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

Thirteen

Journal of Francesca DragonSpire

Dear Diary,

Something is going on. Poppa evaded my question tonight, and the council called him into an emergency meeting. The feeling of foreboding is growing stronger. I feel we are being hunted.

Frankie DS

It took longer than I thought it would to be clean again. I ended having to use a shower cleaner and a scrubbing brush to get the diamond powder off my skin. I would not recommend it either as the shower cleaner burned my skin while the brush tried to remove it. When I emerged from the bathroom in my towel, I was startled to find Kadina sitting in her towel on my bed.

“Mrs Montcastle sent me up to shower and told me to borrow clothes from you. She wanted to speak with Grandma privately. What’s going on Frankie?” She demanded one hand on her hip.

“Yeah cool, no problem with the clothes. I am not sure about the info you want; I only know a little. You scared the crap out of me by the way.” I laughed flinging open my wardrobe doors. I pulled free two pairs of jeans and two fitted short-sleeved t-shirts that Grandma had brought for me when I arrived. I walked back into the bathroom to dress, leaving Kadina to the privacy of my room. I emerged a few minutes later tying back my hair in a loose braid.

“What did your Grandfather tell you?” Kadina asked doing up the buttons on her jeans. There was a sharp knock on my door just as she pulled down her shirt over her hips. I checked to see if Kadina was ready before yelling out.

“Come in.” The door opened all the way. Lucian, Zoric, and Magnus stood in the hallway.

“Your Grandma said to knock quietly and stand out here. She said she would do horrible things to us if we disobeyed.” Lucian told us dryly looking from Kadina to me then to Casper who was standing in her doorway behind them. I took a deep breath.

“I have some really interesting things to share with the class,” I told them softly motioning for them to move aside and follow. The boys stepped aside so we could get through. I led the way at a clipped pace down the hall and away from the bedrooms.

“Here will do,” I said stopping in a sizeable alcove near the top of the stairs, we were wedged between a medieval suit of armour and a huge ugly tapestry depicting a burning village. I waited until everyone was crowded close before I began.

“You all saw Poppa talking to me at school this rising, right? He’s been called to a high council meeting. They received a confirmed report of six changelings having just come through the transition”. I explained softly.

“Confirmed, how the hell could they get a confirmed report?” Zoric asked, his hand found mine squeezing it.

“I have no idea! Poppa said he would call me with the news after the meeting.” I replied keeping my voice down low.

“Did your parentals say anything to you in the car?” I asked looking up from face to face. Everyone shook their heads. I swore under my breath. Zoric stepped closer his eyes intent on my face.

“What else did your Grandfather say?”

“He asked me a question. Have any of you ever heard of someone called Salomor?” Three things happened. Each head snapped up, lips drew back in silent snarls, and the five before me clutched their chests having the same reaction as I had experienced earlier.

“What the hell was that?” Lucian whispered sweat had beaded on his brow while he fought to keep his changeling side under wraps.

“See you did it too! I do not know what is going on, but I had the same reaction to that name. I asked Poppa if it was someone he knew, he did not answer me. Someone knows about us and has delivered the information to the high council, something is going on here and I don’t much like it. Especially, after what Mrs DesCor told Kadina. The Council killed the Changelings from hundreds of years ago. Aside from us who else knows what occurred during our transitions?”

“Just our parents, Mark and Leon, and Grandparents...Oh and Aunt Selene, there was no one else there.” Casper answered quickly as she peered out of the alcove and into the long hallway.

“My household’s staff, but they are loyal to my father, they have worked for him, mother to daughter and father to son for generations, and they would never betray us,” Lucian whispered eyeing Casper curiously.

“Selene is a fool, but not a big enough one to tell the council about us.” I murmured thoughtfully.

“What is it?” Magnus whispered sticking his head around the corner to look as well. The tapestry smelled musty, he wrinkled his nose.

“Our parents are acting strange, I think it’s time to demand some answers. If the council is going to hunt us, we need to know why. This is our lives they are playing with; it is time for us to stand up. Come on.” Casper called softly heading for the stairs.

“Frankie your Grandma needs to have that washed, it smells funky,” Mag whispered. I chuckled.

“Dude it’s like several hundred years old. I don’t think they have a setting for ancient tapestry on the washing machine.” I answered on a snigger. Lucian and Zoric snorted, trying to keep their laughs under wraps.

“Man, that is not cool; I was talking by professionals, not jamming it in the washing machine.” Magnus chuckled nudging me with his elbow. The parentals were all waiting at the bottom of the stairs grave expressions creased their faces. They stopped talking quietly when they spotted us coming down the wide staircase. Zoric pushed to the front of us. Emotions suddenly bubbled to the surface within him.

“Are they going to hunt us like animals? Exterminate us as they did to the changelings before us?” Zoric asked anger bursting out. I grabbed his hand he relaxed a little.

“Hey, what are you doing? The talk was the keyword in our discussion not throwing out accusations Zoric, jeez.” I muttered. He shot me a helpless look.

“Zoric, it’s not their fault,” Casper whispered so only the six of us could hear. Mrs Ravenstone gasped shocked by her son’s vehemence.

“Never Zoric! No one will touch our young and live!” Her denial and expression made it clear to all that she would rend the limbs from anyone who even glared at him, let alone attack him. I suddenly wished I had a mother like her. Mine would have asked for a three-figure donation of some kind first before tying me to a tree as an easy target. She probably may have even supplied the axe; for an additional fee, of course, I thought. Zoric nodded mutely acknowledging his mother’s feelings.

Parents held out hands for their children. Casper’s mother and father were present, as well although I had not noticed them at first Grandma must have called them. My aunt and uncle held Casper to them tightly. I sat on the stairs alone while they all held each other.

“Mm yes well this is fun. Family time for the vampire-dragon freaks.” I muttered sourly.

“You have me, my love; and I will eviscerate anyone who lifts even a finger against you. No one will touch you my darling I promise.” Grandma said sliding an arm around my shoulders. I smiled. Half of me thought it was not the same and the other relished the fact that Grandma the one my family despised…loved me.

