Page 52 of Real Scale Blazer
“I heard that!”
“You were meant to.”
Her answering laugh echoed off the ice, bright and clear as crystal bells. Above them, the twin suns continued their eternal dance, casting rainbow shadows through the frozen landscape. Somewhere out there, enemies plotted and danger lurked. But for now, watching Quinn attack the impossible with nothing butscience and determination, Kai felt more hope than he had in centuries.
The path ahead might be uncertain, but at least they would face it together.
The next hour passed in a blur of scientific notation and magical theory as Quinn peppered Kai with questions. She’d pulled out her field notebook, somehow managing to write and walk at the same time without stumbling on the treacherous terrain.
“So the magical energy flows through established ley lines,” she mused, sketching a quick diagram. “Which roughly correspond to the major fault systems I’ve mapped. But you’re saying these lines existed before the faults?”
“The magic shaped the land,” Kai explained, steadying her elbow as she navigated a particularly icy patch without looking up from her notes. “When the first Dragon Kings bonded with this territory, their magic created natural pathways through the mountains.”
“Fascinating. So the geological structures actually adapted to accommodate magical energy flow?” Her eyes lit up with scientific excitement. “That completely revolutionizes everything we know about tectonic formation. Though I suppose I can’t exactly publish these findings in Earth journals.”
“Why not? Afraid they won’t believe you?”
“‘Local geologist claims dragon magic shapes planetary crust.’ Yeah, that would go over well.” She snorted. “I can see my funding disappearing faster than your council members when someone mentions karaoke night.”
The memory of that particular disaster made him wince. “In their defense, they’d never encountered Earth entertainment customs before.”
“In their offense, no one forced Lord Dravick to attempt ‘I Will Survive’ in full dragon form.”
“True. Though I noticed you didn’t volunteer to demonstrate proper technique.”
She shot him a look. “My talents lie in studying rocks, not rocking out.” A pause. “And if you ever tell Lydia I made that pun, I’ll deny it to my dying breath.”
He raised an eyebrow. “Afraid of ruining your serious scientist reputation?”
“Please. I make geology puns all the time. They’re my bread and butter.” She frowned at a new reading on her device. “Speaking of serious... these energy signatures are getting stranger. The wavelength pattern almost looks like?—”
A low rumble cut her off. But this time it didn’t come from the ground.
FORTY
Kai spun toward the sound, pushing Quinn behind him as three figures emerged from behind a nearby ice formation. Their dark cloaks marked them as members of the Shadow Clan—rogue dragons who’d broken away from traditional rule centuries ago.
“Well, well,” the apparent leader drawled, his black eyes glinting with malice. “If it isn’t the great Dragon King himself. A bit far from your cozy palace, aren’t you?”
“Farther than you should be from your territory,” Kai growled back. He could feel Quinn tense behind him, her hand sliding toward her geological hammer. He silently prayed she wouldn’t do anything rash. “The Shadow Clan was banished from these mountains.”
“Banished by your father’s decree. But the old king is dead, isn’t he?” The leader’s smile showed too many teeth. “And his son seems to be having trouble keeping his magic stable. Shame about all these unfortunate accidents lately.”
Quinn’s sharp intake of breath told Kai she’d made the connection. “You’re the ones who’ve been destabilizing the fault lines.”
The leader’s gaze shifted to her, his expression turning predatory. “Ah, the human scientist. We’ve heard so much about you. Tell me, how does it feel to be a pawn in dragon politics?”
“Better than being a cut-rate villain in a B-movie,” she shot back. “Seriously, the whole dramatic entrance thing? Very last century.”
Kai barely held back a groan. Of course, she’d antagonize them.
The leader’s eyes narrowed. “Careful, little human. You’re far from home, and accidents happen so easily in these mountains.”
“You’d know all about that, wouldn’t you?” She stepped out from behind Kai despite his attempt to keep her shielded. “The targeted collapse patterns, the precise strikes at structural weak points—it’s all been you working with Ordan.”
“Clever girl.” The leader’s form shimmied, scales rippling beneath his human skin as his control slipped. “Too clever for your own good, perhaps. Though I suppose that’s why our friend chose you.”
“Chose me?” Quinn’s voice sharpened. “What do you mean?”