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The Dragon Heart Keeper

  Dragon Heart Series — Prequel

  L.L. HUNTER

  Copyright © 2013 L.L. Hunter

  The Dragon Heart Keeper

  By L.L. Hunter

  ISBN: 9781301443918

  Second Edition — 2016

  All rights reserved.

  Manuscript Services Provided by

  Rogena Mitchell-Jones, Literary Editor

  www.rogenamitchell.com

  Cover Design by Stina Rubio

  at Cover Lust Designs

  This book may not be reproduced, scanned, or distributed in any printed or electronic form without permission from the author. Please do not participate in or encourage piracy of copyrighted materials in violation of the author’s rights. All characters and storylines are the property of the author and your support and respect is appreciated.

  This book is a work of fiction. The characters and events portrayed in this book are fictitious. Any similarity to real persons, living or dead, is coincidental and not intended by the author.

  The author and editor have taken great effort in presenting a manuscript free of errors. However, editing errors are ultimately the responsibility of the author.

  This author writes in Australian English and includes such diction.

  There is a place that is parallel to you and me, but yet it is not.

  It does not have a name nor has it ever been mapped.

  The only thing we know about this place is that it is filled with every creature you have ever heard of, but some you have not.

  How do we know so much about this place you may ask?

  Turn the page and discover for yourself.

  For these are just a handful of stories from some of the creatures that live there…

  Prologue

  “No! I’m innocent, I swear!” Ash yelled after hearing the verdict.

  “There is evidence that says otherwise, Mr Brandon,” said the Judge.

  “I didn’t do it. I didn’t murder anyone.” He looked from the judge to the jury to his lawyer and family. “You’ve got to believe me.” The judge brought her gavel down, the sound of it clashing against the wooden base making Ash jump.

  “Ashley Brandon, I hereby sentence you to spend the rest of your life in the form of a dragon.”

  “What?” Ash was confused. Was he hearing this correctly? A dragon? Was he dreaming?

  “You will be locked away and chained up until the day when the next Dragon Keeper arrives.”

  Yes, surely he must be dreaming.

  “You can’t be serious?”

  “Oh, I’m deadly serious, Mr Brandon. I hope you learn your lesson and will be a better dragon than you were a human.” With another crack of her gavel, the judge closed the case. “Take him away.”

  It only took a moment for two burly men to come at him with thick, heavy iron chains. Ash struggled against his cuffs as the bailiffs strapped him in, one of the chains around his neck and the other hooked to his handcuffs. He felt like cement, heavy enough to fall straight through the floor below. A door opened at the back of the courtroom and the bailiffs led him through.

  “There must be some mistake,” Ash said when they were in the corridor. It was plain white with no doors expect one at the end. That must be where they were heading, he thought.

  “Don’t speak,” said the bailiff to his left.

  “I don’t under—”

  “You will soon,” interrupted bailiff number two. He opened the door and pushed Ash through.

  “Enjoy your new life,” said number one with a snide snicker. Number two joined in.

  “Wait…” but it was too late. The door had closed. Ash was now stuck in his new home, his prison—which was, as he realized as soon as he turned around, a dungeon. He almost laughed.

  It was dark and bare, all except for a candle, and next to that was a large, white hand-woven blanket. It was larger than a car. On the blanket was a piece of yellowed paper. Ash knelt down, unfolded the note and read. It was handwritten in a delicate calligraphy.

  The Metamorphosis will begin soon,

  You best get some sleep,

  See you in the morning – The Keepers

  Ash wasn’t sure who or what The Keepers were, but he was tired. He lay down on the blanket, which was actually pretty soft and comfortable. He inhaled. He could smell iron and rotting meat. He sat up and gazed around. Next to a second door in the corner was a large metal bowl, and inside was something reddish-brown—raw meat. He was hungry, but not hungry enough to eat raw meat. He lay back down and curled into a fetal position and closed his eyes. He waited for the so-called metamorphosis to begin.