“And you have me, I’m not as scary as Grandma but I pack a punch,” Casper said sitting on my other side. I laughed.

“Not the same thing, thanks anyhow, man,” I said quietly. She nodded sadly.

“Didn’t think so, but I’m here just the same.” She whispered. My uncle and Aunty pulled me into a tight hug. I loved my aunt she was a gentle female and always smelled of flowers.

“And you have us,” Zoric said indicating everyone standing in the foyer. I smiled weakly.

“You also have Dorian, my dear to have Dorian on your side; you need no one else, we are just trimming compared to him. When Dresdorian DragonSpire gets angry even the stars hide and that one incredibly powerful male worships the very ground you walk on Francesca. What do you think he would do if the council raised even a mutter about exterminating you all?” Grandma told me hugging me tightly to her side.

She did have a point there. Popper would raze them to the ground. I suddenly felt better. My stomach rumbled.

“My bad, I am just having a pity party, ignore me I’m cool but all this emotional talk is making me hungry,” I muttered embarrassed. Each face I peered up at was stifling laughs.

“Leon, if you would so kindly set out afternoon tea, we all think better on a full stomach,” Grandma called to the man off to one side. I saw a door to the left of the room swing shut.

“Leon had the piano moved up into the east parlour just down from your rooms. It has been tuned.” Grandma whispered with a wink.

“Really, how thoughtful of him?” Suspicion clouded my voice.

“Yes, I rang your teacher this rising. Now that the piano is ready you can do your homework, isn’t that good?” She said laughing. I smiled hiding my true feeling behind a humorous screen.

“Party police.” I grumped half-heartedly. This made Grandma laugh even more. Inside I was seething, Grandma was screening, hiding something. She was trying valiantly to mask her fear. I could smell it and she knew it.

“I will find out,” I whispered. She nodded, and I let it slide for now, but the moment we were alone, I wanted to know what she was hiding.

We ate afternoon tea in haste. I was curious when Grandma motioned for our families to gather before the fireplace in the beautiful Montcastle library.

“I would ask, what you see here stays here and not be discussed outside this room. I have furiously guarded this secret for hundreds of years and I would not relish having the council traipsing around my house looking for what they see as incriminating evidence.” Grandma informed us sternly. Reaching out one delicately manicured hand, she extended her index and middle fingers and poked the eyes of one of the big stone gargoyles that made up the left side of the great fireplace. We were suitably impressed, to say the least, although we could not let on to the parentals, we had reputations to protect.

“Ooh, a secret passageway, lame,” I muttered rolling my eyes. Zoric nodded.

“Right there Frankie, corny that is. I give it a three for effort.” He replied Lucian and Casper agreed.

“Yeah, I would have carved out the floor at least.” Magnus supplied pulling a giggle from Kadina. The wall pushed back revealing an unlit passage.

“Okay, I see spider-webs, I’m not going. I am going to stay right here and the rest of you can tell me later what you find down there.” Casper announced hands planted firmly on hips. I rolled my eyes again.

“Casper, you’re a vampire changeling that can become a dragon. Spiders, seriously?” I asked goading her. Casper glared at me before throwing her braid back over her shoulder. I covered my snigger when it hit me in the forehead. Zoric winked, reaching for my hand. The parentals were all grinning and shaking their heads. The Ravenstone's and Montcastles were openly laughing as we all proceeded into the darkness.

The passage hidden behind the grand fireplace was dark, dank, and smelled of wet earth and something else I was afraid to name.

“What, you couldn’t afford the occasional Glade Plug-in? Alright, who did it?” My voice echoed in the passageway. Sniggers sounded in the dark.

“Sure Frankie, whoever smelt it dealt it.” Lucian laughed wickedly. This started the beginning of a slinging match.

“Oh, gods someone needs new jocks.” Casper laughed. Zoric slapped his leg, he was howling with laughter.

“Better be careful coming back this way guys. I think someone suffered a mudslide. Does anyone need a handy wipe?” Magnus chortled. This set us all off again into gales of laughter.

“All right you six, that’s enough.” Mr Mentalis called, his voice sounded funny as if he was choking on his laughter. Grandma shook her head at our antics led us further down the flight of stone stairs a roaring sound began to echo through the passage.

“Frankie man is that your stomach, damn girl we just ate,” Magnus called. I sniggered.

“Nope, that’s not me,” I replied straining to see around me. The sound got louder the further down into the earth we went. I clutched Zorics hand tighter.

“It is an underground waterfall; it feeds the small brook running through my gardens,” Grandma informed us. I could not help comparing Grandma’s voice to a local tour guide.

“Welcome to fanger tours, I am Dolly Wilson, your guide for this evening. To the left, you will note prehistoric rock formations, created millions of years ago, by mutant rum-running earthworms, during the worm wars.” I called using my best American accent. Sniggers erupted from behind me.

“Francesca,” Grandma growled my name in warning.

“Sorry, Grandma.” I winced and closed my mouth. We followed Grandma through several arches of stone and into a huge cavern; it was so dark, although breed has very good eyesight it was still difficult to see.

“Mum give the kids a break, they’re nervous and falling back on humour for comfort. They are not hurting anyone. Besides, rum-running worm wars, I love it.” Lance called soothingly to his mother. Grandma took a deep, calming breath.

“Yes, I am sorry everyone, I am a little tense, this whole situation is rather alarming.” She replied smoothly. I tried to look around, the place felt familiar. A thought occurred to me. I remembered having read somewhere that the dragon’s eyesight was impeccable even in the dark. I pictured having the eyes of my dragon. Suddenly, I could see so much better. The cavern around me lit up as if someone had turned on a light. Mrs Ravenstone who had been walking beside me let out a little cry of fright.

“What? Oh, gods, I was only joking about the mutant worms!” I squeaked suddenly afraid, thrusting my arms out to the sides looking at the floor all around us franticly for what had frightened her.

“Oh, my goodness, Francesca, that is disconcerting.” She muttered still staring at me.

“What was it, was it rats? If it was a spider say it quietly Casper will freak, and it will turn into a thing. Let me tell you, you do not want her in your lap, she weighs a ton? Add scales and there is no coming back from that!” I whispered fiercely looking her full in the face. There was a laugh off to my side.

