Page 32 of Song of the Dragon Rider
“Youliedto me?!” I shrieked. “You promised me that if I humiliated myself on those ridiculous contraptions, you would help me return home!”
“I didn’t know how else to get you to do it!” Angie protested, holding up her hands defensively. “You were going to ruin your career, and I panicked!”
I clenched my fists as fury burned through every nerve ending. “You are deceitful, conniving, and utterly untrustworthy! I will not tolerate such treachery!”
Before Angie could respond, I turned on my heel and stormed off, my boots smacking against the concrete. The studio was a maze of equipment, trailers, and unfamiliar faces. Within moments, I realized I had no idea where I was or how to get out. My anger only grew as I wandered aimlessly, glaring at anyone who dared approach me.
Eventually, I stopped in the middle of a lot surrounded by towering lights and half-built sets. I took a deep breath, my chest heaving with frustration. “Where is the exit to this wretched place?!” I demanded aloud, though no one seemed to hear me.
I was lost, furious, and utterly alone in this strange, chaotic world. And worse, I had no one to blame but myself for trusting Angie.
10
DAMIEN
After not hearing from Cat in two days, I started to worry. She hadn’t left the Ryder residence from what I’d been told, which could only mean one thing: she was in trouble. And I imagined it had something to do with Gianna, who caught us together in bed the last morning I saw Cat. Even worse, their older brother Jacob was back from the border, and from what I remembered, he was fairly strict with them.
Tonight, she was supposed to meet me and Uncle Bai at the border of the Northern and Southern districts to enact our plans to burn down the estate and underground fighting ring. Luckily my brother Thorne was able to get the coin out earlier today, so everything was set to go.
“I’ll take care of the estate,” Uncle Bai said as we rode in his carriage across the Northern District. “You handle the underground fighting ring.”
I nodded. “Did you confirm that both places are empty?”
“Yes,” Uncle Bai answered. As the carriage rolled to a halt, he clasped my shoulder. “Be careful, Damien. Vampires are tricky creatures.”
With a sharp nod, I stepped out of the carriage and onto the cold, damp ground. The night air was sharp, slicing through my clothing as I waited under the shadow of a gnarled oak tree, its branches swaying ominously in the wind.
Minutes slowly ticked by, each one stretching longer than the last in the quiet of the night. Finally, a familiar figure emerged from the shadows. Cat, with her cloak billowing behind her, looked every bit the part of a fugitive.
“There you are!” I said as she approached, a relieved exhale escaping my lips.
She stopped short, catching her breath. “Sorry I'm late. Things at the Ryder residence… have escalated. Jacob’s back, and he’s taking the family’s financial ruin hard. On top of that, Gianna has somehow convinced Lord Zacharia to restrict my movements. It's a mess.”
I nodded, understanding the gravity of her situation. “You managed to get out, though?”
She dipped her chin. “Yes, I snuck out during one of their endless meetings about the family finances.” She sighed. “Let’s get this over with, Damien.” She kept peering over her shoulder as if she was afraid she’d been followed.
I took her hand and squeezed it. “Relax, Cat. With me, you’ll be fine.”
Her honey-brown eyes met mine. As if taking comfort in my words, her shoulders relaxed and she gave a relieved sigh. “How are we going to do this?”
I ushered her toward an alleyway. “Well, first I’m going to shift,” I said. “And then we’ll fly to the Underclaw Market.”
Her eyes widened. “I’m going to ride you again?” She closed her eyes and shook her head. “I mean, like on your back… Not the dirty way.” She cleared her throat and frowned.
I tilted my head, wondering whatdirtyway she meant. “Yes. How else will we get to the underground fighting ring?”
“Oh,” she murmured. “Cool.”
“Cool?” I repeated the word and wondered why we were suddenly discussing the weather. “Are you comfortable riding me? You did fine the first time. I thought… especially since we’re twin flames…”
“No, no, I’m totally fine with it!” she called out quickly. “Shift. Do your thing.”
I watched her for a moment to see if she would change her mind, but she crossed her arms over her chest and started tapping her right foot, almost rushing me.
Taking a step back, and with a deep breath, I let the change overtake me. My body contorted, growing and shifting as impenetrable scales sprouted along my skin, shimmering black under the scant moonlight. My bones elongated, muscles expanding and reshaping into the powerful form of a dragon. Sharp ridges formed along my back and extended down to the tip of my tail. Within moments, the transformation was complete and I stood before her, a towering dragon cloaked in darkness.
Cat cautiously approached, then, with a steadiness that belied her nervousness, she climbed onto my back and found her grip along the ridges that would keep her secure.
