Shai tapped a claw impatiently on the floor. How long had she been waiting? It felt like hours. The sitting around was making her paranoid. Had she made a mistake? Did they set her up? Was she wrong this whole time? Every noise made her flinch. She sat in the corner so no one could sneak up on her.

She hated admitting it, but this was her last resort. Snowflake promised to find out something but anyone could tell that dragon was as clueless as a freshly hatched whelp. It would be a good century before that one got back to her.

A low growl emanated from her throat as she thought of how she let someone like that get the better of her. It was that ice ability. She had never encountered a dragon like that before. Where did it come from and how many more like it were out there?

She was pulled from her speculations by the sound of approaching footsteps. Not long after, a drake entered the room. She fought the urge to growl again at the Short-Snout’s appearance. Ever since meeting Lanry, she’s wanted nothing more than to rip his throat out. Watching him saunter into the room with that smug look on his face brought it all back.

“Sorry for the wait, love,” Lanry said. “I didn’t keep you waiting too long, did I?”

“Just don’t keep me waiting any longer. You said you had information on who killed my sister.”

Lanry sat on a cushion and sighed in contentment. “That I do. Honestly, I’m surprised it took you this long to come to me instead of wasting your time trying to crack the case on your own. You Matriarchs and your pride.”

It’s for my sister, Shai thought, her claws scraping the floor. “Are you gonna answer my damn question or not?”

“So impatient. Anyway, the Dracaena killed her.”

Shai could only stare at the drake. Was he mocking her? Did he think she was stupid? There was no reason for the Dracaena, the most powerful Matriarch in Geolga, to care about some lowly Matriarch in the Human Territories.

“I can see you don’t believe me, so let’s start at the beginning, shall we?” He lay on his side and curled up like a Nestwatcher preparing for storytime. “First, we have Tean, your sister. A powerful Matriarch, a passionate leader with a strong wish to bring humans and dragons together. Then, the Dracaena comes along with a proposal that she turns down.”

“What proposal? And why would she turn it down?”

Lanry shrugged. “I don’t know. I wasn’t there, love. If I had to guess, it involved doing things she didn’t want to do. Sareen has a knack of removing those who…let’s say disagree with her ideologies.”

That didn’t sound like the Dracaena she knew. Then again, she never met the dragoness, but no one wanted to speak out against her.

Lanry continued. “Unfortunately, Tean was going to be a part of Sareen’s plans whether she wanted to be or not, so Sareen had her killed.”

“You still haven’t explained why,” Shai said, fighting to keep her anger in check.

“Well, Sareen has big plans for Diamus but to make them happen she needs things a bit less stable. Your sister’s death shook the city, and even better, the humans did exactly what she expected them to, nothing. Then you came along and made things worse just like she wanted.”

“Are you saying everything’s that happened was planned? My sister was killed because of some stupid plan?”

“Well, not to the letter, love, but yes, everything’s gone officially to plan. Well, not officially, I don’t think she planned on a Matriarch losing control and ordering people to riot. But I’m sure she’ll make it work. I’m pretty sure you stepping down as District Lord saved your life. The city’s about as unstable as it’s going to get so your services are no longer required.”

She didn’t know how to respond. That couldn’t be right. No one planned that far ahead. But she sensed his sincerity. There was a certain tone to his voice when he said something mocking and condescending. He wasn’t using that tone now.

“So what will you do now? Exact your revenge on the Dracaena?”

She glared at him. There was that condescending tone again. One didn’t simply challenge the Dracaena—even she knew that.

What happened to “I’ll take down everyone involved?” Hear one little title and suddenly your tail’s between your legs.

She bit her tongue, the pain distracting from the chiding thoughts. She was a Matriarch, an elite among dragons. And yet here she was cowering at the mention of a dragon she had never even met!

Lanry walked over and draped a wing over her back. “It’s all right, love. There’s a line between stupid and brave. I understand wanting to avenge your sister’s death, but you stand no chance against the Dracaena. There is, however, another option.”

