“I’m sorry. Was that too hard?”
“No. It’s fine. I just have to learn to be ready for those types of things.” Ash beat his wings a little more, and they rose higher above the ground.
“Now beat them back.” He followed her instructions, and they were propelled forward.
“Yay. You did it, Ash. You’re flying!”
“You mean we’re flying.”
“Yes.” She laughed. “We’re flying.” Eva gripped the reins tighter as they moved faster, slowly rising into the sky.
“Tell me something.”
“Yes?”
“What were you like as a human?”
“Do you really want to know?”
“Yes.”
“All right then. I was a student. I had just started college when I was accused of murder.”
“How?”
“My DNA and fingerprints were found on the murder weapon. A Samurai sword. It was used to dismember and kill someone. Some… people. I woke up and I was covered in blood.”
“But you didn’t do it, right?”
“No. Well, not that I recall. I have no memory of the night. I’m still trying to figure it out. I only hope you and your family aren’t the ones who helped to frame me.”
“We would never do such a thing!” Eva felt offended.
“Sorry. I’m not accusing you. I’m just confused.”
“I want to help you.”
“Then answer me this—what’s a Dragon Heart?” Ash asked the question most persistent on his lips. Eva thought for a moment as they passed through a cloud. It reminded Ash of candy-floss. But unlike candy-floss, it had no taste or smell.
“A Dragon Heart is someone who has the blood of a dragon in their veins. They are someone who was previously linked to our realm. They are what we call the Chosen,” explained Eva.
“You mean one of my relatives was turned into a dragon, too?”
“Yes. No. It’s hard to explain. Dragon Hearts are not turned, as you say. They change when the time is right. You have magic in your blood.”
“So your cookie drug didn’t change me?”
“No,” she replied with a laugh. “It just sped up the process while acting as a bit of sedative to help numb the pain. A little like the human drug Morphine.”
“So, do you know why I was framed and brought here?”
“Look, while I agree framing you in that way was low, you were brought here for protection, and for me.”
“Protection? From whom?”
“There are people out there who would do anything to rid the world of dragons—and all supernatural creatures, for that matter. It is the Keeper’s job to protect you…” Ash suddenly swerved to the right, and then up and sideways.
“What was that?” Eva dug her fingers into his back.
“I don’t know. Something came at me—an invisible force.”
“What did it feel like?”
“Like I was being pulled into a cyclone.”
“That’s… weird.”
“Have you experienced that before?”
“No, we should turn back.”
“Okay.” Ash was sure Eva was hiding something from him, but he didn’t ask. Flapping his massive green wings once, he turned back toward the stables.
Chapter Five
“Dad! Mom!” Eva ran back into the house panting.
“Eva?” Christian and Stacie immediately stood up from the couch in the sitting room where they had been discussing Ash’s case. “What’s wrong?” Christian ran to her and put his hands on her face.
“Are you okay?”
“I’m fine. But Ash and I were flying, and it happened again.”
“What did?”
“The Sonic Boom, as you called it.”
Christian inhaled sharply. “Are you sure?”
“Yes. The sky turned purple and red, and an invisible force threw us around like we were in a washing machine.”
“It’s happening.” Stacie gasped.
“What’s happening, Mom? Dad?” Christian and Stacie glanced at each other, and when Christian finally met Eva’s eyes, the expression on his face was one Eva never wanted to see again. It was an expression of pure fear.
“We have to go.”
“Go? Go where?” When her parents didn’t reply, Eva raised her voice. “Will someone please tell me what’s going on? I’m not a baby anymore!” Christian left the room, walking toward the back of the house. Stacie stayed behind.
“Eva. Sweetheart. We’ve been afraid for a while.”
“Of what, Mom?”
“That they’d return.”
“Who are they?”
“Remember the people I told you about, the people who hunt mythical and supernatural creatures?” Eva nodded. “They call themselves The Monster Hunters, and they will stop at nothing to destroy the Dragon Hearts. And since Ash is the last remaining…”
Eva knew what her mother was going to say next.
