A Dragon’S Human

By Cecilia Lietz

You would think that once you got to know another world things would be easier, right? Wrong. Things do not get easier because you know about another world hidden within your own. They actually make things a lot more complicated than necessary. Try planning a wedding for your two best friends, having a ball with it, and then being closed off as the Mystic Realm invades your world, shrouding it in mystery.

It is bad enough that Connie and Sam get married, but then they refuse to tell me where they are honeymooning. Now I have to go back to Prince Rupert and deal with a whisperer-deprived dragon and my lunatic family who refuses to let me pursue my dancing career. The insanity does not stop there, though. No, there is also a witch, a mage, a long lost father, and two childhood friends who enter the scene.

My name is Judith Elizabeth Bachor. I am confident, intimidating and I know how to get the information I need. Because I am aware of the Mystic Realm, I am defined as a knower a dragons human, and youre about to read my story.

Will you let others dictate your worth and limit your options, or will you take control and create your own way in life?

• Language: English
• Publisher: iUniverse
• Release date: Sep 24, 2016
• ISBN: 9781532003790

Cecilia Lietz

My name is Cecilia Lietz. I was contacted by iUniverse two years in my grade 10 year. In grade 11 I was editing my book and now I am currently in grade 12, attending my last year of High School. Releasing 'A Dragon's Whisperer' has been a great honor. I hope reader's enjoy my book as I embark on writing sequels.

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Copyright © 2016 Cecilia Lietz.

All rights reserved. No part of this book may be used or reproduced by any means, graphic, electronic, or mechanical, including photocopying, recording, taping or by any information storage retrieval system without the written permission of the author except in the case of brief quotations embodied in critical articles and reviews.

This is a work of fiction. All of the characters, names, incidents, organizations, and dialogue in this novel are either the products of the author’s imagination or are used fictitiously.

iUniverse

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Bloomington, IN 47403

www.iuniverse.com

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Because of the dynamic nature of the Internet, any web addresses or links contained in this book may have changed since publication and may no longer be valid. The views expressed in this work are solely those of the author and do not necessarily reflect the views of the publisher, and the publisher hereby disclaims any responsibility for them.

Any people depicted in stock imagery provided by Adobe stock are models, and such images are being used for illustrative purposes only. Adobe stock images are provided by SignFab.

Certain stock imagery © Adobe stock.

ISBN: 978-1-5320-0380-6 (sc)

ISBN: 978-1-5320-1314-0 (hc)

ISBN: 978-1-5320-0379-0 (e)

Library of Congress Control Number: 2016913247

iUniverse rev. date: 12/14/2016

CONTENTS

PART 1

Chapter 1 When I Grow Up

Chapter 2 The Party Crasher

Chapter 3 The Wedding

Chapter 4 Departure

Chapter 5 Mountain Villa

Chapter 6 Magic Lantern

PART 2

Chapter 7 First position

Chapter 8 Alex and Romeo Max

Chapter 9 Appearance

Chapter 10 Runaways

Chapter 11 Ace-ry

Chapter 12 Damon Marshal

Chapter 13 Hypnosis

PART 3

Chapter 14 Drugs

Chapter 15 A Date with Dad

Chapter 16 Sknate

Chapter 17 Court

Chapter 18 Jail Time

Chapter 19 Race

Chapter 20 Vampire Hunting

Chapter 21 Audition

Chapter 22 Regret

Chapter 23 Cosmo

Chapter 24 Sun

Chapter 25 Magic/Magick, Witches, Warlocks and Mages

Chapter 26 Change or Die

Chapter 27 Lockdown

Chapter 28 Confront

Chapter 29 Last Resort

Chapter 30 Stone

PART 4

Chapter 31 The Newlyweds

Chapter 32 A Leap of Faith

Chapter 33 Proposal

Chapter 34 Final Position

DEDICATION

This book is dedicated to my editor, Kim, who has worked with me on my writing throughout this book and to SignFab and their graphic designer Karen McKenny who designed this book cover for me. I also want to thank KaRAR Dance Studio for allowing me to conduct research with their students. I am grateful to an inspirational and generous teacher who allowed me to base a character off her. And a final thank you to the locals in Prince Rupert who gave me the insight and knowledge of the area that I needed.

PART 1

CHAPTER 1

When I Grow Up

They say things happen for a reason. Whatever you do has consequences for you and the ones who surround you. Everything has an order. My mother always believed in order and planned my path for me, while my best friends always acknowledged the person I wanted to be. Unfortunately, two of my best friends moved away and not a word had been heard from them since their move. Connie was my best girl friend. She married, and during her month long honeymoon, I was trapped dealing with her dragon, the Guardians, my aunt and drug addicted cousin, a witch, a lunatic mage and the rest of the Mystic Realm. I admired Connie for the longest time, but I didn’t realize how much she shouldered until I tried stepping into her shoes. My involvement in the Mystic Realm was no mistake. I was the only one who kept things grounded within the Human World. Through it all, I learned that attaching myself to something was a way to avoid being hurt, but releasing the attachment allowed me to grow up and spread my wings. My name’s Judith Elizabeth Bachor, and I was declared a knower, a dragon’s human.

