The Fire Wizard clenched and unclenched his fists, reflecting the uncertainty in his voice. “I hope you’re right, but didn’t you notice his eyes?”
“Now you’re being paranoid. Again, there could be any number of reasons for the change in color. We don’t know that much about the side effects of the Oculist poisoning. His true color might return as he grows stronger. Stryker needs ourhelp, and you’re concerned about the color of his eyes? You’re impossible.”
“Then you saw it too. I’ve only seen that shade once before.” His voice trailed off, the silence suspended in the air, ticking off the seconds. The Fire Wizard’s voice dropped even lower. “His eyes are a fluorescent green, like the scales of a…”
Morgan interrupted with an exasperated sigh and glanced toward the bed. “As usual, you are jumping to conclusions. Sometimes I believe you are the one obsessed with dragons, not Stryker. Besides, you can see for yourself that Wiz likes him, otherwise he would be barking nonstop rather than snoring peacefully. We’re finished talking.”
Morgan started to leave, but the Fire Wizard stepped in front of her, blocking her path. “I don’t want you going near my brother until I can get help.”
“What are you talking about? Help for what?”
“I want him restrained. Watched.”
Stryker pulled his concentration away from their conversation as they left his bedroom and continued arguing in the living room. He had heard enough. He was not safe here. The Fire Wizard called him his brother. How was that possible? Unlike dragons, Wizards of Rowan’s stature did not mate for life, nor stay to help raise their children. They did not have families and would be unaware if they had a sibling. Was the Fire Wizard lying? But for what purpose?
Morgan made references to the Oculist stones, believing he had been infected by them.
Dragons were immune to the Wizard poison. Was that the reason his dormant state had awakened? Regardless, he’d heard enough.
It was time to leave.
One of the most important weapons in a dragon’s arsenal was harnessing the gift of invisibility. It was the first thingyoung dragonets learned how to master. As long as his kind drew breath, they could summon this unique power. On the moment of their death, however, they turned to ash. Yet another protective measure developed over the millennia.
Enchanted words were all that was needed to trigger the power to become invisible. Their belief was that one day they would regain their place of honor and respect, before ignorance and misunderstanding had reduced them to fugitives in their own land.
Wiz lifted his head as the dragon Stryker moved from the bed, then paused to scratch Wiz behind the ear. “Thanks for keeping my secret, Wiz. I owe you.”
Making sure Rowan and Morgan were still engaged in their heated discussion, he headed to the kitchen area and hoped he had enough strength to bring forth the gift of dragon invisibility. He whispered the sacred words:“Forever together. Forever at peace.”
Light dimmed, casting the room in shadows that elongated over the walls, curled around corners and spread over the floor like a velvet shroud. Just when he felt his body change, he saw a strange woman enter the kitchen. Her black hair shone like polished ebony and her aura molded around her in shades of blue, green and white as she worked. The dark-haired beauty glanced over in his direction and started to speak, but whatever she was about to say dissolved into screams.
He knew by her panicked expression that she’d witnessed him disappear into thin air. Relieved his strength was returning, he moved toward the open window. Humans rattled so easily. It was one of their charms.
As expected, the Fire Wizard rushed in and scanned the room while Morgan comforted the woman. The Fire Wizard was wasting his time. Stryker had already slipped out the window.The most that was left behind was a thin haze of shadows. Suspended in the air, Stryker’s next greatest gift took hold.
The ability to fly.
Chapter Twenty-Nine
Rowan backed away from the window and fought the hot currents of fear rushing through him. “My brother’s turned.”
“I saw him disappear.” AJ was on her feet, her eyes wide. “You said he turned? Exactly what does that mean? And his eyes…” She swallowed and wrapped her arms around her waist as her voice shook. “Who are you people? My father used to tell me tall tales about the people he dealt with in Seattle’s underground, but I dismissed them because he was overworked.”
Morgan placed an arm around AJ’s shoulders and eased her down into a chair. “We have a logical explanation.”
Rowan arched an eyebrow. “This I’ve got to hear.”
Morgan shot him an exasperated glance. “Not helping.”
AJ shrugged away from Morgan. “What’s going on?”
Rowan removed his glasses and wiped a nonexistent smudge from the lens. “Nothing much. My people are dying by a substance that was supposed to be contained eons ago. Fear is driving monsters into the open. There’s a war coming.”
AJ cleared her throat. “I’m having a nightmare, and when I wake up, I’m going to do as my father suggested and go back to school.”
“I’ll tell your father the good news. My advice, choose a university that’s located on Mars, because Earth is not safe.” Rowan shoved his glasses back in place.
“Rowan! This is not the time for sarcasm.”
