My Readers Rock! Thank you for Cool Fantasy Characters in Master Mage!

Your Cool Fantasy Characters!

You rock! I love my readers! I ask and you deliver, time and time again! Together we’ve created some cool fantasy characters for Master Mage. Since I wrote Dragon Strike, I’ve asked for character’s names. Sometimes, dragons, sometimes, pirates, sometimes shady characters in dark alleys! For Dragon War, you suggested 601 names! That’s a LOT of characters! And a LOT of readers who’ve suggested names for cool fantasy characters over the years!

Master Mage clocked in at 177,000+ words! Yes, that 672 printed pages, the size of three short novels!! A lot of scope for characters to come and go.

Master Mage has been an incredible journey. When I wrote Dragon Mage (Riders of Fire Dragon Masters, book 2) I realized Giddi’s story was a lot longer than I’d anticipated. Dragon Mage tells of his young teenage years. I created Master Mage for his journey from teenage hood to adulthood (and falling in love with Mazyka).

If you’d like to start the Riders of Fire Dragon Master series, the first book is Anakisha’s Dragon.

Anakisha's Dragon fantasy

With many more after…

Riders of Fire Dragon Masters Series - book5 cover reveal Dragon Captain

Master Mage Cool Fantasy Characters

So, who are our cool fantasy characters in Master Mage? And who did you name this time? let’s look at our cool fantasy characters…. Please keep in mind that some of the characters that appear were named by my readers in previous books!

Master Mage, Riders of Fire Dragon Masters book 4

Mazyka

Mazyka was always going to be ambitious and headstrong. I didn’t realize she and her mother, Maryssa, would actively campaign for women’s rights through their attitudes and actions. I’ve enjoyed slipping this aspect into a medieval world. I named Mazyka in 2009 in my very first draft of Ezaara, although her name has changed since then. She was originally Magyka, because of her strong magical powers. I like Mazyka a lot better!

Maryssa

Maryssa popped up, out of the blue, sneaking out of the house to visit Balovar in his cottage one night as I was writing. I loved this scene full of passion, pain and regret, and it provided a great backdrop for Maryssa to repress Mazyka’s powers. Maryssa is a wonderful character who’s living a life of regret, but vows to teach her daughter to be wiser.

Giddi

I know many of my readers love Giddi. In Riders of Fire, he’s wise and funny, and a little cynical and jaded. He’s been through a bit already when we start Master Mage, and I’m sorry to inform you, that he hasn’t yet been fully shaped in the forge. He has plenty of fiery trials to come yet in future books. Sorry, Giddi, but hey, it’ll make for grueling, heartbreaking, exciting adventures we’ll all love!

I named him after Giddi, a nickname for friend I used to know in Switzerland years ago, whose actual name is Giddeon.

My Readers Rock! Have I told you how much I LOVE my readers? Let me tell you again!

Our little online community is thriving, and people are building friendships as they hang out online having dragonly, fantasy fun. Join us in my Facebook group or pop over to TikTok, where I’m sharing fun videos. Or grab my free books when you sign up here.

Who did you name in Master Mage? Check out your huge cast!

Dragon’s Lair

Jackie T. named Myron, the beefy man in the Dragons’ Lair who leers at girls. Indora, the flirtatious Naobian in the tavern was named by Jeremiah Crouch.

Who named our mages?

Trisha Budhai named Lumeley, a young nerdy Spanglewood mage. This poor guys suffers during the mage trails, but luckily he’s rescued.  His friend Diza, a friendly mage at the trials with the blonde braids, was named by Ann Abdelzaher. We have two more mages from Spanglewood named by readers. Both are Giddi’s friends from childhood. Vanus was named by Barbara Laing. Liz Tolland named Lief.

The notorious twins, Chuckle Head and Knuckle Head, were named by David Kuraria on two fun Facebook posts that had over a hundred entries! Those posts are well worth reading – there are some brilliant suggestions for derogatory names that rhyme!

I told you my readers are cool. Such amazing imaginations!

Melikor, the young Naobian mage who teases Giddi when they arrive at Dragons’ Hold was named by Charles Hoge.

Healers

Thanks to an anonymous reader, we have a name for Master Healer Catarina at Dragons’ Hold. Catarina will play a bigger role as the series goes on, so I’m excited to finally have a name for her! Crystal Rowley named Thalia, a Naobian healer who accuses Giddi of indecent behavior. The last thing he needs in a crisis! Poor Giddi!

Ship

Thanks to Charles Hoge for naming the Chipped Fang!

 Family Names

We swept our way through Anakisha’s Dragon and Dragon Mage without naming the main characters’ family members. A sneaky move on my part! We were naming so many characters at the time, that I didn’t want everyone to have name overwhelm. We’ve now remedied that.

Thanks to the following readers for naming:

  • Giddi’s mother: Peluma — Kelle Shaw
  • Mazyka’s father: Jorem — Trisha Budhai
  • Yanir’s mother: Fenella — Sara Downs
  • Yanir’s father: Petey — Susanne Galley
  • Yanir’s eldest sister: Tori — Jan Cantle
  • Yanir’s second sister: Keesha — Scotty Bhoy
  • Yanir’s third sister: Noelani — Sara Downs
  • Yanir’s youngest sister: Sky — Carolyn Helm

 Animals

Let’s not forget our furry, feathered, scaled and four-footed friends!

Nicola Wilkinson named Topaz, Giddi’s valiant horse who takes Mazyka on a wild dash. Andrew Agnew named the ice ravens in Great Spanglewood Forest at night, and Barbara Laing named the snowy kestrel. Vancil Clayton Thomas suggested a barred owl, and me and my readers looked into night birds and decided upon the nightingale and the common loon!

Shadow Stalker & Dragon Rider

Tiriaston, is a Shadow Stalker in Naobia, prowling the streets and creating trouble. He was named in a Facebook post, but I haven’t been able to track down who named him! If it’s you, please let me know and I’ll amend this list!

Darian, the young dragon rider who shackles Giddi and Mazyka, is named after Darian Smith, a New Zealand author and dear friend of mine. Yeah, he’s awesome. You can check out his books, here.

