The Fantastical Misadventure of a Bookwyrm

"There weren't always dragons in the Valley, as you know." The slightly singed scientist began, trembling beneath his borrowed visi blanket.

A large group of onlookers had gathered, eager to see the latest bit of destruction. Only the flimsy plastic of police tape kept them at bay. Embyr Hart was, unfortunately, amongst them with her older brother Aiden. He had practically yanked her arm from the socket when he had dragged her here, just another stop on the way home.

As always, he had to choose the spot closest to the victims, wanting to get the full story. A journalist with an unquenchable need to find the next big thing.

Rolling her eyes, she waited patiently as he scribbled away in the notebook he always kept on his person. No doubt the man's exact words were written there for later review. The police lights caught on his white blonde hair, a trait they both shared.

"Haven't you seen the news?!" The mousy faced scientist shouted at the officer questioning him, "They're here now! We don't know why! Nor do we-"

A high pitched keening cut him off, causing all attention to turn to the burning building behind him. A tense sort of silence descended and the whole world seemed to pause, as if it held its breath, waiting. The feeling had Embyr tightening her grip on the books she held in her arms.

Something wasn't right.

That was when the ground started to shake rhythmically, as if something of great size was stepping closer, and closer, and closer.

An unshakable sense of dread filled Embyr, making her hand go to Aiden's shoulder. "We should go. I have a bad feeling about this."

"Don't worry-"

Before he could even finish what he had to say, a very large, very angry shape burst through the smoldering skeleton of the building. Parting it's great maw, a loud, ear shattering roar sent people running away in terror.

Embyr would have too, if she had not been rooted to the spot. It wasn't fear as it loomed over her, that kept her there. It was wonder, awe, and a dash of disbelief.

A dragon! A real life dragon stood before her now, in all of it's fantastical glory. It was just like the ones from her beloved books still clutched to her chest.

It's hide was an iridescent black, both colorful and not at the same time, glinted in the glow of the streetlights. Another roar pierced the night sky, rattling her very bones. There was something in it's gaze, something that resembled pain, that seemed to pull her forward.

Closer, it whispered. Come see.

"Emy!" Her brother called, wrenching her attention to him.

She found him fighting the fleeing stampede that vaguely reminded her of terrified wildebeests, trampling and unforgiving in their fear. The terror in his gray-blue eyes was almost enough to send her rushing to his aid, but something kept her there. Something she couldn't quite get her finger on.

A low growl drew her gaze back to the gigantic beast. Shock shot through her as she found it watching her with an eye of blazing gold. Agony clouded it, taking her breath away.

"You're hurt." She murmured, tucking her books in her bag.

It only rumbled in response.

"Can I help you?" She asked, not quite sure if it could understand her.

Leaning down, the dragon appeared to inspect her closely. The smoke that curled from it's mouth choked her, causing her to cough. The beautiful creature pulled back a little, giving her cleaner air to breathe. Well, as clean as the air could get amidst the sizzling debris. It's large form shuddered as it cried again, this time the pain it sang called to her. As she opened her mouth to offer her help again, it flopped on the ground. With a moan, it rolled over, exposing it's white under belly. There were no wounds to be seen or any irritations, until it shifted a foreleg, drawing her gaze. There, sticking out of the side of it's ribs, was a rather large, sinister looking probe like device.

Evidence that it had been subjected to experimentation or invasive study.

Her blood boiled as fury rose in her, threatening to take over, to make her see red. Shoving it down, deep down, she dared a step closer. Then another, and another, until her hands wrapped around the device. Looking up, she met the resplendent eyes of the beast. "This may hurt." She warned.

It snorted almost derisively, as if to say that it wouldn't.

Squaring her shoulders, she focused on her task.

One.

Her grip tightened on it.

Two.

Aiden's frantic voice called her away, or at least attempted to.

Three.

Pulling up sharply, the device came away and the dragon bellowed. Dark red blood gushed forth, staining it's ivory belly. Swiftly taking off her sweater, Embyr pressed it to the wound, hoping she had enough strength to staunch the flow.

"It's okay." She breathed soothingly.

Her hand slipped, touching it's warm hide. Scorching, searing, raging fire shot up her arm, or so it felt like. That barely tolerable heat traveled upwards until it rested in her chest. "It's going to be okay." She said through teeth clenched at the discomfort.

"Emy!" Aiden shouted from somewhere behind her.

"Stay back human!" Thoughts, not her own, crammed into her head, flooding her mind with their brilliance. "Must protect."

The bleeding slowed to a stop as its coppery tang twined with the cloying smoke. "Easy. He's my brother." She tried to keep her tone as comforting as she could, despite her pain wracking her body. "What are you protecting? Maybe I can help."

It's head swiveled around to face her again. It took a moment to inhale deeply, rustling her maroon dress. "You." It said so simply.

Then it was in motion. Using it's mouth to grab the discarded visi blanket, it withdrew, curling away from her. It's wings unfurled with a pronounced leathery snap as it craned it's head to the heavens. A blast of heat so intense, Embyr had no choice but to shield her eyes, rushed past her. Gasps behind her told her that others around them had to do the same. When the warmth abated to a more favorable level, she turned back to the beast. Only, it wasn't there. In it's place stood a tall, pale man with long flowing black hair. With the yellow blanket tied around his waist, he strolled out of the after shimmers of the dragon's departure. His gaze, that reminded her of the beast's, boldly met her's, blazing with some intense emotion. "I am known as Raekon," His luxurious, deep voice skated down her spine, "I am a prince among my kin back in Viridia."

"Viridia?" She could hear a singular set of footsteps coming closer from behind.

"Viridia is a different world. One of magic, not like this stuffy place." He frowned at the sky for a breath before turning his eyes back to her.

"What do you mean by kin? Why are you here?"

A smile curled his sinful lips as he purred, "Dragons, my lovely, I thought that much was evident." His rakish grin only grew, "And I have been searching for you for a long time."