Tried by Fire: High School Dragons, #2

Prolog

Nicole stared at herself in the mirror on the wardrobe in her cluttered room and worried her lower lip like she'd done every so often during the last three months. She pondered the same problem every time.

Dragons. That’s not possible. I must have dreamed.

Her gaze wandered from her freckles to the piles of books occupying every surface of her room. Had she read too many fantasy stories? Was her imagination running wild?

Mom always said that one day she’d find it hard to separate reality from dreams, and that she should read some ‘real’ books. But so far, Nicole hadn’t been interested in the ones she’d recommended. What if her mother was right and that day had finally arrived?

But Colin had assured her that dragons existed. Maybe the two of them had accidentally eaten something that made them hallucinate. Or maybe her obsession with reading and making up stories had rubbed off on him. Because for sure something like dragons didn’t exist. They were just as unreal as fairies or unicorns. If the girls in her school heard her claim that dragons existed, she’d be the target of every bad joke they could think of. So far, she’d always been happy that the in-girls hadn’t noticed her. She had also been proud that she wasn’t like the other girls in school.

It’s time to grow up. She looked at her mirror-self again, lifting her chin. I’ll be like everyone else and the hallucinations or whatever else they are will vanish.

With new determination she fetched a couple of cardboard boxes and began to pack all her books, although she felt as if someone was ripping her heart out. Maybe the local library would take them. Or the used book shop. They needn’t know about her pain or her craziness.

First Chapter

I’m not a nurse, you know. As Mordekay pressed his newly acquired mobile to his ear, he kept his voice low so it wouldn’t wake his barn-sized patient. He’s been mostly sleeping. For months on end. Guess who’s the one forced to take care of him. If it weren’t my own body I’m helping, I’d have put Dragon Bane into him a long time ago.

He listened to the words on the other side without sparing a glance at the white washed walls, the shuttered windows, or the neon overhead light of the warehouse they were staying in.

Don’t you know that Harm keeps ordering me with the Commanding Voice? How am I to get away from that? The face he was currently wearing—hated because it wasn't his own—showed Blackfeather’s smooth Native American features. However, they contorted into a mask of barely suppressed rage. My own son is ordering me around like a slave. His fingers clenched around the mobile until it groaned from the strain. What? He forced himself to relax his hand. "Yes, I know that he isn’t really my son. But still … I had high plans for him, and instead he goes and fraternizes with … humans." He spat out the last word as if it were dirt he’d accidentally eaten. Then he listened to the voice on the other end of the line.

You are right. I completely forgot about catnip since I’ve never tried it. Are you sure it’ll work? A smile grew on his face. Perfect. A little vomiting won’t kill him, and if it helps me, I’m game to try.

With his mobile still on his ear, he turned on his swivel chair and looked at the black mass snoring gently on a thin layer of gold. It was an impressive sight, and a sliver of longing tugged at what he considered his heart. If only he could drive that traitor from his body and slip back into it where he belonged. He sighed. I just wish there was an easy way to swap bodies. But of course the kids won’t be stupid enough to fall for the same ritual twice.

He listened once more. Wait a minute. Are you trying to tell me that there’s another way to get it back? His features relaxed the longer his dialog partner talked. When the explanation was over, Mordekay grinned. How hard can it be to find a witch?

The black dragon in the hall moaned and blinked into the bright light. It was obviously waking up.

I gotta go for now, but I’ll call you back about that, Mordekay said. You can already get started on locating a witch.

As Harm lifted his hand to the door of the warehouse’s side entrance, his heart felt like a stone. Why did it have to rub in his chest so? He wiped his eyes and forced the frown from his face. It was hard enough facing a new father who surely had new expectations. He didn’t need a sermon about gratitude or an artificial father-son talk. He needed Blackfeather to wake up and return to school. Harm loathed himself for forcing the dean to believe that Mr. Smolinsky was ill for so long, but at least his father still had the job. With a sigh, he straightened his shoulders and opened the door.

Inside, everything was like before. Mordekay in Blackfeather’s body sulked while shoveling dragon poo into a wheelbarrow—great manure, if one believed Angie—and the black dragon lay as still as ever. But when he rounded the giant body, he noticed that his father had moved after all. The head, usually curled up with the snout under his right wing, was now resting close to the table and chair Mordekay used during his breaks, and his breathing had become deeper.

With his heart hammering in his chest, Harm stepped closer and touched the smooth, black scales on the dragon’s cheek. Behind him, the warehouse door creaked as Mordekay wheeled his load to the dung heap behind the warehouse.

Father? The word felt like a stone in Harm’s mouth. He’d never addressed Mordekay that way, and although he knew that the black dragon no longer was Mordekay, his heart contracted whenever he used the word. He breathed deeply and spoke again. Wakey, wakey, Father.