With a savage snarl, she broke away from him, glaring with murderous intent. It was bait. She didn’t know why but he wanted her to try something as stupid as challenge the Dracaena. Why else would he have agreed to divulge the information so freely?

Still, the allure of revenge had her in its grip. If there was even a chance of avenging her sister, she had to take it. She couldn’t walk away, not now. Even if it killed her.

“You lost someone close to you. It’s only fair that she lose someone as well, no?”

Her heart sped up. Was she really considering this? If she went through with it, there was no turning back.

But do I have anything else worth living for?

“Give me a name,” she said.

A cocksure grin spread across Lanry’s muzzle. “We’ll get to that, love, but first, there’s someone you need to meet. Why don’t you go ahead and wait for me outside? I need to see to something before we go.”

Shai shakily turned and headed for the door. She was really doing this. She was really going to defy the Dracaena. This was going to cost her. The others may ostracize her for this, maybe even kill her.

****

Logan shielded his eyes from the blinding light. His head felt as if it had been in a vice and locked in a freezer. A dull ring rang in his ears. Suddenly overcome with nausea, he doubled over and threw up on his shoes.

When he finished emptying his stomach, he took in his surroundings. It was a room he didn’t recognize where everything was spaced out and the breakables sat on high shelves. A home designed for dragons, he thought.

He stumbled over to the window as he tried to recall the events that led him to wherever he was. But nothing came to mind. The last thing he remembered was being in his home then looking into a pair of yellow eyes.

He shrugged the thought off and looked out the window. The streets laid out before him did not belong to Diamus or it was a part of the city he hadn’t been to before.

The door opening behind him brought his attention back to the room. A sea-green dragon waltzed into the room, his fins fanning in time with his movements. It was an Aquarian Short-Snout, just like the one described in his grandfather’s notes. The drake noticed Logan staring and smiled.

“Welcome back to the land of the living, Logan,” the drake said. “For a moment I worried she turned you into a vegetable. Don’t worry; that ringing in your ears will go away eventually.” He looked at the vomit on the floor and chuckled. “I’ll send someone to clean that up.”

Logan maneuvered until an armchair was between him and the dragon. It wouldn’t do much if the wyrm decided to attack, but having some kind of shield to buy time made him feel a little better. “Who are you and where have you taken me?”

The drake tilted his head. “Me? I didn’t take you anywhere. But I guess I can’t blame you for being a Matriarch’s thrall for the better part of a week.” The dragon sat down and motioned for Logan to do the same. “Now before I answer your questions, do you want anything? Food? Drink? I imagine you’re quite dehydrated.”

Logan continued to stand behind the chair and glared at the drake.

The Short-Snout shrugged and continued. “Suit yourself. First, my name is Lanry. Second, you’re in Strendor. As for how you got here, that’s a long story. Short version: a mutual friend of ours had to resort to… extreme measures because you wouldn’t play nice.”

“I’m in no mood for games, dragon. What are you talking about?”

“I’m saying you’ve been under a Matriarch’s Call all this time.”

“The Call doesn’t affect humans. Everyone knows that.”

“Well, as my Matriarch says, everyone doesn’t know shit. They only think they know. We just don’t bother to correct them.”

Logan leaned on the back of the chair for support. This couldn’t be happening. He remembered the stories his grandfather used to tell him about dragons. How they had untapped potential that even they were unaware of. He would spend hours pouring over diagrams and notes he couldn’t make sense of, fascinated by the mystery.

But that was when he was younger. As he grew older and his grandfather’s mind deteriorated, he dismissed them as mere fantasies of an increasingly senile old man.

But hearing it now. Learning that his grandfather may have been right after all filled him with a mixture of feelings. After all these years, now they decide to unleash their potential? Now they decide to prove his grandfather right? Why now? Why him? What had he done to deserve such punishment?

“It’s a lot to take in, I know,” Lanry said. “Your grandfather wasn’t nearly as crazy as everyone believed. Funny how everyone just ‘knows’ something and it turns out to be wrong, huh?”

Logan’s head still spun from it all to bother responding. If his grandfather had been right all along that meant his notes were right. He had to publish them. The world needed to know. He would rub it in their faces that the man they scorned and vilified had been right all along.