*   *   *

The wind howled, blowing my hair to the side of my face. The day had grown dark. The waves below me continued to crash up against the cliff’s wall. The aftermath of the ocean’s spray hit my ripped up back. My mouth opened, releasing breathless pants. I continued to slide my feet across the narrow ledge as a cave came into view. Inside, there was a light. The shadows in the light were of three people. Two of the people were strapped down while the third stood before them holding a knife. She dug it into one of the strapped down victim’s sides. In her other hand was a bowl. The victims did not scream. The sounds expressed sounded like they were muffled like they were gagged. Blood was pouring into the bowl.

That’s enough, said a voice. You got your ingredients, we don’t need them anymore.

Oh, you silly mage, replied the captor with the knife held against her chest. We need one more thing. Now either of these lovely, strong gentlemen will do the trick.

These are whisperers, witch, you know they won’t work because of the Mystic Realm’s laws, the other voice stated.

They’ll work out just fine, trust me. The shadow vanished from view.

For your sake, it better. I didn’t break into Sefron to find just any witch, the other voice muttered.

The voices became silent. It was my only chance to make my way into the cave. Once inside, I saw my friends chained up against the wall. Their hands were pinned to the sides of their heads, gags in their mouths and shirts removed. From their sides blood was streaming down. Together their blood merged on the ground and formed a weird looking circle in a pool of water.

They both glanced over at me and tried to say my name. I ran up to the one closest to me. The two of them were both tall, very well built and had identical facial features. The twins, Alex and Romeo, were my childhood friends.

Romeo! I removed his gag from his mouth, slapping his face lightly to grab his attention. Romeo!

He rolled his head to the side. Judy, what are you doing here? You could get hurt, he whispered.

I pulled Romeo’s head down to my height and kissed him. I love you, stupid. Now, I pulled out a bobby pin from my hair and went over to the lock. I’m going to get you out.

Judy. No. Find the Guardians. Get them, Romeo pleaded. Please, for your safety, just stay with Nightly and Ace-ry.

I can’t, I said, fiddling with the lock. Nicole left with Nightly and Malcolm and Teddy are raiding Magic Lantern.

What? Where’s Ace-ry? he asked.

Waiting for me. I came through a crevice that just allowed me to fit. I got one of the manacles off.

Alex tried to say something.

Then what are Nightly and Nicole doing? he asked.

Retrieving Connie and Sam, I answered.

Alex strained to attempt to say something.

That’s all we needed to hear. The witch was back and she held the gun in her grasp. She pulled the trigger.

I didn’t even notice the bullet enter my stomach. It was so quick and it made no sound.

Judy. Romeo reached for my hand, but with his other hand still chained up he couldn’t reach me. JUDY!

I went limp, seeing my death in a cave, at the hands of a witch.

*   *   *

April 24th, twelve days before the wedding. I was in the Mystic Realm’s oldest library city, Sefron, organizing the wedding.

Sefron’s a city that was carved out of the inside of a mountain, located in Russia. It began as a library and the city grew around it. There was a designated space where Mystic Realm beings could roam around, live, and not worry about wrecking any old texts. It was a pretty impressive city. I had to give the keeper credit, he did well creating the place and keeping it safe for all mystical beings.

Back to the wedding preparations, I had to do everything myself. Kristen, Connie’s sister-in-law, wanted to handle the wedding décor, but she thought that paper flowers would work for Connie’s wedding. It’s called a wedding, not an origami convention. For obvious reasons, I had to take over the decorating. Kristen had my utmost respect, but ever since she became a wife and mom, she hadn’t been able to hold up the same charisma she had in high school. Anyways, I had to do everything. The only person I could count on was Martha Whitsburg. She handled all the invitations, cooking, and dress design. She was a big help. Connie was trying her best to get all her university work done while Sam was dealing with the mages. All of the mages had complaints and he had to deal with every single one of them. The safe havens Sam had conceptualized were being built all over the world for mages, but he had a hard time recruiting beings to watch over the progress and run the havens, as well as find mages he trusted to tear down the old Mage Bases.

Alright, I want the white and black roses to be side by side up the aisle, I announced as some whisperers placed marks to where the flowers were supposed to be on the day of the wedding. My attention turned to some oracles in the agricultural grounds. Make sure those lights are all strung across the branches. I don’t want to see a single twig missed.

I think you’re taking this too far, called Piper, an oracle who had the appearance of a human half goat: a satyr.

Nuh-uh, I added a bit of sass to my words, this is my best friend’s wedding and because she is too busy with her own school work, I, I pointed to myself with pride and ambition, I in charge.

Human, this wedding isn’t just for Connie, but for Sam as well. Have you checked with him lately? Piper asked. He stood on the agricultural grounds of Sefron and stared at me.