His voice echoed in the big warehouse. Before it had completely died away, Blackfeather opened his eyes. For a while he stared at the wall, eyes unfocused and only half open, but soon he blinked and sat up.

Where am I? His voice boomed through the hall as if amplified. He winced and whispered his next question. What am I?

You’re in Mordekay’s body. Harm told him what had happened in as few words as possible, ending with, You’ve been out cold for three months.

Blackfeather examined his oversized new body How did you get me here?

We flew. It seems that the body instinctively knows how that works. Harm pretended to sort some papers on Mordekay’s table. He didn’t look at his father. It made talking easier. When we arrived here, the wound in your side opened again, probably from the strain, and you fell unconscious. Luckily you were inside the warehouse already, so no one saw you.

What about Mordekay? Blackfeather sat up and his head swung around, his gaze searching the room.

I ordered him to take care of you. Harm grinned. Believe me, he doesn’t like it. I’m using the Commanding Voice. He’s got no choice but to obey.

Blackfeather chuckled, a deep rumbling that emanated from his chest. It was a sound Harm had never heard from the black dragon before. Strangely enough, it triggered a memory of Nicole in the clearing on that fateful day as she stared at the black dragon, unable to fully focus because of the drugs in her blood.

I think it’s time to take him back home. The Council will surely hold a trial, Blackfeather said when he finished laughing.

That’s not possible as long as we don’t have a new queen. Harm turned and forced himself to look at the big, black dragon. Instinctively, his hands balled into fists. He had to recall that it was not Mordekay staring at him from yellow, slitted eyes. We have to stay here and convince Lydia that she has to take the job regardless of her feelings for Colin. And for that, you’ll have to turn into Mordekay’s human form.

I don’t want to be Mr. Smolinsky. Blackfeather shook his head. He’s ugly and mean.

But he’s teaching sciences to Lydia. He’s important. The chair Harm fetched to sit on scraped over the concrete floor with a screeching sound that nearly drowned out Mordekay’s return despite the wheelbarrow's noise.

How do I turn into a human? Blackfeather lifted his wings in a gesture of confusion. Shouldn’t it happen instinctively?

It’s not difficult. Harm shrugged. You picture your human self in your mind and fill it with your inner magic.

The dragon closed his eyes and breathed deeply. Nothing happened.

Harm waited some more, but there was still no change.

Mordekay snorted. Did you think accessing a dragon’s magic would be easy for a human?

Changing form goes with the body. It requires no external energy since it's inborn. Harm turned to Mordekay and twisted his voice into command mode. Go to sleep for now.

The traitor crumbled. Harm caught him before he slammed into the ground and carried him to his bed where he laid him down. It was better to have the traitor out of the way for now. He turned back to Blackfeather. The magic should be within your body. Can’t you feel it, at least a little?

I think I found it. It’s a bit like electricity, right? Blackfeather’s voice sounded strained.

KAZING

A flash took out the electricity in the room, and Blackfeather collapsed. Harm was just about fast enough to evade the big, crashing head. He groaned. Couldn’t his father get the easiest spell right? Now he had to wait again for him to regain consciousness. If only he had someone he could ask.

An idea occurred to him. He needed to talk to White Crow. Lydia’s old mentor seemed to know a lot about dragons. Maybe he could help.

Wake up, he ordered Mordekay. Make sure no one disturbs my father in your body, and get the electricity going again.

Yes, master. Mordekay’s voice held an edge of anger but he bowed and went to fetch some tools.

When Harm arrived at Lydia’s parents’ house, it seemed deserted, but as soon as he entered, White Crow was behind him.

The traitor’s son. He cocked his head and crossed his arms in front of his chest.

Harm’s stomach fell. The Native American didn’t look as if he was willing to help him.

I’m not Mordekay’s son. Harm explained his relationship to Blackfeather, and his father’s love for Mordekay’s wife. So in truth, I’m Blackfeather’s son. It’s he that needs your help.

The humans’ way of talking seems to rub off on you, White Crow said and pointed to the door to the living room. Take a seat and tell me what Blackfeather needs.

Harm didn’t need to be told twice. Although it was strange sitting in the dark room with the furniture barely visible, it felt great to unburden himself. He told White Crow all about the encounter with Mordekay and how Blackfeather had taken over the dragon’s body. And now he can’t tap into his new body’s magic to turn into a human. He expected White Crow to laugh at this minor problem, but the man shook his head and scratched his beard as if the situation was life-threatening. His eyebrows rose and he bent forward to better see the man. Is it that bad?

