Page 65 of Lahaina Noon

Ivan led them to the back where most places would have a storeroom. He opened the door and strode into a brightly lit hall that was in stark contrast to the dingy space they’d left. A short journey led to another door, this one with a high-end keypad that looked out of place. Ivan punched in a rather lengthy code, and Bridget heard buzzing as an electronic lock released and the door swung open.

They stepped into an enormous cavern with large pillars rocketing to a ceiling high overhead. Torches spaced around the room at regular intervals did nothing to dispel the darkness in the space near the roof. Here was the real Council entrance. It was carved into the mountain.Here there be dragons,she thought.

“Caves,” Vaughn grunted.

She was staring in wonder at the huge space in front of her. There was room for several full-grown dragons to stand next to each other. She glanced at him in confusion.

“Dragons like caves,” he murmured.

Ivan led them on towards an opening that led to another room with a much lower ceiling than the previous one but no less dim. The room was long and wide, more like a hallway. The walls were lined with paintings of various people whom Bridget guessed were important figures in dragon history.

They continued forward, and soon, the hall began to curve back around, eventually leading to an enormous staircase that wound down several floors. Their footsteps echoed in the massive space, sounding like an army was marching in. When it finally leveled out, they were deposited in another rounded room with several doors lining the walls. There were opulent rugs and chairs in the middle, with vases of fresh flowers and paintings on the walls. It had every appearance of a parlor in some medieval castle.

Ivan seated himself and gestured for them to do the same. Vaughn sat and propped one ankle on his knee, bouncing it slightly. Bridget decided it was impatience, not nerves.

She walked around the room, perusing the paintings. She stopped at one, looking closer at the birds in the sky. No, not birds, she realized. Dragons. Bridget went from painting to painting and realized they all displayed dragons going about their lives. She found one that depicted a battle and studied it closely. She felt Vaughn behind her, as he leaned over her shoulder.

“The Great Battle,” he told her. “This shows a rendition of the last battle with the Shadows before the tribes were scattered. See how the dragons have riders, and they look like they all hold lightning bolts?”

She nodded.

“Those were the Light Wielders. The followers of Taranis before he removed all magic from the world. Well,” he smirked, “All magic except ours.”

Bridget rolled her eyes and patted his cheek, her proud dragon.

A door opened, and a somber-looking older man stepped into the room with them. He nodded at Ivan and turned to Vaughn.

“Mr. Drake,” he said in a low voice, better suited for a funeral home.

Bridget shivered at the way it rolled over her skin.

Vaughn put an arm around her and rubbed her shoulder, sending some warmth into her.

She smiled gratefully at him as he faced the man and gave an affirmative nod.

“Follow me if you please.” the sallow complexioned man ordered.

Bridget wondered when he’d last gone outside. His skin was papery, thin and as yellowed as old parchment.

Bertrand has been serving the council for hundreds of years. He never leaves these halls,Vaughn told her, confirming hersuspicion.

They entered yet another large, cavernous chamber, but this one was well-lit and decorated like a throne room. Gold was everywhere, jewels sparkling in the lights, and the opulence was off the charts. Bridget resisted the urge to roll her eyes at how ostentatious it was. She didn’t want to risk offending the dragons about to lay possible judgement on her mate.

It’s a bit much don’t you think, she sent to him. She saw him smirk.It’s like those cougars at the bars with their overdone hair, heavy makeup and flashy jewelry trying to impress the younger guys with how rich they are. Yawn.

Vaughn was fighting not to smile,behave yourself my love,he cautioned.But thank you.

She saw the tension leave his shoulders and watched his cool, professional businessman mask slip over his face. She knew he would hold his own.

“Vaughn Drake,” a stuffy voice droned. “Step forward for judgement.”

He stepped forward towards a long table mounted on the dais. Five dragons in human form sat there. Two women and three men as best Bridget could tell. They all stared at Vaughn as he stood with a blank expression on his face.

Bridget started to move up with him, but he motioned her to stay behind. She noticed Ivan stood slightly behind as well. Whatever pomp and circumstance was about to happen, apparently Vaughn was to face it without anyone at his side.

“Drake,” growled one particularly grumpy-looking man. His skin was a dark ebony, like a polished piece of wood. His sculpted browspoke of an ancient lineage. “So, the prodigal son finally returns,” he continued, his voice low and smarmy. “I knew it was only a matter of time before we would have to haul you back.”

Vaughn snorted and turned to face the man, “Really, Baltrus, it’s been well over a hundred years. I know time passes slowly for you here in your caves with your piles of wealth, but in the real world, much has changed. And I wasn’t hauled here. I came of my own free will. I came to defend my actions and ask the Council for assistance.”

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