I rolled my eyes. Just make sure those lights are strung. I walked to the staircase and climbed them to the dormitories. There, preparations for the ribbons were being discussed where to be hung on the walls while markings for the long line of fabric were being drawn out. I checked them off my list on my clipboard. Thanks, guys, this is going to look fantastic, I told the mages.

Nice to see you in a good mood, said one of the mages.

Yeah, it’s better than you harassing us to get this all finished, the other commented under his breath. He noticed my evil eye stare at him. He coughed and said, Is there anything else you need?

Well, I flipped through some of my notes, relaxing my facial muscles, the plan is relatively straightforward. I guess you can go up to the sixth level and see if the area is prepared for Connie and Nightly.

I still can’t believe our Lead Mage is getting married to a dragon whisperer, said the first mage.

It’s incredible, to think a year ago we wanted to kill her, the other added. What made them want to get married in Sefron anyways?

They want to have the ceremony in Sefron because they know that their marriage is a bigger deal to the Mystic Realm than the Human World. I ran my fingers through my dark brown hair. It’s because they are both a part of the Mystic Realm that they want to divide the ceremony and reception. As far as the Human World is concerned, Sam and Connie are already married and have been for the last month.

Cool, commented the second mage.

But if the reception is in the Human World, shouldn’t you be there setting that place up instead of watching over us? asked the first mage.

The big day is only two weeks away, said the first mage in a snotty tone.

I threw my hands onto my hips. My grip on myself relaxed. Connie travelled to Small Valley earlier today. She’s dealing with that process. Besides, her mom has to take measurements so she can finish some of the final touches on the wedding dress, I said. I quickly looked at the time. My eyes grew big. I got to go. I’ll see you in three days. Make sure there are no flaws with this. I am warning you.

I doubt the mages took my warning as anything serious. It seemed they thought I was just another silly human. See ya, human, they both said.

I walked away, speeding up my pace. I needed to head back to Small Valley. I made the mistake of letting my mother know about my involvement in Connie and Sam’s reception where, as far as she knew, Connie and Sam were celebrating their elopement. Now she was trying to force her way in on my job. She was the most controlling mother in the world. If I didn’t arrive in Small Valley by four o’clock, she would start to call. Because I was in Sefron and Sefron was in Russia, her call wouldn’t even connect with my phone. And if she couldn’t get ahold of me – God help me.

Hey, Judy! called Elliot, a whisperer from South Africa, as he flew down on the back of Skadoosh, his earth dragon. I haven’t seen ye in a long time.

Bye, I sped past him.

Skadoosh tried talking. It sounded like he was grinding his teeth while a raspy voice came from his throat.

I ignored him and continued to walk through the level four dormitories.

Oh right, ye can’t understand dragons, Elliot remembered.

Elliot was a friend of Sam’s. At first, their relationship was business: Elliot built vehicles and Sam bought a vehicle. What none of us predicted was that the Guardians chose Elliot to be a dragon’s whisperer. At the time of the wedding preparations, he, and his weirdly named earth dragon, Skadoosh, attended classes in Sefron to strengthen their bond and learn other whisperer stuff I didn’t really understand.

Skadoosh landed and began to walk beside me. He had grown to my height. The dragon was different than your usual species of dragons because Skadoosh did not possess any front legs, only hind ones. He still had his wings in the usual place, but he just seemed so different compared to Nightly. Is there something you need, Elliot? I’m in a rush. I glanced back at my watch. Make it fast.

Me was just gonna ask if ye could join Stanley and me for a night out, Elliot said.

Busy, I retorted.

Skadoosh tried talking to me again.

In English, lizard, I huffed irritably.

Stanley appeared on the top of the dormitories then jumped down right in front of me. The thing about mages in Sefron was that they were always in their mage forms. They never took on their human forms. It scared me. Most mages I had seen in their true form had tried to kill me.

Stanley, really? Try calling out some time, I snarled. I held my hand to my chest.

Whoa, ya really do have to take some time off for yaself, Stanley commented, his Brooklyn accent as thick as ever. Come, join me an’ Elliot. Stanley was a mage that found Sam last year, begging to be mentored by him. Annoyingly, he also became Elliot’s best friend. The two are inseparable.

No. I continued to walk past them. Seriously guys, I have to go.

Judy.

What now? I snapped. I turned my head to the side and watched Teddy running towards me.

Oh good, I caught before you left, he panted.

Teddy was a Guardian, a Guardian is a dragon’s whisperer who lost his dragon. Guardians dedicated their lives to teaching the next generation of dragon whisperers how to do to avoid the loss they had to go through.

You and everyone else. It was official: I was ticked. I waved a hand in the air. Let’s get this over with.

I wanted to read this to you. Teddy held out cue cards. It’s my speech for the reception. Malcolm won’t help and Nicole isn’t that great when it comes to writing. Connie’s getting her dress done, Sam’s off–

I turned Teddy to face Stanley and Elliot. Teddy, meet Stanley and Elliot. Stanley and Elliot, Teddy.