“We have to protect him.” Eva’s heart beat rapidly. She placed her hand against her chest. “Where are we going to go?
“Anywhere but here.”
Chapter Six
“Ash!” Eva ran into the stables. “Ash!”
“What is it, Eva?” He lifted his big dragon head.
“We have to go. They’re coming!”
“Who’s coming?” he said, blinking and tilting his head to the side to study her.
“You know that sonic boom we experienced?”
“Yeah?”
“Well, that was caused by the Monster Hunters trying to enter our realm.”
Ash stretched, pushing himself up.
“Okay. Let’s go.” Eva grabbed Ash’s gear and placed it on him.
“My parents are tacking up their dragons, as well.” She led him outside into pre-dusk light. Her mother was waiting for them outside the barn with her crimson dragon, Garnet.
“Have you got any idea where we will go, Mom?” Eva asked.
“Your dad suggested the mountains.”
“But it’s freezing up there.”
“Well, we’ll need to rug up then. Won’t we?” Christian exited the stables at that moment shadowed by his dark grey dragon, Shale.
“Ready to go?” he said as he climbed onto Shale.
“Do we really have to leave this place, Dad? This is home.”
“Unfortunately, yes. The time has come. I know it’s hard, Evaline. We must do it.”
Eva looked back at the house she had spent the past sixteen years growing up in. All her memories were here. Her first steps, her birthdays and Christmases, the first time she held a sword… It was going to be hard to say goodbye, but she knew she had to. She sighed and climbed onto Ash.
“Okay. I’m ready. Let’s go.”
Simultaneously, the dragons flapped their wings and lifted into the air. Their cute yellow mud-brick home with the red thatched roof shrunk in the distance.
Eva shivered in the bitter wind.
“I wish I could make you warmer,” said Ash, noting her discomfort as they flew. Christian, Stacie, and their dragons traveled a short distance ahead, always within sight.
“Thanks. I’ll be fine.” She shivered again, harder this time. She suspected it had nothing to do with the temperature of the wind but fear of the unknown.
Ash growled. “This is ridiculous. There must be a way.”
“Dragons are reptiles, Ash. They can’t radiate their own body heat.”
“But they can breathe fire. Right?”
“Yes… wait! No, not mid-air!” But it was too late. Ash had already taken a deep breath and exhaled his first cloud of black smoke and orange flame. The flame shot forward and singed Shale’s tail, which caused him to roar.
“What was that?” called Christian, almost getting thrown off.
“Sorry. Ash is still getting used to the whole fire-breathing thing.”
“Not while we’re flying, please. It’s dangerous.”
“I know. Sorry. It won?
??t happen again.” She stroked Ash’s neck. “See what happens?”
“Sorry.”
“Don’t worry. We’ll have lots of time to practice when we land. And I bet in no time you’ll be the best fire breather around.”
“Yeah. Right,” he muttered to himself. But seeing as his voice could be heard inside Eva’s head, she heard it.
“What was that?” said Eva
“Nothing.”
“We’re here!” said Christian. Eva couldn’t see anything but clouds yet. The clouds seemed to disperse and thicken at the same time. But Eva realized the thick part of the cloud wasn’t actually cloud. It was the snowy peak of a mountain, and they were heading straight for it.
Chapter Seven
Both Eva and Ash closed their eyes and braced themselves for the impact. Ash tried his hardest to turn and avoid it. But when there should have been an impact, there wasn’t. Instead, they disappeared straight through the side of the mountain. Ash shook his head in confusion. Eva blinked. What the hell just happened?
“What the hell…”
“Invisible gateway.” Stacie grinned, seeing the expressions on their faces.
“Oh.” Eva realized she’d been holding her breath. She let it out slowly as all the dragons descended through a series of tunnels inside the mountain.
“Is this it? The secret hideout?” Eva asked.
“Not quite. This is only the entry. Our hideout is in the heart of the mountain.”
