A Dragon's Tale: A Paranormal Shapeshifter Romance Read online

  “If you’re sure, then we’ll set your Emergence Ceremony for one month from now. Agreed?”

  The other Council members grumbled their agreement, and Nina looked at Eli sharply. A month? It normally isn’t pushed out for more than a week, right?

  Again, it was as though she’d spoken her thoughts aloud. “We have set your appointment so far back because we have something we’d like to talk to you about.”

  Nina’s heart began to beat wildly, but she willed herself to stay calm. This doesn’t mean what you think it means, she thought, trying to keep her panic vague. Just listen.

  “We have taken notice of your power,” Eka continued, his deep voice booming through the darkened room. “Both the reports of your teacher Joseph and your prophecy suggest you have a unique ability.” His eyes twinkled. “You’re going to be an invaluable asset the dragon community— if you choose to become bonded with us.”

  Eka waved one of his ancient hands, and the figure in the corner of the room came forward with a photograph. She was short—shorter than Nina, at least—and slim, but incredibly muscular, with black hair cut close and curling around her ears. She held the photograph in front of Nina, who examined it in the low light as best as she could.

  It was a giant Rose Quartz jewel. It was half the size of a sedan and had a wheel-sized hole in the middle, as though it were a jagged pink ring for an enormous finger.

  “That’s the Rose Quartz jewel that all of dragonkind bonds to during their Ceremony,” Eka continued. “As you likely know, the stone is what allows us to come into our full power and enjoy the many benefits of being a bonded dragon. What you may not know is that stone used to be far more powerful. Far, far more.” His expression was grim now. “Over time, its power weakened, and we’re not sure why. Numerous magical technicians were brought in to examine it, and they all said the same thing: it needed to be cleansed of dark energy in order to avoid the extinction of dragonkind. Do you understand?”

  Nina felt faint, and her head was spinning. “We’ll die out,” she said.

  Eka nodded. “Yes. We may be fine for the next five years, maybe even ten, but beyond that, there will be a noticeable weakening of each of our essences, individually.” He sighed, and the roaring fire shrank into itself before slowly growing back to full height. “Our powers will stop working, one-by-one, and our hallowed grounds will be rendered nothing more than pretty palaces and patches of nature. We’ll be unable to reproduce any longer very soon, so the dragons will really be no more.”

  And then everything my parents worked for will be obsolete. Nothing will matter.

  Eka peered at her. “Of course, the jewel can be restored to its former glory to avoid this. Not only will it save us, dragons will be able to regain their lost powers.”

  Nina spoke before she could stop herself. “Lost powers?”

  Lylah looked scandalized at her outburst, but Eka smiled. “The powers you may have heard in tales told to you as a child. Immortality, clairvoyance, manipulation of space—and, to some extent, time.”

  Nina heard Eli gasp next to her. The only reason Nina hadn’t was that the air had been sapped from her lungs as she listened to him. This must be what the prophecy meant. I’m the key and the door. I’m going to help save dragonkind and allow it regain its glory—back to what it used to be. She was suddenly dizzy with euphoria. I’ll finally be a real dragon, right at the center of everything. I’ll be the dragon that brought everyone into their rightful power!

  “Should you be able to do this, you would be awarded power and authority beyond your wildest dreams. The only thing is that this requires some sacrifice,” Eka said soberly. He was gazing at her so attentively that Nina had the sensation of being held under a microscope. “You’d have to live here, in the headquarters, for thirty three days and nights. You would need to feed your own power into the stone continually in order to cleanse it. In doing so, you will bond with the stone in a way no one ever has before. You are likely to be incredibly worn after this—at best. At worst, you may not have enough essence left to assume your rightful seat on the Council.”

  Nina frowned, her elation fading. “I’d die?”

  Eka shook his head. “No, but you would be a dragon in name only. Except for the sensation of the bond, you’ll have no powers left. You would not be able to take part in the new era you brought on... only watch it.”