“There are no rats or spiders, Mum calm down. Frankie, how’d you do that?” Zoric was laughing; he grabbed my chin gently tipping it up until I looked up at him. I was confused.

“Do what?” I asked completely missing the gist of the conversation. He rolled his eyes.

“Your eyes are green.” He informed me slowly annunciating each word carefully.

“Well, dah! I’m a DragonSpire, we all have green eyes. They’ve been that way all my life, great powers of observation Ravenstone.” I answered waspishly planting hands on my hips. Someone off in the dark laughed. Zoric huffed with frustration.

“That’s not what I meant! Your eyes are glowing bright green! How did you do it?” He said rubbing the back of his neck. Oh, cool! I thought allowing a wide grin to split my face.

“Seriously, they are glowing, cool?” I chortled, everyone around me nodded.

“How did you do it?” Casper asked pouting. Casper hated to be outdone by anyone including me.

“Oh! Well, I was having trouble seeing so I thought about having the eyes of a dragon because you know they have phenomenal night vision. Like for hunting and stuff. I thought about having the ones from this rising when we scared the bejeezus out of Selene and the parentals.” I replied with an evil chuckle. Casper scrunched up her face in concentration. There was a flickering of light; as if someone had just turned on a fluorescent, Casper’s eyes shone a brilliant blue they were so bright they illuminated her father standing beside her.

“Oh cool! Baby that so hot, now how did you do it?” Lucian asked crowding close to her.

“Baby, hot!” His parents said in unison sharing a look. Grandma whirled around, her eyes flicking from fledgling to fledgling. She was frowning deeply. Suspicion grew inside me. I could smell the emotion coming off her. Grief and determination were dominant. I turned my gaze back to the scene unfolding behind me Casper had her father’s undivided attention. One of his hands wrapped around her upper arm.

“Casper explain something to me, did this young male just refer to you as baby and hot in the same sentence?” He asked in a deceptively pleasant voice. My nose itched from the wave of irritation coming out of him. I shuddered slightly, the dragon within me lifted her head tasting the air around me. Woken by my rising stress levels, having been so close to the surface as I used her eyes; there would be no holding her back if she decided to take full form. Zoric stepped closer, his body angled protectively in front of mine as I edged backward away from the parents. If I changed in such proximity, someone would get hurt. I thought.

“Are you implying that our son is not good enough for your daughter Montcastle?” Mr Mentalis asked stepping forward his temper sparking in defence of his son. Uncle Lance squared his shoulders.

“I am saying no male is good enough for my daughter whether he is a Mentalis or not.” Uncle Lance snapped back. I rolled my eyes.

“Way to go, Uncle Lance, nice defence. Hey, do not mind me; I am a DragonSpire. None of you are good enough to breathe the same air as my magnificent self, yet I take pity on the lower beings around me and share. See, not only magnificent, I am magnanimous as well. Oh, good you’re all listening. Changelings aka, us. Heightened emotions will trigger the change, I suggest taking a breather.” I called. All eyes turned to me. I grinned, showing off my fangs. Both males looked at me with one-part amusement and the other irritation. Mr Ravenstone stepped forwards.

“She is right; however, much I disagree with Francesca’s methods. Lance, Tibias this will get us nowhere. If you have not noticed Francesca and Zoric are holding hands, I have not said a word. This is not the first time either and Dresdorian was silent on the matter a well, which I recall. He certainly did not bring up the fact that Zoric is a Ravenstone and Francesca is a DragonSpire and his only female heir, at that.” Mr Ravenstone snapped. In the same minute, Lucian lost his temper, inadvertently relaxing his hold within, with a flash of white light he and Casper grew rapidly. Iridescent scales, his orange hers green erupted out of their flesh.

“Oh hell, back up, here we go, well done Uncle Lance, Mr Mentalis, very smooth. Gods damn it, lookout.” I yelled shoving Mrs Ravenstone out of Zorics path and heavily into her husband just in time for another flash to light the darkness. The air around Zoric grew darker with flecks and sparks of light occasionally seen, his face started to take on a wedge shape. I followed, my body grew again, my red scales shimmered in the light, reflecting off Magnus and Kadina entering their change. Within moments, the parentals of the six changelings stood looking upon their children and grandchildren from below, in awe. Lucian and Zoric faced off against each other.

“Were you about to go at my dad?” Zoric's deep voice rumbled like thunder. Lucian hissed at his friend.

“What if I did, do you want to make something of it?” Lucian snarled in return. Magnus used his tail to herd Kadina and Casper behind him. I launched forwards, my claws on their necks, I slammed their heads into the cavern floor. Both dragons froze. Their spikes protecting them for harm.

 “Pull your head in, this is not a cattle truck. If you both start fighting, you will kill your parents. Calm down now!” I roared furiously, a lick of flame curled from my nostrils. I released them and stepped back. Both males climbed back to their feet. They bent their heads; they peered down at their alarmed families.

“Z man, I am so sorry! I wasn’t going to attack your dad. I was peeved with the situation and lost it for a second. I didn’t know I was going to go all scales on them.” Lucian admitted shamefully. Zoric held out one claw.

“I’m sorry too; I took it the wrong way.” Both males clasped claws. I bent my great head down to Mrs Ravenstone.

“Sorry about that Mrs Ravenstone, there wasn’t time to explain. Z would have been upset if he squished you.” I told her, my breath ruffling her hair.

“All’s forgiven Francesca, no harm done. I realize why you did it and I am grateful. I love my son, but I would not have relished a dragon in my lap.” She laughed in awe. Her husband stared up at their son wide-eyed and not blinking.

“Zoric, wow, Dragonskin suits you boy.” He laughed nervously patting his son’s foreleg. Zoric grinned down at his parents. I could see that the sight of a grinning dragon was somewhat terrifying to them. 

“This is so cool Dad; wow guys look at you, very styling.” He called easing the tension, looking over at the other four Dragons standing next to each other. Wedge-shaped heads turned from side to side. I used one mean looking claw to scratch the blood-red scales on the side of my neck.