“I wonder if we’re going to the centre of the earth?” Ash wondered. Eva laughed.
“Yeah.”
After what felt like hours—days even, the narrow tunnel opened up into a cavernous space. There were other dragons and their keepers in the hideout as well. Some dragons were calling out to each other or to their keeper. Others were flying around the cylindrical space. Eva looked up and gasped. The roof—well, there is no roof. There was a hole opened to the starry night sky. It was breathtaking. Eva and her family dipped down, landing on a round platform in the centre of the room. There a cloaked figure waited.
“What brings you to the mountain sanctuary?” asked the figure. The voice was masculine, and he was holding a long staff in his right hand. Christian spoke first.
“We seek refuge. We’re not sure how long, though.”
“Those who have ill intentions may not seek refuge. If your intention is clear, then you may stay,” Cloak spoke.
“Our intentions are clear,” said Christian confidently.
“Very well. We have a few rooms left for a small fee.”
“We don’t mind paying,” said Stacie. The man in the cloak nodded, and Stacie handed over the red velvet bag that contained their payment. The man took a peek inside and seemed to like what he saw.
“There are a few rules you must abide to when entering the mountain sanctuary. Firstly, no involuntary flames. We don’t want any fights started or lawsuits taken. Secondly, candles out at ten sharp every night. No excuses. And last but not least, no criminals. We are not a prison.” Cloak’s eyes seemed to burn straight through Ash’s skull. He swallowed but kept his poker face. The cloaked man couldn’t possibly know Ash was a convicted criminal. He couldn’t read his mind. Could he?
“Thank you, sir.” They slid off their dragons and led them to their rooms.
“It’s nice in here. I like it,” said Eva, stroking Ash.
“So do I,” replied Ash. But all his thoughts were filled with thoughts of the cloaked man and what he had said. What if he found out?
“Are you okay?” asked Eva, her voice snapping Ash out of his reverie.
“Huh? Oh, yeah. Fine.”
“You don’t seem fine. You seem a bit jumpy. What is it?”
Ash sighed and everything poured out.
“What the man in the cloak said about criminals…”
“He couldn’t possibly know. Plus, you’re not a real criminal, Ash. Your conviction was false. It was a set up. So, relax.”
“But, still.”
“You’re in the Dragon Realm now, and your past life doesn’t matter. This is your new life. You should start over. A clean slate.”
“You’re right. I like the sound of that, a clean slate.” Ash exhaled, being careful not to exhale smoke or flame. He nestled his head near Eva’s leg. She sighed too and leaned into him.
“I wish I could’ve met you when you were human,” she said softly.
“Me too,” he lied. The truth was part of him didn’t want Eva to know him for what he really was. But the other less rational side of him wanted her to because she was a beautiful young woman, and inside, he was an eighteen-year-old guy who found her attractive. But he didn’t want to admit that. He cursed himself for thinking so. He was falling for her.
Chapter Eight
When Ash woke, Christian and Stacie were gone, but Eva was still sound asleep snuggled against him. Something caught his eye. The smallest flicker of movement. Something fluttered down from the hole in the roof. It looked to be paper, but the objects didn’t quite fall like ordinary paper. They seemed heavier. One of the pieces of paper, cut so small it was the size of confetti, landed in front of his nose. He pulled it closer with his claw. It was a piece of cardboard. He flipped it over and was alarmed at what he saw. It was a photograph, but not just any photograph—it was a photograph of him. It wasn’t very clear, though. It was black, white, and grainy. There was no mistaking it was him.
In the picture, he was standing in an alleyway filled with rubbish, and on the ground nearby were two human bodies. His heart skipped a beat. This was a picture of the crime he had been framed for. And there were hundreds of them littering the cave.
Eva stirred, and Ash quickly dragged the photograph underneath him. He wanted to burn it and every other picture that had fallen. But he couldn’t. There was a strict no-flame policy. He looked up toward the sky. Seeing clouds floating over, he wondered if the people who were after him dropped these photographs down the hole. He wanted to burn those people alive along with the pictures.