Come on, Judy, Elliot begged.

No! I stressed as I began to run.

Judy, they all called.

I ran into the library. My eyes sought out Raygan and Keep. They had my teleporting card. Raygan, I called out from the fourth level of the library. Raygan!

For crying out loud, human, ju sure have a set of lungs, the cat said as he walked across the wall’s ledge.

This was weird, but Raygan was a talking cat. He once was a mage, like Sam, but his appearance changed years ago, after a rebellious act against the tyrant Lead Mage, to that of a cat that can talk, with a hint of a Spanish accent.

I need my card. I have to get back to Small Valley. My eyes scanned the cat. You don’t have it.

I’m a cat; I don’t wear clothes and I don’t have pockets. Keep has it. Raygan sat down scratching the back of his head.

Do I have to keep tabs on both of you? Honest to God, I swear I am babysitting the whole freaking world, I said, exasperated. I ran down the stairs.

If ju were babysitting the whole freaking world ju wouldn’t be able to live to tell the tale, Raygan called out to me.

There seemed to be more students in the library than usual which meant more whisperers were being recruited. I had to shove my way passed them and their baby dragons to make my way to the bottom level of the library. Keep sat in his chair, signing a few documents.

Keep was the keeper of the library, also the builder, recorder of history and time, and ruler of Sefron. He was a flightless air dragon that wore a judge’s robe and was more bipedal than quadrupedal.

Hey, Judy, called the female mage oracle, Eve.

Not now, I said, bypassing the oracle. Keep, I called out, panting a little. Keep . . . my card?

The dragon began to speak and gesture. I tilted my head to the side.

What?

Eve came up behind me. I have it; shouldn’t you have left five minutes ago? she asked as she handed me the gold card.

This wedding is going to be the end of me. I placed the card in front of me and allowed the light to make a portal and take me to the place in my thoughts, Small Valley. In seven seconds I was in the Whitsburg’s backyard. I walked into the house from the kitchen door. Connie was in the living room with her dress on and her mom was making some final alterations to it.

There you are. Your mom has been calling the house non-stop. She’s coming over, Connie said.

Blame your Guardian, Elliot, Skadoosh, Stanley and Raygan. That cat should start wearing a coat, I muttered, like what Kristen used to dress Maggie in.

Connie chuckled to herself a little. She did not have the nicest memories of Kristen’s poodle Maggie, but she didn’t mind laughing about the foolish times she had to deal with her. Go hide the card and clipboard in my room and grab your paramedic books, Connie insisted. Quickly. I kept telling your mom that you had your iPod on and blasted your music while you studied.

Thanks, I said. There was something I was forgetting. Martha poked her head out from around Connie. Hi, Martha.

Hi, Judy. Martha Whitsburg pulled out some pins from her mouth and waved at me.

I shook my head while making my way down the hall. My mother had to have tabs on me where ever I went, know what I did and when I did it, how I did it, who I was doing it with and why I was doing it. She was unbelievably frustrating. I bet my father wasn’t anything like her.

Connie’s room still remained the same from high school. Same old stuffed animals, same old covers, same old bed and hope chest and books. The one thing that was different was the bare space on the side table. There used to be a lamp that sat on it, a dragon lamp to be exact. Every sleepover Connie and I had, she would constantly stare at the lamp. Before she got Nightly, that dragon comforted her while her dad travelled around.

I opened the drawer to the nightstand, placing my clipboard in it and grabbed my paramedic books. I closed the drawer with my hip, running out into the kitchen where Connie motioned for me to sit. As I did, the front door opened.

Emily, Martha said in a cheerful voice, you didn’t have to rush over here.

Never mind that, Martha, where’s my daughter? my mom demanded.

I slid into my seat, flipped my textbook open to the middle, and then whipped out my iPod, placing the earbuds into my ears.

Judy, my mom called.

I turned the music to full blast.

Judy.

Connie escaped into the other room.

Judy! My mom pulled out my left earbud and stared down at me. Five foot five, we carried the height and the same facial features, except for my high cheek bones. My hair was chesnut brown where hers was more oak and my skin tone was darker. I’ve been calling you non-stop. Where have you been?

Here, listening to music, I answered.

Don’t lie to me, Mom stated.

I rolled my eyes. Mom always thought I was lying which, most of the time, I was, but it was annoying to have her over my shoulder 24/7 and suspecting that I was always doing something wrong. Ever since the day my leg broke, she had to have constant tabs on me.

What else would I be doing if not studying? It’s exam time, I answered.

Dancing, Mom countered.

You have basically banned me from ever stepping onto a dance floor.

And you always listen to me, Mom shook her head. Judy, dancing is not for you. How many times do we have to discuss this?

All the time. You were the one who saw potential in me from the very beginning, Mom. You saw that I had the feet of a dancer, you encouraged that. You put me in gymnastics and all those dance classes. It wasn’t until you met Peter that–

Judy, this isn’t about Peter, Mom straightened up and rolled her eyes.

