Dragon Freak- Book 1 of the Freaks Series (Complete)

Seven

Journal of Frankie DragonSpire

Dear Diary,

I have discovered something disturbing and fascinating at the same time. The six of us, Casper, Lucian, Kadina, Magnus, Zoric and I move in patterns. We mostly travel in pairs, but with each movement, our counterpart’s mirror it. It is almost as if we are dancing. I wonder if it has something to do with reincarnation. Miss Grimily is going to investigate for us. Another pattern formed. The pain I felt, which had me crashing into the floor. Well, Zoric, Lucian, and Magnus have experienced it too. I think Kadina and Casper could be next; this is more than a coincidence, I am sure. Now I have more questions than answers. With all this going on, I wonder if I should tell Poppa. He is the oldest Vampire I know; he might have the answers I am looking for.

Zoric and I are getting closer. I have found I do not care to be away from him. I am a little worried. Somehow, I think he and I have done this before, he and I are too firmly attached not to have been. I wonder if, in a recent past life, we were married. It sounds strange, but I know everything about him without asking. I am going to call Poppa tonight. If I tell Grandma, she will have a fit. Poppa is more rational and will listen before jumping on the wagon and forming an opinion.   As for the male Falcon, I do not know what it is about him drawing me in. I can feel a bond, as surely as we are connected with a string. I vaguely recall naming him, brother. I wonder what it was about. It’s a little creepy.                 

Frankie DS.

I started laughing the moment we crossed into the hallway. Zoric moved into place beside me. I rolled my eyes.

“That was close,” I muttered. Zoric shook his head.

“She only read the note because she was suspicious. I wouldn’t be surprised if she ignores you passing notes in the future.” He laughed, sliding his arm around my shoulder. He looked behind him a frown wiping the smile off his face.

“What’s up?”

“You’re right; this feels totally normal. Comfortable, like I have done it before. You and I have known each other for three risings, and my arm is always around you.” He murmured. Startled, I looked at his arm. He was right. I was curled into his side, without a care in the world, and I’d not noticed.

“Cause that’s not weird at all. Do you want to hear something, stranger? I don’t like to be touched. I mean a freaking hate it. The thought of you moving away from me is repulsive.” I muttered.

“I know, I feel it too. Look around. We did it again, pairing up. This is major league insane; there has to be an explanation for it.” He stated. I nodded, pulling my timetable out of my pocket.

“Once pointed out, the patterns are so obvious. It hit me like a brick on the way into class. Did you see Miss Grimily’s face she noticed it too, but only after, I brought to her attention? The way it was with you? Oh, I have business, cool.” I remarked. Zoric turned to say something over his shoulder; he stopped suddenly. He pulled me to a halt. I looked up curiously; his eyes looked suddenly darker than usual.

“Do you think the six of us will transition at the same time?” He asked suddenly grasping my shoulders, the others stopped next to us, though Zoric spoke so low only I could hear.

“I honestly couldn’t tell you. I do not know much about the process. Poppa told me the more powerful the Vampire, the worse the transition is.” I replied lightly scratching the base of my neck.

“Yeah, I know. Dad told me the same thing.”

“Yeah, but did your Dad tell you what the healer said yesterday. The six of us are brimming with power. The whole breed community is terrified of my Poppa, right. His power level is off the chart, and he nearly died during his transition. Now try this on for size. He is terrified for us. What does that tell you? In the back of my mind, I think we’re all going through it at the same time. I think we may need each other to get through it.” I whispered seriously. Zoric stilled, his hands dropped to his sides. He just stared down at me. The others looked at us curiously. I held up one finger to stop the question I knew was brimming up inside them.

“Look, we’ll talk it over at lunch. As you said, there must be an explanation. Backburner it, for now; we will figure it out. We have a little time if Kadina and Casper do not do the crash-tackle routine were fine. Now what do you have next, Mag and I have business?” I smiled over my shoulder, Magnus saluted.

“Lucian and I have music. Meet you on the stairs after class. I don’t trust you not to break your neck. Your track record is dodgy.” Zoric joked. I poked out my tongue. Casper laughed.

“I have Science.” She called after rummaging in her bag for her timetable.

“I have Art, wicked. We’ll see you all at lunch.” Kadina called. I stood still as Casper and Kadina walked off together. Zoric and Lucian made a move too. Zoric turned to stare back at me, and I held up two fingers. He nodded before turning back and catching up to Lucian.

