Page 5 of Drakhana's Treasure
“What?” I say again.
“Oh, never mind.” She turns back towards Rastus, who is giving a little speech.
His eyes fall on me and I can tell by the quirk of his brow I’ve done something wrong again. What is a ball gown? Am I supposed to know?
As platters of food are brought out, the others start to ask questions. The keenest of the group sit close to Rastus, absorbing his knowledge greedily and begging for more. All of us have made some kind of wardrobe mistake, which Rastus is quick to point out. Even Kane and Zelena look a bit disturbed by the noise and closely packed crowds.
Rastus looks us over with some amusement. He introduces a few people we can go to for help if he isn’t around and talks about the different businesses run by our clan. I get so confused that I tune him out pretty quickly.
I poke at the food, finding it very good even if it has been strangely prepared. What is the point of making food in pretty patterns? You’re just going to smoosh it, together aren’t you?
Even though I tune Rastus out, I can’t help being aware of him so close to me. I feel like I need to do better, like I can’t let him down.
Rastus. Rastus. Rastus.
I remind myself constantly, a chant that pulses with every beat of my heart. I can’t ever forget his name again.
Four
Rastus
There is an awful chill settling on me as I wake the next morning. It’s as if a winter breeze somehow found its way in, travelling across the country to find me.
It feels just like home.
The sheets crinkle around me as I sit up, reminding me how comfortable this room is. I haven’t thought about home for a really long time and usually if I did, it was with thanks that I got out of there.
Looking back on it now though, I can’t imagine why I wanted to run from it. I lived in a little cottage nestled in the mountains in a little valley. We were in charge of farming for the mountain community. My daily jobs included tending animals and garden as well as deliveries up the mountain for the other dragons.
I haven’t thought about home since I came to Vegas. I don’t know why I’m thinking about it now.
I hurry out of bed, hurling the sheets off me. I get ready quickly, checking my appearance in the mirror as I go. My first stop is to the board room up top to make some calls and do paperwork. Then I’m meeting the recruits on the ground floor.
As always, hours flow by too easily. It’s just after nine when I get downstairs and all the kids are assembled. I stand up a bit straighter and scowl at them, wondering how I’m going to get through this day.
“Okay guys. Your ID cards will be ready by this afternoon. It’s your official documentation that you’ll need for the rest of your life. Since we do it all within the clan, you’ll all be listed as a bit older so you can work in the casino.”
“You mean we’re officially adults?” the tallest boy says.
I smile at him, not particularly amused by his attitude.
“If you have come to the city, yes. It means you’re adults. But this also means that you have a duty to fulfill to the clan. You are here to discover your skills and understand where you can do the most good.”
His face falls a bit and that’s good. They need to understand this isn’t a party. This is where they decide what kind of people they want to be.
I cast my eyes across the rest, relieved to see that the delicate little red head has dressed sensibly in black slacks and a white blouse. She keeps her arms folded around herself, looking at the floor and chewing her lip.
After going through my files last night, I know she’s the eldest. I want to contact the mountain and find out what the deal is with her. She seems overly fragile and she could be a liability to our cover. Today will test her and I’ll decide if she can manage the human world at all.
I walk up the line, talking to each one individually and giving them jobs. I let them know who the managers are and that they can identify other dragons by a red pin worn on their top button.
“Just remember team, today is your first day trying to fit in with humans. Watch your speed and watch your strength. If you casually bump into someone, you could really hurt them. No blowing smoke out of your nostrils. Keep your emotions and your dragon under complete control. Learn to speak in the human ways, learn slang and conversation pleasantries. Head out to it, I’ll be in to check on you every few hours.”
They file away and the biggest guy—Kane, I think—heads towards the carpark eagerly. He’s starting off as a valet because he’s one of the few here that can drive. Most of them set off with confidence or determination and I’m pretty happy with all of them. Then I turn and see Kirralee drifting towards the kitchens.
She looks like a little lost girl, wandering aimlessly through a big crowd. Even at 9am, the casino is packed and she looks like she’s about to get run over.
With extreme willpower I turn away and head off to make a few meetings. If she screws up, she screws up. I can’t follow her around.