“Gods save us from males,” I muttered. Magnus was grinning, a dragon grin, which showed off a mouthful of long pearl coloured razor-sharp fangs. I saw his mother force a smile for her son.

“You are very impressive darling.” She called up to him in her quiet, ultra-feminine voice. I used my tail to tap him on the shoulder. His head turned, his eyes tracked the red tip of my tail until his eyes met mine.

“Stop grinning man, your scaring your mum,” I told him in a low rumble. I saw a flash of red heat Mrs Venturi’s cheeks. Magnus closed his mouth, turning back to his mother.

“Sorry mum, I must look scary, huh, but you know it’s still me. I am still here.” Lowering his head, he stared her in the eyes. Mrs Venturi’s smile was slow in coming. I saw the moment she recognized her son in the huge beast before her, and she reached up tracing the scales under his eye.

“Ah, there you are. It’s alright sweetheart I can see you now. For a moment, I had a crazy thought that I had lost my little boy.” She whispered. Mr Venturi hugged her. Feeling out of the loop again, I began to look around me. Not only were the arches chiselled out of stone, but they also had a script on them, which I could not make out.

“They are spells”. A feminine voice in the back of my head told me quietly. The dragoness was talking to me!

“Hey Frankie, how come you seem so at home in scales?” Luc called. I sighed.

“First word Dragon, second word Spire.” I murmured. I wasn’t ready to admit, I had a dragon in my head and I was sharing her knowledge.

“Oh yeah. Sorry.” He laughed. Casper covered her face with one claw, shaking her head.

“Awesome.” I thought back to the she-dragon. At that moment, I did not feel so alone.

“Now that you have all finished posturing and showing off, would you care to follow me?” Grandma called irritably from the other end of the cavern, clearly not impressed by our transformations. I sniggered, the sound of my dragon laugh coming from deep in my chest like a rumbling volcano.

“Oops, distracted! Now let us be clear, the parentals dropped the ball on this one.” I called winking down at Mrs Ravenstone with one big green eye before turning to follow my grandmother. Five other rumbling chuckles followed in my wake.

“We did not drop the ball; we are descendants of the original six. We never drop the ball.” Mr Mentalis called cheerfully, nudging Uncle Lance who laughed uproariously.

“Ah-huh, sure you don’t.” Casper and Lucian echoed simultaneously. Magnus walked close behind me his eyes looking everywhere but where he was stepping. I peered over my shoulder as his clawed foot missed my tail by inches. A sudden pain rocketed up my tail, through my back to my head. I stopped suddenly. Magnus almost ran into my rather sizeable crimson backside. Kadina’s eyes popped wide having noticed the scowl on my face; Magnus’s head came up sharply. I twisted around, snout to snout with him there was less than a meter between our noses. Zoric looked over his shoulder. Lucian and Casper stopped talking abruptly.

“Hey there Frankie, what’s with the pretzel impersonation, not that it isn’t cool?” Mag asked. I looked pointedly down at the tip of my tail he was standing on it. Magnus lifted his claw quickly, an apologetic smile spreading across his face.

“Ooh sorry about that, I guess I wasn’t looking where I was going.” He mumbled.

“Two words for you my friend, Jenny Craig.” I huffed curling my tail and tucking it between my legs. Kadina laughed a husky echoing sound.

“Shut up, it’s not cool, you try having Mag stand on you. He is not a little hatchling.” I chuckled shaking my head. Grandma waved us through another huge archway and into a brightly lit chamber. There it was a huge fire-pit and stone chairs. Six large stone slabs raised about one meter off the floor. They were dragon-sized. I had seen this place in my dream. I tagged Casper with the side of my tail and raced for one of the slabs.

“Shotgun, I get the middle one,” I called laughing. The ground shivered under my claws.

“Francesca DragonSpire that is enough! This is not a playground. I am not willing to die because you feel the need to be immature by fooling around!” Grandma’s voice brought our game to an abrupt halt. I bowed my head to where she stood before me.

“Sorry! I was just goofing.” I rumbled my voice deep, laced with a cadence of my own. Grandma sighed putting a hand on my snout; her hand was so small now.

“Francesca this is a very important place, one swipe of your tail on one of those pillars could bring the roof down and kill us. I am not trying to be the party police I would however like to make it out of here alive.” My dragon eyes grew wide. I looked beside me; there was the slab I wanted not even three feet away. I carefully sidestepped and lay down very carefully, curling my tail as tight around me as possible then I tucked it under me as an added safety measure. The tip stuck out in front of me, still throbbing from Magnus standing on it. I held it under one claw, patting it gently. Grandma smiled. I put my head on my front claws, sulking. A body lay next to me.

“You didn’t have to yell at her Mrs Montcastle. We have only been Changelings for twenty-four hours; how could Frankie have known the danger.” Zoric's voice came protectively, from right beside me his tone deep rumbling like thunder. I felt terrible.

“Zoric, what happens between Francesca and her grandmother is none of our business, stay out of it.” Mr Ravenstone told his dragon son as he passed patting one of his large claws. Zoric growled low in his throat signifying what he thought of that.

“Grandma was right to be angry. Twenty-four hours or not Zoric, it is common sense and I was not using mine.” I murmured, poking him with the tip of my tail. He poked me right back. I let loose a rumbling laugh. It rumbled through the cavern, like low thunder.

“Ignore the Montcastle female, it would take a great deal more than one swipe of our tail to destroy this place. Be at peace, hatchling.” My dragoness whispered making me feel better. Lucian and Casper took the two slabs to my right, Magnus, and Kadina the two to our left.

“I need a cushion; this slab hurts my butt does anyone have a cushion?” Lucian called out in a high-pitched voice. We all chuckled, the tension lifted.

“And a flat-screen TV,” Kadina whispered loudly.

“Ooh yeah and popcorn and a movie,” I said.

“Yeah, I know. How to Train your Dragon.” Casper called. We all cheered. The parentals laughed shaking their heads. Grandma cleared her throat loudly bring our attention back.

