Page 54 of Ava's Love of the Dragons
"I thought you loved riding me by now!"
Smiling, she stroked Draco's purple scales. They still weren't fire-red like those of Kilian's and Allan's dragons, which according to the others was due to his age."I love flying with you, but I still have to get used to sitting still for hours. Plus, it's freezing cold up there."
"Should I give you more warmth?"
"Is that possible?"
"Of course. I just wasn't sure if you wanted it because it might remind you of the dragon rider's heat."
She nudged him in the side."Don't you start about Kilian too."
Everyone gave her unsolicited advice, and they all agreed that she had to stay away from him. Which she did! All the dragon gods were her witnesses! Even during training, they rarely saw each other.
Draco stiffened, which made her sigh.
"I know you mean well, but?—"
"That's not it, Ava."
Suddenly, she felt his heartbeat quickening."What's wrong?"
"Mages."
Immediately, her gaze swept over the area."Are they sneaking up?"
Draco fell silent for a moment before his unambiguous answer wandered through her thoughts."No, they're already here."
On high alert, her eyes darted across the grounds, but she saw no intruders."How is that possible? You and the other dragons should have sensed them long ago!"
"They're using a powerful protection spell. I'm not sure if anyone has noticed it yet."
Horrified, she looked down at the competition arena. The scene before her was like any other afternoon: Magg was working the punching bag, Ralph and a cadet were guarding the gate, the two other combat students were training on the backs of the mountain dragons, and behind the stands, the man who had never spoken a word to her was sweeping. There was no sign of the dragon fighters or their dragons.
"Where are Kilian and Allan?"
"On their way. They know, but we can't wait for their return."
Heavens, now it was getting serious.
"Where are the mages? I can't see them."
"In the stands."
Stunned, her eyes widened."Why can't I see them?"
"Protection spell. And they're preparing for an attack."
"But they want me, and I'm not even there."
"Maybe they're taking hostages to use as leverage."
She couldn't allow that!
"What do you suggest? You can hardly take all the students on your back. Not to mention Lilly, Lynn, and Marcus would still be in danger."
"They're in the classroom, and the mages aren't paying attention to them. Master Clark has shielded it."
Ava didn't ask how he managed that. Instead, she noticed a blurred movement, as if something transparent like water was gliding over the stands. That must be their opponents.
