“A dragon has come to our attention. He appears to be gathering a lot of followers. He orates in the marketplace, and the crowds of dragons who go there to listen to him are growing larger and larger each time he turns up. Nobody appears to know anything about him other than his name.”
“And what is his name?”
“He goes by the name of Myn. According to the last census, nobody of this name exists on Dracos.”
I frowned. “And why are so many people following him?”
“He preaches to the poor, suggesting that the dragon system of government ends up keeping them poor while the ruling families get richer. Sedition, it is. Treason. He is dangerous, and your mother feels like he may become a serious threat. She wants you to find out what you can and put a stop to this man.”
“He sounds harmless enough. There are all manner of street preachers in Pathya. Nothing you have said makes him sound any worse than the rest.”
“None of the rest are gathering followers. Most of them are charlatans and quacks, and the people see right through them. This man has nothing to sell, nothing he does enriches him personally.”
I listened to what Blandin had said and wondered if some of what Myn was saying had an element of truth in it, and that was really what worried my mother.
“Very well, I’ll look into it. Anything else?”
“From what we’ve found out about him, he has a tattoo on his neck, a picture of a dragon breathing fire.”
“I meant any more messages, but thank you for the information. It should make finding him a little easier.”
“Indeed. Yes, but there is more. Lalnu also asked—”
“That is the queen to you, Blandin. Don’t overstep yourself because she keeps you close. She is still your queen.”
Blandin made a little mock bow. “I apologize. The queen also asked me to say that she is aware of Famil’s work on behalf of the Earth vampires. It is to stop immediately. The queen is of the opinion that it is too dangerous to have the infected on Dracos. She”—he pointed to Katie—“and the human male who so rapidly vanished are to be escorted back to Earth and are not to return. I trust I can tell the queen that you will take care of the arrangements?”
I could see Katie staring at me, slightly shaking her head. This had put me in a quandary. As much as I wanted to stay with Katie, I still had to look after my people on Dracos. I owed them my attention, but I wanted to make sure Katie was okay about it. I certainly wasn’t going to say anything about it in front of Blandin. His blabbing mouth would have that information back to my mother in no time flat, or he would keep it back and use it against me at a time when it suited his purposes.
“I will discuss the arrangements with those affected, Blandin. Now, is that it, or do you have even more poison to spread around this evening before you go back to your pond?”
I heard Katie take a deep breath and cover her mouth to mask a laugh, but the sour, blank look on Blandin’s face suggested he might not quite have understood the reference.
“No, that is all for now. If you need me, you know where to find me.”
I was so tempted to say I could always find him licking my mother’s boots, but I held my temper and instructed him to go back to Pathya and tell my mother I would be there soon.
As soon as Blandin had disappeared back through his rift, I turned to Katie. The last thing I wanted to do was send her away. The very last thing, but I knew I had no choice. For that moment, at least, my priority had to be to make sure the people on my own world, the ones I was responsible for, were looked after properly.
She already had a resigned look on her face when I spoke.
“Katie, I—”
“I know. You have to stay here and sort out your mother and this Myn dragon. I get it, really, I do. I have to look after my people. You have to look after yours.”
I stared at Katie for a long time before I answered.
“I’m coming with you,” I said.
Chapter Eight
Katie
Famil’s laboratory
Eastborne, Dracos
“WHAT?” I SAID at the same time as both Famil and Nova, who had reappeared as soon as Blandin had gone.
“You heard what that sneak said,” Famil said, putting a hand on Jevyn’s arm. I didn’t know why, but that made me uncomfortable. Okay, I did know why. I could at least be honest with myself. It made me feel a twinge of jealousy. “He said it was a proclamation by your mother. Everyone is subject to proclamations.”
“I know. The way I see it is that I have to go. I have to accompany Katie and Nova back to Earth, but I also need to tell Nindock that he has to stop raiding Dracos. I can’t do that from here.”
“Do you think your mother will buy that?” Nova asked. I guessed he and Famil had been talking while he was here.
“I don’t see why not. I’m her son. I’m carrying out her instructions to the letter. It just so happens I have to go to Earth to do it.”
“Will it put you in danger?” I asked.
“From my mother? No. She’s hardly likely to throw me in the cells for doing as she asked, is she?”
Famil smiled and looked away, and for the first time, while I’d been on Dracos, I got the feeling that maybe the people there possibly lived in fear. I’d heard what Nindock had said about life on Dracos, and I’d seen a tiny bit of it in the marketplace, but I’d never really gotten the feeling that people were scared of the ruling family or even fearful of what might happen to them if they stepped out of line.
“Did you get the extra sprays, Katie?” Jevyn asked.
I nodded, patting the bottles in my pocket.
“We have some extra mechanisms for you to take back to Earth with you too,” Famil said. “Nova, why don’t you show Jevyn where they are, and he can help you bring them back here so you can take them. If your mother has proclaimed I have to stop, then I have to stop. Sorry, Jevyn.”
