“Werebeasts?” Set said disappointed. “How pathetic.”
He grabbed the werebeast and threw it across the room.
“Upstairs, JJ.” Mrs. Wasabi pushed me toward the stairs. I stumbled forward still nauseated from the stench. Scrambling up the stairs, I fell into Mr. Wasabi’s waiting arms. He quickly walked me down the hallway and into Brooke’s room.
“What happened?” His concern written on his face.
The whole situation was beginning to blur, but I must have rattled on enough to give him enough information to satisfy him. The sound of an all-out bar brawl came from downstairs.
“What about Mrs. Wasabi?” Fresh air coming inform the open window was clearing my head.
“Don’t worry about her.” He assured me.
He sat me on the bed. The egg had changed colors. The pulsating swirling color was replaced by a low steady pulse of gold light. Mr. Wasabi picked the egg up and shoved it into my chest.
“Hold it.” Turning towards the door.
The sounds of struggle were intensifying.
The warmth of the egg felt really good. It felt like an arm full of clothes just out of the dryer.
“Don’t drop it. Keep it safe.” He walked over to the door. Mr. Wasabi placed his ear on the door. The door suddenly kicked open knocking Mr. Wasabi to the ground.
Christian smiled at me. “Just give it to me JJ. No need to die for it.”
I scrambled backwards. “What are you!?”
He slowly walked in. “None of your concern.”
“But you grew up with me. We went to Apollo Academy together since we were twelve?” My back bumped up against the wall.
He smirked. “After all you have seen, been told, is it so unbelievable? We’ve know that the Wasabi’s were handlers for a long time. We knew they would get a dragon egg sooner or later. That Gray Mage is stupid. Incompetent. She is so absorbed with her war on the Gods, that she has forgotten those that hate her.” He smiled. “You wanted to see magic, JJ, isn’t that right? Now you’ve seen it. Give me the egg.” He rushed forward.
I screamed while kicking out at him. But I never hit him because Mr. Wasabi had a hold of his leg.
“Run!’ He pulled Christian down making enough room for me to run past.
Running downstairs, the living room was a war zone with Gabe and Brooke fighting and Set tangling with two Doppelgangers. Mrs. Wasabi laid on floor in a pool of blood.
Brooke saw me. “Run to the greenhouse!”
I froze.
“Go!” she yelled.
Free of my paralysis, I raced out into the night and stopped in front of a thing I’d never seen before.
Incredibly tall, its body burned a deep red that was outlined in black. Wings like those of a bat hung loosely by its side. Hoofed feet, which burned with its own flame, stamped impatiently. A howl went up, an all too familiar howl and as the creature turned its hideous red eyes towards me, I sprinted not towards the greenhouse but out into forest.
As my story fades from my vision, and my declaration of love dwindles into the night, the jaws of the doppelganger rip into my body. My only regret is leaving my Dad alone. I can die knowing that Gabe would have been with me, but the heart ache my death will bring my dad is crushing me.
The doppelganger flings me to the side and my body rolls through the dirt like a rag doll but I never let go of the egg. The sound of a helicopter appears nearer but with the blood in my eyes and the agonizing pain coming from my torn leg, I didn’t really pay attention. I try and drag myself with my right arm away from the doppelganger.
Looking over my shoulder, the doppelganger’s eyes pierce the night. Gabe’s name rolls over my lips along with apologies to my dad. Pain erupts in my left calf and when I’m flipped over involuntarily, the doppelganger’s tentacle has a grip on it. My blood soaked eyes catch a glimpse of the creature from the back of the house running through and then out of the trees in a fiery burst of hell. Its hatred burns fiercely into my mind. I can’t understand it.
While it moves towards me, the egg pulses even faster now with golden light and deep sadness breaks through all the pain. I’m sorry I couldn’t save you. I wonder what kind of dragon you would have been. Kind, like your half-brothers? I’m sorry you won’t get to find out.
I pull the egg closer to my chest and lay my head down on it.
