Dragon Wings Read online

But I get in the vehicle and let Max drive me home.

  We don’t speak. I guess we don’t need to now. Instead, we hold holds over the middle console and let the radio blare.

  When we reach my driveway, I take my time unbuckling, not ready to go inside.

  “See you tomorrow?” Max asks.

  One more kiss, stealing my breath, raising my heartbeat.

  “Definitely,” I say before getting out of the car and watching him drive away.

  It’s already five fifteen when I walk in the front door. I want to go back up the mountain to see Yackros, but I’m emotionally drained. I glance between the clock and the fridge, debating whether I should make a quick meal or just get on my bike now.

  If I leave immediately, I should be able to make it home before Mom or Dad get off work. And more importantly, before I lose daylight. But I’ll have to hurry. Forget it.

  I drop my backpack on the bed and lean over my desk, scrawling a quick note.

  Going on a hike with Max. Be back soon. ~ Alita

  Rushing down the stairs, I place the note on the kitchen counter where it’s sure to be seen and run out the front door, barely stopping to lock it before getting on my bike.

  I pedal as fast as I can, knowing the sooner I get there, the more time I’ll have to spend with Yackros. As it is, I wasted precious minutes deciding whether to go at all.

  Leaving a cloud of dust behind me, I pass the last few houses just before the mountain trail. It’s a struggle maintaining speed while going uphill, over more rocks than anything. The closer to Dragoon Springs I get, the harder the ride is.

  My heart pounds in my chest and every part of me is already sweating, but my palms especially so. There’s a panic that fills me, like anxiety. Not only am I having a hard time breathing, but I feel as though this could go so wrong, and no one would ever know what happened to me.

  It’s a lot of faith to put in an unknown creature I’ve met twice.

  And then of course there’s the chance that it could all go right, and that means my life will never be the same. Who am I kidding? It’s already been altered forever. I will never have anything that resembles normalcy because in a world filled with dragons, how can I return to a life in which they cannot exist?

  The only part I hate is knowing I must lie to everyone. And all those who still tease me to this day will never know just how wrong they are. What my three-year-old self saw was true. Yackros, Sparkles, my dragon, my friend, was never imaginary.

  When I’ve finally reached the rolling hills, knowing it will be nearly impossible to take my bike over them, I get off and lean it against a tree.

  I continue along the path I was just on with Max, nearly jogging, slowing down just enough to watch for indicators that I’m in the right place.

  I touch my phone through my pocket just to reassure myself it’s still there. If this takes longer than I plan, I’ll be left in the dark with no way of knowing which is left, right, west, east, up, or down. It doesn’t help that I’ve never had a good sense of direction. I’ll be lucky to find my way home even with light.

  The tension in my jaw from clenching it is causing a headache. It feels like if I bite down any harder, my teeth will shatter from the pressure. Most of the pain is wound in a tight ball at the base of my skull and in my temples. I rub at them and continue forward.

  When I reach the fallen tree neatly placed over the main path like a marker, I veer to the left, approaching the alcove that changed everything just twenty hours ago.

  There’s a ripple in the air, a slight breeze, and then nothing. The pounding in my ears is replaced by the sweet sound of bird song, the swaying of leaves and bushes, and the sensation that I’ve been transported to a whole new world.

  I turn in circles, marveling again at all the glorious life surrounding me—the way it feels so majestic and yet looks so normal. In Arizona, the air is dry and hot, but here, in this little section of lost paradise, there is magic rippling around me.

  “Little Wingless, you have returned.” A deep voice stops me mid-twirl.

  I face Yackros, and without hesitation, I throw my arms around his front leg, as it’s the only part of him I can reach and embrace. “You’re here! You’re really here.”

  Tension rolls off me, and I feel lighter. A small part of me wondered if I imagined everything last night. Had I made it all up to give explanation to my imagination as I panicked about being alone?