If he can’t access the magic, he’ll explode, taking everyone with him who’s close enough. White Crow pulled a pipe from his pocket and stuffed it. Do you know why dragons can turn into humans? I could tell you while I think about a solution for your father.

Since Harm was sure it wouldn’t be a good idea to hurry White Crow, he he leaned back and forced himself to be patient. The man was too focused in everything he did. Trying to rush him would only lead to disaster.

He had to wait until White Crow emptied his pipe and said, And now, let’s go to your father and see what I can do. I do believe I know a way to help him.

White Crow crouched beside Blackfeather’s massive body and shook his head. It shouldn’t be this difficult. Did Mordekay do something aside from the ritual before he was forced out of his body?

Not that I know of, Blackfeather said.

Try again. It’s really important.

The dragon closed his eyes in concentration. Harm closed his eyes too, feeling for his father’s magic like White Crow had explained. He was still surprised by how much the Native American knew about dragons and their magic.

There … the electrical zing reverberated through his veins. That must be the magic Blackfeather couldn’t access. For a moment he hesitated. What if he let his father figure it out on his own? He shrugged. It wasn’t as if he could wait. If Blackfeather didn’t learn how to turn into a human, they’d have to leave, which meant leaving behind all of his new friends; the first friends he’d ever had. Also, there was the threat of a magic explosion which would endanger a lot of people. Harm mentally tugged at the magic again, ignoring the tingle that spread through his mind. Gently he guided the magic toward Blackfeather’s consciousness. When he noticed his father groping around blindly, he shoved the thread of magic his way. It connected.

Boom—

Pain lanced through Harm’s mind and he reeled back from the impact. Blinking, he fought dizziness, nausea, and a blackness that threatened to swallow him. Only a stray thought of Nicole kept him from passing out.

Harm! The voice was familiar, but not its tone. It sounded deeply worried. I didn’t mean to hurt you. Arms closed around him.

Angrily, Harm shook them off. Don’t touch me. He struggled to stand, surprised that he’d been sitting on the ground in the first place. He must have fallen when the magic backfired. He blinked some more and focused on the small man standing in front of him. At least we’ve got you in human shape.

His father turned and picked up a small mirror from the table. His face fell. I look like Smolinsky.

As expected, White Crow said. After all, Mordekay has your body now. What surprised me was the clash of your and Harm’s magic.

Harm’s stomach was still in turmoil, so he sat on the table’s wobbly chair. Somehow it felt good to know that White Crow didn’t know everything after all. Satisfied that he wouldn’t have to leave and that Blackfeather wouldn’t blow up, he closed his eyes and allowed his exhaustion to claim its due.

Second Chapter

Nicole carried her heavy backpack downstairs, drawn by the smell of cheese melting on toast. Gosh, she was hungry. She put the backpack down beside the door with a thud. Its dark leather contrasted nicely with the cream wallpaper. Still half asleep, she sat down at the kitchen table.

What’s in there? Bricks? Her brother grinned and stuffed some more toast into his mouth.

Books. From the library. Nicole grabbed some toast.

But you only took them out a few days ago. Colin’s eyebrows rose. You can’t have finished reading them already.

None of your business. A pang went through Nicole’s heart. She really, really had wanted to read those books. But look where it got her.

Lydia asked if we’d like to go for an ice cream this afternoon. Colin checked the money in his purse. He was probably trying to gauge whether it’d be enough for lunch at school and an ice cream. Nicole smiled a little at his inability to keep his money together. He looked up. Are you coming, or what?

Nicole shook her head, though it seemed as heavy as a millstone. She liked Lydia, but right now she just couldn’t face her.

Oh, come on. Harm will be there too. It’ll be fun to hang out with the dragons.

There. Are. No. Dragons. Nicole ground her teeth just as their mother entered with a couple of fresh kitchen towels.

Stop it, Nicole, she said as she put them away.

Colin bent forward and stared at his sister, concern written all over his face. We’re only going to have an ice cream after school. You’ll like it.

What a nice idea, their mother chimed in and put two more slices of toast on the table. It’d give me some free time this afternoon where I can finally sort out your birthday presents.

I’ll hate you all talking about dragons. Nicole pressed her lips together, fighting down a wave of fear. Ridiculous! Harm and Lydia were her friends regardless of whether they were crazy or not. Still, she wasn’t ready to face them yet.

Dragons? Their mother glared at Nicole. Are you trying to put flees in your brother’s ears again? There’s no such thing as a dragon. Get a grip on reality.

That’s what I’m trying. Nicole glared back. She’d had this argument with her mother once too often. This time it’s Colin who insists that dragons exist.

Colin? Their mother turned and lifted an eyebrow.

That’s a game, silly. Colin got up, not looking at his mother, grabbed