Page 47 of Escaping my Dragon

She snorted. “Because that worked so well with Godzilla and Kong.” Fictional movies that provided the only point of comparison.

“Didn’t humanity end up winning in the end?”

“Barely. And in those movies, Godzilla wasn’t the size this alien might be.”

“Assuming there is an alien.”

“You don’t believe me.” Her flat reply.

“I didn’t say that. But who’s to say this voice isn’t lying? Or that the dreams are accurate. Maybe it wants you to think it’s bigger than it is. More powerful.”

“To frighten me into obeying,” she added, her tone thoughtful. “I hadn’t thought of that.” She turned to face me. “You don’t think I’m lying.”

“We all heard the voice. Now, where it came from, that’s up for debate, but I will say, I don’t think we’re being pranked. Something is happening, and we need to be prepared.”

I just had no idea what that preparation might entail. Although, I did wish my helicopter came equipped with a gun.

Chapter Fifteen

The flight to the South Pole proved slightly tricky. For one, the further south we went, the less nighttime darkness we could use to conceal our movement. Not that it would have mattered much. Even my greater bulk couldn’t fully cover the three hatchlings flying above me. Three, not four. While Abaddon and the females had the size and stamina to fly on their own, Tigger didn’t, and so, to my annoyance—and his delight—he got the privilege of riding atop my back along with a warning.

“You will comport yourself in a respectful manner,” I growled. It was one thing to carry around my mate, Davina, another to be a taxi for a hatchling who clung to my scales and whooped as we soared.

“Of course,” he promised. It didn’t last long.

Soon as we launched into the air, he squealed, “Whee! Faster.”

I wish. I couldn’t increase my speed lest I leave the others behind. Just like I couldn’t fly straight to Antarctica. The hatchlings needed to rest every few hours therefore we stopped in the Cook Islands, halfway between Hawaii and New Zealand. The hatchlings fished for their dinner, plucking bright fish from the waters for gobbling. Me, I snared a nine-foot yellow fin tuna that had my progeny eyeing me with admiration. What can I say, I had a big appetite in this form. As I had at every other stop, I pulled my satellite phone from my satchel and gave Davina a call.

“Hello,” she replied, breathily.

“I miss you,” I murmured, hearing her voice.

“Me too. I found a secret passage in the castle!” My mate, the history fanatic. I’d been tempted to bring her with me, but at the same time, needed to not be distracted. While I’d not been having the dream like the hatchlings, I’d sensed something trying to get in. Nudging against my mental barriers, not shoving through, despite the fact I suspected they could.

“Have you spoken to Astaria?” I asked.

“Not recently. Anything wrong?”

“Nope. All good so far. I’ve got all the kids with me, and we’re having a grand adventure.” More than I should have probably said, but then again, at this point, Malone was the least of my worries.

“I miss you,” she murmured.

I didn’t fall into the trap of I miss you more. But it was close. “I’ll be back soon as I can.”

Me and the hatchlings set off from the Cook Islands to New Zealand next, landing on a southern point and making camp for the day. While the young dragons slept, I transformed and changed into my clothing before heading off for a pint and some gossip. With Christchurch being the main gateway for flights to Antarctica, they likely would have the current news about the place. What I heard had me rushing back to camp.

“Wake up,” I bellowed soon as I returned.

“Wassup?” Tigger mumbled rousing from his cozy nest of leaves.

“Where’s Abaddon and Pollita?” I didn’t see them.

Persephone stretched. “Off to be alone.”

“Percy told them to go away because they were being noisy,” Tigger confided.

“Some of us need our beauty rest,” she huffed.