“As you can see, each dragon represents a family. Now, you are the only available representatives and therefore will be the voices for your families. Changelings you will have a say as well during the proceedings. These times will be difficult as there are only six changelings and ten great families. There will be jealousies over your control.” Grandma began.

“Our control, huh! I beg to differ Mrs Montcastle no one controls us. Our parents tell us to do something and still we take it into deep and thorough, consideration before or if we decide to get back to them. We are not animals to be kept on a leash.” Lucian growled Casper reached out one claw, resting it on Lucian’s scaled shoulder to calm him.

“Why are the council so concerned with our changeling status?” Kadina asked curiously. I looked passed Zorics hulking body, so I could see her. Zoric sat back. I winked at him; he smiled a dragon’s smile.

“Good question my dear; the answer is simple enough; the council fears being overthrown,” Grandma answered. Overthrow the council. Ridiculous, I thought.

“Overthrown, that is ridiculous; we overthrow the council, that’s insane. Who thinks this crap up? What, was there a book written or something titled: What to do when Changelings appear, by moron Fanger?” Magnus asked incredulously. Mrs Venturi leaned back and patted one of her son’s sharp claws.

“The council has never really been known for their objectivity darling, they have many fears and not all of them grounded or rational.” Magnus lowered his big royal blue head.

“Isn’t Uncle Hespan on the council?” His breath ruffling his mother’s hair. She sighed sharing a resigned look with her husband.

“No, not anymore, I am sad to say. He was fired early this rising.” She replied softly. Magnus lifted a lip in a silent snarl.

“Well, we can go to the council and if they don’t listen then we’ll give them an ultimatum or something like we’ll eat them,” Magnus said getting agitated. Kadina linked her tail around his in silent support. I laughed.

“I’m not eating council members. I don’t like junk food, gives me gas.” I muttered to Zoric from the corner of my mouth. His laughter whooshed out. Mr and Mrs Ravenstone turned to glare up at us with hands-on-hips. Oops! Our grins slipped off our faces and we turned back to the situation at hand pretending to be serious.

“Magnus the council is the sole Judge and Jury of our species, to go against them openly would cause a war.” His father replied evenly, obviously understanding where his son was coming from.

“We know that sir. But it does not give them the right to be executioner, or has the Breed given them that power as well?” Lucian asked with a snarl. Mr and Mrs Mentalis turned to comfort their son and Casper who was making noises of distress. I wondered what Poppa was hearing, and how the council would handle our situation. There were many things missing

from the tale.

“There is a whole story missing from this one Francesca. Now is not the time to go into it.” The dragoness within me whispered into my mind. I gave the equivalent of a mental sigh.

“Grandma, can you start from the beginning and tell us exactly, the events of this rising? I feel like I’m coming in, in the middle of a movie.” I asked suddenly. Grandma smiled up at me, catching on to what I was doing. I rested my head on one great claw, to look casual.

“While you were at school, it was around twelve-thirty I believe. Your Grandfather received a rather alarming phone call from Benson, your father.” she began. I hissed bearing glistening fangs. Grandma held up one hand and continued.

“All he said was, word of changelings within the breed were presented to the council late last rising. An unknown source. They were calling all elders of the ten families to order. Benson told Dorian it was a very good chance that the lives of the changelings if found would be forfeited for the safety of all Breed and humankind. Benson spoke as if sharing some great gossip in case someone was listening. A few hours after Dorian hung up from Benson, he received another call from a low Mesat. Which is a lesser council member, Dorian was ordered to report to chambers immediately, for an emergency summit he left at three o’clock.”

“We know he left, he came to the school to say goodbye and to tell me that he would keep us informed as to what was going on,” I replied thoughtfully. Grandma appeared pleased with my statement.

“As the eldest Montcastle I have been summoned to the meeting and for safety reasons, Casper and Francesca will be unable to stay at Montcastle Park alone. I have informed the council that I would be late as I had to find someone to care for the girls”. At once Mrs DesCor got to her feet.

“I am in the same predicament Monique, I am the Eldest DesCor and Kadina’s father is incommunicado…again. I told the Mesat the same thing.” She said slapping a hand down on the engraved stone of the table.

“We can’t have them all together, that would raise suspicions and as the girls still need to attend school. Moving them to another location would also arouse suspicion. Sonya and I propose that Casper stays with the Mentalis’s, Kadina with us and Francesca with the Ravenstones.” Mrs Venturi stated.

“Fear, not Tabitha, Monique, Lance there will be no improprieties with us ladies on guard to bite off any wandering hands or discourage any improper behaviour.” Mrs Ravenstone reassured them proudly. Mrs Venturi and Mrs Mentalis nodded vehemently glaring around the half-circle we formed. I blinked down at her, suddenly feeling a rumble of laughter bubble up. Goodness knows I tried to contain it, but the gurgling giggle broke free rustling the back of Mrs Ravenstone's hair. She turned to face me. I had a claw pressed to my giant mouth, trying to stem the flow of spontaneous mirth.

“Francesca please, will you try to take this matter seriously, this is very important.” She admonished sternly amusement glittering in her dark eyes. This renewed my giggles more than before.

“S-s-sorry!” I managed to get out before laying my head on the slab between my front legs and tried to cover my face with large claws.

“Don’t mind her; she’ll be fine in a second.” Zoric laughed nudging me with one scaled leg. I calmed down a little, taking a few big deep breaths and releasing them slowly.

“Sorry, I ah, thought it best to laugh, or I was going to cry,” I explained uncovering my head. A tear ran down one of Casper’s scaled cheeks.

“Oh sweetheart, don’t cry. We’ll get to the bottom of this, don’t worry.” Uncle Lance told her gruffly. I could smell his uncertainty, and I was suddenly tired.

“No chance Uncle, we can smell emotions. I am sorry to say it but lying for our sake won’t help.” I called sadly. I felt the change take me. It reduced me

back to my breed form. The others stayed as they were. Zoric brought his

tail around it was half my height. With a grunt, I heaved myself up onto the sparkling black scales. It looked as though there were diamonds within the darkness waiting to escape.

“Francesca?” Mr Ravenstone was standing before me, his handsome face creased with worry.