Dragon Captain

Rusty, the heroine in Dragon Pirate, is getting her own book!

Rusty was named by AJ Ponder, my buddy and co-author. She has a new series out, Into Faerland, with dark Fae, sword sand demons… and a new audio book of Omens, too … check out her books here.

I hope you like the stunning cover for Dragon Captain! Rusty and Ustoria, her sea dragon, will be hunting down the Scarlet Hand, joined by an all-female crew! Look out, Scarlet Hand! They’re coming for you!

Dragon Captain, Riders of Fire Dragon Masters book 5 by Eileen Mueller Cover reveal

You’ll have lots of chances to name cool fantasy characters again soon as we crew Rusty’s ship… By the way, her ship has no name yet, so there will be  more chances to have fun coming up soon!

Thank you to my readers and reviewers. I LOVE my readers and the indie community, so come and hang out! Drop by my Facebook reader’s group Riders of Fire: Eileen Mueller’s Fan Zone for lots of fantasy fun. For free books, join my newsletter at www.EileenMuellerAuthor.com and come and hear my weird kiwi accent on TikTok!

Dragon Captain Cover Reveal

Dragon Captain, Riders of Fire Dragon Masters book 5 by Eileen Mueller

Dragon Captain

With more books added to the Riders of Fire Dragon Masters series, it’s time to reveal the cover of the fifth book in the series, Dragon Captain!

If you’ve read Dragon Pirate, you’ll be familiar with Rusty and the adventures she had when the Scarlet Hand stole her uncle’s ship and captured her to be his cabin boy! Now, it’s ten years later and Rusty is looking for revenge, but she has another crew member with a different agenda on board her ship.

Dragon Captain, Riders of Fire Dragon Masters book 5 by Eileen Mueller Cover reveal

Dragon Captain Riders of Fire Dragon Masters book 5,

Two desperate women and a sea dragon scour the sea looking for vengeance.

 Rusty loved once. She won’t make that mistake again.

Now she, her crew, and her sea dragon seek vengeance on the pirate captain who killed her family.

 Star is orphaned, penniless, and alone in the world.

She joins Captain Rusty’s crew of bloodthirsty women sailing the Naobian Sea and seeking revenge.  Star’s scouring the sea for her brother—who was kidnapped by pirates ten years ago.

With only one tenuous clue to guide her, and no idea if he’s alive or dead, Star is prepared to face death to find him.

 Join Captain Rusty, her sea dragon, and Star as they fight the Scarlet Hand and his notorious pirates on the Naobian Sea.

If you love epic dragons, swashbuckling pirates & danger, set sail with Dragon Captain, Riders of Fire Dragon Masters book 5,  today!

To find out more about the series, pop over here. To find out about Master Mage, and the epic launch party click here.

Fans of Christopher Paolini’s Eragon, Anne McCaffrey’s Dragonriders of Pern, Sarah K Wilson’s Dragon School, Jada Fishers’ many dragon series, Michael Miller, and Naomi Novik, enjoy Riders of Fire and my Dragons’ Realm adrenaline-fueled dragon adventures.

Pre-order Dragon Captain to make sure you don’t miss out!

Riders of Fire Dragon Masters – series expanded to 9 books

Riders of Fire Dragon Masters – 9 books

The Riders of Fire Dragon Masters series is being expanded to 9 books!

Yes, more adventure, fun, magic, danger, romance, and dragons are coming your way with a slew of new books planned in the Riders of Fire Dragon Masters series!

Riders of Fire Dragon Masters books by Eileen MuellerOriginally, when I envisaged Riders of Fire Dragon Masters, the series was only four books deep. (Anakisha’s Dragon, Dragon Mage, Dragon Spy and Dragon Healer). Those covers were revealed long ago. But as I’ve been writing, more characters appeared on the horizon and demanded their stories be told!

I now have 9 planned books in the series, and the covers are complete for all but one, which is coming soon. Not all of them have been revealed yet!

Riders of Fire Dragon Masters – YA epic fantasy adventure, prequels to Riders of Fire:

      1. Anakisha’s Dragon
      2. Dragon Mage
      3. Dragon Pirate
      4. Master Mage
      5. Dragon Captain
      6. Dragon Spy
      7. Dragon Healer
      8. Dragon Rider
      9. Dragon Master

How did the series grow?

Originally all of my Riders of Fire books were planned in one series.

However, I realized it would be confusing to have the prequels at the end of the Riders of Fire series. (Yes, I wrote a series, and my readers were so intrigued, they wanted the backstory!) I split the planned books into 2 series, Riders of Fire and Riders of Fire Dragon Masters.

Last year, I announced I was expanding the series from 4 to 6 books. Master Giddi’s story had grown, so I split Dragon Mage into two books, and then added an extra book:

    • Dragon Mage — Giddi’s adventures, at 12-13 summers old, in the Robandi Desert and Metropoli with his murderous trainer, while searching for his missing father.
    • Master Mage — Giddi discovering the most dangerous lover in Dragons’ Realm and the secret that nearly destroys Dragons’ Realm (in subsequent books and in the Riders of Fire series).
    • Dragon Pirate — The Scarlet Hand’s adventures on the Naobian Sea.

As I was writing Dragon Mage, Captain Scarlet Hand appeared on the horizon of the Naobian Sea and insisted he wasn’t content to be a side character in someone else’s drama. He got his own book, and Dragon Pirate was born!

But, alas, a cabin boy (who isn’t a boy) and was captured by the Scarlet Hand in Dragon Pirate, now has her own story in Dragon Captain. Yes, another book!

The original series plan was to have an eighteen-year  gap between the dragon riding adventures of Marlies and Hans, until their twins Ezaara and Tomaaz are seventeen.  (The family’s adventures and battles are covered in my Riders of Fire series, which is complete at 6 books.) However, I realized that two more books would complete those missing years!

Enter stage: Dragon Rider and Dragon Master, the final two books planned in the Riders of Fire Dragon Masters series.