  But my worries have been replaced with relief. Perhaps sensing my roller coaster of emotion, Yackros places his paw against my back in what I take to be a comforting gesture.

  “Trust me, my dear, I understand more than you know.” He sounds so heartbroken, it takes me a moment to register what he’s saying.

  I step back and look up into his beautiful eyes. “What do you mean?”

  “Come.” He gestures with his head to the meadow where we met last night. “There is much you need to know, and little time to tell you. Sit, and I will show you as much of the story as I can.” He walks behind me and settles into the grass while I get situated with my back against a tree trunk.

  “Well, if you can’t tell me everything tonight, I can come back tomorrow,” I say.

  I’m going to get some great workouts if I keep going up and down this mountain every day—and some great mental workouts if I’m going to keep it from Max and my parents.

  But I’ll deal with that later.

  Yackros turns his head and neck toward me, sorrow in his eyes, his lips turned down. “If only it were that simple.” He clears his throat, sounding for a moment as if he’s choking up. “But it is dangerous for you to be here. For both of us.”

  “Why?”

  “Because if any other dragon found you here, it would restart the war that caused us to go into hiding in the first place.”

  “How can there be a war when I’m the only one who knows about you?” I ask, wondering if there are other people who know.

  “Place your hand on my scales.” He leans down, and I place my palm against his forehead like before.

  “Nearly two hundred years ago . . .”

  My vision changes, and now I’m soaring above the clouds. Dizziness overwhelms me as my body disappears, and where it once was is now a long, scaled body twisting and turning in the sky. Fear melts into exhilaration as my mind morphs into the memories Yackros is sharing with me.

  I approach the mountains with increasing speed, aware that I must slow down to land, but unable to help myself from showing off. There’s no way I can let Rask outmaneuver me, and he’s on the ground waiting for me to fail.

  The young dragon refused to believe an elder such as myself could ever manage such risky moves.

  I twist around again, flipping back, heart jolting as the ground approaches rather quickly. Just before nose-diving into the rock, I lift, gliding over the rocky outcrop and soaring gently to the ground. I land just before my audience, flicking my tail for emphasis.

  The flock of humans observing all clap and cheer. Four young dragons all lose themselves in gleeful laughter, amused and impressed. Even Rask. His orange scales nearly match my own, but still have the glimmer of youthfulness. Innocence. For a moment, it feels good to experience those things again.

  I spread my wings, stretching them. It’s nice to fly like that. Too long have I only soared the skies to get from one point to another, and not for the enjoyment or freedom it provides.

  A dark cloud forms overhead. The sound of wings thundering throughout the valley brings the mirth to an abrupt stall. We all look upward and notice the blackest of scales descending far too quickly.

  The large dragon hits the tops of trees, breaking them down as he drops before finally landing on the ground, a cloud of dirt flinging up around him.

  “Ruxsiu, what in all the high skies and even grounds are you doing, coming to your feet like that?” The large arctic-blue-scaled dragon laughs, the thunderous sound echoing through the valley below.

  “Guthrie.” Ruxsiu takes a
gulp of air and looks around frantically, though I do not know for what. “We must go into hiding.”

  All sense of humor disappears from the blue dragon’s stature. “What are you talking about?”

  “The humans have started war against us. King Fyazum has decreed that all dragons must retreat. Hide to save our kind, and our bonds.”

  “We will meet them in battle and win.” Guthrie begins flapping his wings.

  “No!” Ruxsiu roars, leaping forward, cowing Guthrie’s actions. “We are to hide. We are to disappear. King Fyazum does not want this bloodshed on our wings. We will not kill them or hurt them. As per the king’s orders.”

  I step forward. “How are we to do that?”

  “The great sorcerers among us are to create an invisible barrier. We shall be hidden away from the rest of the world, living off as little land as possible here in the mountains.” He gestures to the area we already call home. But is it a large enough space for this den?