“I like that look in your eye,” Lanry asked. “Making plans are we?”

“None that concern you, dragon.”

Lanry held his tail over his chest. “Oh, you wound me. But you’re wrong about one thing: this does concern me. If you’re doing what I think you’re doing, you’ll need allies.”

Logan snorted and headed for the door. “I don’t need the help of dragons.”

“That’s not what your grandfather said.”

Logan stopped. It was bait, he knew it, but his curiosity won out and he turned around.

“You see, dragons don’t like it when humans claim to be the authority on their kind. It’s insulting, you see. Jefferey knew this and made the proper deals with the right dragons to ensure his work wouldn’t get censored or worse, him killed.” His grin widened as he strutted across the room. “If you’re planning on publishing your grandfather’s notes, you’ll want that same protection. Not unless you want another Matriarch to take control of that brain of yours and make you stop.”

Logan clenched his fists at his sides. Was that true? Had his grandfather truly made deals with dragons to gain his fame? He didn’t believe it. His grandfather gained his fame through hard work and proper research. He didn’t take a shortcut and get backing from a dragon.

But even as the thought crossed his mind, he knew it was false. Memories of his grandfather being vague when asked about his sources. Visits from the same dragon over and over. A dragon with sea-green scales.

And now here I am caught in the same dilemma. But unlike my grandfather, I will make use of these dragons. They will be a means to an end, nothing more.

“I guess when you put it that way, it couldn’t hurt to have someone on my side,” Logan said. “What do I have to do?”

Lanry grinned. “We’re going to see my Matriarch.”

That sounded ominous but options were limited. The only way this plan would work was if the dragons felt they were in control. His time to pull the rug out from under them would come eventually, but until then, he had a role to play.

Lanry pushed open the doors on the other side of the study. A dragon with gleaming silver scales stood in the hall. One look at the spikes on the end of her tail revealed she was Silver Horntail. Logan wasn’t sure what worried him more, the spiked appendage or the scowl the dragoness wore. Was this the Matriarch he needed to meet?

As if sensing his thoughts, Lanry glanced over his shoulder and said. “She’s not the one you need to meet. But you’ll both see her soon enough. Is everyone ready?”

****

Kelly took a deep breath. Never had he felt this nervous before, not even when he first joined the council.

The situation was unlike anything he had ever dealt with before. The dragons had rebelled in Diamus. The city was in shambles and now it was time to decide what to do about it. They couldn’t let the dragons have free reign but if they handled this poorly, the tragedy would only repeat itself in Strendor.

No matter what, it couldn’t be allowed to gain momentum. No one wanted another war on their hands. That was why he called this emergency meeting. That was why it had to work.

He took another deep breath, straightened his clothes, and then opened the large double doors leading into the council chamber.

The other four council members had already arrived and sat in their respective seats. They all wore the same grim expressions on their faces as they looked at him expectantly. Kelly swallowed and headed for the one empty seat on the left.

He had barely sat down when Councilman Erin spoke, “Well? What’s the situation in Diamus?”

“Records are spotty at best, councilors. The fighting has not shown any signs of slowing down and more refugees fleeing the conflict flock outside our gates every day.”

“Human or dragon?” Councilman Erin asked.

“Both,” Kelly replied, throwing a displeased look the man’s way.

“Do we think it wise to allow more dragons into our city after the stunt they just pulled?” Councilwoman Samantha asked. “How do we know they won’t try to pull the same thing here?”

Kelly was quick to answer before anyone else. “We don’t. But we do know what’ll happen if we play favorites. Allowing humans while shunning the dragons will only add more fuel to the fire.”

“Those filthy beasts are used to sleeping outside,” Councilman Eren said. “They won’t mind. Besides, we can’t risk letting the perpetrators seek refuge here.”

“While I don’t agree with Councilman Erin’s logic, he makes a fair point,” Councilwoman Samantha said. “Allowing the dragons means allowing the very agents who caused the Diamus incident. Is that a risk we’re willing to take?”