“So, fill a fangless fanger in, won’t you?” Magnus and I started up the stairs to our right. I handed the note from class to him; his eyes scanned the page.

“Zoric wondered if we would all transition together, because of everything that has happened. I think he has a good theory. I think being together is the only way we will all survive it. Look around you. We travel in pairs and have since we met. Today in class, I knew without any doubt that we had all finished the chapter, without asking any of you. I think, if or when Casper and Kadina go through the same painful, butt-kicking the four of us got, then the chances of us transitioning at the same time are big. Not to mention, I think we all might be reincarnated souls. Zoric and I are too close, we have only known each other a couple of days, and I know everything about him.” I replied softly.

“It’s the same with Kadina and me.” He muttered thoughtfully. Magnus was abnormally quiet as we entered our business class. Mrs Vapour was at the door greeting students.

“Ah Francesca, I heard about yesterday, dear, are you feeling better tonight?” she asked concerned. I nodded quickly.

“Yes, ma’am I am feeling good, thank you. How are you?” Mrs Vapour launched into a detailed account of how she got home to find a letter from her brother who she had not seen in months. She was thrilled. Magnus and I sat in our seats.

“Mag are you alright?” I whispered, leaning towards him.

“Yeah, I’m cool, I’ve just been thinking. I reckon you and Z are right. The transition is going to hit us at the same time, and it’s not going to be pretty. I wonder if my parents know something I don’t.”

“Maybe you could ask them?” I murmured. He nodded.

“Oh, hey, this is going to sound creepy. I had a dream about you last night. You were sitting in a room crying, surrounded by gemstones the size of basketballs. With each tear, another coloured stone appeared. It was strange. I woke, crying, Frankie. In the dream, I could feel what you were feeling.” He whispered. I met his gaze.

“What was I feeling?”

“Happiness, despair, anger, love, anguish, and fear. Just between us. It broke my heart, Frankie. Are you alright, you know you can talk to me, right?” I smiled up at his worried face.

“I’m one messed up fledgling, but I’m okay. Your secret is safe with me.”

“Francesca and Magnus, what is so fascinating, you need to discuss it in my class instead of listening?” Mrs Vapour called from the front of the room.

“I was just explaining how to work out the Return on Investment analysis. I’ll wait until after class, sorry.” I replied. My textbook had fallen open on the ROI chapter. I jumped at using it as an excuse. Magnus was quickly skimming the page he nodded absently, concentrating. Mrs Vapour smiled brightly.

“Oh! No need, Francesca. Just catch up when you’re finished.” She called, turning back to the board. I covertly winked at Mag.

“Nice one, DS.” He murmured, smothering his grin with a yawn.

“Do I actually need to explain that?” I whispered. He shook his head.

“No, it’s pretty straight forward.” He murmured back. We flipped the textbook open onto the correct page. I was forcing myself to push transition thoughts to the back of my head. I concentrated on what Mrs Vapour was teaching. A couple of times, I leaned over to Magnus, talking him through the text.

 Mrs Vapour smiled her encouragement to me. Magnus was a surprisingly fast learner. Once he got the hang of something, he tore through it at the speed of light. The gong sounding surprised me, and I packed up my books. Mrs Vapour called me to her desk.

“Francesca, I was glad to see you helping Magnus. He is a very clever young man. Business, unfortunately, is not his strong suit.”

“True, I told him I would study with him and give him a hand this year. That’s why I asked you for the other textbooks. Magnus is a fast learner. The stuff today, once I explained how it worked; he flew off at light speed.” I told her, she beamed clapping her hands she shooed me out the door.

“I think we have a fan,” I muttered, catching up to Magnus, in the hall. He arched one brow.

“I am not surprised; our epicenes precede us. I am not however psychic so, who and why?” He asked, grinning.

“Mrs Vapour, of course, I believe we are her new favourite students,” I replied sighing. Magnus laughed following me down the stairs.

“You know this is a good thing. When it comes to the end of the term, we will have glowing reports. Once again, others are outshone by the awesomeness of our epicenes, and my old man won’t kick my butt if Mrs V is singing my praises.” Mag and I were still laughing when we got to the ground floor. Mrs DesCor stood in the doorway to the infirmary; she wore a mask of worry. Beside her was Grandma looking pinched. My anxiety spiked.

