Page 9 of The Last Syphon

“I don’t think Bobby likes that idea very much.”

Venerable Cias frowned. “What?”

“The dragon.” She flicked her head to the creature looming over them, his gold-and-black eyes firmly locked on the old man like a predator eyeing prey. “I’m testing out names for him. I thought maybe Kevin, at first, but didn’t think that one suited him, so I thought of Bobby next. Judging from the complete and utter distaste I can feel coming from him right now, though, I don’t think he likes that one either.”

A soft gasp fell from Venerable Cias’s lips. “No.” He looked up at the massive dragon behind her and then back into her eyes. Realisation flashed across his face. He lowered his head in resignation, shaking it almost disappointingly before looking back at her. “Drop the shield and come to the librarium.”

Inara groaned. “No. Not the librarium,” she whined.

“Now.” Then he turned and wobbled away, leaving absolutely no debate on the matter.

Felix blew out a long, low whistle. “Someone’s in trouble,” he sang, taunting her.

She rammed her elbow into his side, and he grunted.

The curious crowd surrounding them parted, allowing Venerable Cias a clear path straight to the wooden building on the village outskirts.

The librarium was not only his home, but also where he conducted his teachings. Where he spoke about the histories of the realm and educated everyone on their magic and its origins. Having the power to manipulate wood, he’d built it himself and stocked it full of the ancient texts and scrolls he’d brought with him from Arelia when he’d left.

Inara hated to admit it, but she didn’t spend as much time there as she probably should have. She’d always intended to, however, something would always come up—or, more accurately, the opportunity to steal something would come up—and then she would forget all about it.

Zave, Lina, and Ralf took Venerable Cias’s place in front of her. The Drunken Trio, as she liked to call them. “Just can’t help but find yourself in trouble, huh?” Zave joked, his dark eyes sparkling with amusement.

“I take offence to that. When was the last time I was in trouble?”

“This morn, when you tried to steal old man Wickham’s enchanted cane.”

Inara laughed to herself. “Oh. Yeah.” She chuckled, rubbing the back of her neck gently.

That had just been for fun, though. Old man Wickham was a grumpy bastard who loved to yell at the youthens even when they were doing nothing wrong. Every now and then, Inara and Felix liked to fuck with him a little. Torment him. It was all in good fun, though.

Lina wiped her hands down the front of her beige tunic, her gaze firmly locked behind her. “I’ve never seen a dragon this close before,” she whispered in awe.

“Me neither,” Zave agreed, stepping a little closer, hovering just outside of Inara’s golden shield. “Usually, they’re trying to light you on fire before you even get the chance to look at them.” Fascination flared across his face. “It’s fucking huge. Are they always this big?”

“It’s a dragon. Of course it’s huge.” Ralf burped. “I need another stout. If you need me, you know where to find me.” He stumbled away, heading for the tavern, walking as if the ground beneath him were about to give way.

Lina pushed a strand of her brown hair out of her face. “You should probably go after Venerable Cias. That old geezer doesn’t like to be kept waiting.” Her bloodshot eyes remained plastered to the dragon. She swallowed nervously. “Can I touch it?”

“That’s up to him, isn’t it?” With nothing but a thought, Inara commanded the shield to disappear. The villagers gasped as the dragon flared out his wings in a beautiful display, light glittering off those mesmerising crimson scales.

Inara could not help but admire him, like all the others.

“You know, Venerable Cias is right, as much as it pains me to admit,” Zave began, giving her a sad but sympathetic smile. “You’ve put Deadhaven in danger by bringing it here.”

She swallowed the lump in her throat. “I didn’t mean to.”

Sometimes, Inara could be a little…impulsive. She had the tendency to act first and think about the consequences of her actions never.

When the dragon had offered her his back, giving her something not many people got the opportunity to do, she’d jumped at the chance.

Who wouldn’t have, in her position?

Truth be told, she hadn’t really thought much beyond that.

And she should have.

Inara should have thought of Deadheaven. It was her job, after all. The village was her responsibility.