Drake and the Fliers Read online

  “So? Bad timing.”

  “Was it?” Preston raised his eyebrows. “If you had been a few feet higher, you would have flown right over me. You probably wouldn’t have seen me.”

  “I don’t know about that.” Drake zipped up his empty backpack and stashed it under the bed. “You’re bright red. Kind of hard to miss.”

  “You’re missing the point. I think you were supposed to almost fly into me that night.”

  “Supposed to?” Drake scowled. “Since when do you believe in fate? You sound like Scopes.” That should get Preston to leave him alone for a while.

  “Yeah, I need to apologize to her, too.”

  Crap.

  Preston stood. “Anyway, what I’m saying is you were my first friend. I’ve told you everything that happened, and I’m sorry for how I acted. It’s up to you now.” He stayed in place, as if waiting for Drake to respond, before he turned to leave the room.

  “I have a question,” Drake said when Preston reached the door.

  Preston stopped.

  “Aren’t you upset I set you on fire?”

  Preston ran his hand over his bald head. “I do miss my hair.”

  “Maybe we can get some of your red feathers and make a wig for you. Featherhead.”

  Preston laughed. “That’s more like it.”

  Chapter Twenty-Two

  “Do you want to hold her?”

  Drake’s eyes went from Talon to the baby, then back to Talon. She’d been resting in bed, holding their daughter since Drake carried them there half an hour ago.

  His nerves hadn’t settled. He’d tried to help Scopes clean the bathroom after moving Talon, more because his adrenaline wouldn’t allow him to sit still than from any desire to help. Scopes had shooed him back into the bedroom, where Drake had fussed with blankets and whatever else he could get his hands on.

  He fiddled with his ponytail. Hold the baby? Could he do that?

  Though Talon’s eyes were puffy and her hair frizzy from the dried sweat, everything about her expressed joy. She hadn’t stopped smiling since the birth. “Come here. Sit down.”

  Drake released his hair and sat next to her. Scopes had wrapped the baby in a fuzzy white towel, circling the tiny body and head. Only the little face was visible.

  Talon held the baby out to him, and he reached for her, but then he hesitated. “What if I drop her? I don’t know what I’m doing.”

  “She’s your daughter, Drake. Hold her. You’ll do fine. Just keep her head supported.”

  He reached for the bundle, and careful to keep the baby’s head on his arm, pulled her close.

  In the six months since he rescued Talon and they returned to the ranch, part of him thought this day wouldn’t come. Logically, he knew it would. He’d watched her belly grow and felt the baby kick. But until Talon’s labor started, it didn’t feel real. Even then, it took until Scopes held the baby up for Talon to see before reality hit.

  He was a daddy.

  He stared at his sleeping daughter. Her skin was smooth and her hair jet black, just like Talon’s. Drake couldn’t identify any features that obviously came from him, but maybe that was because all newborns looked the same: like potatoes.

  “She has your eyes,” Talon said while stroking the baby’s cheek.

  “How can you tell? They’ve been closed for ninety-five percent of her life. Here.” He closed his eyes. “Still think they’re a match?”

  Talon laughed, and he opened his eyes. They connected with her copper eyes, reminding him of the first time he saw them.

  “You were amazing. I can’t believe you did that,” he said. The whole process seemed to defy several laws of physics.

  “Me neither.”

  A knock sounded from the door. “Are you guys up for company yet?”

  Sonar stood in the doorway, with Preston standing behind him.

  Talon settled back onto her pillow. “Yeah, come on in.”

  Sonar walked to Drake, standing next to him and looking at the baby. Preston followed and stayed behind Sonar, with his hands on Sonar’s shoulders.

  “A girl, huh?” Sonar asked.

  Drake nodded. “Yep.” He tilted his arm up, as if that would give his friends a better view.

  The baby squirmed, then settled.

  “Does she have a name yet?” Preston asked.