No, it’s about how you let your only biological child be treated as a slave. I stood. I love dancing, Mom. Why do you keep trying to take it away from me?

There is a slim chance that you’ll ever become a professional dancer. It’s like becoming a professional singer or a world renowned author. You do not have time for fooling around.

Mom, if you had sent me to New York instead of forcing me to accept the scholarship to Chicago–

Are you forgetting that everything costs money? Mom loved bringing up the money issue. It didn’t matter how much was spent on my step-siblings, I always got the smallest cut. That oh-so glamorous school you wish to attend is a wish upon a star.

Oh, won’t you just come clean? I implored. Peter controls the money, Peter gets the last word, Peter’s kids get first priority, they get all the money, and all the funding they want for their activities.

You’re twenty-one, Judith, not eight. Are you forgetting that I supported you and your activities until you finished grade twelve? You are not a child anymore; you should be supporting yourself without my help.

For the last six years I put myself through dance lessons; the only thing you were allowed to fund was my schooling. I had to get a job at Papa Joe’s as a busgirl. Do you know how humiliating that was for me to have to clean up after other people? I grabbed my books. Don’t say you have supported me when Peter has been controlling your strings, you puppet.

Judith, you cannot talk to me like that. I am your mother!

Great mother you are, you won’t even allow me to do what I love. I’m sick of this. I threw the books on the table. After Connie’s wedding celebration, I am moving in with Aunt Heather. At least in B.C. I can dance without getting millions of lectured by you every day.

Judith Bachor, you cannot and will not do that.

Try me, I demanded.

Mom huffed away, slamming the door behind her as she stormed out of the house.

Connie came out of her room, wearing a vibrant green top that tied around her neck with black dress pants.

You alright? she asked.

I sat back down in my seat and crossed my arms. I can’t believe her.

You weren’t studying, but you weren’t dancing. Connie sat down next to me.

It’s complicated. She doesn’t know anything; she thinks she does, but she doesn’t.

No one said being a part of the Mystic Realm was easy. Sometimes I wish I never dragged you in, Connie admitted.

Things wouldn’t be different even if I didn’t know about the Mystic Realm. Mom has always wanted me to be something else. She doesn’t understand what I can achieve.

Connie smirked.

What’s with the smile? I asked, noticing instantly and knowing she was secretly laughing about something.

I was thinking that it would be nearly impossible for me to hide the truth from you. You’re always digging into things. Maybe you should become an investigating journalist, or how about a news reporter or P.I.?

I held up one finger. One: journalists are always found out because they usually don’t go by an alias. The second finger went up, Two: news reporters never expose the full truth and three, my third finger went up, I need to have my face seen, not hidden in the shadows.

That and when you want to expose someone for their wrong doings you like making it public, Connie added.

I couldn’t help but take pride in what she said. Well, I do have my talents of exposure.

There you go. Connie gave me a pat on the shoulder. You don’t always need dancing to prove what you have. You’re Judith Bachor, my best friend and you are talented in many ways. I say go to B.C.

Really? I asked her.

Well, yeah, you keep threatening your mom that you will go. I say do it.

Connie, Martha entered the room, you can’t be serious. Martha’s heels clicked against the tile floor. Your mother is only trying to help you reach your full potential, Judy.

Mom, Judy wants to be free, not cooped up in an ambulance where she can’t really handle herself, Connie said.

Hey, I warned, panicking a little when it comes to someone else’s life doesn’t mean anything. I can still handle myself around blood.

But I am right, Connie smiled.

Judy, as your mother’s friend, I advise you to talk with her, Martha insisted.

I appreciate how you cover for me a lot, Martha, but my mom and I need to have some space between us. It’s the same fight every night and Peter doesn’t care. He believes he has angel children; I’m the devil. I took up my books and balanced them on my head. Carefully standing, I lifted one leg up to the side, holding it with my right hand. Slowly, I bent down and stretched out my left arm. The grace and poise I hold was not easy to obtain. It took me three years to master. My leg came down and I straightened up my posture. I don’t see any of my step-siblings doing that.

You are beautiful and talented, but shouldn’t you have a backup plan just in case? Your mother just wants you to be prepared if the dancing thing doesn’t work out, Martha reminded me.

Even if I did have something else in mind, my mom has this mindset that she can control my life. Now that I am more independent, she’s trying even harder than usual. I turned towards Connie. Mind if I stay here tonight?

Not at all, besides, you have to tell me all about the wedding plans in Sefron and what I need to get ready for the wedding rehearsal.

Connie, I don’t think this conversation is done. You should really talk to your mother, Judy, Martha insisted.

Please, she’s probably at home complaining to Peter about how bad of child I am. I’m through talking to her, I stated.

Mom, we’ll be in my bedroom, Connie whispered as the two of us went down the hall.

I’m not wrong, Connie, Martha called out to her daughter.

Connie closed the door and breathed out heavily. She is such a pain. I swear, she may know a lot of stuff, but the way you grew up is different from how she grew up.

Do you really think I should go? I asked.