  Chapter One

  “He hasn’t changed.”

  “He hasn’t eaten the meat.”

  “Most people wouldn’t, Stacie. We need to make it more appetizing for the Chosen.”

  Ash stirred. He could hear voices. He opened one eye. There were two people standing nearby.

  “Here, let me try something.” Stacie picked something up from outside and walked toward him holding what looked to be a giant cookie.

  “Stacie, be careful. If you get hurt, there will be no Prodigy.”

  “Relax, Christian. He hasn’t taken the medicine, and he’s chained up. How dangerous could he be?” Ash watched as the woman approached.

  “Hey, I’m Stacie.”

  “Why am I here?”

  “You’ve been chosen for a very special role.”

  “A dragon. Yeah, I know. I’m being punished.”

  “You’re not being punished. They had to tell you a lie in order to get you here. Otherwise, you would never believe.”

  “But I don’t believe.”

  “What’s your name?”

  “Ash. Please, I’ve been set up.”

  “No. You haven’t. Ash, listen to me. You’re the last of a long line of Dragon Hearts.”

  “I don’t understand. You guys are crazy. Please, I need to get home.”

  “This is your home now. Back there in your old world.” Stacie flicked her hand over her shoulder. “You are a convicted murderer. Here,” she said, pointing down. “You are special. Chosen.” Stacie handed him the cookie. “Please eat. You must gather your strength for the metamorphosis.”

  “Metamorphosis? You’re the Keepers, aren’t you?”

  Stacie looked from her husband and back to Ash and smiled. “Yes. We are.”

  Ash reluctantly took the cookie and bit into it. He moaned. The oats and butter melted on his tongue. There was a slight bitterness to the cookie, but he didn’t care. It’s the most delicious thing he had ever tasted and he craved more.

  “Don’t eat too fast,” Stacie warned him.

  “Stacie, come on. Leave him now.”

  “Coming.” She stood up, still watching Ash as he licked all the crumbs from his fingers.

  “Could I have another?”

  “Not right now. Later. You need to rest. I’ll be back later.”

  “But I just woke up, and I’m starving.”

  “Trust me, rest,” she told him before leaving the room to join her husband outside. Christian locked the metal door behind them.

  “I think he’s perfect for Eva. What do you think?” said Christian, placing a hand on his wife’s shoulder.

  “Maybe. He seems genuine enough.”

  “But the question is will he make a good dragon?”

  “I think he will.”

  “Come on. We must get back.” Stacie took one last glance at Ash and followed her husband back to the house.

  ***

  “Is he there? Do I have a dragon?” Eva bound off the couch as soon as her parents walked through the door.

  “Yes. Be patient. He hasn’t ch
anged yet,” Christian said. “Plus, you still have a lot of training to complete before you can become a Keeper.”

  “You’ve seen me take care of the other dragons in town, and you’ve seen me ride Ruby, Amie’s dragon.”

  “I saw you fall off.”

  “That’s because I wasn’t paying attention.”

  “Well, you’ve got to pay attention, Eva. You’ve got to learn to be ready for whatever the dragon you ride does.”

  “You’re being so unfair, Dad! Everyone else at school already has one. I’m the only one who doesn’t. They think I’m a freak.”

  “That’s because the time isn’t right. We’ve been waiting a long time for the next Dragon Heart.”

  “Whatever!” Eva stormed into her bedroom, slamming the door behind her and caused Stacie and Christian to flinch.

  “Don’t you think you’re being a little hard on her?”

  “No. I was telling her the truth, Stacie. She has to wait just like we did.”

  “I hope it’ll be worth it.” Stacie didn’t take her eyes away from her daughter’s door.

  “It will be. Wait and see.”

  Chapter Two

  Ash flipped onto his back. His body ached badly.

  Am I getting sick?

