His Breath of Fire

Chapter One

    I stand in front of the full-length mirror, taking in my appearance before heading downstairs. My long, silver hair reaches just past my hips and my mint green eyes pop against the paleness of my skin. I admit, my eyes are unusual, but according to my mother I inherited them from my grandmother whom I’ve never met. A dark blue hoodie, black leggings, and black combat boots complete my outfit and I grab the backpack sitting on the foot of my bed.

    “Bren, you’ll be late for your first day!” My mother calls, causing me to roll my eyes in response.

    “Coming!” I yell back, shrugging the pack onto my shoulders before rushing down towards the kitchen.

    Today is my first day of my senior year, and we had just moved here two weeks before the start of the school year. I’ve grown used to the constant moving, never finishing a school year at one school before my mother packs up our measly life and we venture to the next town she deems safe. It’s caused me to be somewhat of a loner, choosing to distance myself from everyone since it was easier than forming relationships that will only be severed later.

    I don’t blame my mother for the constant moving. In fact, I fully support it. It’s the only thing that keeps us safe, and if it protects my mother then I’ll do anything.

    You see, we’re both shifters. Not normal shifters, like you would assume of wolves or even foxes. No, we’re special. Our breed is thought to be extinct, and in order to keep us alive we’re going to keep it that way.

    Alright, alright, I’ll give you what you want to know. My mother is a dragon shifter, so that makes me part dragon. Now the other part? My father is, or was—I never met him either—a wolf. So that makes me a very unique, very sought after breed. There’s never been a dragon-wolf hybrid before. It wasn’t forced, so don’t get any twisted ideas. My parents were mates, with the bond and everything, but once my father figured out what kind of shifter my mother is, the power of greed took over and it was like there wasn’t a mate bond to begin with. My mother ran for her life but not before she was with child. Me.

    You see, not only are dragons rare—again thought to be extinct—but they also have powers that no other shifter has. Yes, we have the qualities you typically associate with a dragon: breathe fire in our dragon forms, enhanced eyesight, hearing, and mate bonds as well. They also typically run warmer than most humans and can control fire in their human form as well. Sometimes a dragon can hold the power to control other elements also, like my mother and I, but those are rare. Others are said to hold the power of magic—me—but I am rare in and of itself so I think I may be alone on that one.

    “Hey, Mom,” I smile, coming into the kitchen to kiss her cheek.

    “Morning, sweetie,” she smiles back, giving me a once over. “You couldn’t have tried to put a little more effort into your outfit today?”

    “Mom, you know I don’t care about physical appearances,” I answer, refraining from rolling my eyes again. “Besides we both know I need to keep a low profile, especially if we’re sticking to the plan.”

    “I know,” she sighs, running a hand through her silver hair. Her powder blue eyes crease in what looks like sadness. “You know someday I hope that you’d find your mate, that way we could settle down forever and have protection. That way we wouldn’t have to keep running.”

    “Aren’t you afraid my mate will react the same way my father did?” I ask, looking at my mother like she’s crazy.

    “Yes, but one can hope she’s wrong,” she answers, giving me a smile that doesn’t quite reach her eyes. I can tell she’s tired—tired of running, tired of being afraid, and just plain tired. I can only hope that my mate will meet my mother’s standards because I love her too much to risk her life. If need be, I’ll reject my mate in order to keep her and the remainder of my species alive.

    “I gotta go,” I say, kissing my mother on the cheek before grabbing my car keys. “I’ll see you after school.”

    “Be safe, sweetheart,” my mother called after me, voice echoing throughout the hallway. Always, Mother.

    The drive to school was short and uneventful and I parked as close to the entrance as I could. Grabbing my pack, I closed and locked the door before walking the short distance to the main building.

    I’ve moved around enough to know the drill: go to the main office, grab your schedule, fumble around with a map and find your first period. Deal with the ever pressing awkwardness that comes from being late, introduce myself, then find a seat, typically in the back. 

    After settling in my seat after that uncomfortable welcoming, I glance around at the few students that still linger their gaze on me. I quirk a pale eyebrow at them before their eyes skid away at being caught. 

    Class went by slowly, and before you know it I’m heading to my next class. This school smells of wolves which makes my wolf, Blaidd, jump in excitement. Since we’re technically rogues, my wolf gets rather lonely. Wolves and dragons are social creatures, preferring to be in packs or clans for safety and social interaction.  My dragon, Blaise, is more comfortable seeing my mother is a dragon and we’re together almost all the time. However, this pack mustn’t know what I am, and luckily enough for me, my dragon scent overpowers my wolf scent effectively hiding what I am to the fellow wolf-students.

    My scent is peculiar to wolves, it will always intrigue them, however since they are unaware dragons actually exist they’ll just chalk me up to being a peculiar human. Works for me as long as they leave my mother and I alone and don’t alert my “father.”

    “Hey,” a voice whispers, and I turn to look at the one who addressed me. She is blonde, her hair curly and unruly with freckles splattered across her face. Bright brown eyes look at me under full lashes, and I find myself drawn to her. “I’m Sarah.”

    “I’m Bren,” I answer, giving her a small smile.

    “I know,” she laughs, and I nod my head with another smile. Oh, got to love those awkward first welcomes at a new school. “I love your hair. It really makes your eyes pop.”

    “Thank you,” I flush slightly, hating compliments or any type of attention.

    “Would you want to sit with me and my friends at lunch today?” Sarah asks, eyes hopeful.

    “Yeah, I’d love that,” I say, grateful to have somewhere to sit. It’s always awkward the first day at lunch time, never knowing where to sit unless someone like Sarah comes and takes me under her wing.

    “Perfect,” She smiles, and I find myself smiling back. Sarah has this energy about her, this aura if you will, that causes you to be filled with her energy. You can’t help but be happy with her. “I’ll meet you at the entrance to the cafeteria then.”

    “Sounds good,” I respond, turning my attention back to the lecture. Ugh, history. Kill me.