Free The Witch of the Western Gate: Dragon's Gift by P. K. Brent Page B

interesting arrangement. Rafe had landed the main character, Jack. Stella and Blue were both in the play's chorus and had one dance number at the end, with the main cast. The play commenced and was going along perfectly until the end when Jack was about to kill the Giantess. Then suddenly two knuckers flew down from the ceiling and straight toward Blue then began buffeting her with their wings. Blue covered her head and stifled a shriek.
    She tried to remain in the back row of dancers, but could no longer harmonize or keep in step, so ran offstage with two knuckers flapping around her head.
    In the room backstage Brando was waiting for her and pulled her outside into the parking lot, then pulled her against him for protection until her head was buried against his strong chest.
    "Get off her!, he hollered, whacking at the knuckers with his fist. It didn't take much. After a few good whacks from Brando they flew off into the night.
    "I saw you being attacked so ran in here. I was hoping you would run offstage Blue."
    Blue was out of breath and could hardly speak. "Brando!," she gasped. "I thought you were working tonight. I didn't think you'd even make it."
    "I just got off work. I missed the concert but made it to the play just before it started and was watching from the wings."
    "I did a tracking spell earlier and I think the dragons have tracked me in reverse."
    "That figures, since dragons have magical powers.
    "Do you think the mundanes noticed?" asked Blue. She could not believe that the parking lot was not full of gawking people.
    "Actually, I don't think anyone thought twice about it," replied Brando. "It just looked like a really cool special effect. Now if you were doing The Sound of Music it might be a problem, but dragons fit in very well with Into the Woods .
    "That's a relief," replied Blue.
    Brando caught Blue's wrist.
    "What's this?"
    "Nothing," Blue replied, pulling down her glove. Brando ignored her and pulled the glove off.
    "It certainly is not 'nothing'. I'm not a complete idiot, Blue, I know what the McChesney mark is and I know it's not usually given until age 18."
    "Unusual circumstances," Blue mumbled, pulling her hand away. I bet I can sneak back on-stage now. I'm in the back corner of the chorus so no one will notice." Blue turned to run back on stage. Then she turned back to Brando.
    "Thanks Brando." Blue gave him a quick hug. "You always turn up at the right time."
    "My pleasure," said Brando with a nod. They walked back inside and Blue skittered out onto the stage again.
    On the way home in Uncle Basil's car with Aunt Elizabeth and Ivy there was nothing but praise for the concert and the play. Uncle Basil pulled into the long driveway of the McChesney mansion and drove halfway around the circular driveway to the front door. Blue jumped out of the car.
    "Are you sure you're OK going inside alone dear?," asked Aunt Elizabeth.
    "I'm fine", replied Blue.
    "Not even an alarm system here Basil," said Aunt Elizabeth. "And a young girl here all alone. It's not normal. When will Cormac be back and how long has he been gone?"
    "I'm fine," replied Blue again. "Father will be home soon. I'm alone at night all the time, sometime for a week at a time." The minute she said it Blue realized it was the wrong thing to say to assure Aunt Elizabeth. Uncle Basil smiled wryly at her.
    "I wish I could stay home alone for days at a time," said Ivy.
    Chapter 8
    "You were up early this morning," Rafe said to Talon. "Or out late."
    "Oui. I was awake and out before, how you say, du soleil?"
    "The sun," replied Rafe, who understood Quebecois fairly well.
    "Oui, I was awake and out before the sun," repeated Talon.
    Rafe was dismayed, not that Talon had been out but that he, Rafe had not heard him rise. It was yet another reminder that Talon had far greater prowess in hunting and stalking. Hardly surprising since Talon came from a branch of the family that spent long periods of time in feral wolf form running with the Canadian