Who do you think will star in these two books? I ordered the cover for Dragon Rider a year ago, and it’s stunning. But I won’t be revealing it until Dragon Healer is ready! Yes, it’s shocking secret to keep! Especially for so long!

 

Other Riders of Fire Adventures

Riders of Fire – YA epic fantasy adventure:

      1. Ezaara
      2. Dragon Hero
      3. Dragon Rift
      4. Dragon Strike
      5. Dragon War
      6. Sea Dragon

Riders of Fire Dragons – Prequels
1. Bronze Dragon – free novelette
2. Ruby Dragon – short story
3. Silver Dragon – free novelette here

 

Dragon Pirate – Epic Dragon Fantasy readers are Awesome

Dragon Pirate - epic dragon fantasy

DRAGON PIRATE – Epic Dragon Fantasy

Dragon Pirate, Riders of Fire Dragon Masters book launches today!

9 June 2022

Dragon Pirate Riders of Fire Dragon Masters book 3

What can one lone woman, disguised as a cabin boy, do against a notorious pirate captain with a fierce sea dragon and a bloodthirsty crew?

When Rusty’s uncle is killed by the Scarlet Hand, she’s taken aboard the Fiery Dragon as the new cabin boy.

She vows revenge.

But never suspects she’ll fall into the Scarlet Hand’s snare.

If you like swashbuckling pirates, sea dragons and danger on the high seas, set sail with Dragon Pirate.

Available on Amazon

Launch Party!

9 June 2022 2pm-10:30pm Eastern Time  

(10 June 2022 6am-2:30pm  in NZ)

ragon Pirate launch party Eileen Mueller

We’re having a launch party in my Facebook group: Riders of Fire: Eileen Mueller’s Fan Zone, so please join us. There’ll be fantasy games, prizes and  fun! It should be a blast!

Angel Haze is hosting the party with me, to celebrate her recent release of Reign of Shadows, Battleborn Mage book 1. I know her fans have been waiting a lifetime for  this exciting adventure! Angel is the  founder of the Indie Fantasy Addicts facebook group of 7000 members, where we hang out and have loads of fanatsy fun.

So, join us in my Riders of Fire Facebook group for our epic party full of fantasy fun, games and prizes!

Reign of Shadows Battleborn Mage book 1 by Angel Haze

My Readers are Awesome! So Many Names!

What an adventure it’s been writing this book. It’s been wonderful, largely due to my fabulous readers! Here’s why…

I asked for pirate characters and you created many. I asked for tavern names and was flooded with great suggestions. I asked you to create islands, name them, and name ships. You’ve given me animal companions, pirate cusses, named a scorpion, and given me fleet-building tactics (many of which I’ll use in another book). You’ve even created a Naobian deep-fried delicacy!

You’ve named a dragon! And yes, some one made up a terrible joke! Tony Slater’s a hilarious guy! I Integrated that joke into a tavern scene—his is the joke Rusty tells about pies. Thank you.

The Challenge

It’s been challenging to incorporate as many of your suggestions as possible into Dragon Pirate, and it’s been so much fun. I have the BEST readers! I LOVE hanging out with my readers in my Facebook group. I LOVE writing for you. I LOVE your feedback on my books. I LOVE your enthusiasm for Riders of Fire, Riders of Fire Dragon Masters, the Dragon Shifters’ Hoard and my Riders of Fire Dragons series. We have so much fun together in my Facebook group.

What did you create in Dragon Pirate? This is a huge cast!

Treat

Kelly Erickson created a Naobian deep-fried delicacy: snakelings in spicy dipping sauce. Yummy! I hope she sends us the recipe!

Water Scorpion

Water scorpoin

The scorpion that the Scarlet Hand  discovered crawling over his feet was a joint collaboration. From 27 entries, James McGinnis suggested aquascorpio. Paula Schaefer and Tiffany Shand both came up with deathstinger! So, deathstinger aquascorpio it is. A truly terrifying little creature. Rusty had great nerve handling it.

One day, I’ll tell you the story of the water scorpion I showered with in Indonesia. I stayed very calm, which was not at all the reaction of the staff running the $2-a-night backpaker’s hostel I was staying at! Their shrieks could probably be heard throughout the Pacific Ocean. Highly deadly indeed. (The shrieks or the scorpion? Maybe both).

Taverns

Dragon Pirate, Riders of Fire Dragon Masters book 3 by USA Today bestselling author Eileen Mueller
Seafight: Pirate Tavern – by Grzegorz Rutkowski.

Oh, what fun there is to be had in fantasy taverns! There’s nothing like a decent pirate brawl! The Leaky Keg on Pirate Island was named by Jens D RacherBaümer and Paul Mouchet was responsible for naming the Drunken Parrot in Metropoli.

The real question is, shall we also make these two readers responsible for cleaning up the chaos that the Bloody Cutlasses leave in their wake every time they visit a tavern?

Pirate Island

The inspiration for the difficult passage into a lovely inlet came from Craig Harder. I created the chasm as a result. Mandie Sagen suggested an island where retired pirates live. Of course, I had to make them broken-down, retired pirates with eccentric habits, keen for a brawl … Let the fun begin!

The Isles

The isles in the Naobian Sea: Karen Hoke named Firewing Isle; Tracey Harden named Scaleclaw Isle; and I named Talon Isle and Dragon’s Maw Isle. There will be more isles to sail to in Dragon Captain. You gave me so many brilliant names! Thanks.

Cusses

Cheryl Allsup came up with, “fire-riddled dragon bum,” which I shaped into “fire-riddled backside of a dragon with belly gripe.” Kelly Erickson suggested, “wingless surface lubbers.” Lorie Kuzma suggested, “worm-riddled bilge rat.” Mandie Sagen suggested, “slimy, rat-infested land worms,” much to Spider’s delight. Barbara Laing suggested, “bottom feeder,” which became “scum-sucking, bottom feeder.” Sandy Fosdick’s “leech-riddled water horse,” became: “That flaming leech-riddled water horse and stinking rider!”