Connie turned to look at me.

We’ve been friends since the third grade and have rarely been a part. Are you sure I should go? I repeated, feeling a wave of doubt come over me.

Judy, Connie pulled me into a hug, you have been there for all the tears I have shed, but let’s face it: we are not kids anymore. We have lived together and fought alongside each other, but I’m getting married. Unless you want to live with a mage and a dragon for the rest of your life, I suggest that you find your calling. You love dancing, but being with me, you can’t dance. Go to B.C., start something new, be with your aunt and cousin. You’ll see, everything will work out for you there.

Thanks, Connie, but I would really appreciate it if you just came along with me.

I can’t, you know that.

I tilted my head down. We’ve been like sisters. I hate how we are being separated because of this.

That’s life. Connie shrugged.

I hate life, I muttered as I folded my arms and pouted.

You’ll find someone, you always do. Connie sat on the bed.

Yeah, but I have rotten luck. You’re lucky; you and Sam found each other so easy, I complained.

Easy? Connie patted the empty space beside her. I sat down next to her. Judy, Sam originally came here to abduct me and kill Nightly. I don’t call that easy, especially with what happened in Chicago.

But still, even after he hurt you, the two of you still managed to fall in love and agree to this marriage. Now tell me that’s not having it nice? I asked.

It is nice, but it sure wasn’t easy.

I sighed. You’re right.

Judy, are you okay with planning our wedding? Connie asked, concerned.

Yeah. I want to do it. You have exams and it’s not like Sam has any free time. You need me.

Yes, but only if you’re okay with it. You are working so hard, maybe you should just tell your mom that you dropped out of your paramedic studies.

And prove her right? That I am just dancing? You already heard what she thinks of that. I can’t catch a break!

Alright. Connie dropped the subject. You know where the extra stuff is. I have to go and pick Adri up from school. I’ll be back in twenty minutes.

She left me alone in the room.

It was nice that I could relax and be totally honest around Connie. She was the only person who really made time for me. I pulled out my cellphone and dialed my Aunt Heather’s number.

It rang.

Hello, munched a voice on the other line.

Aunt Heather, it’s Judy, I said. Do you have time to talk?

CHAPTER 2

The Party Crasher

Alright, people, I clapped my hands together, this is a rehearsal. Places. I held my clipboard firmly in my grasp. Sefron was decorated to perfection. Connie, I huffed, trudging around Sefron. Where is she?

I turned my back for a mere second and already ran into someone.

Hey, take it easy, lady. A whisperer wearing sunglasses turned me around.

Who are you to tell me to take it easy? This is a wedding rehearsal, and we need to take this seriously. The wedding is in four days and we only have both Connie and Sam for two hours.

Fine, fine, but I do think you are taking this too seriously, he said while adjusting his sunglasses.

You know what? I put my pointer finger and thumb on the bridge of his nose. If you think only having ninety-six hours to pull this off is easy then you really haven’t seen anything yet. How old are you?

Sixteen, he answered as he cowered a bit in my grasp.

Yeah, that’s what I thought. Talk to me again in three years when you have lived on your own and you’ll see what I am talking about. I let go of his nose and started to walk away. And, by the way, I have a name and it’s not lady. Try Judy. I walked away, flicking my hair over my shoulder and made my way to the dormitories. There I saw a bus load of people in front of a building.

There was screaming coming from the other side.

I pushed my way through the crowd and saw Connie and Kristen having a screaming match.

You are not going to be my maid of honour, Connie spat. You hardly helped with the wedding and with four days to go, I am not going to change my mind. You are a bridesmaid, that’s it!

Then you at least have to make my girls the flower girls, Kristen shot at Connie.

No, Adri is going to be the flower girl; she is my sister. No offense to my nieces, but I don’t owe you anything, Connie roared.

You were my maid of honour. Kristen crossed her arms.

That’s because your cousin, Ariel, couldn’t make it. You begged me to fill in last minute. Then you begged to be a part of mine when you found out that I was engaged.

You need someone like me in the party; don’t you want everything to look beautiful? Now about the dresses–

"Are you kidding me?! I have had to change the dresses five times for my bridesmaids because one didn’t like how it fit, the other didn’t like the colour, and then the third was just irked with the whole thing. We are keeping the ivory colour and the cream sash around the waist and that’s final!" Connie declared.

I’m just trying to help, Kristen spoke easily.

You know what will help? Connie asked, raising an eyebrow.

Kristen leaned in to hear the suggestion.

Get off your high horse and get ready for the rehearsal. Now! Connie broke away from the argument and found me. She linked our arms together, pulling me away from the crowd. I spotted you earlier; maybe you should have barged in and done the arguing.

I laughed a little. What, do you think of me as a lawyer now?

If you were a lawyer, you would be one of the best, Connie commented.

I loved the flattery. Of course I would. You’ve seen me argue; I always win.

You’re really proud of your arguing ability. It’s too bad Romeo showed you up that one time. Connie smiled.

