Drakhana's Claim Read online

  Only after I see my men starting to pant do I move on to pairing them up for sparring sessions. I wave Logan over. He’s used to this so he comes right up.

  “Just like the old days,” he says.

  He lifts the hem of his shirt to wipe away the sweat on his brow. The move gives me a great view of his abs as sweat rolls down them. My mouth waters for a quick second. I swallow and scoff.

  “We’ll see about that,” I tell him. “I think you’ve gone soft since the time you left.”

  My words get the result I want because he moves in for a grapple. Using his forward momentum, I take his arm and flip him over my shoulder. He lands on his back, but he doesn’t stay down for long.

  He rolls to his side and swipes his leg over my feet. Thank the dragon gods for my reflexes. I barely manage to jump up to avoid his move. He must have been expecting my counter because he hooks his leg and manages to take me down.

  In seconds, he’s on top of me. I block his punches with my forearms as I lift my legs and wrap them around his neck. I squeeze his face with my thighs as hard as I can.

  He grabs my ass with both his hands and he stands, lifting me with him. I cup the back of his head with my hands in order to hold on. Then I let go and fall back onto my hands, taking him with me so he flips backward and lands on his back, coughing as all the air explode out of his lungs.

  I’m in a crouching position, waiting for him to make his next move. When he doesn’t because he has to focus on catching his breath, I take a moment to appreciate his skill. He’s still got it, albeit out of practice. If he were still in the strike force, he wouldn’t have been winded by my move against him. He should be on his feet right not, ready to charge me again.

  Without lowering my guard, I end the sparring sessions. I reach down, with a self-satisfied smirk. Logan takes my hand and allows me to lift him up off the ground.

  “You’re slipping, my friend,” I say. “Shame that.”

  “You’re still as lethal as ever,” he says back, coughing a couple of times. “Beating me up just like the old days.”

  “Well, just like the old days, care to join us in a few aerial maneuvers?”

  I see a flash of doubt on Logan’s face before he says, “Lead the way.”

  Nodding, I turn around and gather a small group of dragons who feel up to the task of transforming and flying out. We can’t end the training session without a few tactical maneuvers in the sky. We need to keep out instincts sharp.

  My men call on the ice in their veins and wake the dragons slumbering within them. One by one, they embrace their ancient form and turn into the dragons they are. I keep an eye on Logan.

  It takes him a good long minute to call on his dragon. A sure sign that he has been neglecting the connection. This concerns me because he’s turning into those fire clan dragons who are content to remain in human form for the rest of their miserable lives.

  Don’t call on the dragon long enough and you lose that connection all together. What are you if not part of the ice clan? Who will you be without the beat of the dragon heart within you?

  Finally, Logan manages to transform. I have to suck in a breath because I’ve all but forgotten how magnificent his beast form is. His scales are the whitest bone with a sheen of pale green to them that matches his eyes. His wingspan has always been impressive.

  He shakes his massive head that have several spikes growing out of it. He turns and looks at me, waiting. It takes me a moment to get over my admiration in order to call on my own dragon.

  When I’m in my alternate form, I flap my wings and take off through the open roof deck on the factory. Only the best dragons can achieve a seamless vertical take off since dragons are usually body heavy. I know, I’m just showing off for my benefit, but Logan is able to do the same.

  Looks like you still know what you’re doing, I say, tugging on that telepathic connective we have.

  I’ll have to admit to being a little rusty, but being in this form does feel good, he replies, his voice coming into my head loud and clear.

  Let’s see how long that lasts. I rear my head and give out a roar.

  The dragons in the air drift into formation. We create an arrow where I’m at the head. Logan takes his place to my right since Basil isn’t up to aerial training just yet.

  It feels odd to have him in that place of authority since it means that if I have orders, he will have to relay them to my men. At the same time, it calls back to a time when he used to be my right hand. Basil only took his place after he left.

  I don’t know how I feel about this, but I can’t complain. It will put me in an awkward situation with my men. So, I suck it up and begin the tactical exercises.

  We do flips. We zoom through the air. We dive bomb.

  There are times when we break apart and return into formation. Not once does Logan miss a beat. The men are responding to his signals well. A flip of a wing here. A swing of a tail there. It’s impressive how they respect his authority.

  When I’m satisfied that everyone is in shape, we return to the factory for some food. Basil has everything ready for us. In under ten minutes, we’re all sitting at the table sharing a meal, with Logan getting along well with the men.

  Eight

  Logan

  The next morning, despite the aches and pains in my body, I’m called in to a meeting with all my dragon business owners. When I asked what the meeting was to be about, the one I spoke to on the phone said it would be better to be discussed in person. So, stretching as best I could to get some of the stiffness out, I dress and then make my way to the function hall that they had set up.

  As soon as I arrive and take a seat, the meeting starts. All the business owners have a vote once a year in order to assign who will act as their leader for the year. A representative of sorts. That representative now takes the podium.