“I agree with Councilman Kelly,” Councilwoman Anna said. “If we’re to ensure that we don’t have a rebellion on our hands, we need to show the dragons that they matter here.”

Kelly pretended to shuffle his notes so he could smile in private. At least some of them were seeing to reason. The situation was precarious. Trying to force the dragons to yield would be playing right into the hands of those sowing discourse.

“Has Diamus requested aid yet?” Councilwoman Mor asked.

Kelly’s jaw set as he quickly referred to his reports. “No. There have been no requests. If the reports are true, most of the highest-ranking officials in Diamus are dead or missing.”

A murmur went around the table.

“Gods preserve us,” Councilman Eren whispered.

“So most of the leaders are dead as dragons lay waste to the city?” Councilwoman Samantha said.

“Reports indicate that a Teresa Blackwell is currently in charge and trying to restore order. I would assume that they’re incredibly short-staffed and short on resources. I wouldn’t hold my breath on any official word coming from them.”

Councilman Eren slammed a fist on the table. “Then we must send troops at once! If we stand by and do nothing, we announce to the world that we allow this course of action!”

“Unfortunately, councilors, it’s not that simple,” Kelly said. “This is not human vs dragon. I have reports that humans are rebelling as well.”

“Why on earth would a human join the dragon’s side?” Councilwoman Anna asked.

“Because not all of us think in such an outdated binary,” Councilwoman Mor replied, matter-of-factly. “The fact remains that we depend on dragons as much as they depend on us. It’s time we stopped pretending one is above the other.”

“You want us to make peace with those murdering hoodlums?” Councilman Erin cried, turned red in the face. “Why don’t you try explaining that to every human who has lost their home and loved ones to this senseless violence?”

Councilwoman Mor remained stone-faced. “How many times have the dragons suffered injustice at our hands? I remember when their District Lord was murdered and the dragons demanded an investigation. The leaders of Diamus did nothing. They kicked a few rocks over and poked a few trees before their throwing hands up and saying we don’t know.”

“But the life of one dragon hardly compares to—”

“And what of the shooting we had here just last year? I have witness statements claiming that a dragon was involved, yet ever since then, there hasn’t been so much as a single interview. And let us not forget Rubellum who many say is becoming the center of the egg trade!”

Councilman Erin sat back in seat, his face betraying his loss for words. No one else spoke. They all stared at the table like scolded children. Even Kelly felt ashamed. He fingered the dragon-shaped broach he kept hidden under his jacket. He had to admit he, too, rarely offered any support or help towards dragons. He always told himself it was to hide his status as a Draconian. But what had he truly done to support them?

Any incident involving a dragon was quickly passed on to the District Lord and no one would so much as touch it with a 10-foot pole. It was like that everywhere. Was it any wonder that they finally grew sick of it?

“We created this situation,” Councilwoman Mor continued. “We watched the pressure build and ignored the signs. Now the dam has burst and we waste time pointing fingers and establishing blame. The truth is, no one cared because it didn’t affect them. Well, now it affects everyone and we don’t know how to address it.

“And what of the Dragonlands?” Councilman Erin asked. “From what I hear, the humans aren’t exactly treated as equal citizens. In some areas, they’re little better than slaves.”

“What happens across the bridge is not our concern,” Councilman Kelly said quickly. “If we want things to change, we must first clean up our own act and set a better example.”

Everyone fell silent, but it was clear in their eyes that they had something to say.

Concilman Erin was the first to speak up, “I assume you have a plan for that?”

Kelly took another deep breath as he uncovered the last document in the pile. The missive he had received from the Dracaena herself. A direct order to get a dragon on the council. It was unheard of. No dragon held a position higher than District Lord. It just wasn’t done.

It’s that kind of archaic thinking that got us in this mess, he thought. He straightened up and addressed the rest of the council. “Yes, I do have a plan.”

****

Dr. Saller took a sip from his drink and grimaced. He never did like brown liquor, but it was all they had on hand, and he needed a drink. In all his years of research, never had he made such a blunder. A dragon, a single dragon, undid years of research and experimentation. Worse, he never saw it coming.

