

  “You need to separate from Phyrrhos. It will be better for both of you.” He smiled. “Besides, Anya is waiting for you in San Pedro.”

  “Anya’s here?” Tan’s rich brown eyes grew bright, and her pink tongue swiped over her lips as though tasting something unseen. Kyle’s body heated and her belly clenched. With everything that had happened in the past months, she couldn’t remember the last time she’d felt aroused. But the raw need in Tan’s expression had instantly jerked her to the edge.

  “In San Pedro Sula. Are you ready?”

  Tan glanced at Phyrrhos, who was grazing quietly. In horse form, she was calm and only excitable in the presence of a stallion.

  “She’ll be fine,” Second said. “We’ll put another mare in with her, so she’ll have company.” She gently took the rope from Tan.

  Tan nodded wordlessly, then trotted toward the path that led to the encampment and transportation to the train. Furcho followed close behind.