Free Abandon by Viola Grace

 
     
     
     
     
     
    Prologue
     
     
    The half-blood club left Hookey’s house, and while Hex magically transported herself home, Jinx asked George for a ride .“ Come on George. Give me a ride and you can have a cookie.” Melissande was smiling and George thought about it for a moment.
    She obliged and shifted from a svelte woman to an emerald dragon in seconds. Jinx climbed aboard and in moments they were on their way to her home. It was faster than taking her car, and since she had taken a bus to the meeting, much more comfortable.
    With her entire body immune to magic, Jinx was unable to transport herself in a speedy and efficient manner. So, the ladies shuttled her where she needed to go.
    The lack of magical talent also meant that she was unable to communicate with her trusty steed, unlike anyone with magic that George would transport. The telepathy just didn’t work on Jinx.
    In under an hour they were swirling to land in Jinx’s backyard. She, and all of the club members, kept a large open space in their back yards just for George.
    “Are you coming in for coffee?” Her dismount should have been easier; she’d had a lot of practice.   “And that cookie that I promised you?”
    “You bet. I’ll make it though, your coffee can be a little chewy.” The human-formed dragon swept into the house ahead of Jinx, and she shook her head as the domestic ritual was attended to.
    She waited in her study, and soon her friend appeared in the doorway with two cups of coffee, Jinx’s was just the way she liked it. George took the chair across the desk from her and looked on expectantly while sipping the dark brew.
    As predicted, “So, Jinx, are they ready?” Graylin Treel chewed on her nail and looked at the redhead across from her.
    “Of course. Exactly as requested.” She twirled one of her curly locks around her fingers and then met her friend’s gaze. “Are you sure that you want to do this? You are setting yourself up here you know.”
    “I know. But it is the only way to get the dragon of my choice and not have the council choose one for me. My pedigree is bound to make me very popular, so I need to move quickly.” She straightened and visibly put on a cheerful mien. Her grin looked almost savage. “What exactly did I get?” She propped her chin on her fists and waited.
    “You know that this is like a weird house party thing, right? You place an order and a few weeks later I deliver.” Her green eyes were twinkling as she drew out the suspense. George was not known for her patience.
    “Just spill it already!”
    A giggle escaped her. “Alright. You have one hidden flight spell; good for any one creature. A spell to summon transportation and a communication spell for any glass surface. He should pick one of them.” She shrugged. It was the best she could do on short notice. The magic flowed out of her pen and onto the paper in the form of spells. She couldn’t use any of that magic, but she could create it.   It was very frustrating.
    “Fantastic. He will be sure to go for the flight spell. There are only a few of them in existence, and me and Mom have the other two.” A blinding smile lit her face and she rose to hug Jinx. Melissande stood still and accepted the embrace. Her friend’s strength was easily provoked, so she simply kept her own arms loose and relaxed as she returned the hug. Nothing that would prompt a squeeze. “You did great, kid.”
    Once in a lifetime was enough to be crushed by a dragon. It had taken her weeks to heal. George had been suitably repentant, but it hadn’t cured the bruises.
    “I am heading off to Grandma’s house. I should be there tomorrow, George. You have fun, but be careful. And come to visit if you get the chance.” Jinx grinned. Telling a dragon to be careful was just too much fun, and so was the face that George made as she returned to dragon form and tapped Jinx with her tail.
    The night waited and her friend was flying out to meet it. It was a