“Grandma, Mrs DesCor, what happened? Kadina and Casper, are they alright?” I demanded reaching them at a dead run, Magnus hot on my heels. Grandma caught me to her.

“Casper and Kadina have suffered the same effects as you, dear.” She turned back to Casper and Kadina who were lying in beds next to each other. Magnus and I shared a long look. Grandma reached out a hand, I grasped it tightly, and she drew me into her side.

“Mr Ravenstone, I am going to take both my girls home. I am afraid this may be contagious. First Francesca and now it has affected Casper and Kadina.” She stated, worriedly. I cleared my throat softly, and all eyes turned to me. I winced.

“Grandma that is not entirely, correct. Zoric had it first, last week. Then on the weekend Mag and Luc. I was next and now Casper and Kadina.” I murmured. Mr Ravenstone ran a hand through his hair.

“Zoric had it? When did this happen, Francesca?” I looked away from the angry headmaster.

“Last week he said. It knocked him off his desk chair; he was listening to music. He called down to his mum, saying he wasn’t feeling too hot, and he was going to bed.” I told him, realization dawned in the headmaster’s eyes. He spat something in the ancient language I figured to be a swear word, Grandma clicked her tongue. I shared a faint grin with Magnus.

“The six of them must be sent home until we can get to the bottom of this. Tabitha, Monique, you can take the girls. I’ll call my wife to collect Zoric and call Lucian and Magnus’s parents.”

“I already have the car here; I’ll take all of them with me. Best keep them together, limit their exposure, their parents can pick them up later. The children can sit and finish their schoolwork at Montcastle Park. I will call immediately should anything happen.” Grandma declared. Mr Ravenstone nodded as he picked up the phone.

 Casper and Kadina woke up as Mr Ravenstone hung up from his wife. They looked past their worried Grandparents their eyes catching on the now four of us standing in the doorway. Lucian and Zoric had spotted us as we had Mrs DesCor.

“Tabitha, I will take good care of her. You should go to the meeting; you are the chair. If anything happens, I will call without delay.” Grandma soothed Mrs DesCor, who the council had summoned to a meeting an hour before. She had been on her way out the door when the phone rang with the news of Kadina. Mrs DesCor thanked Grandma. Kadina told her to go that she would be fine; she kissed her Granddaughter before leaving. Grandma whirled to face me.

“Francesca take these boys out to Mark, Mr Ravenstone will help me with the girls.”  I nodded.

“Mrs Montcastle, we can help.” Magnus stepped forward. Grandma indicated he should help Kadina. Lucian rushed to Casper, helping her to her feet, and she leaned into him while Zoric and I collected bags.

“Kids follow me, please. Mr Ravenstone, I will be seeing you and your wife later, I presume?”

“Yes, Monique, thank you.” Grandma swept regally out of the room her head held high, leading the way through the enormous main doors and down the steps to her long black limo.

“That would be right, Grandma gets the limo, and we get the Rolls. Can anyone say spoilt.” I whispered to Mark. The human chuckled silently.

“Attention seeking again, Frankie?” he whispered back. I grinned.

“Oh, you know me; I can’t help it. It’s got to be me, me, me and you guessed it, more me!” I replied winking. Grandma swatted me on the backside, I yelped.

“Oh damn, Grandma that is still tender from yesterday.” I sulked sliding gingerly into the limo. Grandma slid in beside me.

“I’m sorry darling, I forgot. Are you alright?” she asked, rubbing my hand. I fought not to smile.

“Yeah, I’m fine, just careful with the swatting. I’m bruised there.” I muttered. Grandma laughed.

“I’ll find another place to smack then darling.” She cackled. I shook my head. I was not going to say another word Monique Montcastle did not need any extra encouragement.

“Grandma allow me to introduce these four. Magnus and Kadina, Lucian is with Casper, and this is Zoric.” I announced. Grandma greeted each male and Kadina individually, thanking them for their help and for humouring an old fanger. I laughed aloud at Grandma, referring to herself as a fanger. She poked me gently in the ribs with her elbow. I felt the car slow; out the heavily tinted windows, I recognized the front of Montcastle Park. Mark opened the door a few heartbeats later. Grandma stood to one side; I caught Casper to me, helping her up the steps.

