Chapter 24
Harlow
Scar rubs his hands together. “—and that pretty much concludes the most critical safety protocols when on the ground.” He clicks to his final slide.
The image shows a dragon rider in full gear.
“This is what we are ultimately working toward, everyone. We will go into much greater depth about safety protocols whilst flying. What I will say for now is that your positioning is everything. Too far forward and you’ll restrict the dragon’s wing movement.
Too far back and you’ll slide off during aerial maneuvers. ”
I lean forward in my seat, trying to absorb every word, even though my brain feels oversaturated with information. We’ve been in this classroom for almost three hours, and the projector screen at the front has displayed more terrifying images of dragons than I ever wanted to see.
Georgia sits to my left, her face pale and drawn. Jordyn is on my right, furiously scribbling notes. Dani and Becca occupy the row ahead of us.
“You need to remember,” Scar continues, his face serious as he paces in front of the screen, “your dragon isn’t a pet.
Even bonded, they retain their wild instincts.
Respect that. Work with it, not against it.
” He clicks off the projector, and the lights come back up, making me blink.
“We’ll build on this foundation in future sessions. Dani.” He looks over at her.
“Yes, Scar.” She looks like a deer in headlights.
“Can you give me three signs that show a dragon might be agitated?”
“Um…yes…” She clears her throat. “Restless tail movements, smoke from the nostrils, and um…wings twitching.”
“Very good,” Scar says. “Is it true that a dragon may not give any sign whatsoever of being agitated?”
“Yes, that’s true. We need to remain vigilant at all times.”
“Excellent,” he says. “Becca, should you approach a dragon from behind?”
“No, never.” She shakes her head, her ponytail bobbing. “It could trigger their defensive mode, which is dangerous. Potentially even fatal.”
“Very good. Always approach a dragon from a direction in which they can see you,” Scar says. “Stay out of the way of their tails. They’re often barbed and can kill just as easily as fang and claw.”
Georgia whimpers.
“Never approach them head-on; only from the sides,” Becca says, bouncing on her seat.
“That’s correct. Always try to stay out of their front area or danger area. Why, Harlow?”
“In case they blow fire or kick out,” I tell him.
“I’m impressed. You guys have been listening. That’s good, because your life may depend on it. That concludes our theory for the day.”
The relief in the room is palpable. Georgia lets out a breath she must have been holding for the last ten minutes.
Scar moves to a large cardboard box in the corner that I hadn’t noticed before.
“Before you leave, you’ll need these.” He starts pulling out packaged bundles of black leather. “Your flight uniforms. Each set includes pants, a tank top, and boots.”
My stomach clenches. Flight uniforms. Because we’re actually going to be flying. On dragons. Soon.
“Any questions before I hand these out?” Scar asks, pausing with the first bundle in his hands.
Silence. Complete and utter silence. We all exchange glances, but no one dares raise their hand. I have about a thousand questions, but they’re all variations of “how do I not die?” and somehow, I don’t think that’s what he’s looking for.
“All right, then.” Scar starts calling out names. “Becca.”
Becca stands and walks over to our instructor, taking her bundle with a nod of thanks. Of course she’s not nervous. Nothing seems to faze her.
“Dani.”
Dani moves more slowly, taking her bundle like it might explode.
“Georgia.”
Georgia’s hands shake as she accepts hers.
“Harlow.”
I stand and walk to the front, and when Scar hands me my bundle, I’m surprised by the weight. It’s lighter than I thought it would be, even though the leather is thick and supple, clearly made to last. I drop my bundle, muttering a curse as I bend to pick it up.
“Jordyn.”
Once we all have our uniforms, I return to my seat.
“Why do we need these?” Dani asks from the front row, holding up the tank top. “I mean, can’t we just wear our regular training clothes?”
“No, you can’t,” Scar says. “You’re here to learn how to fly your dragons.
There will be daily theory sessions like this one, and daily practical sessions in the field.
You’ll work up to actually riding your dragons, and when you do, you’ll need proper gear.
It’s best that you get used to wearing your uniform now.
” He crosses his arms. “The leather will protect you more than regular gear can.”
The room goes quiet again. The reality of what we’re about to do starts to really sink in.
“When will we be expected to start riding our dragons?” Georgia’s voice comes out small and tight, almost pleading.
“Not before you’re ready, but I will decide when that is, not you, or it might never happen.
