Page 43 of Earth-Bound

“He’s a witch.”

Dee added, “He’s incredibly powerful.”

“And sexy,” said Dum.

I wasn’t sure I wanted to meet another witch so soon after escaping my apple tree so I casually enquired, “Did he not come with you to Lower Dipton?”

Dee and Dum turned their gazes on me simultaneously and I felt the goosebumps crawl up my spine.

It was Arram who spoke, though. “Do not tease the earth spirit. They are very powerful.”

Dee frowned. “We’re dragons,we’re powerful.”

She looked a bit happier when Arram conceded, “Indeed you are. But Dum has been known to become carried away and I would not advise he challenge an earth spirit.”

I said nothing, on the basis that I currently had so little power that I wouldn’t be able to fight off a hedgehog.

There was a gleam in Dum’s eyes that I didn’t like.

Luckily, at that moment, the chime above the door sounded and we all turned to see who was entering. It was a tall young man who slipped inside and shot a loving look at the man who was holding the door open for him. That man was… not a man. Another dragon.

My skin prickled with the feeling of being surrounded.

Behind the tall man came a shorter, younger man whose features were almost identical.

Dum jumped out of his chair and went over to them.

The tall young man spoke. “You wouldn’t believe the magic we found over there. Matty said it lit the tree up like a beacon.”

“Itwaslit up like a beacon,” said the other man. Matty, it seemed.

The dragon was short and plump with a round face. His soft exterior was charming but I was acutely aware that it hid a very, very dangerous shifter below. He was studying me curiously.

“Good afternoon,” I said.

“Hello.”

Dum pointed right at me. “You’ll never guess what he is!”

I was a bit taken aback to be used as a parlour game in that manner but I stayed still and allowed the three of them to study me, which they did very intently.

Matty shrugged. “He feels powerful but I can’t pinpoint where his magic comes from.”

The chubby dragon tapped his chin.

The tall young man asked tentatively, “Are you an earth spirit?”

I didn’t get a chance to answer, though I opened my mouth to. Dum answered before me. “Yes! Yes, he is! How did you know, Anthony?”

Anthony blushed and muttered, “Just a guess,” but there was something about it that made me sure it wasn’t just a guess.

“Are you familiar with earth spirits?”

“Not really. I’ve read about them but I’ve never met one until now. I don’t suppose—”

Dum began to crow, “Our Anthony knows everything, doesn’t he, Dimpy?”

Dee agreed. “He’s an expert on magical beings.”

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