It was so much fun to see what people created. I’m sure I could have incorporated more bilge rats! They also seemed to be a favorite.

Ship Names

Pirate shipSome of the ships docked at Metropoli were named by my readers, including The Golden Mermaid by Anne Caprani-Langkilde, and Star of Glory by Jan Cantle. The Crimson Fin was named by Nicole DragonBeck. Great names—thanks everyone.

What About Your Pirates?

Female pirate

One of the difficulties with having readers create pirates is that my readers created pirates worthy of being the captains of their own ships! They had great characteristics, talents, intriguing back stories and larger-than-life personalities. Not to mention, striking looks. With so many stars running around on deck, there would’ve been constant fights to hog the limelight. I had no choice but to splice pirates together out of your genetic pool and my own ideas!

So, here we go. The basis, and usually the name, for each pirate was suggested by a reader, however these pirates have grown to be a different to their initial DNA!!

 A huge thank you to Martha D Johnson for creating Larkspur with his violet eyes, willowy figure and long dark hair. I couldn’t include him having wings and fangs, however, I did keep his skills with a dagger.

Lefty was Nicole DragonBeck’s idea, including his cat! John Grasso suggested Volto. Unfortunately he couldn’t be an elf, as elves haven’t found their way through a world gate to Dragons’ Realm (yet), however, I did keep the rapier, leather trench coat, and his double-tipped ear due to a sword slice.

Gunthar and his pet gecko were Jackie Tansey’s idea. I couldn’t resist giving Gunthar a wooden leg when Jackie suggested that he hops. Please forgive me for getting his gecko drunk on rum! It was so much fun. I used GG’s name for Talvor, however the character was Will’s dad, not the cool one GG suggested. Honestly, there were just too many pirates running around aboard the Fiery Dragon. I did use GG’s suggestion for Grins Cabeya, including those wicked poisoned darts.

Jan Cantle suggested Hairy Stu with his Santa Claus snowy halo of hair. Mo was from Barbara Laing. I’m sorry he had a bitter end. Joffa the Crow was suggested by Mandie Sagen, charcoal and all! Andrew Agnew gave me Tiny. I’m so glad Andrew’s created him with no tongue—not me! I’m glad I can do more than honk! Johnny Blue came from Lorie Kuzma. I dyed his hair strawberry blond, but made sure he hung onto those sapphire-hilted daggers that matched his eyes. Swan, the handsome rouge, charmed his way onto the Fiery Dragon with the help of Patrick Goodwin.

If there are any crew I’ve missed, please let me know. I had many more great characters that readers gave me, including a plethora of female pirates—enough to crew an entire ship of their own.

Hmm… roll on Dragon Captain! You may see some of your characters turn up yet! I have special announcement to make about the series expanding… ooops, I’m getting ahead of myself. Not yet! All in due time.

First, let’s grab our copies of Dragon Pirate and Reign of Shadows and head to the party!

Thanks again to everyone for being awesome!

Snow and Red Dragon Shifters’ Hoard book 1 – Sneak Preview

Dragon Shifters Hoard - Snow and Red

Snow and Red Dragon Shifters’ Hoard book 1 – Sneak Preview

It’s so exciting to finally launch Snow and Red in 5 days! I remember the walk A. J. Ponder and I took through Central Park, here in New Zealand (very different to the Central Park in New York), when we first plotted this story. Now it has come to life with a sequel, Zephyr and Snow, releasing soon!

Snow and Red is based on a little known fairy tale of Snow White and Rose Red, two sisters who befriended a bear (who is a secretly an enchanted prince). Three times, they unwittingly help the dwarf who enchanted him, then accidentally break the spell, freeing the prince to be himself.

We’re often asked how closely Snow and Red fits the original fairy tale. Our story has twin dragon shifters who are enchanted, two sisters who befriend them and accidentally help the being who enchanted the twins three times, and yes, the spell does get broken. However, our story takes place in our time and not in a forest… but the underworld of a city… you can ENJOY A SNEAK PREVIEW HERE

But first, download Draki Twins, the free prequel.

Free Prequel - Dragon Shifters' Hoard - Draki twins.

Your Sneak Preview – Snow and Red

Dragon Shifters Hoard - Snow and Red Eileen Mueller A J Ponder

Night Out

Red shimmied into her green velvet top and tugged it down over her dark skinny jeans. “Snow, what do you think?” she called.

Her sister sauntered though Red’s doorway in her silver sequined tank, black miniskirt and sparkly stiletto sandals. Snow raised an eyebrow. Her cool gaze roamed the room. “A mess as usual.”

Red rolled her eyes. “I don’t mean my room, Ice Queen.” She jabbed her thumbs at her top. “This.”

“I know, just teasing.” Snow grinned. “What should I say? Hot. With you dressed like that, no wonder none of the boys look at me.”

Red laughed. “I doubt that.” Snow was pretty, but so shy she fled when most boys smiled.

Snow shrugged a slim pale shoulder, her white-blonde hair cascading around her. “I’m starving. Let’s eat. You can clean up your room later.”

As if. No one cleaned any room in this house except the icy neatness freak. As much as Red loved her, Snow was a little over the top. Red shoved a mountain of clothes to one side of her bed so she could sit, and pulled on her boots, then followed Snow into the kitchen.

Red opened the fridge and slapped some slices of cold pizza onto two plates. Holding the plates in her hands, she let heat flow from her core, singing through her veins like liquid fire until it ran along her forearms and into her fingers. The sizzle of magic made her bones thrum and her adrenaline kick in. How could anyone live without magic? Life would be so boring. In moments, the plates were hot and the pizza was steaming. Red plonked the plates onto the kitchen counter. “Food’s up. Let’s eat. I don’t want to be late tonight.”

Snow pulled a carton of orange juice and two glasses from the cupboard. “Ice?” She gave Red another one of her infamous eyebrow arches.

“Sure.” Red laughed.

Snow held the glass until it was slick with condensation.

“Hey, whoa. I want a drink, not an ice block.”

Snow passed her the chilly glass.