“No problem. I understand. Come on, Nova, the longer I’m here, the better chance my mother might guess what I’m doing.” Jevyn and Nova trotted off, leaving Famil and me in the room alone. Although I knew Jevyn and Famil were friends and had been for a long time, I still felt a little awkward, not the least because of the way I’d reacted when she touched him.
“They won’t be long,” Famil said, smiling gently at me. I just smiled back. For once in my life, I didn’t know what to say to her.
She walked slowly over to where I was leaning back against one of the workbenches and leaned against it next to me.
“I’m sorry I can’t help you anymore, Katie. Hopefully you understand why.”
I nodded. “I do. You have to protect your family. And thank you for everything you have done for us. I’m truly grateful. How do you think Lalnu found out about it?”
“Oh, Lalnu has people everywhere, watching what everyone does. It was only a matter of time before someone passed on the information. It counts for a lot on Dracos. Anyone with a smidgeon of useful information is likely to be overloaded with favors from the ruling family.”
“Sorry, Famil. I hope we haven’t gotten you or your family into any trouble by being here.”
“Don’t worry about that, Katie. I like to help other people. It’s kind of what I do, if you know what I mean. My parents and Jevyn’s parents have known each other for years and years, as they keep reminding me, so as long as I comply now, they’ll be able to pass it off as youthful rebellion or some kind of temporary disorder.” She giggled to herself at that idea, and I couldn’t help but join in. She actually reminded me a little of myself in some ways.
“You don’t sound too worried about it now, but you looked concerned when Blandin was here. Scared even.”
“He scares me. I remember him when I used to go over to Jevyn’s when I was younger. He was always popping up when you least expected him, you know? And he’s sneaky, too. Every little thing he heard got passed back to Lalnu. I got mad at Jevyn one day for teasing me about something. I called him a name, and
two days later, my dad pulled me in and told me off for it. I knew that Jevyn hadn’t said anything to his mom, because I asked him, and I’d seen the slippery Blandin hanging around, so I guess he must have heard and snitched to Lalnu. He’s a creep of the highest order.”
“What about people generally, Famil? What’s it like for people here on Dracos?”
“Do you know about how we are governed?”
“Jevyn told me, but I’m not sure I got the story from anything other than a wealthy family’s point of view.” I was thinking of the dragons I’d seen on Earth at Nindock’s town. Some of them might have been injured, but they all seemed to be thriving using a completely different way of existing than here.
“I’m not sure asking me would give any better an answer. My family is one of the higher echelon of families who compete to be the top, ruling family. I’m what you might call the odd one out. I have no interest in that. I just want to work on projects that will help everyone, not just the top few. My dad thinks I work on stuff for our family, to bring us notoriety, and I do, but I spend a lot of time working on other things, and when and if I come across something that I can use to help a lot of people, I’ll put it out there. I know one or two people who can help me with that,” she said almost in a whisper.
“Does Jevyn know?”
She shook her head. “It’s not that I don’t trust him. It just makes it easier if he knows nothing because then he can’t say anything in an unguarded moment.”
“Well, anything I can do on Earth to help you, just say. I’ll do what I can.”
“Make sure Nindock’s people know about the infection risk. If they can avoid it, there’ll be less chance of problems.”
“But Lalnu has said that has to stop,” I said.
“Can you see Nindock stopping? I know him, too. He is a stubborn and awkward man, but he will have his own interests at heart if he can keep his people infection free. Until you guys can find a cure for the virus, it’s best if it’s kept at a distance from Dracos.”
I agreed with that sentiment. When I compared stories of Earth from before the VAMP2 virus was released into the population, it was a very different world from the present. That was all thanks to the people who had done it—those at Gregori Industries. It had been accidental, supposedly. But Gregori had also profited handsomely from the sales of the implant that kept vampires under control, especially after it became a requirement by law. It was my dream that one day I’d be able to get my hands on the little ass wipe responsible and pulverize him until he told me what was going on.
The last thing I would want would be to give Gregori Industries the same kind of power and influence over Dracos as they had over the population on Earth. The conglomerate would love nothing more than to get their hands on a new magical species and figure out how to exploit it. If they did, and became dominant enough, I could imagine that the dragon society that existed could be wiped out, and that would be a tragedy beyond measure.
The one redeeming thing lately was that even in the short time she had been working on it, Famil had found out what it was in dragon blood that helped control the urges.
“It’s a shame you couldn’t work on finding a cure for the virus. Gregori Industries controls virtually every scientific organization down on Earth. They sponsor almost every university. You’re out of reach of them right now,” I said, nudging her with my elbow.
Famil looked around the deserted laboratory and then glanced up to the ceiling. I could see what she was indicating immediately. I was amazed I hadn’t spotted the camera in the corner of the room before. I suppose I had other things on my mind, like not being separated from Jevyn.
“Don’t worry. I hacked the camera system a while back. Right now, it’s showing the lab as empty. In fact, I’m due into the lab in …” She checked her watch. “Ten minutes. You can see the problem though? In truth,” she dropped her voice to a very quiet whisper, “I still have some of Nova’s blood, and I was planning on doing exactly that in my own time. I’ve told nobody else about it, so keep it to yourself. I know you will because it’s in your best interests, but the fewer who know, the less likely I am to be stopped.”