  “Sort of.” Drake faced Talon. “Have you decided?” After much debate, they’d narrowed the list to three options, and he’d told Talon he wanted her to pick.

  “Yeah.” She pulled the towel back from the baby’s head and stroked her hair. “We should name her Kelsey.”

  “What?”

  “I know you said you changed your mind. But I saw your face when you said her name.” She brought her hand to his cheek. “We should name our daughter after her aunt. She was important to you.”

  A lump formed in Drake’s throat. He looked back to the baby and rocked her. “Kelsey.” He nodded as a sob threatened to escape. “Okay. You’re right. That’s her name.”

  ****

  After Talon fell asleep, Drake went for a flight. A flying lizard caught up with him before he was too far from the ranch and glided alongside him.

  “Hey. How’s she doing?” Erica asked. She and Talon had become close friends, in spite of Erica spilling the teacher story. Drake hadn’t pushed the issue, deciding it was in the past and didn’t matter, as Erica had said. They all needed to focus on the future.

  “She’s great. You should go see her, after she wakes up.”

  “I will. I thought I’d let you guys be a little family for a while first.”

  Drake smiled and beat his wings, increasing his speed.

  She caught up. “Are you worried? About the virus?”

  “No. How would it have lived this long without hosts?”

  Erica shrugged. “Beats me. You’re probably right.”

  “We’ll keep her at the house for a while, just in case.” As he said the words, a feeling of certainty covered him. He wasn’t probably right. He was right. Baby Kelsey wouldn’t have to experience the virus.

  Humanity would rebuild – with an animalistic bonus.

  He laughed.

  “What?” she asked.

  “I was wondering if the baby will shift. What she might shift to.”

  “Good question. Maybe an owl that can breathe fire? That would be cool.”

  He laughed again, remembering Sonar saying nearly the exact same thing.

  Even if the baby couldn’t shift, his group would continue. And so would Zeke’s, wherever they were. No one had seen or heard from them since the day they left Preston to die. As long as they stayed away, Drake figured they could all live in peace.

  Drake had never found another dragon. Erica and Eli were the closest he’d come. He’d decided that was okay. He may be the only dragon, but he definitely wasn’t alone.

  THE END

  Did you enjoy the story? Please write a review! Readers like you make a big difference to writers like me. Thanks in advance!

  Acknowledgements

  Writing a novel may be a solitary activity, but preparing it for public consumption is anything but a solo effort. This book would not have been possible if not for some important people, to whom I am indebted.

  First, to my friend and fellow author Dan Alatorre, who endured two drafts, I offer my deepest gratitude. Not only did you help me iron out the rough spots, which required hours of work at times, you encouraged me all along the way. I’m so thankful you believe in me and my work.

  Also, I send thanks to Carol Bellhouse, my friend and fellow author, for being my “first draft reader.” If not for you, it would take much longer for me to sort what works and what doesn’t.

  In addition, I want to thank my friends and colleagues at Critique Circle, specifically Al Macy, Ceronj, and Luvrofinfo. You played key roles in getting the book into top shape.

  Finally, we should all thank my husband, Joe. If not for his support and picking up my slack ar
ound the house when needed, this book would have taken much longer to finish.

  About the Author

  Allison Maruska started her writing adventure in 2012 as a humor blogger. Her first published book, an adult historical mystery novel called The Fourth Descendant, was released in February, 2015. Drake and the Fliers followed in November, 2015. She expects her next books, the components of a YA trilogy, to be released in 2016, followed by the standalone sequel to The Fourth Descendant.

  Allison recently transitioned to a full-time writing career after working for thirteen years in elementary education. She’s also a wife, mom, coffee and wine consumer, and owl enthusiast.

  Connect with Allison on the interwebs!

  Blog: http://www.allisonmaruska.com

  Facebook: http://www.facebook.com/allisonmaruskaauthor

  Twitter: https://twitter.com/allisonmaruska

  Amazon Author Page: http://amazon.com/author/allisonmaruska