Page 106 of Destined Dawn
“Are you coming down or not?”
Stone points over to the meadow and the dragons fly that way, landing in the long grass and slumping to the ground. It’s been a long flight and I’m guessing that they’re tired. We slide off their backs, our feet landing back on republic soil, Rhi’s pig squirming in Barone’s arms.
The first person that breaks through the trees and into the meadow is Principal York, followed shortly after by Coach and then Mrs. Holyhill, the old Magical History and Politics teacher (I’m rather shocked the teeny tiny woman can move that fast). Next are several of our old team mates and a handful of cheerleaders, including Summer. I’m surprised to see her here. I assumed she’d be with my dad.
Perhaps he’s tired of her already.
Rhi’s dragon rumbles but she lifts her hand.
“It’s not clear if these people are our friends or enemies,” she says to the dragon, “but I’d rather not roast any people alive until we know for sure, okay?”
“And how about you?” Principal York asks us, shrewd eyes lingering on me. “Do you come as friends or enemies?”
“Friends, I hope,” Professor Stone replies, stepping forward to take the role as our official spokesperson.
Principal York lets out a long puff of air I reckon she’s been holding for some time and her tight shoulders visibly loosen.
“Well …” she says, “well …”
“What do you mean?” Summer says, hands on her hips, outrage on her face. “These are enemies of the state!”
Summer never was as bright as she thought she was and it seems she’s slow on the uptake.
“Miss Clutton-Brock, be quiet,” York tells her. “I don’t remember asking for your opinion or your advice and I certainly don’t require either!”
“But–”
“Quiet! Miss Blackwaters and Mr. Kennedy are students of this academy. They are welcome here.”
“You’re making a big mistake,” Summer says threateningly, eyes narrowing at me before she swishes her hair and storms off.
“Want me to go after her?” Coach asks. “She’s likely to inform the Lord Protector about our arrivals.”
York shakes her head. “I suspect she already has.”
The students behind them hesitate, some peering anxiously in Summer’s direction, and then Al walks forward engulfing Spencer in a tight hug, before stepping towards me and doing the same.
“I’m so glad you’re alive, man,” he says, “you heard about Will and Samson …”
I shake my head and curse. Will? Samson? No, I hadn’t heard.
The rest of our team members follow suit and while I’m happy to receive the handshakes and the slaps on the back, I notice Spencer seems less enthusiastic. Perhaps he isn’t as convinced in their friendship as he used to be. After all, how many of the other students were happy to follow Christopher Kennedy’s sick way of thinking, too ready to agree that all weres should be locked away and tortured?
The cheerleaders glance among themselves and look as if they too will come for hugs and grand reunions. But, Rhi stares them down as if to say there’s no way she’s going to stand there and let them grope her men. I’m guessing the dragon agrees, because she rumbles again and everyone else jumps away.
“She’s a beaut,” Mrs. Holyhill says, adjusting the spectacles that balance on her nose and gazing at the dragon with her clouded eyes. “A matriarch mother, I think.”
“She is?” Rhi says, gaze skimming over her dragon.
“I would think so. She’s large enough to be one and she appears to have made a bond with you if I’m not mistaken.”
“Little rabbit healed her when she was injured,” Barone says with such obvious pride she can’t help but blush.
“Really?” the principal says.
“Quite a feat,” Mrs. Holyhill adds, as the clearing begins to fill with other curious teachers and students. “I imagine there are not many magicals a dragon would allow to do that, especially a matriarch mother.”
“Are matriarch mothers special then, prof?” Renzo says, asking the question I was thinking.