  His head felt light and nausea overwhelmed him. They must have drugged the cookie. It was the only conclusion that came to him. A surge of excruciating pain shot through his body. Ash screamed and clutched the chains binding him. He roared and flailed his arms and legs, knocking over the candlestick, plunging the room into darkness. The next thing he felt and heard was bone breaking. The sound was sickening and the pain overwhelming. He then passed out.

  When he woke, he had an insatiable urge to consume large quantities of meat. Maybe that’s the reason for the bowl of raw meat. He looked at the door and discovered his vision was clearer. The room was no longer dark. He pushed himself up with his hands… no, claws? He looked down in shock. His human hands were now scaly and dark green, and his fingers ended in large black talons.

  Sitting up, he noticed the rest of his body was covered in the same green scales with his belly a lighter shade of green and beige. He couldn’t believe it. He was really a dragon! They hadn’t been lying. But the smell of raw meat overpowered the shock and consumed his senses. He pulled himself toward the bowl, his chains allowing him to do so. As he ingested the delicious steaks, he realized the chains were put on him for a reason—to protect the Keepers and himself from harm when he changed. Ash soon licked the bowl clean and went in search of more. His hunger was enormous and he grew angry when he could find no more food.

  He reluctantly went back to the blanket and waited. He now also understood the reason for the scale of the items in the room—big enough for a dragon. Other than for punishment, he didn’t understand the reason why he had been sent here. What was it that Stacie had called him—a Dragon Heart? Ash didn’t have to wait long to find out. He heard footsteps, and soon after, the door was opened and Stacie’s face appeared.

  “Christian, it’s time.” Stacie’s husband appeared with what looked to be a giant horse headstall and lead rope.

  “It’s okay, Ash. We’re not going to hurt you. It’s time to go to your new home.”

  But I thought I was already in my new home? He paused when he realized his voice had remained inside his head. Stacie and Christian didn’t appear to have heard it. He decided to growl instead.

  “Shh. It’s okay, Ash. It’s me, Stacie. Remember? I won’t hurt you,” she said, cooing softly. Taking the headstall from Christian, she put her hand out toward him.

  “Stacie, be careful.”

  “It’s okay.” Ash didn’t want to hurt anyone. It was of no use having a real murder charge against his name. He nudged Stacie’s palm. Stacie slipped the headstall over his head and fastened it into place. She then removed the chains from his body.

  “There you go. That’s better, isn’t it?” Why was she cooing at him as if he were an animal? He wasn’t an animal or a pet. He was a human guy trapped in the body of a dragon. He didn’t need to be chastised. He wanted to tell her, but there was no way he could communicate it.

  “Open the gate,” she told her husband. Christian walked over to a set of double barn doors Ash had failed to notice and pushed them open. Outside, Ash saw miles of rolling green hills and white-fenced pastures. It was then Ash realized he was like a giant horse to them. Instead of riding the real Equine species, these people rode Dragons.

  Stacie led him through the barn doors and out into the sun. It warmed his entire body and energized him. He closed his eyes and inhaled. He was a cold-blooded reptile after all. He opened his eyes and looked out over the emerald green hills. He had the urge to run over those hills and never to return—or fly over the hills. Don’t dragons have wings? He glanced back and realized it to be true. Dark green wings were folded neatly against his back, beckoning him to exercise them. Stacie led him around the stone building and in through another door. The room was round and also made of stone, and in the centre was an inviting bed of straw.

  “This is where you will live until training commences. You will soon meet your Keeper.”

  You’re not my keeper? he thought but had wanted to ask.

  “You will love her.” Stacie smiled smugly before leaving.

  Chapter Three

  The next morning, Christian shook Eva awake.

  “Eva, come on. Get up. Today’s the day.”

  Eva wanted to tell her father to go away, but his words finally registered with her. She sat upright.

  “Really? You mean it?”