  Nina could feel Eli looking at her, but she didn’t return his gaze, even though she felt its weight and urgency. This must be what the prophecy meant. ‘The Greater Horde will know boundless power’... but my commencement would be the beginning of the end. For me.

  “I know this is a difficult decision, and a lot to process,” Eka said gently. “That’s why I’m giving you a month to think on it—and you have every right to decline, just as you have a right to decline your ceremony altogether.”

  The room fell into silence, and Nina swallowed the lump in her throat. “I understand.”

  Eka nodded. “Do either of you have any questions or concerns?”

  Nina started to say no, but Eli spoke first.

  “Eka, I have some troubling news.”

  Lylah looked as though she wanted to slap Eli. Nina had the distinct impression that the woman didn’t think he was worth their time. Osrik looked amused, and Cedric’s face was impassive, deep brown eyes staring steadily ahead.

  The oldest dragon turned his golden eyes to Eli. “Yes, Mr. Nelson?”

  Eli took a deep breath. “Last night, someone shot an arrow full of dragon’s bane at Nina. It almost killed her—she’s lucky to be here now.”

  The three younger dragons all looked dumbfounded; Lylah’s mouth was actually hanging open as she stared at Nina. Eka frowned, the energy emanating from him now tinted with concern. He leaned forward as he spoke.

  “Dragon’s bane? You’re sure?”

  “Positive,” Eli said, relief starting to show in his voice. “We don’t know who would try to kill Nina, but I’d like to request help in finding out who may be after her, and a guard—until we know the danger has passed.”

  The room was still again, and Nina found their blank expressions more unnerving than anything else so far.

  “A guard?” Lylah repeated with scorn. “For an unbonded dragon?”

  Her tone brought a wave of shame crashing over Nina, but Eli was unperturbed.

  “Yes, ma’am, for an unbonded dragon. An important one, from the looks of it. One that has the potential to save each and every one of our scales.”

  Lylah looked annoyed, but Eka smiled as though Eli had said something exceedingly clever.

  “Mr. Nelson is right. This is a worrying incident. I will certainly grant you use of a guard until this ordeal can be sorted.”

  “Thank you,” Eli said gratefully. “Is there a chance I can work directly with whoever will be leading the investigation?”

  The Council exchanged looks amongst themselves; Nina thought she read shame among them, but it disappeared before she could be sure. They certainly looked uncomfortable. That can’t be good, she thought anxiously.

  “I’m afraid that part may need to be put on hold for a while,” Eka said finally. “I’m very sorry, but we have our hands full trying to maintain the stone at its current level of power so that it doesn’t worsen, or at least slow its decline. You can’t imagine how difficult it is. We have every one of our most powerful dragons on this job, and we can’t spare anymore.”

  Eli gaped at the ancient dragon. “Sir, this is very important. I have reason to believe that these people won’t stop until Nina is dead.”

  “Are you saying the Rose Quartz isn’t important?” Lylah said accusingly. Her black eyes narrowed, and a bitter smile took over her pointed face. Nina caught a wave of hatred rolling from her aura before she could suppress it. “Maybe your priorities have been skewed, Mr. Nelson. I seem to remember you as being impartial and pragmatic—has something happened to sway your objectivity?”

  Another brilliant flush c
rept up Eli’s cheeks. “No, ma’am,” he answered quickly. “I understand.”

  Remembering the night before, Nina doubted he meant it.

  “Mr. Nelson, I know you take great pride in protecting the dragons you’re assigned to,” Eka said mildly. “But, in this case, you’ve done all you can, and we are doing all we can. We are not the omniscient body we were in ancient times. Though we may be again someday,” he said, nodding to Nina. “It is not so now.” He smiled. “Of course, your lives are important to us, so if you find yourself in grave danger again, or other dragons are at risk, let us know.”

  Eka’s gaze swept over them again. “Now, is there any other business?”

  Nina looked at Eli, but he was refusing to pry his gaze from Eka’s. She knew he was disappointed and trying not to show it, but she also felt something else just below the surface: doubt. But for whom? Her heart felt considerably heavier as she finally answered.

  “No, sir,” she said aloud.