“You have to ask Grandma about the weekend.” She whispered. My head snapped around to hers.

“You have to be kidding, she likes you better, and it was your idea,” I whispered back darkly. Casper rolled her eyes.

“I may have voiced it, but we were all thinking about it. The last one to the door has to do it.” She hissed. I reluctantly agreed. We were moving at a snail’s pace, and it was somewhat funny. Casper made to dive through the door. A minute too late, I realized my shoelace was untied. Casper skidded on it, and we listed to one side. I made to grab the doorframe. Casper tilted into me. There was no way to stop it, we went down like the titanic and landed in a very un-lady-like sprawl in the open doorway at the toes of a pair of very lovely black Italian loafers.

“Damn it Casper, you demented spook; now I’m sore on both sides.” I groaned. Lifting my head, I looked closer at the shoes at my nose.

“Ooh look Italian leather, nice. My dad has a pair just like these.” Casper muttered reaching out to poke the dark toe. I knew who they belonged too!

“Poppa, you’re back!” I cried out happily springing to my feet. Pulling Casper up with me, she tripped over her own feet, and we collided again.

“Taxi, Casper needs a taxi no more drinks for this one, she is cut off.” I joked trying to catch my breath.

“Dorian, what have you done? The doorway is the size of a bus, how can there be a traffic jam?” Grandma called walking up the steps, shaking her head. Poppa roared laughing at our clumsiness. I hugged the older, very handsome man in front of me. I had not expected to see him for a while. He was still chuckling, wrapping his arms around me.

“Francesca, what on earth were you trying to do? Hello Casper, it appeared you were taking the study of worms to a higher level or was it my shoes you found so fascinating.” Poppa asked. Casper laughed, still somewhat intimidated by my grandfather.

“Not worms or shoes, mutant dust mote. They are very dangerous. I figured we should get a closer look at the front mat, for safeties sake. Grandma said you had left; you are staying for a while, aren’t you?” She asked as we stepped back.

“Dangerous mutant dust motes. I like it, but I asked you a question first.” He replied, barking a laugh.

“Casper and I were racing; the first to the door had to ask Grandma. Old reliable here skidded on my shoelace and hello titanic.” I complained half-heartedly, making my Poppa grin wider.

“Ask Grandma what?” Grandma asked slyly, stepping up and giving us a nudge through the door. Casper and I shared a hesitant look. We skittered into the foyer.

“Well, Casper and I were wondering if our friends could come over for a whole weekend. Of study, strictly study.” I asked slowly. Casper and I immediately assumed the adolescent pleading stance. Casper used her best pout, and I went for the old favourite, batting of the eyelids. Poppa roared laughing. Grandma fought a smile herself.

“Who are the friends, you wish to study with?” She asked her voice trembled with suppressed laughter. I turned to introduce our friends formally.

“The ones behind you. Kadina Fontain DesCor, Lucian Mentalis, Magnus Venturi, and Zoric Ravenstone.” I recited with a smug little smile. Poppa stopped laughing abruptly; his eyes widened in surprise as he stared at the four before him. Grandma looked equally shocked.

“The six of you are friends?” he asked carefully. We nodded our heads as one. I grinned.

“Yeah, Magnus is in my Business class, and he needs help with his work. His dad wants him to work with him at Breed Tech when he finishes school. Kadina, Casper, and I share classes, and all six of us have witchcraft together. As I am coming in a semester behind, they are going to help me, catch up. This is the Zoric who caught me on the stairs last rising.” I said. Grandma shocked us all by letting loose a tingling laugh.

“Oh Dorian, can you imagine the looks on Holly, Benson, and Lance's faces when they are told who their children’s friends are.”

“Can you imagine Selene’s?” Poppa’s face slowly split into an evil grin Casper, and I shook our heads, confused. We peered over at our four friends. By the expressions on their faces, they were drawing blanks as well.

“Why?” Casper asked. The Grandparents finally stopped laughing.

“Close the door please dear,” Grandma asked, turning to Lucian casually before they explained.

“The six original families of the Breed are; Montcastle, Fontain DesCor, Venturi, Mentalis, Ravenstone, and DragonSpire. A thousand years ago, a feud broke out. No one remembers who started it, but the families haven’t resolved past differences.” Poppa explained. I realized instinctively; he was not entirely honest; he was keeping a secret.

