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I hate her. I cannot stand her. I won’t be able to pretend around her. That’s why I’ve hatched a plan of action.
“She promised to help us,” I add to the lie. “But she needs to continue her research.”
Draco nods and encouragingly pats my shoulder. “I knew you would do the right thing, Aragon. Do you need one of us to accompany you?”
“That won’t be necessary, brother. I’ll be back soon.”
As soon as I’m safely away in the center of the meadow, I invoke the dragon and lift myself off the ground. Relieved for now—I can only hope that none of them discover that there isn’t really a deal.
Yazmine didn’t agree to this.
It’ll just be me landing in unnecessary hot water. I don’t need a repeat of this morning. It’s just a disruption to my peace.
Flying out of the island’s protective dome, I realize how peaceful this is. The flight. Feeling the wind through my webbed wings, through the tiny crevices between my layered scales.
It’s the escape I needed from all the pressures of the clan.
When I first came back from my travels, I was relieved to be home. Thought of it as my sanctuary when my heart was shattered in the outside world. I bleat a wheeze, scoffing, when I realize it only took a few months for my whole world to crumble again.
Perhaps I’m just unlucky like that. Our whole lives, I’d been compared to Draco, the oldest of the siblings. Having an uncanny resemblance to him, I tried hard to be just like him. Following his footsteps, matching his mannerisms. But all of that just led to one thing.
I’m unlucky, and he is the lucky one.
Even our dragons attest to that. I wear ruby scales, whereas he wears scales of magnificent gold. The golden child, where I’m a walking bloodbath.
“Urgh!” I mentally chastise myself because of the intrusive and very childish thoughts. It’s been almost a millennia of existence, and I need to stop living in my brother’s shadow.
Nearing the lab, I slow down before circling above the tall roof of the building. There’s no need for me to use the front entrance since I can move through the walls. When my feet hit the ground in the lab, I shift into human form but then remain invisible when I spot someone inside.
As if he’ll see me, I quickly duck behind a pillar. The man scurries around the room, seemingly frantic, as he lifts his phone to his ear.
“Yaz! Where are you?!” he exclaims and flings the phone on the desk. He angrily slams his palm on the desk before huffing and storming out of the room.
Seizing the chance to do what I came here for, I release the invisibility cloak and look around.
What would a paleontologist need to conduct research on a fossil?
Her laptop? Check.
A bunch of tools all packed into a suitcase? Check.
Some instruments from a glass shelf that appear to be helpful? Check.
I realize that this wasn’t the greatest idea I’ve ever had. I don’t have a clue what someone like her would need to use. I’m just trusting my gut instinct and shoving whatever I can find under my arm.
“Who the hell are you?” the man accuses.
Frozen in position over the table where the dragon bone once stood, I feel like a deer caught in the headlights.
Shit!
“I—” I stall my words as I turn around slowly. When I finally do, the man’s accusatory eyes settle on my face.
“I’m Aaron,” I give the man with the brightest grin.
“Aaron?” His eyes flit to all the apparel tucked under my arms and between my hands. Slowly, he reaches out toward the desk on the left. “I’m going to call the police now, Aaron.”
I chuckle nervously. “That’s not necessary, Sir. I’m here because Yazmine sent me,” I say rather cheerfully.
