Fun and Games

LOCH

I tried my best to hold back annoyance. The little orphan we had picked out was working on the board game.

But it wasn’t looking good.

There were times it appeared he might choose the right piece. Other moments it seemed as though he might surprise us and make a bold, unexpected move…

Each and every time just led to failure.

All dragons loved children. That was a fact that none of us could deny, even Twin Leading Breeds. But when a child consistently failed to meet our expectations…

I clenched my jaw tight and ground my teeth.

Ever since we'd lost Zak to Dane and Aneurin’s horde, it’d been impossible to find a suitable recruit to replace him.

This little towheaded squirt just wasn’t getting it.

Hael shook his head in disappointment as the child again chose the wrong piece.

Loch

This is no use, brother.

Hael

You don’t have to tell me twice.

Loch

Our chances of building a victorious horde are getting slimmer with each passing day.

Hael

So much for these damn orphans.

Loch

What should we do now?

Hael

What else can we do? Stay put and hope this imbecile actually starts to get it.

I looked at the boy once more. He alternated glances between Hael and me. It was as if he were trying to read our thoughts.

~Fat fucking chance that will ever happen…~

MADDIE

The taxi pulled into the circle drive of the mansion. I stepped out into the fresh air and stretched my limbs.

It didn’t matter how often I visited this place. It was always breathtaking.

What made it seem even more special was the fact that my mates had turned it into an orphanage full of Requiem City’s lost youth.

But now they were finding their way.

As I looked at their hopeful faces, I found a peace that had evaded me for quite some time. It was comforting being back with kids who shared my broken background.

My memories flashed back to my early years with Darshan and Harry. We hadn’t expected to make many friends in the orphanage. That made our relationship even stronger when we realized how much we had in common.

It would have been amazing growing up in a mansion like this outside of the suffocating bustle of Requiem City.

Then again, none of these children knew the Dobrzyckas very well. I couldn’t help but think about their secret sex rooms in the upper levels of the mansion.

Even though Loch and Hael had renovated the orphanage, the thought of children wandering in rooms once filled with sex toys still made me uneasy.

I watched as a young girl tried to juggle a soccer ball in the air. She looked so happy to be playing in this beautiful place that she could call home.

My heart should’ve been warmed with affection for my two mates. They had allowed all of this to happen. And without even consulting me!

But I couldn’t shake the feeling that something was wrong. My mates had never showed this much attention to anything besides sex, money, and power.

They might be ~teaching~ these children, but I worried what it was these children were starting to learn.

I followed a path that led around to the back of the mansion. Immaculate hedges and beautiful flowers filled the garden.

I kept following the footpath down past the gigantic playground and through a grove of trees. It was such a beautiful day. My ears were filled with chirping birds and the gentle splash of a water fountain.

This was like a beautiful dream. I wanted to stay in it forever.

The path eventually broke into a fork. I stood trying to decide which way to go: toward a lush labyrinth, or a secluded rock wall.

I wasn't in the mood to get lost, so I walked toward the wall. Children's laughter echoed off the rock.

There must’ve been some sort of fun happening. I didn't want to disturb the kids, so I tiptoed over, hoping to watch them play without interrupting.

Several children were lined up, their faces lit with smiles. A woman sat on a patch of grass as she guided the children through the game.

But who the hell was she?

“That’s right, little ones!” her familiar voice called out. “Just follow me.”

~Adara!~

Last time I’d seen her, she had been teaching the children gymnastics.

But what did today’s lesson include?

I continued to watch as Adara spread her arms as wide as possible. The children mirrored her movements.

Adara then roared into the air, her quiet voice suddenly booming. Some of the children flinched, but the majority watched in awe.

It was like they were doing exercises or some type of calisthenics. But why was she roaring?

“Don’t be afraid,” she told them. “Dragons are never afraid!

~Oh, fuck no. She’s trying to teach them how to act like dragons!~

Adara gave another roar, this time much quieter than before.

The children who had initially been scared started to grow confident. They tried out their own little roars.

At first, it was absolutely adorable seeing the youngsters flex their muscles and growl like dragons.

Then, one of the young girls started to steal the show.

Her body began to tremble, and her jaw opened wide. I watched with alarm as it unhinged, and her teeth grew into small fangs that dripped with drool.

Her cute little growl had turned into a full-on roar.

I gasped, and Adara finally spotted me…

“Well,” she said, “it looks like we’ve got ourselves a spy.”

I stepped forward. The kids stopped and stared at me with apprehension.

“And what would I be spying on?” I asked pointedly.

Adara turned to the children.

“Great job, everyone. You're dismissed. We'll pick up again this evening,” she said.

The children burst into cheers and sprinted past me. I watched as they bounded up the path toward the mansion.

“They’re coming along quite nicely, aren’t they?” Adara asked.

“Well, I can’t argue that they all look happy.”

“It has been said that happiness is the best medicine.”

I scoffed. “I’m glad you can run this orphanage on laughter.”

Adara shook her head in annoyance.

“This orphanage is run by the wealthiest family in all of Requiem City,” she said. “The students will get the best of everything. Isn’t that what you wanted for them?”

Adara pushed past me and headed toward the mansion. Her long strides made her move quickly, so I had to hustle to keep up.

“What was that back there, then?” I asked. “I saw that girl…”

I couldn’t quite find the right word for it…

“Nearly transform,” Adara finished.

I nodded my head, starting to understand what was happening.

“It’s not the first time I’ve seen something odd happening with the children,” I said. “Last time I was here, Loch and Hael were playing dragon’s chess with them.”

“Then you saw their best versions,” she replied.

“What the hell is that supposed to mean?”

“Dragons love children,” she said. “Something’s mesmerizing about their innocence. It draws us in and soothes our souls.”

“I find that hard to believe,” I replied.

Adara stopped and stared at me.

“My brothers have the best intentions for the children at this orphanage,” she said, annoyed. “But that also includes discovering the special ones.”

~The special ones?~

“You mean like that girl,” I said.

Adara nodded.

“Dragon’s chess helps determine who has the potential to be a dragon,” she admitted. “It’s been used by dragons for centuries.”

I could feel my head swimming as I tried to comprehend all the new information I was receiving.

“Why the hell do they want to discover more dragons?” I asked.

It didn’t make sense. Loch and Hael greatly injured Dane when they first met. The fact that they were dragons only made their dislike that much stronger.

“Are they trying to weed out more dragons to…to exterminate them?” I asked nervously.

“No, of course not. They’re trying to find more so they can start a horde,” she replied.

A horde of dragons…

That sounded like the last thing this orphanage needed, much less Requiem City.

Adara smiled as she watched me try and decipher the meaning.

“I thought you were smarter than this,” she said.

“This is a lot of fucking information,” I admitted.

“Poor little lab rat, your brain can’t take it all.”

My instinct was to punch her, but I knew that wouldn't help me in the least.

“Tell me what’s going on!” I demanded.

“Requiem City has held us down long enough,” Adara said. “With a horde of dragons, we can finally take it back from Xander and his dragon slayers.”

I should have seen it from the start.

Of course, Loch and Hael couldn’t defeat Xander and his minions on their own. They needed help!

~Just like them to need something and not admit it…~

However, Adara’s answers made one thing even more uncertain.

Why did Xander need the Dragonstone?

Did he know that the Dobrzyckas were coming for him?

I hoped I was wrong.

By giving Xander the Dragonstone, had I just tipped the scales in his favor?