One time, I shot at her, one time he beat me in an argument because I mispronounced a word which caused me to stumble my way through the rest of my rant.

I tried inviting them, Connie spoke, catching me off guard.

Connie had known the twins basically since birth and I had only known them for a short time before they moved away, but for that short time, we got to know each other really well. Are they coming? I asked anxiously.

No. The number was disconnected. I tried calling the Australian phone company and they said that the Max family hasn’t been living in the country for almost a decade, Connie said.

What? Well, where are they then? They couldn’t have vanished off the face of the earth, I said, becoming concerned.

Wow, another new side to Judy. Sam came walking towards us. Are you talking about the twins you tried getting a hold of for weeks? he asked.

Yeah, when we were kids, Judy and Romeo had a little relationship, Connie teased.

Judy and Romeo had a little relationship, I repeated in a mocking tone. I unlinked my arm from Connie’s and exhaled. Are you two even ready for the rehearsal?

Yeah, we were just waiting for you, Connie commented.

Me? I pointed to myself. I was on time, you two were the late ones.

I finished my final exam an hour ago, Connie said.

And I have been talking with the oracles and mages for the last fifteen minutes, Sam added.

But I’ve been here for three hours. How did I lose track of time? I looked at my watch.

Connie nudged me. It’s fine, Judy. You have had to deal with a lot by yourself, and I can understand that you didn’t want to work with Kristen.

Nightly appeared behind Connie.

I jumped, not used to a dragon appearing at will.

His voice sounded like sandpaper as he spoke to Connie and Sam. During the time he was speaking, it sounded like he gurgled a bit.

Yeah, we were just getting to that. Connie looked at me. Come on, Judy. Keep is also getting antsy.

I would prefer if we held this off for at least an hour longer. Sam looked down at his watch.

Oh, you just don’t want to go to your bachelor party. Connie grabbed the wrist Sam had his watch on and lowered it.

Your father made me drink four different kinds of shots last year, Sam explained.

And you didn’t get close to drunk, thanks to your Russian heritage, Connie smiled.

This isn’t going to be a regular bachelor party. Your brother, your dad, plus two dragons, a whisperer and a couple of mages will be throwing it, and I don’t even know what to expect. Sam appeared uneasy with the situation he was about to face.

"Hey, I have Kristen at my bachelorette party, along with your secretary. We have to get ready for the rehearsal, okay? Connie straightened up Sam’s police uniform and gave him peck on the cheek. She turned to look at her dragon. You ready, Nightly?"

The dragon opened his wings, jumped up a little and made the same rasping noise.

Good. Come on, Judy. Connie climbed on the saddle then held out a hand.

The saddle Nightly wore had been modified from an old horse saddle. I could tell by the stitching and design. All other dragon saddles I had seen lay flat on the dragon’s back. I kept telling Connie that she should update her saddle, but both she and Nightly share the same stubbornness that was most likely inherited from Martha Whitsburg. They refused to switch out the saddle because the one they had was given to them by their deceased Guardian, James. It had been worn and patched up many times.

Connie, I climbed on board the saddle, you have got to replace this saddle.

Why? There’s nothing wrong with it. Connie tapped her heals on Nightly’s sides.

The dragon flapped his wings, taking off.

You cannot ride in on this saddle on your wedding day, I stated.

Why not?

It won’t look right. You are supposed to stand out, but not because of your dragon’s hideous saddle, I commented.

Nightly growled.

What’s he saying? I asked.

You really didn’t get that? Connie asked while her dragon landed on the top level. He found your comment insulting.

I don’t speak dragon, I pointed out.

You don’t have to understand Nightly’s words to know what he is saying. Connie adjusted herself and relaxed.

You nervous? I asked.

Yeah. I’m getting married in a few days. She smiled back at me.

Nightly mumbled something.

What? I asked.

He says it’s going to be fine, Connie translated.

I slid off the saddle. You remember the signal?

Yes. Connie straightened up.

I got off the saddle and went through one of the many doors that led into the library. I ran down the stairs and met up with the rest of the bridesmaids and groomsmen. In addition to Connie and Sam, the members of the bridal party were Kyle, Kristen, Stanley, Sam’s secretary, Ivy, Elliot and me. Martha and Rick would watch their grandkids for both the ceremony and the reception. Skadoosh would be involved in the ceremony, as well. He would carry the ring bearer, four year old Jacob, and the flower girl, six year old Adri.

Okay, we’re all ’ere, Stanley sighed. I want to get this over with so we can take Sammy boy out. Stanley looked like he already had something devious planned for the night.

Where is the Lead Mage? Ivy asked as she looked around. She was very petite. I’d only seen her in her mage form. All mages looked the same to me: the black hair, pale yellow, slit pupil eyes and grey skin. Her long hair was French braided down to the middle of her back. She always wore an all-black business suit.

Right here. Rick Whitsburg was dragging Sam in by the arm. Come on, Sam. The quicker we get this done, the quicker we get to your bachelor party. Behind Rick, Skadoosh came bounding in with a giggling Adri and a freaked out Jacob on his back.

