Nettle
Getting up at the butt-crack of morning wasn't my thing. I snoozed my alarm twice and then shifted back and forth instead of showering. I swallowed a bowl full of scrambled eggs, that Kain have made. He got home late after his new gig as a bouncer at one of the clubs.
Mist apparently had an MBA and substantial credentials, and she landed a job as one of the assistants of some corporate leader in the city. I was entrusted by Riley with being dragonel's guide in the new city. I felt that I was still loitering just like before, Riley paid me an allowance, just like before and I did, what he told me to, just like before. I frowned at the displeasure the thought brought with it. Kain didn't approve, so I didn't feel like confiding in him.
He didn't comment on my mood either. He ate his supper or breakfast, depending on the point of view, in utter silence.
Kain took the job, to train his amazing skills in intimidating and influencing humans, no matter how tipsy, excited, angry or jealous. He's admitted that some days he did more acting at the doors, than he did at his classes, and he landed more expressions.
Kain's dragon abilities allowed him to perfectly remember how humans looked, when they were scared, pissed, jealous, horny, coy. And in the nightlife all human emotions and moods were laid bare. After classes he'd rush to be with Molly and then he'd work again or sleep until his classes started the next day. Somehow three sleepless nights left no trace on him and I contemplated his handsome features and confident posture over my eggs, which I was grateful for of course.
"How come you are more fresh than I am?" I asked grumpily.
"I remember that I'm immortal." Was his curt answer.
"I know I'm immortal." I said not understanding.
"Nope Nettle sweetheart, you've adopted what you've been taught during your human training. You don't need to sleep. You live off magic not of metabolising carbohydrates, so all the cleaning and repairing during sleep is just a habit really. I sustain my body just as much on magic as I do on water, air and such." He said smugly and I recalled Felix talking about something similar once.
I sighed, well if magic sustained me, then flying to Garret's house should be great for me. I scooped the last bit of eggs off the bowl and swallowed remaining piece of bread, before I grabbed my backpack and headed out.
I circled the premises once for the sheer delight of flying. It was light as it was almost summer and for once, it didn't rain. The former Patriarch's mansion was located among other quite opulent houses and the area was green with many old trees and elegant smooth lawns. I was considering circling it again when a white shape shot towards me.
"Hi Mist, how's everything down there?" I greeted the moonlight dragon, as I called Mist in my mind.
"Fine, Madison Knight is staying with them." Mist said.
"What? Why?" I asked.
"She's had a fallout with her dad and jumped the ship. Long story."
"Poor thing" I empathised.
"Yes, Garret let her stay the night and they'll decide what to do once they get up. I want to ask a favour of you. If they decide to kick her out, would you please take her to our place? I'll take care of the rest, once I'm free. I got my first assignment yesterday, it's kinda important so I can be late tonight."
"What about watching Garret?" I asked.
Mist looked unsure.
"Tristan is with him..." She said slowly and circled me once. "And maybe they let her stay, and then you just watch Garret. Good luck Nettle."
"Have a great day!" I shouted after her and descended towards the house.
I perched on the roof and waited for the house to stir as I tuned into magic coursing through my body. I tried to remember Felix lessons, and indeed I was getting more rested and full of energy with every passing minute. I felt potent magic of the morning sun warming my scales and more subtle energy of the air around me.
And then I felt the magic of living creatures in the shrubs and grass in the garden behind the house and strong light magic of the lives of the three humans sleeping in the house. It felt that if only I inhaled slightly deeper, I could drink it into me. I turned my focus upwards and to the sides to keep watch. I also kept my eyes open in case of an enemy versed in same... techniques approaching. I waited.
"I really don't need this kind of problems right now Tristan. For all we know she can be a double agent sent by Knight to sabotage us." Garret said after he ate an entire bowl of porridge in utter silence.
Now that I knew what to look for I saw Riley's magic coursing through his body and radiating from him... I also noticed it seemed to be fading fast. Garret needed sleep and food like every teenager and the stress of whatever they were up to was beginning to wear on him.
"She's just Madison, Garret. You saw how Knights treat her? We owe her benefit of a doubt at least." Was Tristan's answer and something unsaid passed between the two friends.
I curled in a huge armchair and listened with one ear, while messaging Chris, who was giving the portrait of Felix and Calista last touches and expected to show it very soon.