He would need to rebuild, assuming his backers didn’t simply kill him outright for his mistake. He would also need to vet his staff better. So many of them had turned without warning?. How did so many dragon sympathizers slip through the ranks? How did he not see it coming?

He turned to the mirror where the bandaged version of himself stared back. It was going to leave him disfigured; he may even lose use of his left eye. He could probably fix it once the bandages came off, but he elected not to. It would serve as a reminder not to underestimate dragons ever again. He was arrogant, foolish, and it cost him dearly. There would not be a next time.

Even as he reflected on his failure, excitement built within him. If a single dragon was capable of such a feat, what else could they do? Were all dragons capable of such things? Was it a power they had at birth or did they have to train for it? So many questions burst forth in his mind.

But more importantly was that dragon. He needed her. To take her apart and learn her secrets. Find out what she knew and what set her apart.

“It seems you’re far more impressive than I gave you credit for,” he said to no one. He took another sip and smiled even as the bitter liquid coated his tongue. “Well done.”

The door opened and Assistant 082-B returned. Her gloves and lab coat were stained with blood.

“Do dispose of those, my dear,” Dr. Saller said. “We must maintain a clean work environment.”

“Yes, Dr. Saller,” the woman replied. She slipped off the coat and gloves, balling them up and throwing them into the nearby trashcan. He made a mental note to increase the BMI of the next model. This one was far too skinny. Her skeleton was practically exposed.

He turned away and took another sip of his bitter drink. “So what did my traitorous employee have to say for himself before his untimely demise?”

“He claimed to have heard voices,” Assistant 082-B said. “Someone told him to quote, ‘protect the dragons,’ unquote.”

Dr. Saller straightened up in his seat. “Voices? In his head? That sounds similar to reports of the Dragon’s Call.”

“It is possible the two are related, doctor.”

“A Call that can affect humans? How very interesting.”

“Shall we inform our benefactors?”

“No. Not until we confirm it and even then, I would like to keep it to myself. A little insurance against certain powers that be. Now do go put something else on. I would rather not have my assistants wandering about in their underwear.”

Assistant 082-B bowed and headed out of the room.

Dr. Saller leaned back in his seat and stared into the glass. “So the Call does affect more than dragons. You failed to mention that in your bestsellers, Dr. Jackman. I wonder why you would keep such a thing from us and what other secrets you’re hiding.”

****

Nesse looked up at the sky. The sun would be setting soon. They would need to set up camp. Although she would prefer if they kept walking through the night. After the stunt Aeris pulled in Peridan, they needed to put as much distance between them and that city as possible.

She turned to the sky-blue dragoness who lay on Maxis’ back. After Peridan she had fallen asleep and nothing seemed to wake her. The front of her muzzle was still stained pink from the nosebleed she gave herself from overusing her Call. Aeris looked so peaceful as if she wasn’t on her way to becoming the most wanted dragon in Geolga.

Her mind drifted back to the notebook. She never did finish the whole thing but she read enough to know it needed to be destroyed.

That one passage still stood out in her mind. It surfaced every time she looked at Aeris.

“The Celestials, a species once thought extinct, are alive. But their history is stained with blood and should it be known, they’ll be vilified and the purge will begin anew. The only hope to integrate them back into the world is to clear their name. But to do that, the line of Tanor must come to an end.”

From what she knew, it was possible Aeris and Tanor were related. That meant, according to Jefferey, Aeris had to die to bring the Celestials back. That sounded nothing like the man she knew. He was never violent and yet here he was advocating the execution of innocent life.

What happened to you? Was Tanor really that frightening in her day? She supposed it didn’t matter. Regardless, he was wrong on this. No one was getting sacrificed for the “greater good”.

“Dr. Nesse, are you all right?” Brandy asked. “It’s not your hemophobia, is it? You didn’t react when Aeris was spouting blood before. Not that I can blame you, she had everyone in the entire city under the effect of her Call. It was definitely a sight to behold. It was even more impressive than Diamus.”