Red took a slug. “Ah, perfect. I hope you keep my drinks cool tonight.”

Snow frowned. “You know what Mom said. We can’t do anything like this in public, Red.”

“’Course not.” Despite Red never intending to use her talents in public, sometimes stuff happened.

Snow glared at her. “I mean it, Red. You can’t use your powers tonight. Not on purpose. We can’t risk being found out as freaks.”

Pizza suddenly clogged Red’s throat. She swallowed. Freaks—yeah, that was about right.

Gingerly avoiding the hot plate, Snow picked up a piece of pizza, and took a dainty bite. “Oh, this is the fuel I’ve needed. I’ve been running on empty all afternoon.”

“Fuel!” Red gasped. “Oops.”

Snow grinned. “I knew you’d forget, so I ducked out and filled the tank while you were in the shower.”

“Thanks, you saved my sorry butt.” Where would she be without her sister?

“Mom will be home in a couple of hours. We’d better skate so she doesn’t catch us.”

“She’s on night shift,” Red said. “We still have a few hours.” Things had been the same for as long as Red remembered: Mom working night shifts in the emergency room at the hospital; them taking care of each other. It wasn’t that Mom didn’t care—she was barely earning enough to pay the crazy rent—one of the many reasons they always ate at home and only bought a drink or two if they went out. “I’ll grab my things.”

Of course, Snow already had her stuff in a tiny silver purse, slung across her shoulder.

Red dashed to her room and rummaged through her piles, throwing pieces into a black leather backpack trimmed with silver studs: wallet, mascara, and… She ducked back out of her room. “Have you seen my lipstick?”

“You’ve probably lost it in that pigsty you call a bedroom.” Snow was perched on the edge of her immaculately-made bed, reading on her phone. Probably the latest thriller—Detective Hardcastle and the Impossible Murder, or whatever. On the other side of the room, her pristine-white desk was empty except for a closed laptop and a neat line of pens. The room was cool, the way Snow liked it. Who needed air-con with her sister around? Without looking up, Snow fished into her purse and held up a lipstick. “Use mine.”

Red rolled her eyes. “Frosty pink hardly goes with my outfit. I was going for cherry-red.”

Snow looked up from her phone. “You could always try Mom’s spare one…” She bit her lip.

“The Revlon Red she keeps in—”

“—her bedside drawer,” Snow finished.

Their eyes met. Neither of them laughed.

Red’s heart banged against her ribcage. “Sure, why not?” She kept her hands clenched to stop them from trembling as she strode into Mom’s room. They’d been little last time they’d forced the lock on Mom’s secret drawer, but neither of them had ever forgotten their mother’s white-lipped fury.

Nor quenched their curiosity about why she’d been so mad.

Snow dashed after her. “No, Red…”

“It’s not as if Mom’s hiding state secrets.” Red tried the drawer. It was locked. She held out her hand. “Hairpin, Snow. Come on, we can’t let our childhood fears rule us.”

“You’ve been watching too many movies. A Swiss army knife is more effective for picking locks.” Snow whipped a pocket knife out of her purse and pulled out the toothpick attachment and a tiny hex key. “Move over.”

What the—?

Snow knelt in front of Mom’s bedside cabinet, hands shaking, and stuck the hex key into the lock. She bit her lip, pushed the toothpick in and jiggled it. The lock sprang open.

“Where’d you learn that?”

Snow put her phone on the bedside table. “YouTube.”

“And where’d you get that?” Red waved her hand at the knife.

Snow shrugged evasively. “Online.” She pulled the drawer open.

“I figured that. Where’d you get the money to buy it?”

Snow ignored Red’s question. “Her lipstick should be in here, somewhere.”

Red’s gaze fell to Snow’s phone. Her phone’s wallpaper was a picture of a tanned guy who looked like he belonged on a surfboard. She groaned. “Oh, man, have you been ogling that I.T. guy again?”

Snow blushed. “Krispin’s cute.”

“Yeah, and good with computers. But you snapping a shot like that is almost stalker-ish.”

“I think of it as art. Anyway, I’m hoping the school Internet goes out again.”

“Isn’t every girl?” When drop-dead-gorgeous Krispin—with his sun-bleached hair, caramel skin and warm brown eyes—had swaggered into the school library last week to fix the broken Internet connection, whispers had washed through the room like a tide hissing on sand.

Snow glanced up. “Shall we?”

Mom would kill them if she found out. Red let warmth seep through her to combat the prickle down her spine. She couldn’t let fear rule her. “Might as well… After all, we’re only looking for lipstick. Harmless, right?”

“Um yeah, harmless.”

She wished Snow wouldn’t gnaw her lip like that. Red eased the drawer open.

The lipstick was lying on top of a few old papers and a small leather-bound book with a lock on it. Red took out the lipstick and applied the tiniest bit to her lips, so Mom wouldn’t notice it’d been used. She snorted, gesturing at Mom’s drawer. “Looks pretty normal to me. Don’t see why Mom gets her knickers in a twist.”

Snow, still holding the Swiss army knife, stared at the book and papers. She licked her lips and gazed up at Red, eyes full of daring. “Let’s look.”

“It’s Mom’s private stuff, we really shouldn’t.” Red traced a finger over the soft black leather book cover. “Probably love letters from dad.”

“Yeah, but why would she keep love letters from a man she refuses to talk about? And why would she lock them up?”

Since their father had died, Mom had barely acknowledged they even had a dad. The only thing Red remembered about him dying was the weird skin disease he’d developed on his deathbed.

“What was he like?” Snow murmured. “Tell me what you remember.”

Red sighed. “He was fun, larger than life, always picking us up and spinning us around, taking us for horsey rides in the lounge. You know…”

“Yeah, I do know—that I don’t remember a thing. It sucks to be two years old when you lose a parent. A year older, like you were, and I might’ve held onto some shred of Dad.”

Every time Snow spoke of Dad, pain and longing filled her voice. Red squeezed Snow’s hand. “One quick look, then we’ll put everything back and get out of here.”

