Page 21 of Lyric

Then home?

If the hospital lets him go, it would be safer to take him home with us, yes.

His muscles flexed. His wings pumped. He navigated the currents and eddies to push himself even faster.

Suddenly, he let out a loud, siren cry. It was his alarm sound.

I looked through his eyes to try to make out what he was seeing. Ahead of us was a tiny black dot.

Another dragon?

The enemy,he replied.

Adrenaline pumped cold in our veins. Lyrican veered off toward the right as if to go around. The black dot veered, as well.

Lyrican howled another cry and turned again. Now we were going back the way we’d come. We went lower toward the treetops. The black dot was gone. For now.

Lyrican’s claws swept the canopy. He found a clearing and landed, then ran toward cover where there was space enough for his big body.

“I’m letting you know I’m fine!” came a shrill voice. “We’re hiding, right? You saw another dragon, right?”

Lyrican nodded his head.

Jinn’s tone lowered. “It’s all right. I know I’m safe with you.”

About ten minutes passed before we heard the thumping of wings followed by a frustrated squawk. A shadow passed over and over the lit stripes of the forest floor at least ten times before finally flying away.

“He’s lying in wait. We should stay,” Jinn whispered.

Lyrican didn’t budge. It was hard to count the minutes while existing deep inside Lyrican. Time to him was merely the passing of light to dark.

After we didn’t hear another sound for what might have been ten minutes or half an hour, Jinn whispered, “Let’s try. If he’s there, I know you can outfly him.”

Lyrican preened within at the compliment. He sauntered out into the clearing and ran a few steps to take off. Once in the air again, he remained graceful and focused. It was his element.

The sky was clear. From the look of the land, we were halfway home. He lowered his head and rocketed through the air.

A road appeared through the thick foliage. I wondered if anyone saw us what they would think. A dragon with a human on its back.

Usually, dragons flew all shifted together within their own flights with relatives and family members. In human form, only children rode on the backs of parents or older brothers with a proper seat and harness. It was done for games, not travel. Like a carnival ride.

Lyrican made a clicking sound I rarely heard. I knew it was a prelude. And I was right. Without warning, a fireball choked its way up his throat and out his mouth.

What was that for?

A warning. He’s behind us.

What? Coltan?

I can smell his putrid balls.

My own fear swam through our system, interfering with Lyrican’s instincts.

Stop. He’ll never catch us. But fear makes me stumble.

Sorry.

I trusted him completely. But the human part of me still reacted as a human.

---