The Dragel's Song V

By Chera Carmichael

Neilson Hewitt is in for a busy day. He's survived dinner and more with the Baronsworths' but between his recovering magic and persistent fatigue, he can't do anything with his newfound information. His world continues to grow more complicated upon waking. From a coworker’s strange behavior to the arrival of one handsome Spencer Norton, Neil’s hands are full. Adding Elyenka’s complications to the mix doesn’t improve anything, when it becomes clear that her personal crisis has more at stake than her initial explanation.

Can Neil find the strength to stand strong for his friends? What about himself?

• Language: English
• Publisher: Chera Carmichael
• Release date: Nov 2, 2020
• ISBN: 9781005582685

Chera Carmichael

Chera Carmichael (Scioneeris), is known for her love of dragons and writing.

Book preview

1 In Which Neil Gets No Sleep At All - Neil

Heavy pounding on his bedroom door, stirred Neil out of a deep sleep. He half-fell, half-tumbled off of the bed in a tangle of sore limbs and sweaty sheets. The nice dream he'd been having quickly faded into a frustrating blur, the images melting away until he couldn't place them at all.

His head ached terribly, but he couldn't spare a thought for that as he scrambled for the door. Panic was the main motivator in getting him to the door.

A quick glance at the doorside display showed the one person he hadn't ever expected to come searching for him.

Jamal.

Standing in the corridor, his ferocious scowl on display and his thick, dark hair sticking up in neat spikes. He'd obviously just come from work and hadn't bothered to change out of his flexi-suit with the safety harness built in.

The thick straps of black harness only accented the fact that Jamal was every inch of the man that Neil would have liked to be—namely, solid muscle and towering height.

He hastily jabbed the intercom button before Jamal could resume another round of heavy-handed battering on his room door. The staticky feedback gave Jamal pause and he folded his dark arms over his chest, taking a step back from the door.

Neil gingerly pressed the button and winced at the unexpected influx of light into his cramped room. He'd forgotten how nice and comfortable the darkness has been to his tired self.

He'd also never expected Jamal, of all people, to turn up at his door. That was so strange and unexpected, that it almost doubled his headache right then and there. It made him think that something awful would happen at some point in the near future. His luck was weird enough as it was without adding things like this to the mix.

Hewitt-! Jamal growled, his voice sharp. What were you doing- he stopped.

Silence filled the room.

Jamal looked him over from head to toe as if he couldn't believe what he was seeing. Are you serious right now? You look like sh—what happened to your—oi, move! He shouldered his way into the room, elbowing the keypad to shut the door behind him. A flicker of unease passed over him, briefly, gone as quickly as it'd come. I thought you weren't here, he muttered, half to himself. Where have you been?

Neil stumbled back a step, rubbing at his face. He tried to make his brain focus on necessary details, but his sluggish body still wanted to crawl back to bed. What are you doing here? he croaked. Did I oversleep? I don't think I could—make it—in—today. He gave into the yawn and heard his jaw crack.

Oversleep? Jamal echoed. His scowl eased a fraction. Obviously. Though given your current state, you look like you needed it. You're not sick, are you? You could've called in, you know that, right? Now they'll just mark you absent and dock a third of your pay for-

S-sorry, Neil mumbled. He stifled a yawn, taking another shuffling step back into the room. I can make it up—next week?

Jamal gave him a Look. I'm not the one you need to tell that anymore. Honestly, I came all this way to check on you and all you can say is-

Neil wobbled. he was surprised when strong hands caught him before he could fall flat on his face. S-sorry, he mumbled again. His body really didn't want to stay upright for the moment. It was disturbing on a level he hadn't realized.

Did you take something? Concern filtered through Jamal's discomfort. "I've never seen