Snow laid the two envelopes and the leather book on Mom’s duvet. “Letters first,” she said, sliding a document with yellowed edges from an official-looking envelope.

Red held her breath as Snow held it under the light.

“It’s their marriage certificate,” Snow said. “But it’s weird.”

Red leaned in. The certificate featured an ornate gold seal of dragons with intertwined necks in the shape of a heart. There was fancy gold writing beneath the dragons. Mom’s familiar signature was signed in red ink. Their Dad’s was three crooked diagonal lines. No words. No name.

“Like werewolf claws in a bad horror movie,” Snow whispered. She traced the gold lettering: Semper iuncti in Draconia. “That’s Latin for Together forever in Draconia.”

Trust Snow to recognize Latin. At least one of them had paid attention in class. “What or where in the heck is Draconia?”

Snow shrugged and went to slide the marriage certificate back into the envelope.

“Wait,” Red held up her phone and snapped a shot. “I’ll hide it somewhere on my hard drive and delete it from my phone in case Mom checks it—I promise.”

Snow raised an eyebrow—something Red had never mastered. “Really? Your hard drive is almost as messy as your room. And your brain is messier than both.”

“True.” Red grinned.

The next envelope was smaller, with Mom’s name on it. Inside was a short note from Dad.

My dearest Hazel,

My heart burns for you. I’ll always be yours.

I know I’m sick, but no matter what shape I’m in, I’ll always love you.

Ash

Red picked up the worn, dark leather diary from Mom’s duvet, and examined the tiny brass lock. “Snow, can you open this?”

“Hmm, my hex key won’t work on that.” Snow pried the lock open with a hair pin. Two pretty luminescent discs shaped like petals and about the size of quarters fell out of the diary. Red held them up. They shimmered gold in the light.

Snow scrunched up her nose. “What are those?”

“Some sort of shell, I think. Like mother of pearl slivers.”

“Look, the book’s hollow.” Snow held it out. There weren’t any pages, only an empty compartment inside the covers. An old piece of paper was tucked into the liner with Kodak Premium Photography stamped on it.

So much for it being a diary. “What’s this photo of?” Red flipped it over. Mom was grinning, her arms around a handsome man dressed in a dragon costume. Red’s heart thrummed and heat shot through her like quicksilver. “That’s him! That’s Dad. I’d know that sandy-blond hair anywhere.” She passed the photo to Snow.

“Man, that’s some face-painting job,” Snow breathed, holding the photo with her fingertips as if it would shatter.

Red examined the shells again. “Look, these match his costume.”

Snow squinted at the photo. “It looks more like a bodysuit than something with shells stitched on, but yeah, they do. They’re the same color.” She snapped a photo with her phone, murmuring, “Mom actually looks happy. I can’t remember the last time I saw her like that. She’s usually so stressed.”

Red took a photo of the snapshot too. “We’d better get out of here, or we’ll have no chance to go dancing before she shows.” She put the photo and shells back in the fake book and clicked the lock shut. Then she tossed the book, letters and lipstick back into the drawer.

Snow took them out and rearranged them. “They were like that.”

“Thanks. How are we going to lock the drawer again?”

“Like this.” Snow thrust the hex key back into the lock and wiggled it. The lock clicked shut. She stashed her tools in her purse and stood.

How had her sister learned so much about lock picking? Red doubted it was from YouTube. And where had she got the money for those tools? All of their clothes were from thrift shops. It wasn’t as if they had spare cash lying around.

Smoothing her silver sequined tank top with her hands, Snow asked, “Is this too low cut?”

“No, it leaves a lot to the imagination.” Barely anything, but if Red said something, her sister would want to get changed again and they’d never get out of here.

“Yeah, but whose imagination?” Snow pouted. “It’s not as if I ever get a date.”

Red threw her head back and laughed. “I don’t care about a date. I just want to dance.

Dragon Shifters Hoard - Snow and Red Eileen Mueller A J Ponder Sneak Preview of opening chapters

Shifting Sands

The glass doors to the Shifting Sands were rattling on their hinges as Red pushed them open and pulled Snow inside. Rock music blasted Snow, the bass thrumming through her skin and rattling her bones. This place sure was a change from doing homework or sitting around reading Detective Hardcastle thrillers. They nudged their way through the throng toward the bar. Men kept giving her and Red the once over. Snow was sure Red barely noticed—her sister was in such a rush to hit the dance floor. Orange, blue and yellow lights pulsed in time to the beat. A strobe flashed across the crowd. The scent of beer and spirits hung in the air. They could probably get drunk off the fumes. That reminded her…

Snow pulled Red close, and cupped her hand over Red’s ear, yelling above the blaring music. “Please don’t drink booze tonight,” Snow said. “Not after what happened last time.” That night had ended with more than one thing in flames.

“I may be crazy, but I’m not deluded.” Red squeezed past two brunettes in miniskirts and knee-high boots. “Alcohol and I don’t mix.”

Yes, Red had sworn off the stuff, saying it made her veins turn to liquid fire, but Red was impetuous, and it made Snow nervous. And Mom nervous, too. Even though they’d grown up with Mom warning them they’d be in grave danger if anyone discovered their powers, sometimes Red let loose. Accidentally.

But not tonight. Snow would make sure of it. For the hundredth time, she wondered what life would be like if Dad was still alive.

“Anyway,” Red continued, “the way I dance, most people assume I’m drunk already.”

Well, yeah. Red was a little less inhibited than most. Okay, maybe a lot. But she always had a good time. Snow sighed. If only she could loosen up.

A bunch of underage guys from school were crowded around a table, sharing drinks and pretzels. “Want to join us?” a brown-haired guy from math class called, his eyes running over them both.

“Sure,” Red answered, tossing her hair.

Snow gripped her elbow hard. “Maybe later.” She flashed them a smile and Red a warning eyebrow as they pushed their way through the throng to the bar.

A plaid-shirted man grinned as they approached. “Want a drink, darlings?”

“No thank you,” Snow said, sidling away.

Her back hit something solid. A glass crashed to the floor and smashed, scattering shards.