Suddenly, a huge thump sounds behind me and I am thrown up into the air. I land back down on the ground in a heap. The pain in my leg lessens and when I am able to force my body to see behind me, another creature I’d only seen in movies has crushed the doppelganger under foot.
The black dragon lifts its head into the night and roars. Turning its own hate filled red eyes towards the creature, it rushes the other, grabbing it with its mouth and leaping into the air. In utter astonishment, the dragon rises into the sky faster than a jet plane, and when it reaches a height far above the forest floor, it drops the burning creature, creating a falling star. Then flames light the night sky and the falling star vanishes.
With a heavy head, I lay it down on the ground when Brooke’s voice echoes through the forest.
“JJ! Where are you!?”
Brooke’s voice sounds so good to me but the next one that breaks the night’s silence fills me with incredible joy.
“Over here!”
Footsteps rush towards me making me begin to cry. Rough, strong hands lift my head up and disappoint erupts in me at seeing Brooke’s face first, but then Gabe’s face is right behind her.
“Don’t you die on me, you bitch!” Brooke’s tears drop on my face.
“Hello to you too.” Smiling hurts my face.
Laying on my back, the egg on my chest, my vision begins to blur. “Will you remember to take care of my dad for me, Brooke? I know he sees you as his daughter too. I don’t want him to be alone.” I’m having trouble breathing.
“You can take care of him.” She says to me. “Help is coming.”
“Sure. I’m scared, Brooke.” Tears run down my face. “What’s waiting for me?”
Gabe’s hand caresses my forehead. “Your mother, Jennifer.”
To hear him use my proper name is nice. My fear subsides.
“I hope so.”
“JJ.” Brooke’s voice breaks with emotion.
“Hey, it’s okay.” I begin, but the sound of a cracking shell stops me.
Long slender cracks begin to run along the length of the gold egg. Golden ooze seeps from them and the liquid feels warm as it reaches my chest. Slowly, but firmly, the little creature pushes its way out of its prison and more of the ooze spills onto me. I smile so hard at the little golden eyes watching me that my face hurts.
“Hey, little guy.” My sight is beginning to cloud. “I’m glad I got to see you before I die.”
“You are not dying, JJ!” Brooke yells, but I see Gabe’s look as he shakes his head.
As the darkness comes to claim me, I feel Gabe take my hand.
“I love you, Jennifer.”
I try and tell him I love him too, but the darkness consumes me. The sudden squeeze of my hand lets me know I did.
Really, you let her die?
In the clear night sky the moon shined in full brightness. The dark, deserted street, absorbed the moon’s light leaving only a faint afterglow of light. A black car pulled up to the curb in front of a warmly lit building. Cloaked shadows moved away from the car like they were afraid of what was lurking inside. Despite its black color, the car appeared bright and shiny, a beacon even in the dark.
Like a castle gate, the passenger back door opened with a slow deliberate movement that was neither hurried nor slow. When it was fully extended, a muscular leg stepped out onto the sidewalk but was quickly covered by the gray cloak that dropped to the top of the occupant’s leather boots.
Rising up out of the car, the gray hooded person looked both ways down the empty sidewalk. Satisfied, the cloaked figure moved with steps of confidence and power that couldn’t be masked by the outer
garments of the cloak. As the person moved up to the lit double sliding doors, the figure’s face was lost in the depths of the hood, despite the heavily lit doorway.
The doors silently opened with the slightest whoosh of air escaping into the night. The figure started to step forward but stopped and turned its head slightly to the left. In the shadows of the corner of the building, what appeared to be wispy white strands of spider silk, floated in space. The design could have been mistaken for the shape of a head, but nothing appeared in the middle of the white strands.
“This is your fault.” The gray cloaked figure accused quietly. “You and he should have let me finish them.”
“We were trying to protect your soul.” The void between the strands answered in a raspy female voice. “It’s not too late.”
“That is for sure.” The strong female voice inside the cloak chuckled. “Tell him, because of this, the Law has been violated. We finish this now. We’ll see whose vision will prevail.”