  “What happened, Ruxsiu?” My throat is tight, as is my stomach. “What brought this on?”

  “The king is coming. He will be able to explain. I know only that I was one of many messengers sent out to find every den and ensure they get to safety.”

  “And what of our humans?” Guthrie demands, voice low.

  No one breathes. I look around, noticing the way the humans huddle together. I have no doubt they will remain loyal to their bonded dragons, but this can’t be easy for them either.

  Ruxsiu glances at the people, his features harsh. “They cannot come with us. We are to cut ourselves off from them. At least until we can figure out how to end this battle entirely.”

  Thunderous roars shake the very earth as every dragon protests, myself included, though I do not share a bond with any of the humans.

  “No!” Taavie, a young but bright dragon, bellows. His left wing extends out enough to cover the female human he is bound to.

  “Yes!” Ruxsiu roars. “We have no choice! We are all in danger until this can be solved. This is for everyone’s protection.”

  “What of our bonds to them?” Guthrie asks. His head is bowed under the weight of the orders, his eyes closed.

  “They are unbreakable,” Ruxsiu says. “So we believe. This will be a true test of that. When dragons can be free once again, we will know what our bonds truly mean.”

  I stare with sorrow at the pairs of dragons and humans pulling closer together in anticipation of being ripped apart. All these years, and my bond was never formed.

  Now perhaps it never will be.

  The images ripple, disappearing, and I’m Alita again, no longer living through Yackros’ memories. I look up at him and see the tears in his eyes. Instead of letting go, I lean against him, trying my best to offer comfort.

  There’s a physical ache in my heart. A weight I can feel in my soul, and I realize I’m experiencing his grief.

  “Thank you.” He sighs. Something stirs within me, a need to remain close to him.

  “You’re welcome.” I stand up straight and turn, taking in the surroundings. “This is the world your sorcerers created?” I look around, looking for anything marking the barrier.

  “This is the world that existed all those years ago, preserved by the magic field put over it to keep us hidden away.”

  “What did King Fy”—I can’t quite remember his name—“the king tell you about the war when he arrived?”

  “He didn’t.”

  I close my eyes and take a deep breath, preparing for more heartbreak. “Why not?”

  “Another came, Breighad, with the news that King Fyazum died. The humans killed him. Where he asked for peace, they gave him destruction. We do not even know how many others were lost in the battle.”

  There is sadness hanging over Yackros like a cloud. And yet, he almost sounds hopeful.

  “You don’t believe the king is really dead, do you?”

  Yackros meets my gaze, looking into my eyes. “I do not have reason to doubt what I’ve been told. But I do find the order of events concerning.”

  “How so?”

  “It doesn’t matter. I’m sure it’s just the musings of this old dragon, trying to make sense of a devastating situation. And perhaps there will never be answers.”

  “Answer me this. Why don’t people know that dragons exist if we’re the ones who started this war?”

  “That is explained by the magic of Runavelius. When we created our border, it wasn’t just to keep us hidden physically, but also to shroud memories, alter facts, to hide us completely. It is the same wherever there are dragons.”

  “Then . . . if . . .” I can’t finish the thought.

  If the barrier came down, would everyone remember? Would everyone know?

  I clear my throat and go a different route. “Why doesn’t the border work on me?”

  “You broke through the barrier at just three human years old. Only one with great magic could do that.” He looks away.

  I don’t know if he’s lying, simply not telling me the whole truth, or is perhaps more uncomfortable with my presence than I thought—which means I don’t know what to do. Does he want me here? Is he trying to get rid of me for my safety, or his?

  “What kind of magic could I possibly have? How do I make it work?” I could ask a million more questions, but quite frankly, I’m not expecting any answers for those two.

  “These are not simple questions, Alita. And you need to get home before you lose the last of the daylight.”

  “Will you answer my questions tomorrow?” I get up and stretch, not ready for the bike ride down the mountain. Not ready to leave Runavelius.