  “Yes. So get dressed and have breakfast. You have a long day ahead of you.” As soon as Christian left, Eva got up and dressed in the training gear her father had laid out for her. They consisted of a pair of red jodhpur-type pants, a black t-shirt of the same material, and some black boots that laced all the way to her knees. She ate her fruit and porridge quickly and joined her father outside the front door.

  “Now, you’re going to have to be patient. He’s still not used to being a dragon, so he doesn’t know his own strength,” explained Christian as they walked to the dragon stables.

  “Then why can’t you ride him first?”

  “You know I can’t. A dragon can only be ridden by its Keeper and no one else.”

  “Why?”

  “Because you have to form a bond with each other.”

  Eva raced ahead to get to the stables first. She was more anxious than ever to see her dragon. She couldn’t wait.

  “Eva, wait!” Christian ran after her and stopped when he found her looking through the bars at the top of the door.

  “He’s beautiful,” she whispered.

  “His name is Ash, and he’s a bit conflicted as to why he was sent here.”

  “Why?”

  “He thinks he’s being punished. The lie to get him here was a jail sentence.”

  “That’s cruel. Why couldn’t they just tell him the truth?”

  “Because he never would have come. Eva, if you truly are his Keeper, you should be able to hear his thoughts and communicate with him.”

  “Let’s find out, shall we?” Eva unbolted the door and stepped inside. Ash lifted his head when he heard the sound.

  “Are you her?” said Ash. Eva gasped. She could hear his voice as clear as day inside her head.

  “Yes. I’m her. I’m your keeper.”

  “How old are you?”

  “I’m sixteen. How old are you?”

  “It’s rude to ask someone their age.” He chuckled.

  “Well, you asked first.”

  “Fair enough. I’m eighteen,” he said. Eva stepped closer, but Ash shied from her.

  “It’s okay. I won’t hurt you. Ash. Right? I’m Eva.”

  “Can I trust you, Eva?”

  “Yes. You can trust me.” Ash moved closer to her and nudged her hand. Eva smiled and patted his nose, sliding her fingers up over his forehead.

  “You�
�re an amazing dragon,” she whispered.

  “How can you be so sure? I think I’m a lame one.”

  “Don’t say that. You don’t know your full potential.”

  “I don’t even know why I was turned into a dragon.”

  “You have a purpose here, as do I. We need to help each other.”

  “And what is that? What’s my purpose?”

  “I… I’m not quite sure yet.”

  Chapter Four

  “Would you like to take him out?” asked Christian

  “Serious?” Eva’s eyes brightened.

  “Yes. I’ve seen how you are with him.”

  “How am I with him?” Eva’s cheeks flushed red.

  “Gentle. Caring. Trusting. You can hear him. Can’t you?”

  “Yes.”

  “Then you are his Keeper.” Eva took the saddle from her father, smiling as she walked back into the stable. Ash immediately raised his head.

  “What is that?” he asked.

  “It’s your saddle. Would you like to stretch your wings?”

  “I would love nothing more. But shouldn’t I have some practice before letting you ride me? I don’t want to hurt you.”

  “Don’t worry. I’m trained to help you. We will help each other.” Eva stepped toward him. “May I?”

  “Yes. You may.” She strapped the saddle in the spot just between his wings where his shoulder blades would have been if he were still human.

  Eva led him out of the stables and into the pasture.

  “Is this where we take off from?”

  “No. Not here. There’s a hill which makes it easier for new dragons.” They walked for about ten minutes before they reached an incline, with neither of them speaking until they reached the top.

  “Oh. Wow,” exclaimed Ash.

  “Yes. The view’s amazing. Right?”

  “Amazing doesn’t seem to cut it.”

  “Wait until we’re up in the air.” She climbed on and took the reins. “Okay, when you’re ready, just slowly and gently beat your wings downwards.” Ash did what she said, but he had to flap harder than he had anticipated so his body would lift into the air.

  “Whoa!” Eva fell forward, not anticipating him to have moved so suddenly. She gripped his cool scaly skin and repositioned herself.