“This whole situation happening now is my fault; I feel that I have done this. It was Selene who went to the Council was it not. Upstairs I thought that not even Selene would be foolish enough to go to the council about us. After thinking about it, there is no one else that would or could have done this. My stupid pride brought us into this situation. I’m sorry; I should have known she would retaliate somehow. It was arrogant of me to think she would only go after me.” I had never felt the weight of responsibility as I had then, it was crushing.

“What do you mean?” Zorics voice was a loud rumble that ruffled my hair; his great-wedged head was resting on the stone slab, his black shining eyes looked me right in the face. I slid one hand up his snout. He closed his eyes, a deep rumbling sigh sounded in the back of his throat.

“You are beautiful Zoric, terrifying but truly wondrous to behold,” I whispered. Zoric opened his dark eyes, his mouth curved up in a small smile.

“Frankie; in either form you are stunning.” I blinked, blood rushed to my cheeks, someone cleared their throat.

“Thanks, Zoric. Where was I, oh yeah kicking myself? During the transition, you all followed me to the door. It was my intension to scare her away so that she would release her hold on my mum and dad. However, she did not. Instead, she sicked her mutant mutt Vane on Casper, knowing it would draw me into doing something rash. Now, all of you pay for my idiotic behaviour. I’m sorry all I wanted was for my parents to love me, just a little.” I admitted showing them my index finger and thumb a small distance apart. Zorics head slid forward, I leaned over his snout and cried. There were flashes of light and suddenly, five sets of arms engulfed me.

“Not just you Frankie. I was right behind you in the foyer this rising.” Casper whispered. They all agreed that what I had done was not that bad and they would have done the same if they had been in my place.

“There is always light in the dark,” Zoric whispered his chin on my shoulder.

“I fear for when it goes out,” I replied shakily.

“You shouldn’t. They should fear the dark; we are changeling we rule it, Frankie.” He stated fiercely.

“In the dark, a light doth raise, Salomor eager awaiting his prize. Six by six, they call thee forth. Changelings, Changelings, I summon thee gaze. The veil is torn we summon thee now. Changeling, Changelings. Restore thy days. He bends, he shifts but there he stays, Salomor trapped or’ end of

days.” The strange poem tumbled from Kadina’s lips. Grandma and Mrs DesCor froze, horror stamped across their delicate features. Pain gripped my sides; I felt the need to change though I was too tired to stand properly. Wings tore through my back destroying another of my shirts.

“What was that! You just scared the spit out of the parentals?” I demanded my extended incisors lending me a ferocious image as I grabbed my friend by her shoulders.

“I don’t know Frankie, it just popped into my head.” She cried trembling, holding a hand over her mouth.

“Calm children be calm. That was the changeling chant. The breed used it in times of greatest need to bring them forward. However, it is known only to the ancients and even then, few of them remember it. I doubt that even Dorian would recall it.” Mrs DesCor called striding over to Kadina and engulfing her in her arms.

“Say it again! Kadina, can you say it again?” I asked vehemently. 

“In the dark, a light doth raise, Salomor eager awaiting his, prize. Six by six,

they call thee forth, Changeling, Changelings, I summon thee gaze, the veil is torn we summon thee now. Changeling, Changelings restore thy days. He bends, he shifts but there he stays. Salomor trapped or’ end of days.”

“Okay, who the hell is Salomor, this is the second time I have heard that name this rising and what has he got to do with daylight?” I asked confused. The others nodded with me the same confounded expressions on their faces.

“Salomor was a powerful demon Lord banished thousands of years ago, his hand was chopped off to seal the breach in the veil. The changelings created by a mage were to defeat him. They killed him. It was the demons wish to destroy the sun. If the sun was to die the whole world would fall.” Grandma replied pinching the bridge of her nose, between her eyes.

“Okay and this chants only preformed when?” Lucian asked.

“When Salomor was free,” Grandma answered going pale.

“Would this have brought on our collective transition?” Magnus asked softly, his eyes were moving rapidly from face to face. His brain collecting information at great speeds, the grandmothers sat abruptly in two hastily vacated chairs.

“Dear Gods, yes!” Grandma cried softly.

“Again, in our lifetime Monique, it can’t be possible.” Mrs DesCor snarled. A sound cut through the noise. It was a phone, hey sneaky. I wondered if she had broadband or Wi-Fi down here. Grandma hurried over to an alcove. We could not hear her conversation, so we waited. A few minutes later, she returned.

“That was Dorian. The council is here; they are within an hour of us. We have no time.” Grandma hurried us out through a different passage. We were led through a series of differing tunnels until we came out into what appeared to be a huge shed. Zoric, Magnus, and Lucian started making appreciative noises as they looked around at Grandma’s car collection. Kadina and Casper rolled their eyes. Their mouths form the word “Boys.” I chuckled silently. Waiting beside a long black tinted limo was Mark; he was wearing a very serious expression.

“Ma’am, I have instructed the staff as you wished.” He said opening the back door. Grandma smiled stiffly.

“Good Mark, thank you.” We all piled inside, bunching up. I was so tired.

“Ah! Grandma, the sun is up?” I murmured perspiration breaking out on my brow.

“Yes dear, I know stay calm.” Casper glanced at me out of the corner of her eye. The look clearly said that she was nuts! We were going to fry!

“The windows are tinted kids; no UV light can penetrate it, nothing to worry about.” Mr Mentalis explained seeing our distress and the fact that we were huddled almost on top of each other with a blanket pulled over our heads.

“Cool, thanks, dad,” Lucian called cheerfully his voice muffled, but the blanket stayed where it was…. just in case. We felt the car moving, I lowered the blanket just enough to see out the window. It was so bright outside. The blue sky was clear, not a cloud. There were no shadows in the trees. I stared a little fearfully slowly sinking back into the safety of the blanket.

“Kadina, Magnus. Let’s go.” Mrs Venturi called a few minutes later. We flipped the blanket down. The limo was inside another shed-like structure. Kadina kissed her grandmother goodbye and followed Magnus out the door. The car started to creep forwards again; we drove through the gates before picking up speed.  This time we kept the cover off, Casper and I held each other tightly. After a while, we pulled deep into shadows. Mark opened the door.