A geek with a buzz cut, black-framed glasses and a Dungeons and Dragons T-shirt glared at her. “Now look what you made me do,” he snarled. “I’ve lost my drink and smashed a glass.”

“I’m sorry, it was an accident. I—”

“Hey, don’t talk to her like that,” Red snarled back, already in the geek’s face. “You heard her. She didn’t do it on purpose.”

People were turning and staring. The man in the plaid shirt sniggered. Snow wanted to melt into the floor. She bent down and picked up the shards. At least no one could see her down here. Maybe.

“Are you all right?” a guy asked Red, his tight surfer tee showing off the muscles in his broad back.

Typical. Guys always came waltzing in to help her sister.

“Sure, I’m fine.” Red flung a hand between Geek and Snow. “But she bumped him, and now he’s being a jerk.”

“Don’t I know you?” the guy in the surfer tee asked Red.

Red tilted her head. “Maybe.” She shrugged.

“Maybe I’d like to get to know you,” Geek purred.

What a loser.

“You’ll get to know my fist if you keep talking like that,” Red snapped.

Geek glowered, but the other guy just laughed and crouched down. Warm, tanned fingers touched Snow’s wrist. “Hey, let me help you.”

Cheeks burning, she glanced up. Gorgeous chocolate-brown eyes met hers. The guy took the shards from her hands. Oh gods, it was Krispin. His dazzling smile melted her bones.

“We’ll have this cleaned up in no time.” His rich deep voice made her melt even further.

Red crouched down to help. Krispin’s eyes widened as he glanced between her and Red. The strobe flickered over Krispin’s sun-bleached hair and lit up his even white teeth. “Don’t I know you both?”

Snow had no chance. All the boys liked Red. They were attracted to her like moths to a flame—and just as easily burned.

“I’m sure I remember you,” he yelled over the bass. “Where did we meet?”

Not a brilliant one-liner. “School,” Snow said, unable to force out a full sentence. She picked up more shards.

“You were fixing the school internet connection,” Red yelled back.

“Yeah, I’m good at connections.” He arched an eyebrow.

Oh freaking gods, his eyebrow arch was just like hers. Snow’s heart ratcheted up a notch.

“I’m Red and this is Snow.” Red glanced meaningfully at Snow. “Anyway, I’m off to dance.”

Krispin’s eyes followed Red as she sashayed into the crowd, then his gaze flicked back to Snow. “Would you honor me with a dance?”

Snow opened her mouth. She had to say something clever. Something witty. But her words died. She nodded, a lump the size of an iceberg in her throat, and stood there with the shards in her hands.

The broken glass in Krispin’s cupped hands glittered in the strobe light. “Here, give me that,” he said, “I’ll get rid of it.”

As Snow dropped the shards into his waiting hands, their fingers bumped, sending an electric jolt through her. Her ice power surged, shooting cold though her fingers.

He yanked his hand back. His eyes shot to hers, a tendril of wariness in them. “I’ll be back soon.” He strode over to a trash can.

She shook her tingling hands and wiped them on her skirt. Had he noticed her powers? She had to get a grip on herself.

“Hey,” someone bellowed. “My drink.” Geek thrust his sweaty face near hers, waving a hand at the beer seeping across the shiny black floor.

“I told you it was an accident. I didn’t mean to—”

Suddenly Krispin was there between them. He put a hand on Geek’s chest. “Be a gentleman, and back off.” He flipped out his phone and pulled ten bucks out of the flap, throwing it onto Geek’s table. “There. Get yourself another beer and leave my lady alone.”

My lady. A cool tidal wave crested inside Snow. She smiled at Krispin. “Thank you, that was kind.”

“No problem.” He placed his hand on her back and guided her toward the bar. “After you having to put up with that rotter, the least I can do is get you a drink.”

Her skin beneath his fingers tingled, all warm and fuzzy. She was seriously in trouble. She’d never felt her power radiating out of her back. This guy did something crazy to her. She really had to get a grip. Snow slid a glance at his attractive, smiling face. Had he noticed anything?

“What would you like?”

There was that bone-melting smile again. Snow slid onto a bar stool. “A lemon lime and bitters, thanks.”

He ordered their drinks and leaned on the counter, his bronzed bicep bulging as he raked a hand through his hair. She tried to keep her eyes off his body-tight tee. He totally rocked the surfer look. It hadn’t been her imagination. He was even more drool-worthy than in her photo.

Krispin turned to her. “I haven’t seen you here before.”

Another one-liner nearly as lame as What’s a nice girl like you doing in a place like this? Snow didn’t care. This was Krispin. And he was finally talking. To her.

He passed her drink and asked her something, but his words were drowned out by the music.

He placed his hand on her back, making her skin do that yummy thing again, and gestured past the dance floor. Krispin steered her past dingy tables, enormous throbbing speakers and a mass of writhing bodies. A flash of red hair whirled at the center of the crowd. Red looked like she was having a good time. And she hadn’t drunk anything, so she’d be fine on her own for a few minutes, wouldn’t she? Snow gnawed her lip.

“Are you okay?” Krispin asked, leading her to a door that Snow hadn’t noticed.

“Fine, thanks.”

He opened the door and held it, motioning her onto a stone patio surrounded by shrubbery on three sides. Wrought iron candles flickered in stained-glass jars on tiny tables. In the far corner of the patio, two couples sat at tables. One pair laughed, hands intertwined. The other couple clinked glasses, speaking in hushed voices then leaned in to kiss each other. Snow glanced back through the panes in the door at the flashing lights and dancing crowd. A few minutes outside wouldn’t hurt. Then she’d check on Red.

“It’s not as loud out here. Much easier to talk.” Krispin ushered her to a table far from the other couples.

Hang on, other couples. They weren’t a couple. She’d only just met him. Not that she’d mind… They sat down, facing each other. Snow took a gulp of her lemon lime and bitters. The bubbles went straight up her nose. She spluttered, spraying her drink all over the table and Krispin’s T-shirt. How mortifying. “Ah, sorry.” Her cheeks burned. “I seem to be having a bad night.”

