Page 52 of Drakhana's Treasure
Then dragons start to wake up. Like flares of hope they catch alight. Some feel it come upon them in the sky. Others while meditating and still others just at random times.
Kirralee says that they have found the spark within. A great many people say that they were touched by her in a special way. It becomes slightly fanatical in the time we spend at the peak. Everyone wants to touch her, speak to her or just stand in her presence.
Even though Kirralee is reluctant to leave the mountains, we decide to head back to Vegas. She needs peace to stay comfortable as her belly grows and that is becoming harder to find in the mountains. Four young women and three men become her apprentices. They were the first to find the fire and Kirra has every belief that they can teach others.
We cross the mountains by dark, arriving on the edge of the desert as dawn breaks. A small crew of students come down behind us, nervously throwing on their robes as they land. Even though they are all awkward, no one is as clumsy as my Kirralee.
I take her hand as we walk towards the limos. Already I can feel that old sense of power returning. I had let it go, deciding that the mysteries of fire meant more to me than the nuances of the human world. That’s still true, but it doesn’t mean I’m not good at it.
I’ve got a burning desire in me. It’s nothing like my need for Kirra, but it’s close.
As we get closer to the limos Kirra lets out a glad cry and runs to Haywin. He exclaims over her round belly and almost cries to see her so well. I confer with Luke who has held the city while I was away.
“How has it been?” I don’t try to hide my grin as I shake my old friends’ hand. To my relief, he grins right back.
“Good, Rastus. Excellent in fact. The ice dragons fled, they left every last holding in Vegas. We mopped them up cheap and were able to recover all our lost revenue.”
“Did the investors come back?”
“They came back crying old friend. Crying. Some of them lost millions. The heads of the ice dragon clan have disappeared and they can’t even find anyone to sue.”
“Damn.” I grin at him. “That’s gotta be rough! Did we offer them any comp?”
“Only if they signed to us for a minimum of five years.”
I can’t hold back my laughter. This situation has turned out better than I ever could have imagined.
“How are the recruits?”
“Well, the ones you left aren’t recruits any more. They’re bosses. We have some new ones tripping over themselves now. And you had to go bring some more!”
We pile into the limos and I pull out my devices which are waiting for me in the glove box. I’ve only been back a few minutes and already I can feel the old assurance flowing back into me. With my dragon at my back, I’m completely unstoppable now.
Luke goes quiet as I log into all the old accounts and check up on everything. I’m more than pleased at what they’ve done, but I can’t wait to get back into Vegas to see for myself.
I finish going through everything just as we hit the neon lights. I look back over the convoy and I can imagine Kirralee talking with Haywin and trying to live with the reputation of being a legend. This isn’t like the first time she came to the city though, I won’t have to look after her.
I send her a quick message letting her know I’m going on to do some business and I’ll meet her later. Only after I send it do I realize she’s probably only had her phone for a few minutes and she has most likely lost it already.
It’s Haywin that texts back.
She’ll be fine, we’re heading to dinner. Catch up soon, boss.
Reassured, I put all my stuff into my briefcase and head up into the casino.
“I’m back to the dojo if you need me.”
“Thanks Luke. You’ve done a great job.”
“Don’t mention it.”
He waves as he heads off and I take slow steps towards the elevator. The noise of the casino seems like it’s too loud, but at the same time I’ve missed it so much its almost soothing. I could be underwater; I feel so strange. Yet all of it as familiar as it was right before I left.
My dragon growls at me. Yes, we have a job to do.
I take the elevator up to the top and use my fingerprint to get in. When I enter the boardroom I’m pleased to see Zelena, Kane and Bailey waiting for me. Zelena’s smooth, confident smile prompts one from me in return. I sit down and open my case, slowly getting out files and devices.
“You’ve managed the business while I’ve been away?” I say softly. The boys look nervous, as if they’ve done something wrong. Zelena sits up eagerly.