  “We called this meeting to address a growing concern among our business owners,” he says, not bothering to greet anyone a good morning.

  This concerns me. This means they don’t have time for niceties. Something important is a foot that I need to pay attention to. I sit up in my seat and give my full attention to the dragon addressing everyone in the room.

  “Fire dragons have been aggressively taking over real estate in and around Las Vegas over the past two days,” he says.

  I suck in a breath. “Why haven’t I been notified of this?”

  “Sir, we have been trying to contact you for the past two days.”

  As much as I want to defend myself, I know that I cannot. I have been with Ivy for those two days. I’ve asked my assistant to clear my schedule, thinking that nothing important would happen.

  I bite the side of my tongue. I didn’t pay attention when Ivy pointed out the fire dragon business hanging around. I should have been vigilant, not trusting that they were there without a purpose. I mentally curse myself for being careless.

  All of this could have been prevented had I been focused instead of distracted by the arrival of Ivy and her strike force. I’ve given them my help. That should have been the extent of it. I really dropped the ball on this one.

  The representative of the business owners continues by saying, “Any building or business owned by ice dragons or have ice dragons as shareholders have been bought out from under them. Now those shares are worthless.”

  “What?” This just keeps getting worse and worse. Why haven’t my business managers raised this concern with me?

  “The fire clan now owns many of the businesses that we have put up.” The representative looks grim. “Some they have taken over, while others they have dismantled and sold for parts to the highest bidder.”

  This is bad. This is really bad. Good thing I’m seated because I currently have lost all sensation from my waist down.

  “How bad is it?” I force myself to ask. I need to get the entire picture so that I can formulate a plan to stop the bleeding.

  “We still have a few businesses that are solely our own, but the
fire clan has hit several investments as well.” The representatives turn to a straight line. “We have never seen the fire dragons be this aggressive before. What could have happened that made them so? They are like a disturbed hornet’s nest.”

  In the back of my mind, I have a sinking suspicion about what could have cause this aggressive behavior from the fire clan. I don’t acknowledge it yet since I don’t want to lose my composure in front of all the businessmen that I respect. Instead, I curl my fingers into tight fists.

  As if sensing my unease, the ice dragons raise their concerns. All of them at the same time. The room is filled with the din of their voices.

  I force myself to stand and call for order. It takes a full minute for them to quiet down again. I wait another few seconds to make sure that I have their attention before I start speaking.

  “I understand the severity of this situation,” I say in the most even tone I can manage. The last thing they need is an outburst of temper from me since they are not the target of my annoyance at the moment. “We need to make sure to stop the tide before it gets worse.”

  “If the fire dragons take over LA then we could all be forced out,” one of the business owners says.

  His words are followed by a chorus of agreement. I wait another minute for them to settle down once more. This time I get help from their representative.

  “I don’t see that as happening,” I say despite my doubts. “We have a strong foothold here. Their presence has always been strong in Las Vegas. It’s only natural that we experience some pushback from them.”

  Throughout the meeting, I continue to listen to the concerns of the dragons. We all put our heads together and come out with the following solutions that can help stop the tide. Business has its ebbs and flows; they all understand this.

  The fire dragons have shown their hand. Now it’s our turn to counter. Never have I stayed complacent in my dealings until Ivy arrived. That has got to stop.

  I get into my can and drive to the factory. She needs to know what the consequences of her actions are. Not only is it a loss of life, it’s also a loss of businesses.

  When I arrive at the factory, I find her in the conference room with Basil and the other dragons senior in her strike force. I don’t even ask to have the room. I confront her there and then.

  “Your attack in Las Vegas not only has caused the lives of your men, not it’s always caused the businesses of many prominent ice dragons,” I say, not bothering to keep my voice respectful.

  “I beg your pardon?” she asks, standing to her full height.

  Good. I’d rather have this out with her standing. It’s awkward when I’m the only one and they’re all seated.

  “I have just been informed that in the past two days, the fire dragons have been systematically buying out ice dragon owned businesses in Las Vegas.” I’m breathing hard as I speak. “I have been doing so well in taking over Vegas and edging them out. Now, because of that foolish attack of yours, we almost own nothing there.”

  “Lower your voice, Logan,” she says through her teeth. “Remember who you’re speaking to.”

  “I do remember.” I point at her. “If you hadn’t pushed to attack the fire dragons, I would have succeeded in taking Las Vegas from them. Because you weren’t thinking, the ice clan is the one who suffers.”

  “Surely—”

  “No, I don’t want to hear any of your excuses. You don’t understand anything about the business world and yet you are reaping the benefits.”

  “Logan, calm down,” Basil says.

  “No, I will not calm down,” I bite back. “All the technology and the weapons and all the comforts that you’re all enjoying at Verglas? That’s all because of the businesses I have been working so hard to help flourish.”

  “Are you done?” Ivy asks.