“So, all our grandparents are having a thousand-year-old tantrum? Hey, hang on. I thought there were ten on the council?” I asked distractedly; I tried to clarify.

“Yes, dear, well put. Dorian, Tabitha, and I are the only three representatives of our families who get along. As for the council, yes there are ten; but we are the only six descendent of the original Breed.” Grandma said linking elbows with Poppa. I realized we’d lost track of my original question.

“Nice try there, with the distraction Grandma, you are the queen. Poppa really devious, so about this weekend, can we, please have our friends over?” I asked, returning like lightning to my original question. Grandma chuckled.

“Just like my Cecilia gods rest her wicked soul, memory like an elephant.” Poppa chuckled.

“I will think about it girls,” she said sternly, although her eyes were still dancing. Casper and I shared a covert triumphant glance. We knew she would give in; she just did not realise that we knew it.

“Now Casper and Kadina into bed, the rest of you, school work, or find something constructive to do.”  She commanded.

“Well Grandma, if Kadina and Casper promise to stay in bed, can we lump on the floor with our work?” I asked quietly. Grandma nodded.

“The door stays open darling.” I fought not to roll my eyes.

“Yes, ma’am.” I smiled motioning for bodies to follow me up the grand staircase.

“My room is a pit; we’re going to have to use yours, Frankie,” Casper whispered frantically. I nodded reluctantly, figures I thought. Opening my door, I was glad I made my bed this rising and put my pyjamas away. I waved everyone in.

“Wow, Frankie, nice room. Alright Casper and Kadina, you two have to lie down, sleep if you have to, it will do you good.” Lucian stated planting his butt on the thick rug in the middle of the big room. I stole cushions off the end of the bed and passed them around.

“Man Frankie, your grandad is one scary bloke. I’d heard stories, but never seen him.” Lucian murmured looking over his shoulder towards the open door.

“Hell yes.” Mag agreed. I grinned.

“Poppa is great. I swear he’s the best. He hasn’t eaten anyone in years.” I teased laughing and pulling my books out.

“Haha,” Luc muttered, trying to hide his grin. Mag moved to lay next to me, his business book open.

“Business studies, better you than me, man,” Zoric stated settling on my other side with Lucian across from me. Something akin to mass fatigue hit us the moment we lay on the floor. That was how they found us hours later when Poppa led the parents up to collect their children. One by one, they awoke each of us and returned home. Poppa moved Casper to her room. When he came back for me, I was sitting in my desk chair my Diary out before me.

“Hello dearest, I am glad to see you are up and about.” I turned to face him, frowning.

“There are patterns Poppa. Each of the six of us has now suffered the same painfilled incident. When we move, we do so in pairs. I know things about them; I could not possibly know. We are a tight-knit group, though we have only just met. Everything about them is familiar like I have been with them before. Zoric Ravenstone and Magnus Venturi agree they have felt the same. I was unable to ask the others. This is too much to be a coincidence Poppa, too strange, and we believe we will transition together. Zoric, Magnus, and I think it is coming and coming fast. When we transition, it will change something, not just our physical bodies, but something within us, maybe even our souls. You know me. I am not a melodramatic female. This is real.” I told him soberly.

“I do not doubt it or you,” Poppa said, sitting on the edge of my bed; he ran a hand through his long dark hair. I noticed he did not have even one strand of grey.

“What do you think is causing this?” He asked slowly, carefully. I took a moment to form my reply. What did I believe was happening? I knew the answer immediately.

“I think we are bonding or possibly have already. We are closer than we should be. Do you think some form of reincarnation could connect us? I do not know much about it. Can it even be possible, or is it just a flight of fantasy? You and Grandma are afraid of our coming transition, and we are afraid too. Fate has thrown the six houses together again. I am beginning to worry and wonder why? What could fate possibly want with six fledglings belonging to the original six breed families?” I replied. Poppa’s eyes widened, Grandma was at the door, having heard our conversation.

“Do you know what that means Francesca?” She stepped into my room. I shook my head.

“No, but I know, I am right. The others if asked, will say the same. If you ask them the same question, they will relate to you, in the very words I have spoken. However, not because we have discussed it before, but because of the connection between us, they feel it as deeply as I do.” My grandparents shared another long look. I turned back to the window; they left me to my thoughts.