I loathed not seeing him as much, when I babysit Garret, and once more I admired Kain's resolve. He wanted a different life, away from Talon and the Order and he let go completely it seemed. He visited dragonels in Shepherd's Bush with me sometimes and still lived with us, but apart from that, his life as human Kain was complete. He had a job, was studying and had Molly and if one day the Order and Talon disappeared he would barely notice.
During long night talk he told me "if you ever want to be free, you have to let go Nettle, what you're holding on to, is holding you back."
At least he took his own advice on that.
And I was split and agonising. I lied and deflected in order to be Chris friend, Garret's guard, Riley's protégé and whatnot. And nowhere could I be completely free.
"I really don't know Tristan. Having her chasing me with her eyes while I'm already a nervous wreck..." Garret pleaded.
"She won't. She is a part of the Order, we owe her protection and help. This is not fair, you've done it just as much and now she is to be punished again?" Tristan's tone was unusually firm.
"Done what?" I asked and they looked at each other as if they've forgotten I was there whole time.
The old armchair stood in a shadowed corner of spacious kitchen, which windows at the level with the ground outside, overlooked the lawn behind the house.
"Slept with her." Came Tristan's short answer.
I suppressed shock and anger. I knew from Wes, that Ember apparently was with Riley but in my head Garret was hers. I felt immediate resentment towards Madison and had to remind myself, that humans were not possessions.
"This is irrelevant." Garret retorted. "We still don't know, how we're going to secure my unanimous election, we still don't have the Trove, or men, Ember still wants me dead. I would like one problem solved before you put more on me!" He said angrily.
Tristan watched him for a moment and said calmly.
"You're right, you're under a lot of pressure and we don't need more problems. But we do not abandon our combatants in need. Madison is not a problem, she is a resource. We could use her. Make her work for us. I think she's so hungry for true purpose and respect, that we can gain her full loyalty just treating her decently."
Tristan insisted.
Suddenly I felt ashamed of my former judgement on her. She was in trouble, she was all alone. I used to be like her and I got help…
"Let me think" Garret said and drank his tea in respectful silence.
Then he rose and said " training?" to no-one in particular. Tristan was clearly impatient though he wouldn't show it, the more time I spent in my dragon form the better I could read humans, sometimes I could almost hear what they were thinking, when I concentrated on them. And right now Tristan was thinking how can you be such a prodigy and snotty brat at the same time Garret?! or something like that, and then there was wish to be protective of Madison. Interesting…
We both met with him in the garden 15 minutes later. I was in my true form watching the surroundings with my magical dragon senses, Tristan joined Garret, first running and then executing murderous bodyweight routine. I enjoyed the view of their sweaty bodies for a short while, but it made me feel hungry so I focused on my task again.
I felt a change in the house and said to the guys practicing hand in hand combat.
"Madison is up."
They both nodded not breaking their rhythm.
After a short while pink t-shirt appeared on the balcony. She had bare legs and looked sleepy and confused. I wanted to fly over to her and tell her, that no matter what Garret decides we were going to help her, but I stayed with Garret. I couldn't fuck this up. Garret was important, I knew that. I felt that with a sense so deep and ancient that it scared me sometimes. So I only flew to the house, when boys tired of sparring and chased each other back. It took all I had not to join them in joyful chase.
We were sitting in a sitting room of Garret's grey suite. Garret sat in a huge black leather armchair leaning forward and resting his elbows on his knees. Tristan stood by his side and watched Madison, who sat on the corner of the seat of another smaller armchair. I lounged on black leather sofa on the other side of polished granite coffee table.
Madison was dressed in crumpled clothes we've gifted her on the day of rescuing dragonels, she was pale and tense.
Garret offered her breakfast but she wanted the talk first. I felt obliged to care for her, after Mist's request, so I beat up some eggs and served an omelette with jelly on the coffee table alongside a huge mug of steaming hot tea.
Madison snapped out if her stupor and took the mug with a low "thanks".
Garret leaned forward and started.
"Tell me again what happened with you and your dad." He said and watched Madison carefully while she answered.
I could hear tears lodged in her throat and wished for one of the "adults" to take over, as I tried to fit seeing Chris and Felix into my suddenly busy schedule and not lose track of the conversation at the same time. Holy shit, Commander Knight was a dick.
"Don't let your food get cold." Garret cajoled, once Madison finished her story, and waited when Madison took hesitant bite of her omelette.