I mimed zipping my mouth shut.
For a few moments, we sat in silence. When I glanced at Famil, she seemed nervous.
“What is it?”
“I have a concern.”
“Spit it out.”
“Sorry?”
“Sorry, it’s an Earth saying. Tell me.”
“I’m concerned about Jevyn.”
“Why? What’s wrong with him?” Suddenly, I was alert and listening.
“Nothing. No, nothing bad. Thing is, Jevyn and I have been friends for longer than I care to remember. There’s never been anything more than that between us. We just have each other’s backs, you know?”
“That’s just how Nova and I are. I understand.”
“Okay, so you know this comes from friendship and nothing else. I’m concerned that Jevyn is developing feelings for you. I can understand why. I’ve developed feelings too”—I must have looked a little taken aback because she hurriedly said—“of a friendly nature of course. I suppose what I’m trying to say is that I don’t want to see Jevyn get hurt. Because of his position, he doesn’t get a chance to meet many people who aren’t like him. You’ve been like a breath of fresh air, both you and Nova, but you in particular. I just want to ask you not to do anything that will hurt him. I couldn’t bear to see that happen.”
I felt stupid right then for my jealous reaction earlier.
Very stupid.
She really was like me, because that was how I would feel if Nova had ever dated anyone.
I reached out my hand and took hers.
“I promise you now, Famil, that I will never ever do anything that is meant to hurt Jevyn. In fact, I’ll do everything I can to make sure nobody does. You have my word.”
“That’s good enough for me. Thank you.”
“No. Thank you. For what you’re doing and have done. You deserve more than thanks, but that’s all I can offer now. One day, I hope to be able to do more.”
“No need. I’m happy to help. Listen, those two are coming back.” I could just hear voices echoing around the corridor. “Remember, not a word about me looking for a cure. No promises, but you’ll be the first to know with any news.”
I stood and hugged Famil again. When I’d done it before, she’d seemed a bit surprised. This time she wrapped her arms around me and returned the gesture.
When Jevyn and Nova came back, loaded down with a box each, Famil turned to Nova. “Be careful back there, Nova. Take a few days to get over what we did here, and thank you. You’ve been excellent company.”
This time, with the box still between them, Famil hugged Nova and planted a kiss gently on his cheek. I had never seen Nova blush before and, oh, my word, was I going to have some fun with him about that.
After Jevyn and Famil said their goodbyes, a few moments later we stepped into the rip Jevyn created and landed in front of Lynnette’s shop, back on Earth.
“Let’s get inside,” Jevyn said. “We’ve got work to do.”
Chapter Nine
Jevyn
Lynnette’s shop
Boise, Idaho, Earth
“COME ON, KATIE. It’s time to roll,” I yelled down the stairs into Derek’s den.
“I’m coming. I’m coming. My, you are the grumpy one first thing in the morning, aren’t you?” she said as she started to climb up the stairs.
I had to laugh at that because I was not a morning person, really never had been.
We’d spent another night uncomfortably wedged into Derek’s den, managing to get some fitful sleep after telling the vampires about the progress Famil had made and the bad news about my mother’s proclamations. The fact that Famil had been willing to work on the cure in her own time, and a good talking-up of her from Nova, had elicited several requests that I pass on the gratitude the vamps had expressed.
The more I got to know humans, especially the group that Katie had taken it upon herself to support and protect, the more I liked their spunky attitude and the honest way they wanted to thank anyone who helped them.
The more I got to know Katie, the more I just wanted to be with her all the time. Combining being with her and still doing something to protect Dracos was a win-win for me, but it seemed that if I obeyed my mother, as I was duty-bound to do, our time together in the future might be very limited.
“So,” Katie said when she reached the top of the stairs. “Nindock’s camp, huh?”
“Yes.”
“Are we going as we are, or do we need to break into an armory on the way over there?”
“How do you mean?”
“Well, you two aren’t exactly on the best of terms, and you’re going to tell him that he can’t go back to Dracos anymore, so I don’t suppose he’ll be happy about either of those.”
“I don’t suppose he will, but I also don’t think he’d hurt me. He has more sense than to bring the full weight of the ruling family onto his head.”
Katie shrugged. “As long as you’re sure. Are you driving, or am I?”
“Neither. Today we’re traveling my way rather than the highway. I believe you humans have some sort of saying about that.”
Katie smiled, which had entirely the wrong effect on me when I was supposed to be thinking about us going our separate ways. She really did have the most beautiful smile.
“Are we flying? That was the most incredible experience back in Eastborne,” Katie said, suddenly excited.
I shook my head. “Sorry. I don’t think making myself known here on Earth would be a good idea with your friends in SCAR on the lookout. I can be invisible, but you might look a bit odd, flying with no visible means of support.”
“That’s what you said last time.” Katie’s disappointment was evident in her face and her pouting, soft lips. Lips I had taken a great liking to on the Eastborne beach.
Riding Rifts (Vampire's Elixir Series Book 2) Page 7