  “After all I have told you, you still wish to return?”

  “Do you not want me to come back?” I stare at him defiantly—or maybe pleadingly.

  “I want you here, Alita. But I cannot promise that I will be able to protect you, though I will do everything in my power. After the king’s death, Ruxsiu’s hate for humans runs deep. If you’re caught here, our punishment will certainly be death.”

  “Then I will go home tonight while there is still light. And I will come back tomorrow for more answers.”

  He wants me here, and I want to come. Nothing else matters.

  “Know that I will be all right should you decide never to return.” He walks with me to the edge of Runavelius.

  I run my fingers across the bark of a tree. It’s so soft, it can’t possibly be wood. This place really is magical.

  “No need to pretend I won’t come back,” I say.

  When I reach the edge, the rippling in the air as my indicator, I turn around. “I’ll see you tomorrow, Yackros. Or Sparkles.” I smile, though I can’t help a small empty feeling that takes hold.

  “Goodbye.” He bows his head.

  I take one step back, still facing him, and watch as he disappears. Where he stands, all I see is the Arizona desert.

  I rub at my eyes, trying to wipe away the sleepy feeling. They feel raw. My entire body is stiff from sitting at my desk most of the night. I pull my backpack to my chest and hold it in my arms as I lean against the bus window and wait for our bumpy ride to end.

  After everything Yackros showed me, and told me, there was no way I could sleep. I had too many questions.

  Besides that, my heart ached too much to rest. What happened to the humans? And how did their bonds—whatever that means—with dragons affect the separation?

  I should have written a list of things to ask Yackros.

  We’re not even at school yet, and I’m ready for it to end. It seems rather pointless compared to everything else happening right now. What if I could save the dragons? Re-introduce them into today’s society? I wouldn’t have to sneak around. No more lying.

  That’s why I stayed up all night, looking into dragons. Everything from myths and legends to lore and folktales. Writing down details of the different kinds and where their stories originated.

  I brought all my notes with me. Yackros will be able to set the rec
ord straight on how much of what I found is true.

  Max bounces his leg next to mine. I grip my backpack a little tighter and press it against the side of the bus, as far from him as possible. I know he’s not going to see any of my notes from dragon research, but I can’t help it.

  His jaw is set, shoulders straight. Staring into the void. I can’t help but ask, “You okay?”

  “Yeah, just tired,” he says gruffly. “We stayed up late hanging out with Dillon. He didn’t have a problem with it because he’s at home sleeping in. But the rest of us still had to get up and go to school.”

  “I’m sorry. Is he leaving today?”

  “No.” Max scoffs. “He’s staying the rest of the week. I don’t even want to go home until he leaves. Maybe I could come over to your house after school and hang out.” He quirks his brow, though he didn’t really ask a question.

  I look out the window, biting my lip. Spending time with Max means not spending time with Yackros. I promised him I would return today, but Max needs me too. “Of course you can come over.”

  Maybe I can find a way of doing both, like yesterday. That also means I’ll need to hide the rest of my papers that are sitting on my desk at home before Max sees them. Mom and Dad are never home, so I didn’t worry about it, but I have to protect what I know at all costs. At least until I can find a way to fix the damage that’s been done.

  I can’t stop picturing that young dragon with his wing out to shield a human girl. I can’t stop thinking of Ruxsiu’s words that the humans declared war.

  My knuckles turn white against the fabric of my backpack.

  How any human could wish to hurt the dragons blows me away. Why would they want to rule them when they could instead bond with them? They wished for power that could have easily been gained by befriending the very beings they set out to destroy. What was the point? A better question would be, how did they plan on ruling them? One dragon could eat the betrayer. How did it go so far as the dragons having to disappear from existence?

  “Alita?”

  I look up. Max is standing over me, his hand on my shoulder. “We’re here.” He nods to the window. I glance up, noting the school looking as gloomy as ever.