CHAPTER 9 Talpa was enjoying a much needed soak in the pool when he felt sadness fill his heart. “What the hell?” Rising to the top, Talpa watched as Lex, in his snow leopard form, went racing past the pool and running deep into the woods. Seeing Taco laying on the lounge chair looking up to the sky, Talpa asked, “Can you follow Lex? I need to find out what’s going on.” With a heavy sigh, Taco replied, “Sure, it’s better than lying around here wishing for what may never be.” Not understanding those words, Talpa made a mental note to have Smoky talk to the maharishi. Something had been off with that dragon for quite some time, and before Taco became too distracted within his own mind, someone needed to do something to help the guy out. “Thanks, Taco.” Taco took off into the sky just a