“Lucian, Casper.” I released my hold. Casper kissed Grandma and her parents. She waved before the door shut. Grandma was staring at me. Something within me said Zoric and I were not going home just yet.

“Oh, no uncool, your hijacking us. Where are, we going and why us? You know I’m a big chicken, its daylight this is no time for dragon-napping.” It was more a statement of fact than a question.

“Yes, dear I know you think that, but I need for you both to accompany us.” Grandma sat with her back straight against the back of the plush leather seat. Why did I feel, Zoric and I were heading into danger with no way to escape?

“What is expected of them?” Mr Ravenstone asked stiffly. I shifted to look at him.

“Solomon, Sonya. I would not deliberately involve Zoric or my Francesca in this if I thought the danger too extreme. The council will not raise arms against two when they have no idea where the other four hides.”

“They fear them that much then?” Mr Ravenstone asked.

“Oh, great gods yes. Solomon, the council feared changelings so much they tried to wipe out their bloodlines. One changeling can decimate a city within minutes, a country in days. With six alive and healthy, what do you suppose the council is thinking?” I saw it in her eyes she was hiding something!

“We understand that Mother, but why Francesca and Zoric and not two of the others? Not that I want Casper anywhere near the council, but Francesca is the only niece I have.  I would prefer her to live longer than eighteen years.” Uncle Lance asked quietly.

“Yes Lance, I too want nothing more than Francesca’s safety. However, the black and red were the dominant pair. The most ferocious, the council will remember this as I have.” She answered calmly.

“What do you know that you are not telling?” I demanded softly sitting forward.

“My William was accused of being a changeling. He was killed by Lester, the council’s pet.” she spat snarling. I sat back abruptly staring into nothing.

“What is Lester?” Zoric asked.

“He is a Half-breed abomination. Not quite Changeling and not all Breed, a mutation.” Ewe, I pictured slime, I do not know where the thought came

from or even if it was accurate, I had a funny feeling that I had seen Aliens to many times.

“Does he have slime?” I could not help but ask. Grandma looked taken back.

“Um no dear, I don’t think so, just scales.” She replied. Zoric laughed into a hand.

“Okay, just checking. I had a mental picture of slime and just wondered if I had seen too many Alien movies.” I replied allowing the breath I had held to whoosh out of me.

“And to what conclusion have you come to Francesca?” Mrs Ravenstone asked amusement creating faint lines by her eyes.

“I will endeavour to watch more documentaries and read more non- fiction reference books in the future,” I said frowning. Grandma’s face lightened, she shook her head.

“Oh Francesca, my beautiful girl. Where is the little man that sensors your speech and thoughts?” She laughed.

“He probably died from lack of oxygen,” I muttered under my breath. Zoric chuckled having heard my reply.

“If it’s any consolation, I pictured slime too,” he whispered. I laughed.

“Liar, you did not.” I slapped his leg. Zoric grinned unrepentantly. The Limo started to slow.

“We are here. Once inside, under no circumstances become a full dragon. They will capture you. That is the mistake the last six made.” Grandma sounded desperate. Zoric growled in the back of his throat.

“Son!” He looked over at his father and nodded stiffly.

“But half a dragon is okay, right?” I asked winking at Grandma.

“Half would be a very good idea. Very good dear, it should scare them enough and at least it would hide your identity further,” she replied. I poked out a playful tongue at Zoric.

“Brat.” He murmured. I laughed softly climbing out of the limo. Once out of

the confines of the vehicle, I produced one claw where I slashed two long strips into the back of Zorics shirt, mine was already in tatters. This time wings emerging from my flesh did not hurt. I grinned showing elongated fangs and glowing green eyes. Zoric pulled me to his chest as our skin covered in red and black scales.

“Gods you look so evil. I like it, sort of like a very hot demonic fairy.” He murmured smiling down at me. I grinned.

“Pay attention you two; this is no time to mess around.” Grandma snapped. Zoric and I parted; he retained his hold on my claw.

“Thank you. Now in the chamber, you will meet ten families, six of them you will know as they are your relation and are probably acquainted with, the other four, you are not. Remember that.” It was defiantly a warning. One Zoric and I had not thought of ignoring.

“The other four are Benti, Falcon, Coralosteron, and Zorrcusnets. These families were added to the original six, the people thought the council to unstable with all the feuds.” Mrs DesCor whispered leading us through massive golden doors. Where are we? I thought looking around. Zoric squeezed my hand, bringing back my attention.

“You want the council to hear you; they have to stop hunting you if you are to stop the demon if he has indeed returned. You also need to make it clear that you will cause untold chaos if they proceed on their current course. Be careful and try not to improvise too much. Good luck.” Grandma muttered.

There was another set of doors before us. When they opened a huge round room came into view. At one end was a high platform where some eight-people sat, including my Poppa, whose face lined with worry and fear when he laid eyes on Zoric and me. Anyone else looking at him would have seen nothing but serenity or features carved of stone. I alone knew him best. He was afraid.

“Monique of the house of Montcastle and Tabitha of the house of Fontain DesCor what is the meaning of this?” A male and female sat higher than the rest, it was the man who dared yelled at Grandma.

“They were in the hall Councillors. We have nothing to do with them.” Mrs DesCor stated managing to make her voice disgusted by our presence. My wings itched to unfurl I had them wrapped around my body. I locked eyes with Poppa he made a small movement with his elbows telling me silently to do it. Zoric stalked forward and we unfurled them with audible snaps. The men and women before us flinched. My lips peeled back with a hiss.

“Mrs Montcastle and Mrs DesCor are of ancient’s status. Are they not due the respect that they have earned?” Zoric and I asked together, curiously, it was like our minds and mouths moved as one, like the collective function of the Borg from Star Trek. Damn it sci-fi reference!

“I beg your pardon!” They snarled glaring down on us.

“Speak to the ladies that way again and you will be begging for more than our pardon,” Zoric replied making eye contact with the high councillors. Poppa was openly grinning and having trouble hiding it; it looked as if he was an inch from jumping out of his seat to demand an encore.  There was much coughing and spluttering from those assembled. Popper made a gesture slightly with one hand.