  Eka nodded. “Then you are dismissed. Your guard will be sent ahead to your residence. Try not to worry; you’re in excellent hands.” His deep voice was meant to be soothing, she was sure, but it had the opposite effect now that their hopes had been dashed.

  As Eli ushered her back into the entry hall, Nina had the peculiar feeling that she had just been handed a death sentence.

  CHAPTER FIVE

  Nina and Eli walked back to the elevator banks in silence. Nina was grateful for it, because she’d never been so confused nor so conflicted; she could tell that Eli was similarly shaken, but she also knew he wanted to talk about it. She didn’t, so she avoided the eye contact he was desperately trying to make and stared straight ahead. Her aura of energy was roiling around her like a sea thrashing in the midst of a storm. They rode up to the ground floor without speaking. Neither of them said a word until they stepped away from the elevator and began to move toward the car; Nina decided to try and keep the conversation light.

  “Eka seems nice,” Nina said. Her voice was dull. “A lot less scary than I anticipated.”

  Eli nodded, his lips pressed together tightly. “He is. He’s the one I go to when I need to talk to an authority figure. He’s like a kind uncle.”

  “Lylah didn’t seem to like you much.”

  Eli laughed dryly. “No, Lylah doesn’t like anybody much, besides herself.”

  Nina was surprised at the bitterness of his tone, and she couldn’t understand that flash of anger in his eyes. It didn’t seem like him to feel negatively toward a Council member.

  “And Osrik is too suspicious of everyone’s strength and commitment to focus on being pleasant.” He paused, thinking. “Cedric’s okay.”

  Nina leaned against Eli’s car and closed her eyes. Now that they were away from the power-filled room of the Council’s chambers, she couldn’t ignore the situation as it began to close in on her. She balled her fists, sending the points of her nails biting into her palms as tears of rage and frustration pressed against her eyelids. She couldn’t yet voice what was going on inside her, and she prayed that Eli would leave her alone until they got back to Pryce’s hotel. She reached for the door handle and was almost in the car before her hopes were shattered.

  “I understand that this is a huge decision,” Eli began.

  Nina stopped in her tracks, slowly turning to meet his gaze. The emotions twisting her stomach into a knot began to unwind and separate themselves, and it was unsurprising that a bitter rage took the forefront.

  “Do you?”

  Eli took a step back at her sharp tone, uncertain. “Well... not perfectly,” he admitted. “But I can understand the enormous pressure that an impossible decision can put on you.”

  Nina looked at him, shaking her head. “What kind of impossible decisions have you had to face, Eli? What could you possibly have gone through that’s proportional to this?”

  Her voice had risen as she spoke until she was almost yelling. Despair surged in front of the anger, and suddenly tears were threatening to spill over her lashes.

  Eli was silent again, and even though he looked hurt, Nina was glad for it. She was about to explode from all of the contrasting reactions clashing inside her, and if they didn’t go somewhere, she was going to rip herself apart.

  “Imagine going your entire life feeling like something’s missing—something fundamental that everyone you want to be like already has—and having other people confirm your brokenness with their treatment of you. Can you identify with that?”

  Eli shook his head.

  “Can you imagine what it’s like trying so hard to make those people like you while also trying to figure out what the fuck it is that’s missing? Everyone tells you it’s just the way kids act, but you get older and it doesn’t get any better.” Nina’s need to cry had evaporated, and she could feel wrath overtaking her despair. “Then, when it’s finally supposed to get better, you find out you can either get so close to your goal you can taste it but never quite achieve it, or turn away forever. That’s it.”

  Eli was shaking his head vigorously. “Nina, don’t think of it that way—”

  “How am I supposed to think of it?” she shouted. “It’s the truth!”

  Eli was holding his hands in front of him in a pleading gesture. “Look, you may not lose all your powers, or any of your powers at all. Our spirits are extraordinary—who’s to say you won’t bounce back quickly?” He took a step toward her, and then another when he saw she wasn’t going to move away from him. “Most importantly, though, nothing is set in stone yet. No one said you had to do anything. Only think about it.”

