Free A Dragonlings' Haunted Halloween: Dragonlings of Valdier by S. E. Smith Page A

by some of the ‘lightning’ that
she had programmed in. Fortunately, the ‘wind’ storm he had
encountered as he came through the other side had dried his
clothing.
    Now, he would need to cut back through it or
go around. He turned and glanced down the long row of ‘Houses’ on
each side of the village. In the center, there was a small, round
ball that was glowing. Something was moving inside it and curiosity
pulled at him. He glanced back toward where he knew the entrance
was, before deciding a few more minutes wouldn’t hurt.
    “I can always shift and fly back,” he
muttered as he turned back to the glowing green ball.
    Striding down the main square, his eyes
swept over the signs on the outside of the buildings. House of Tag,
House of Mazes, Web House, the names just went on and on. He had to
admit, he would love to come back and explore what each one
meant.
    His gaze swept back to the glowing ball and
he stumbled when he saw that there was a head inside it. A shudder
went through him when he saw it move. There was something eerily
familiar about it. He stopped in horror and amazement when the head
turned and he saw his mate’s delicate face looking back at him.
    “Hello, Zoran,” the head said with a smile.
“What can I do for you?”
    “Abby?” Zoran choked out as he stepped
closer. He reached a trembling hand out to touch the glass. “Where…
what happened to you? How did you get in there? Where is… Where is
the rest of you?”
    Abby’s brown eyes blinked and she tilted her
head as if she was trying to process all of his disjointed
questions. After a few seconds, her head straightened and she began
to speak. It took a moment for him to understand what she was
saying as he was so focused on her face.
    “I am the Village Mistress. I am a robotic
replica of Abby Tanner-Reykill, an artist from a distant world
called Earth. Abby enjoys creating unique and wonderful works of
art and has shared her love for it. Abby is currently in the Paint
House. Do you have any other questions?”
    “You are not real?” Zoran asked in amazement
as her facial expressions changed just like Abby’s did.
    A soft chuckled echoed from the crystal
ball. “No, the real Abby is in the Paint House. Would you like to
go to the Paint House?”
    “Yes,” Zoran mumbled with a shake of his
head.
    “Follow the lights,” the bodiless Abby said
as she turned.
    Zoran watched as small lights lit the ground
and one of the houses began to glow. Nodding his head, he turned
away and followed the arrows. He glanced back over his shoulder to
see the head of his mate again. Her eyes were closed and a serene
smile curved her lips. He swore it looked real.
    “This just keeps getting more amazing,” he
whispered as he stepped into the Paint House.
    *.*.*
    Abby tried to open her eyes as she felt warm
hands caressing her face. They were larger and rougher than Zohar’s
tiny ones. She felt her dragon purr and knew immediately that Zoran
had found them.
    Mate care for us, her dragon murmured
in a sleepy voice.
    “Yes,” Abby replied in a voice that was
barely audible. “Zoran will take care of us.”
    Abby could feel her body being lifted, then
cradled in strong arms, before she slipped into a deeper sleep. She
could let go and relax now. Zoran would protect them.
    *.*.*
    Zoran had scanned the room as he entered.
His eyes crinkled in amusement as he watched Zohar and Goldie
sitting in front of the far wall, putting hand and paw prints all
over it. He turned to see where Abby was, knowing instinctively she
wouldn’t be far away.
    His eyes softened as he took in her
slumbering form. Dark shadows under her eyes showed that she was
beyond tired. Placing his fingers to his lips when Zohar turned and
saw him, he walked over to where Abby was curled up on the padded
bench. Kneeling on one knee, he tenderly caressed her cheek.
    “Yes,” Abby murmured in a voice that was
barely audible. “Zoran will take care of us.”
    “I will always take