“We have come for an explanation?” Zoric said evenly his deep voice echoed around the room. Silence fell. The head female cleared her throat. 

“This should be interesting,” I whispered so only Zoric could hear.

“An explanation into what changeling, this council is busy; we do not have time for word games?” The female spat acidly. I snarled taking a step forward.

“Salomor of course, our presence on this plain means only one thing. How could you let him get free?” There were several loud gasps, followed by several bouts of swearing in the race’s ancient language.

“Sounds like we ruffled a few feathers, I wonder if any of these upstarts laid an egg just then,” I whispered from the corner of my mouth. Zoric lifted an eyebrow.

“Sounds like some of you have been keeping secrets,” I called ending my statement with a soft growl. Poppa was grinning.

“Who was the fool who resurrected the demon lord, or don’t you know that yet? Did you think if you found us, and yes, there are more than the two of us, everything would go back to be all roses and puppies? You are fools if you thought you could stop the Demon with nothing but your little pet...Lester. Yes, we know about your mutant too.” Zoric sounded very condescending. I was roaring laughing inside.  Silence greeted Zorics little speech. I walked in a small circle around Zoric his hand holding lightly to the tips of my fingers, his arm held above his head. It appeared to the faces around us that we were dancing. I eyed the assembled council members with an expression of bored disdain.

“What do you know of Lester?” Someone called from the back of the room. I grinned arching my neck to one side, the shine of my red scales under the lights danced colour over Zorics chest. His hand brushed one of my wings; I shivered at the sensation, a grin dancing at the corners of my mouth.

“The mutant pet, he is half Breed and half changeling, created by the vampire version of Dr. Frankenstein. I am guessing that this mix of blood and power has left little Lester unstable and you keep him locked away until you need him. He is dangerous and if he ever got free, your only protection against the demon lord would vanish. As you were too pathetic to allow changelings to integrate into society, instead you slaughtered them. Their screams echo in your blood; I can hear them.” I called serenely. I saw Poppa nod slightly; I was on the right track. The high female stiffened in her chair. I leaned back into Zoric his clawed hand crept around my waist.

“Seems I hit a nerve Z, what do you think?” I asked over my shoulder.

“That sounds about right.” He answered softly. I looked back at the council.

“Look, we don’t want any trouble and you don’t want us to decimate the planet, so here is the deal. Leave us and ours in peace and we’ll deal with the demon.” I called. Zoric murmured his assent in my ear. I nodded. The council looked to one another.

“But if you want to send Lester, hey no problem. We will leave you to it. I hear Blade 2 is on TV, next rising.” I called carelessly. Zoric and I turned as one we moved towards the door.

“Wait! Please, stay we agree to your terms.” The high male called, he sounded almost panicked.

“Our terms, oh no they were not our terms. That was merely one condition. We have a whole list of others, our families are at the top of course, and we had to settle that before anything.” Zoric called bringing the back of my claw to his lips. I rolled my eyes.

“A whole list of conditions you say, very well state them.” The female peered down at us thoughtfully. I did not trust her. Wondering if it would work, I flapped my wings. I lifted off the ground swiftly coming face to face with the high female. She trembled against the back of her seat; the little box gave her no room to run.

“Yes, a whole list. I do not trust you female, if you cross me not even the gods will save you from what I will do to you. You had better get a pen and write this down, or we leave, and you can all go to hell. To decimate, or not to decimate, it’s all relative to us.” I hissed menacingly. I backed off slowly floating back to stand with my feet on the floor.

“That was so cool, I should have thought of it. Damn Frankie, she looked like she was about to wet herself.” Zoric whispered so that only I could hear. I grinned quickly; we schooled our features back into expressions of cool disdain.

“Number one, we will not be hunted for any reason. Number two, no family will lose their present places on the council, nor will you pass them over for promotion. This order will stand for eternity, if something happens to us and we die, you will honour our agreement. I think a binding curse would stand nicely for that one. Number three; once defeated you will destroy the demon hand.

Number four, responsibility for the damage done during the capture and destruction of the Demon Lord will not be laid at our feet. I think that is about it, anyone else want to weigh in on this. Anyone need a new car or a chair, or a perhaps a tropical mountain range.” I asked looking around me. I heard a couple of chuckles, some put hands over their mouths or coughed to cover the fact that they were laughing. Poppa’s deep laughter echoed around the chamber.

“With all due respect, Lord DragonSpire, this is not a humorous moment.” The high male stated politely. Poppa turned his head glowering over at the younger male. Poppa was the oldest in the room, now transitioned I could feel the power emanating from him, and it was formidable.

“The terms are appropriate high councillors; I stand with the changelings as I have from the beginning. As do the houses of Mentalis, Venturi, Fontain DesCor, Montcastle, and Ravenstone I suspect.” He replied sternly with an edge of contempt. Each of the six nodded once. The council turned to stare down at us, shocked. Grandma caught my eye; she motioned for us to go. I winked, taking Zorics hand.

“We will leave you to it,” Zoric said smothering a yawn. The high female stood up.

“How will we contact you?” She cried out suddenly. I glanced at Poppa he nodded his accent eyes twinkling brightly with pride.

“Tell Lord DragonSpire, he’s a powerful male. I am sure he will track us down...eventually.” I replied cheekily. Zoric tucked me into his side, the doors closed behind us with a dull thud. Mr and Mrs Ravenstone were waiting, they ushered us quickly into the limo. I allowed the change to leave me and slumped against the shiny leather. Zorics form shimmered before settling back to his breed self. We leaned into one another.

“Gods, I am tired. Another minute of that and I would have gone to sleep right there. You were great Ravenstone.” I muttered sleepily.

“You too DragonSpire, even I was a little taken back when you threatened the high female, it was most epic. Terms were good too, most cool.” Zoric muttered back his eyes closed. Mr and Mrs Ravenstone shared an alarmed look, Mr Ravenstone shook his head a rueful smile touched his mouth.

“Well I’ll be damned, they threatened the high councillors.”