“We did not know they had acted. They did this on their own. The Law, for us, has not been violated.” The concern of the void voice was readily apparent.
“They were allowed to act because you made me spare them. This makes them your responsibility. They violated the Law.” The cloaked figure announced firmly. “After I destroy them for their transgressions, I’ll be coming for you.”
The void voice said nothing at the threat.
Satisfied the conversation was over, the gray cloaked figured walked steadily into the building while the double doors closed behind.
The gray cloaked figured strode through the white hallways unimpeded; individuals who came across the figure stepped back and bowed until they had passed. The elevator opened and several young women with brilliant white hair moved aside and bowed with deep respect. A quick incline of the cloaked figures head acknowledged their respect. The doors closed on the elevator and opened again several floors later. The cloaked figure moved down the hallway and came to a room, stuffed with people.
Mr. Wasabi was the first to notice the cloaked figure in the doorway. He immediately jumped to his feet and bowed. When the others noticed, they too rose to their feet and bowed.
“How is she?” The cloak figure asked a man in a white lab coat.
“Mistress, she is fine. Your quick action saved her life.” His voice announced confidently.
Brooke rushed forward dropping to her knees and placed her head on the covered clasped hands of the cloaked figure.
“Mistress, my loyalty and life are yours. I cannot express my deepest love for you in saving my friend.” Tears dropped to the floor.
“Brooke.” Mr. Wasabi hissed but a shake of the cloaked figure’s head silenced him.
“Very uncharacteristic for a blue to show such emotion.” The cloaked figure stroked Brooke’s blue hair with a pale hand. “It is a pleasure to see. Love of friends is important if we are to win. But I didn’t save your friend, Brooke. That little dragon did.”
The gold dragon that had hatched earlier, sat on JJ’s chest. Her chest rose quietly up and down in a smooth rhythm.
“If he hadn’t hatched on her chest and had some of his fluid spill onto her, she would certainly be dead. The fluids from a dragon’s egg has special properties, Brooke. Save your gratitude for him.”
“But without your portis to the hospital…” Brooke started, but the cloaked figure stopped her.
“We are family.” She turned to Mr. Wasabi.
“My deepest condolences on your wife, Toyo. She was a premier protector.” The cloaked figure dipped her head.
“She gave her life protecting others. That is all she ever wanted.” He said stoically but he couldn’t hide the tear that fell from his face.
“Who were those people, Mistress?” Gabe said from JJ’s bedside. He had a hold of her hand.
“A mistake, Gabriel.” The Mistress’s voice reverberated around the room. “A mistake that will soon be remedied. Kerilink, time to go home.”
The baby gold dragon took one long look at JJ’s sleeping face, and then on wobbly wings flew from the bed to the Mistress’s shoulder.
“What about JJ. Will she be willing to help?” The Mistress asked.
Brooke jumped right in. “Yes, Mistress. She has been told and pledged her loyalty to us.”
The gold dragon squeaked with pleasure as the Mistress’s head nodded in approval.
“Good.” The Mistress turned to leave.
“Gray mage?” Gabe called out.
The Gray Mage stopped but didn’t turn around. “Yes?”
“Will you give my deepest thanks to Set. I know how hard it was for him to return to his true form.”
The Gray Mage’s shoulders moved with mirth. “Think nothing of it Gabriel. He’s already returned to Japan and began his hibernation to return to his human form. And in a hundred years, he’ll be just as he was. As for you two; Brooke, I’ll need you in Japan at the end of summer.”
“Yes, Mistress.” Brooke replied.
“Gabe, I’ll be sending you and Mr. Wasabi a young Dimidius. A green. He’s very special. Teach him.”
“Yes, Mistress.” Mr. Wasabi said.
“And JJ?” Gabe asked.
“Just love her.”
With that, the Gray Mage left the room.
The End
Dragon Amour (Dragon-Half Breed Book 1) Page 25