  Nina laughed, her voice sounding harsh even to herself. “What’s there to think about? It’s either let my people die out or save us all and never be whole.” She looked up at him and realized she’d finally started crying; anguish had taken the wheel once again. “That’s not a choice, Eli.”

  “It is, or he wouldn’t have given it to you!”

  “What would you do?” she asked. “What would you do in my position? Would you even think about letting our people down?”

  Eli was silent for a long time, and Nina watched a range of emotions flicker over his face as he thought. “No,” he said at last. “No, I wouldn’t, but we’re different people. We were raised differently, we’re treated differently... we think differently.” He took another step closer to her and took one of her hands in both of his, a peculiarly intense look of admiration in his eyes. “We’re at different places in our lives, Nina. But we’re also different because of our power. You can do things I can only dream of, according to that prophecy.” As he squeezed her hand, Nina felt a surge of desperate affection roll from his aura of power, clashing with the confused mess inside of her. “We’re so different, Nina. It’s quickly becoming one of my favorite things about you. How different we are.”

  She gazed into his eyes, incredibly aware of how close their faces were. She wanted him to pull her against his body and wrap her in the passionate embrace she knew he’d been wanting to give her—she could feel his need in his energy—but she couldn’t take the step herself. Not until she knew he was willing to offer more than no-strings sex. The way he held himself back from her emotionally was bothersome; they’d already been through so much in so little time that it seemed strange to try and cut her off.

  “But we’re both dragons,” Nina finally said. “And that’s all you have to be to see what the right decision is here.” She pulled her hand away, spun around, and slid into the passenger seat of the car.

  Eli got into the driver’s seat without another word. Nina didn’t need him to speak to know how he felt; she sensed the vibrations of his hurt and disappointment even though he was trying hard not to let it out of his own personal space. Nina was glad for the effort, because she was ruminating the entire ride, unable to extricate herself from the thought pattern that kept leading her back to the same place.

  My parents were murdered, and they believed I was the queen the prophecy spoke of. Whether or not I�
�m able to keep my powers or even fully cleanse the stone, it seems like I should try. Isn’t this what queens do? Protect their people at all costs?

  She pressed her temple to the cool glass of the window and closed her eyes. Maybe I can still live among the dragons if I lose my powers. They’d welcome me. They would have to. I would be the one who saved them. I’d get my dragon family no matter what. She pictured Carrie’s face, imagining it twisted in horror at the realization that her life had been rescued by the weird girl no one liked from Ceremony Prep class. She might die of shock. Wouldn’t that be interesting?

  But what about her family—the one she had now? What would they think about her sacrificing so much? Rachel would understand, sure, but Nat and Desmond worked so hard to keep her safe and out of trouble during her childhood so she could live to join with the community and reclaim her heritage. Would they try to talk her out of it? A chill crawled over her skin as she had another thought: What if I put them in danger by discussing the prophecy with them? Someone is already after me. They don’t need to be dragged into this, as well. It’s bad enough I told Rachel a little about it, and over the phone, no less. Anyone could have been eavesdropping, and they could do it at any time when we’re not protected by magically drawn boundaries. I can’t risk their safety by giving them details.

  “Nina,” Eli said softly. “We’re here.”

  She ignored the pleading look he was giving her and got out of the car, making a beeline for the hotel’s front doors. Nina wasn’t sure why, but she didn’t want to be alone with Eli any longer. Maybe it was the confusing tension between them; he seemed so attracted to her, when the day before he’d made it clear they couldn’t pursue anything romantic. I don’t need those kind of mixed signals, she decided. The next moment, though, she was remembering the way he’d looked at her in the parking garage, and while they were waiting for the results of her reading. He was telling the truth when he told her she was special and different, it seemed, but that only deepened her bewilderment. When she found something special, she went for it. No other way made sense to her. Challenges had been a part of her life for as long as she could remember; the challenge of making friends, learning energy control, balancing the need to work and earn money with her desire to immerse herself in studies—why should dating be any different?