” He looks at Georgia. “Each of you will progress at your own pace. Some bonds are stronger than others. Some dragons are more cooperative than others. It depends on multiple factors.” He glances at Jordyn.
“In cases like yours and Grim’s, where you only have a partial bond, it will likely take much longer.
You may never reach the point of being able to ride his dragon safely. ”
Jordyn’s jaw tightens. “Watch me,” she says, lifting her chin. “I didn’t come here to fail. I’ll make it work, whatever it takes.”
A half-smile crosses Scar’s face. “Good. That attitude will take you far. Hold on to it.” His gaze shifts to me, and I feel my stomach drop.
“Drake and Harlow should move more quickly. You have a strong primary bond already. Harlow’s seen Drake’s dragon on multiple occasions.
They already get along well. It shouldn’t be long before Harlow attempts her first ride. ”
The room feels too hot suddenly. The leather uniform in my arms feels impossibly heavy. I force myself to keep breathing normally, to not let the panic show on my face.
“All right.” Scar claps his hands once, the sound sharp in the quiet room. “Go change into your gear. Meet in the parking lot in ten minutes. Don’t be late.”
We stand and file out of the classroom in silence. The changing room is just down the hall. It consists of a row of lockers and a few curtained stalls.
I claim a stall and start pulling on the gear. The pants fit surprisingly well, hugging my long legs.
I pull the tank over my head. It molds to my torso like a second skin, the reinforced panels along my ribs feeling almost like armor.
The thick leather straps are wide enough to offer support and coverage, but my shoulders and most of my arms are bare.
The neckline is modest. I slide my feet into my boots and do up the zips on the sides.
My hair is in a tight ponytail at the back of my head.
Then I stand before the mirror, and I turn once in one direction and then the other. Actually, I don’t look all that bad.
I’m as ready as I will ever be. It’s time to do this.
I emerge from the stall at the same time as Jordyn. She looks me up and down and lets out a low whistle.
“Damn, girl,” she says. “You look like you could kick some serious ass.”
“I must say, I feel ridiculous.” I laugh.
“How do I look?” Jordyn asks, striking a pose.
“Like a dragon rider,” I tell her, meaning it.
“Are you all ready?” Scar asks, appearing in the doorway. He doesn’t wait for a response. Instead, he says, “Move out. You’ve had your allotted ten minutes.”
We hurry outside.
The parking lot bakes in the morning sun. Several black SUVs are lined up, and leaning against them are our bonded dragon shifters.
My eyes find Drake immediately. He’s leaning against the vehicle closest to us, arms crossed over his broad chest. He’s in full leather gear as well. He stands tall when he sees me approaching, his muscles shifting under his skin. I wish I weren’t attracted to him. It’s irritating.
Our eyes meet across the parking lot; he looks disapproving somehow, and I haven’t even done anything yet.
He jumps into the vehicle, sliding in behind the steering wheel.
Beside Drake’s vehicle, I spot Grim near another SUV. He’s scowling as usual, his perpetually bad mood evident even in the way he stands. Jordyn heads in his direction.
Smoke is standing near the next vehicle, and he gives Georgia an encouraging nod as she approaches. At least he seems kind. That’s something.
Hammer stands by another SUV, his massive arms crossed. He’s even bigger than Drake, if that’s possible. Dani walks toward him with obvious reluctance. I don’t blame her; he’s scary. His head is completely shaved, which is at odds with all the other shifters, who seem to wear theirs long.
Waiting at the final vehicle is a tall female shifter with long blond hair and sharp features. Like most of their kind, she’s very attractive. Becca bounces over to her.
I climb into the passenger seat. The leather of my pants squeaks against the leather of the seat.
Drake starts the engine without looking at me; his jaw is tight.
I stare out the window as he pulls out of the parking lot, following the route we took yesterday to the bonding field.
“All good?” he asks.
“Yep,” I tell him, glancing his way. “You?”
“Just dandy,” he says.
Then we sit in silence for what feels like an age.
The jungle passes by in a blur of green, and I try to focus on anything other than the way I can feel Drake’s presence.
“Am I going to be expected to work as your PA?” I ask him. “I assumed I would have to, since Amelia also had that role. I studied to be a human resources manager. I have the skills to be able to assist…um…just so you know.”
He doesn’t answer me immediately.
The seconds tick by, and I have to force myself not to squirm in my seat or to start trying to fill the silence, which is what I’m dying to do.
“I read your file; I am aware of your qualifications.”