  “No, I am far from done,” I tell her. “I have to stop this takeover and find a way to push back. I will keep going until there will be no need for the likes of you ever again.”

  Ivy steps forward. “Watch your mouth!”

  Basil gets between her and me. Good thing because right now I don’t have full control over my emotions. I might take leave of my senses all together and have it out with Ivy.

  “All you know is bloodshed without consideration for others,” I say. “Before you think of another attack, keep in mind the collateral damage. Because I’d hate to think that you are nothing but a berserker who is drunk on battle even if there is no need for one.”

  Before she can find the words to respond to my insult, I turn on my heel and leave. To be called a berserker was that biggest slap in the face any dragon could get. I’m not usually the type to place blame on others, but in this case, the thoughtless act of one is causing repercussions to happen for many others.

  I had everything under control before she came along. Now I need to go back to work and see what I can do to fix all the damage that’s been done. It’s not over yet.

  Nine

  Ivy

  I feel all the blood rush to the bottom of my feet. It’s a miracle that I’m still standing after that dressing down that I got from Logan. I’ve never seen him so furious. But did he have to call me a berserker?

  “Can I have the room?” I ask to no one in particular.

  “I’m sure he didn’t mean it,” Basil says, compassion evident on his face. It might as well have been pity.

  “I just need a moment,” I say, putting what little force I have in my tone.

  All the dragons still seated push their chairs away from the table and stand. They leave the room one by one. Basil is the last to leave. I give him a pleading look which he succumbs to.

  I refuse to fall apart in front of my men. They’ve already had to witness someone they respect insult me point blank. Questioning my decisions in front of the men who I have to convince to go into battles with me. Blow after blow I took without retaliation.

  Good thing only those I trust were in the room with me at that moment. If Logan had done that in front of the younger dragons, I would have been forced to teach him a lesson so that none of them would get any ideas about being that disrespectful in front of me. And if that happened, I don’t think Logan would ever forgive me.

  I have to grab on to the edge of the table just to keep from dropping to the floor. I pull out a chair and sit down on it heavily. It’s like my entire body melts.

  I get that he’s against the way I do things, but to blame me for the loss of the businesses that he helped put up? That’s going a little too far in my book. I’m already bearing the guilt of the dead, now I have to bear responsibility to those who lost their livelihoods?

  And to call me a berserker. That’s what hurts the most. Berserkers are dragons who have lost their minds. They usually have to be put down because they are a threat to their community.

  Is that what he wants? That I be put down? He’s certainly saying that my way of doing things is no longer welcome.

  My head is so heavy that I can barely keep it from touching the table in front of me. I’m about to fold me arms and rest my forehead on them when Basil returns to the media room that we converted into a conference room. I scowl at him.

  “What about needing a minute don’t you understand?” I bark at him.

  He’s unfazed as he says, “I think you need to know about this. We’ve received work from the scouts and the elders.”

  My shoulders straighten as I sit up. “What’s the news?”

  “The fire clan has been widening their territory around Verglas Mountain.”

  “Fuck. That means Star Peak is in danger.”

  “It gets worse.”

  I nod for him to continue.

  “Dragons with lava for blood have been seen bombing the area and have been actively taking on any ice dragon that they see.”

  “Holy dragon gods.” My fingers curl into fists. “They’ve gotten bolder since the Las Vegas incident.”

  “It’s much clearer now that their goal is territory expans
ion,” Basil says, worry on his face.

  I bring down the side of my fist on the table. “This is all Logan’s fault.”

  All that bastard is worried about is business while I have to worry about lives. Ice dragons are dying and he has the gall to come here and accuse me of being a berserker? Well, he hasn’t been more wrong in his life.

  “We should have gone home even if my father said we should stay,” I say, forcing myself to stand on shaking legs.

  “And defy an order from the king?”

  To Basil that is the height of treason. Whatever the king says, we must follow. Well, he is not the daughter of said king. I have some leeway in this situation.

  “If we were on the ground then maybe we could have headed this off. Stopped it somehow.”

  “But we still have too many men that are recovering from their injuries. They will not be able to make the journey back to Verglas.”

  “Gather all the men that can make the journey,” I command. “They rest that are still too weak can stay here and recover further.”

  “But—”

  “We can’t sit idly by while the fire dragons threaten what is ours. We need to protect our people.”

  Basil slaps a fist against the ice dragon emblem on his chest. Then he leaves to do what I had asked. He’s a good soldier. Now, if only Logan was the same way.

  While he was trying to convince me all the merits of working through the city channels to defeat our enemies, the fire dragons have been moving against us all this time. They are coming at us from all sides. Business and physical force.

  This is what I’ve feared since I had last spoken with my parents. That bitch dragon with the awesome powers is making her clan bolder. Because she is with them, she’s giving them the confidence that they didn’t have before.

  I should have acted earlier. I should have been at home instead of twiddling my thumbs here, waiting for word. Sometimes, defying the king is what is needed for the good of the people.