“Huh? No, I’m just thinking.” She hadn’t even noticed that she didn’t react to Aeris bleeding before. She was more worried about other things.

“What about you, Janine?” Brandy asked. “You’ve been carrying that for a while now. Are you sure you don’t need a break?”

Nesse looked over her shoulder. The teen carried Aeris’ tail on her shoulder so it wouldn’t drag the ground. She had to praise the girl’s unbelievable strength. She had been carrying the appendage for hours and only just began to show signs of fatigue.

“Nah, I’m fine,” Janine said.

“You sure?” Terran asked. “I don’t mind taking over for a bit.”

“I got it,” she said firmly. “Aeris put her life on the line for me. The least I can do—”

Aeris shifted, her hind leg kicking slightly. The movement was nowhere near striking anyone but Nesse noticed Janine flinch at the movement.

Is she afraid of her? I never seen Aeris so much as yell at her, but after Peridan, I guess I can’t blame her.

She looked at Terran to see if he noticed her reaction. The solemn way he stared at the teen, it was hard to tell. Whatever he noticed, he took the hint that Janine wouldn’t be deterred and moved back to the front of the group.

Nesse continued to watch the girl. It was clear in her pained expression her shoulders were sore and was likely feeling it in her back as well. Streaks in her dirty face from sweating almost resembled tears. But she was determined to shoulder the burden for however long she had to.

That’s some serious dedication. She slowed down until she fell in line next to the teen. “You know you don’t have anything to prove here. We all know how much you care about her.”

Janine shook her head and resituated Aeris’ tail on her shoulder. “It ain’t that. She’s one of the strongest people I ever met, and she’s got no one in her corner. And she’s my friend.”

“I don’t know about having no one in her corner. After all, you’re there.”

“That ain’t what I mean.” She sniffled and suddenly became interested in the ground. “Those scars on her side, the man who claimed to love her gave her those. Someone she trusted. Someone she loved. And he shot her like some rabid dog and left her to die. And nobody was there to help her.”

“I thought you were there. And those two,” she added, motioning towards Terran and Maxis. The Nightstalker glanced behind him but remained silent.

“They ain’t know Aeris back then. And I…and I…I ran. I talked about helpin’ her and bein’ by her side and in the end I ran and saved myself!” The dam holding back her emotions finally broke and tears flowed down her cheeks as her body shook with soft sobs.

Nesse wasn’t sure how to respond. She didn’t know her or Aeris well enough to offer any words of comfort that didn’t sound hollow or insincere.

It surprised her to see Windor appear on the other side of Janine and nuzzle her.

“It’s not your fault,” the Ravager said. “If anyone’s at fault. It’s me. At least you went with her. I didn’t even do that much.”

Real merry band I’m traveling with here. “That’s a big burden to shoulder,” she said.

“It’s better than making Aeris carry it.”

“So how do you all know each other again?” Nesse asked, hoping to change the subject.

“Well, officially I’m the one who introduced Aeris to Janine,” Windor said. “That was back when she and I used to…um…”

“Bump uglies?” Nesse finished.

Dragons couldn’t blush but Nesse could swear Windor turned a deeper shade of red than he already was.

“What? No! I mean, we did—but not until after, and—”

“Wow, were you that bad?” Nesse asked teasingly.

Windor dropped his head. “I wish that was the worst thing about it.”

She fell silent knowing further attempts at lightening the mood wouldn’t end well. There was definitely a story there, one she supposed had something to do with the scars covering Windor’s body.

Without warning, Windor ducked low and slid under Janine, scooping her onto his back.

“Whoa, whoa, what’re you doin’?”

“Carrying my share of the burden.”

“Windor—”

“Janine, I’ll never be forgiven, but that doesn’t mean I can’t atone.”

Yeah, there’s definitely a story there. “Well, I don’t know what went on between you two but she’s lucky to have such loyal friends.” She’s gonna need you. Please, no matter what happens, don’t leave her side.  If she’s to have any hope of a future, she’ll need something to live for.

Aeris’ adventures will continue in DRAGON Book 3: Ascension.