Page 16 of Red King
“At least they will be well remunerated,” I tell her.
“Money isn’t—” Julie starts to say.
“Look.” Maggie points to some houses in the distance. “The island is inhabited, and the dragons don’t live in caves. Marcel was right.”
We all look out the window at the signs of civilization down below.
“It looks so normal,” I say. There are streets and cars with rows of neat homes.
“Oh, my god!” someone says from a seat toward the front. “It’s a dragon.”
Russel unclicks his seatbelt and stands so that he can get a better look out the window.
“Holy shit!” he yells.
“Please remain seated with your seatbelts fastened,” the flight attendant says over the loudspeaker, using a voice of authority.
Russel sinks back into his seat, his eyes still focused outside the aircraft.
I listen with half an ear because I’m staring at the dragon flying in the distance.
It’s an actual dragon.
Holy crap!
My jaw has become unhinged. Everyone is silent. Aside from the whir of the engines, all I hear is the sound of my heart beating loudly.
The dragon darts through the air, its massive wings beating rhythmically against the wind. Its scales glisten in the sunlight, reflecting a rainbow of colors as it soars effortlessly above the island, casting a shadow on the ground below.
Who would have thought when I left Cedar Pines that this would be my fate? Not me.
“It’s huge,” Julia whispers. “Bigger than I ever imagined.”
It veers to the right and flies away, not giving us much notice.
“There’s another one,” Maggie says, pointing.
Sure enough, another dragon comes into view, this one larger than the first. It swoops down low over the treetops before landing in a clearing next to a house. I crane my neck, trying to keep it in my sight, but we are moving too fast. I’m pretty sure those dots in the distance are more dragons.
The aircraft banks and a small runway comes into view.
“Here we go,” Julie says, swallowing thickly. She checks her seatbelt, pulling the strap to make it tighter.
It doesn’t take long before we touch down with a bump. The pilot engages the brakes. Minutes later, the aircraft taxis and then parks in one of the bays. All the others are empty, but there are a few helicopters parked up ahead.
Marcel stands and turns to face us, his hands on the seat back on either side of the aisle. “Welcome to Mistveil Island.” He smiles. “Grab your hand luggage before disembarking, but don’t worry about your suitcases. They will be brought to your apartments at the accommodation block. Any questions before we head over there?”
Several SUVs pull up directly outside the aircraft. Huge men in full leather outfits get out of the waiting vehicles. They are well-muscled, with tattoos peeking out from under the leather.
“Is that…um…them?” Russel asks. “Are they shifters?” He whispers the word “shifters.”
“Yes, they are.” Marcel nods. “You will find them to be intelligent and very pleasant.”
“Holy hell!” Maggie gasps. “Very pleasant, indeed.” She looks over at Marcel, putting up her hand. “I have a question.”
“Yes, Miss Williams.”
“Are we permitted to date while on the island?” Maggie asks.