“Mm, is it morning already?” Eva mumbled groggily.
“Yes. Good morning.” He desperately wished he could give her a smile.
“Where are Mum and Dad?” Eva asked, sitting up and stretching.
“They were gone before I woke. Are you hungry? I could get us some food.”
“Yes, please. That would be lovely.” Eva sighed and lies back down in the soft straw bed.
“Okay. I won’t be too long.” Ash pushed himself up, flying out of the sleeping quarters and down into the pit below.
First, though, he needed to collect all the incriminating photographs and burn them before anyone saw them. But to his chagrin, Ash spied the cloaked man picking up one of the photographs and studying it. He wanted to fly over there and tell him not to and to try to distract him. But that would make the situation worse. The pictures did depict a human, not a dragon, after all.
He let out a sigh of relief. He was safe… for now. He decided to finish his second task—collect breakfast for himself and Eva. He landed on the circular floor space and walked over a short bridge into a larger room where other dragons were eating out of a trough. He found a space and dug in. He decided to eat first so not to gross Eva out.
Fresh raw meat melted in his mouth. He moaned. After a few satisfying bites of deliciousness, he collected a basket of fresh fruit, bagels, milk, coffee, and juice. He then carried it back up to the room he was sharing with Eva. As soon as his feet touched the ground, Eva sat up and smiled when he placed the hamper in front of her.
“This looks delicious. Did you eat?” she asked.
“Yes. Raw meat. I didn’t want to make you sick.”
“It’s okay.” She giggled. “I’m used to it.” She poured herself a cup of coffee and buttered a bagel. As she is lifted the bagel to her mouth, they heard screaming. The screams appeared to come from down below in the entrance tunnels.
Eva ran to the edge and peered over. Her hand floated to her mouth to s
tifle a scream. Men in black leather holding crossbows flooded into the cave and started rounding up the dragons and their keepers. And inside of the tunnel, she saw her parents lying lifeless on the ground.
“Eva?” Ash tried desperately to get her attention, but she stood frozen on the spot. “Eva! We must go. We must run!”
He nudged her and she responded. As she turned, Ash noticed the tears falling down her face. He wished he had human fingers to wipe them away. She climbed on his back and Ash took flight. As he was about to exit the hole in the roof, something stung his tail. He glanced back and noticed a large arrow sticking out of it. He flapped his wings harder, but something was happening to him. He felt weak and nauseous. Then he fell back to earth.
Chapter Nine
“Ash?”
Ash blinked. His body felt unusual and his head felt like lead. He realized someone was saying his name.
“Are you Ashley Brandon?”
“Yes…” That’s strange. His voice… “Who’s asking?” He sat up and glanced down at his limbs. They were human limbs. Human? He’s human?
“We found him,” said another voice, a teenage male no older than fifteen.
“Come with us, Ashley.”
What is going on? He attempted to stand but was lightheaded. He would have fallen back down again if it weren’t for the steady hand on his arm. He looked up into the face of a woman. Her eyes looked kind enough, but Ash was still cautious and unsure. He let the woman help him to his feet. He followed her and the teenager through a door.
A door?
One second he was in cave system falling to his death as a Dragon, and the next, he was in an ordinary suburban- looking family home as a human.
The door led to a living room. The room was filled with objects that could be in any family home—four sofas of various sizes with a coffee table in the centre. The whole situation was strange, but what seemed stranger were the people seated on the sofas. Six people sat before him. Ash stood frozen to the spot. He was confused out of his brain. His gaze found each of the people’s faces around the room. They were of various ages, body types, genders, and races.
“What’s going on? Where am I?” Ash asked.
“Ashley, my name is Sofee. This is my son Xander and my husband, Rufus.” An older woman walked toward him. She was the woman who he had seen when he woke, he realized. A middle-aged man, Rufus, with a salt and pepper beard, nodded in his direction.
“We are so glad we’ve finally found you.”