That’s what I’m trying to avoid, Sam muttered.

Places, everyone, Ivy said. She took Stanley by the arm and prepared herself.

Nice to see you again, I joked with Sam.

He gave me a weak smile while Rick straightened him up.

Music began to play. I rushed to stand with Elliot. Rick dragged Sam to the front of the line.

Time to saddle up, Sam. Rick patted his shoulder.

Mr. Whitsburg, I really think we are rushing this rehearsal, Sam explained.

I told you, it’s Rick now, and everything will be okay. In four days, we’ll be doing the real thing with Luna escorting you down the aisle. The doors opened. Showtime.

The two exited, then Elliot and I followed with Ivy and Stanley behind us and Kristen and Kyle following after. We walked down the aisle and stood in the center of the third level. There was a stage set up where we would stand. Some chairs were arranged for the family members while the rest of the spectators would stand on the side or watch from the roofs or windows. All of us walked onto the stage and then waited as Skadoosh came trotting down the aisle. Keep slinked onto the platform and let out a roar. We expected the guests to be rowdy and the roar wouldn’t just quiet everyone down, but also notify Connie and Nightly that everyone was in position. From the top level, they would fly down. We could see the black dragon break through the mist on the fifth level and land in the middle of the aisle. Connie slid off the saddle and walked on stage.

Everything seems to be good, Rick said.

Keep began to talk and everyone listened to what he had to say. I stared at him, but still couldn’t understand what he was saying. At least I wasn’t alone. Kristen and Kyle looked at the dragon awkwardly, but Rick, Richard Whitsburg, who we all knew couldn’t understand dragons, still looked at the beast like he could comprehend every grunt, groan, mumble and roar.

We . . . we don’t have to read our vows . . . right? Sam asked, taking Connie’s hands into his own.

Connie smiled. No, that’s for May 4th.

Sam gave her a weak smile. I knew that smile. He didn’t have his vows ready.

Keep pulled out two chalices that had the words written in the dragon language on the side. Connie and Sam linked arms and pretended to drink from the chalices. Next, candles were handed to them. Connie turned to Nightly and waited for him to light the wick on her candle, whereas Sam consumed a handful of fireweed and blew his fire breath on the wick, igniting the candle. The couple waited as Keep stepped aside, revealing a larger candle. Together, Connie and Sam lit the larger candle.

Perfect. Rick took the candles and blew them out. Next will be the vows and once those are done, the final act, the sealing kiss, will deem you a married couple in both this world and the Human one.

Question, interrupted Kristen. What proof do these two have that they’re married in our world?

An Italian priest, who’s a dragon whisperer, will be conducting the human portion of the ceremony on the actual day and has already prepared papers certifying them as married. As far as the Human World knows, there is already a Mr. and Mrs. Samson Slayer.

That’s another thing. Connie, I thought you were going to keep your maiden name, Kristen added.

I still am, Connie let go of Sam’s hand, but that’s only going to be in this world. The Mystic Realm will never forget that I am a Whitsburg.

Keep began to say something and then Nightly said something after him.

In English, Kyle said.

You got a lot to learn, little man. Rick went up to Keep and handed him the candles. Keep was expressing his gratitude and excitement. Nightly was expressing his relief.

Kristen, Kyle and I stared at him.

Ah, don’t give me that look. I grew up with dragons without hearing their words. I know what they are saying without the need to be physically connected to the Mystic Realm. Rick picked up six-year-old Adri from the dragon and hugged her. I’ll teach Adri and maybe even Robin and Cathy.

Mind teaching me sometime? Kyle asked. What does it matter if Adri learns? She’s most likely to become a dragon’s whisperer.

You should be concerned about your own children, see if they hold the qualities of a dragon’s whisperer, he shot back at his son. He smirked at the end of his remark.

Kristen’s eyes opened wide and she stepped in immediately. No, no, no! My girls stay regular. If we have a boy then maybe, just maybe, I’ll allow him to be a whisperer. Girls have better things to do then be partnered with dragons.

Nightly huffed out some smoke and nudged Kristen.

Yeah, I said it, she shot at the dragon. You don’t scare me anymore.

Nightly grinned evilly down at her. Kristen retreated behind her husband. She shrunk back. Kyle smirked while he shook his head.

Connie sighed. I have her as a sister-in-law and we get to spend the whole night with her. Connie made sure I was the only one who saw her sarcastic hip-hip-hooray.

Connie, can I be with you? Adri asked.

Connie turned to see her little sister. She rubbed her shoulder length sandy blond hair. Not this time. You get to stay with our nieces and Mom.

I want to be with you and Jakey, Adri pouted, blowing a raspberry.

Keep her away from me, Jacob added.

All of us laughed.

Skadoosh walked around us. He looked up at his whisperer before deciding to jump onto Elliot’s shoulders. Elliot leaned to one side. "Whoa, Skadoosh, ye’re not little anymore. It’s hard to balance ye on