He burst out laughing. “You can say that again. We’re lucky I wasn’t drowned. Still, just in case, I’ll fetch a life jacket. There must be one around here, somewhere.”

His laugh was so genuine that for the first time that night, Snow relaxed and grinned back. “Great first impression, huh?”

“Oh no, it’s a terrible second impression.”

Her heart fell.

Krispin continued, “Luckily, my first impression when you were studying in the library was a knockout. What were you reading? Wasn’t it something deep about mind anatomy, or something?”

Snow frowned. “What day were you there?” She knew exactly what she’d been reading the moment he walked in the door. Exactly how many hours it had been since she’d first laid eyes on him. One hundred and seventy-nine hours and 30 minutes approximately. Or nearly seven and a half days.

“Wednesday last week.”

“What time?” She arched an eyebrow.

“Hey, you can arch one brow too.” He smiled and took a chug of his beer, before finally answering her question. “About ten.”

“Then it was Anatomy of the Troubled Mind. I had a psych assignment due. That must’ve been it.” She’d had no such assignment. And, anyway, all of her assignments for the next three weeks were already done. She’d been researching how to control their powers. Not that she was about to tell that to him—or anyone else. Not even Red.

“Mental health in high school? That’s advanced.” He eyed her over the rim as he sipped from his glass. “Yes, I remember you being engrossed in that book. You looked cute. Pink shirt, cut-off jeans. Do you play any sport? You look like an athlete.”

He’d remembered what she was wearing? He’d noticed her. A good sign. “Nah.” She couldn’t really call her and Red’s magic practice sessions out in the woods sport, although they were physical enough. “What about you? What do you play?”

“Power sports.”

“What’s that?” She felt like a complete idiot.

He leaned in, as if he were sharing a secret. “Where I cast a spell on you with my powers and you fall for me.”

A delicious shiver ran down Snow’s back. A magic spell. Yeah, right. However, if there were such a thing as magic spells, he was well on the way to succeeding. Her heart skipped a beat. Was he toying with her, because he’d sensed her powers? She froze, not literally—no ice crept from her hands across the table and over her glass making it freeze and shatter. But she stilled, and sat staring at him without a twitch.

He laughed. “Are you all right? I was teasing. It’s not every day I get to chat with someone so beautiful.” His cheeks pinked and he busied himself with his beer.

Cute. He was blushing, actually blushing. And he thought she was beautiful.

He cleared his throat. “I would be honored if you’d dance with me.”

What quaint speech. “That’d be great.” It was time she checked on Red anyway.

They drained their glasses, and Krispin whipped Snow back through the door, past the crowd, to the dance floor. Red had kicked off her shoes, her flaming hair swirling as she spun and threw her legs out like she was doing karate. Around her, everyone from school was gyrating and waving their arms.

Typical. They were all having a good time, while she stood here, frozen. People always said she should loosen up. But she’d never want to lose control of her powers—like Red sometimes did.

Krispin glanced at the crowd, then turned to Snow, grinning, the dimple in his cheek working its magic on her. He gently took Snow’s hand and enticed her onto the dance floor.

A shot of nervous cold leaked from her fingers. Had he noticed? She smiled, the way social media said you were supposed to, coyly looking up at him.

He smiled back. “You like dancing?” It wasn’t the most romantic of lines. Nor was it the worst, especially as her tongue was stuck, unable to say anything.

She nodded. Time to focus on him and the music, and have fun. And ignore Red, who had jumped on table and was gyrating to the beat, a crowd of yelling guys around her. Puhleese.

Krispin’s eyes roved over Red. “Your sister has an, ah, unusual dance style.”

Snow grinned. “I call that move the egg-beater.”

He grinned back. “Egg-beater. I’m not sure I’ve seen one of those before.”

Snow flashed a grin. She was here, with a guy she’d drooled over for a week. She had to get a grip and relax. As the music pulsed though her and they started to dance, she let herself go, just a little. Krispin was a good old-fashioned dancer, twirling Snow in his arms and flashing her smiles that could melt the iceberg that’d sunk the Titanic.

The guys around Red were now tossing peanuts at her and cheering. She flicked her long red mane over a shoulder and threw pouty kisses at them, swaying her hips like she was trying to dislocate them.

Even though everyone was still dancing, they were all staring now. Even Krispin. Snow didn’t blame him. She was staring too, waiting to see if Red lost it. So much for them keeping a low profile.

Snow’s phone alarm buzzed. It was time to get home—before Mom got in, discovered them gone, and had kittens. “Sorry, gotta run,” she yelled to Krispin over the music—a heavy number that had Red bouncing her head up and down like a pigeon on fire.

“Just five minutes more?” Krispin asked, giving her another winning smile. “Or could I buy you another drink?”

“Sorry, we have to be somewhere.” Snow pushed through the crowd, Krispin trailing her to the table Red was dancing on. She shoved through the throng of guys, and grabbed Red’s leg, yelling, “Come on Red. We have to go.”

“I’ve got to find my shoes,” Red yelled back. She slugged back a juice and clambered off the table to guys cheering and others groaning that she’d finished.

While Red was scrabbling under the table, Krispin pulled out his phone. “Before you go, we should friend each other.”

Well, it couldn’t hurt, could it? He’d been so nice to her tonight. Until he’d been distracted by Red. And, with a show like that, who’d blame him? She slipped out her phone, opened social media and friended him on the spot. What a cute profile image. Even drenched in rain, he looked good.

Red jammed her shoes on and joined them, making serious googly eyes at Krispin. What was she doing? Trying to edge in on Snow’s action? Not that calling dibs on guys was a thing, but it would be nice if Red backed off from this one.

Krispin’s eyes flicked over Red, then he met Snow’s gaze. “I’ll see you soon.”

“Thanks for the, um, drink. Sorry you had to wear it.”

He laughed. “It was my pleasure.” His chocolate eyes met hers, making her pulse pound.

This guy’s smiles were addictive.

“I’ll see you soon, too,” Red purred, tossing her wild mane over her shoulder again.

Not if Snow had anything to do with it. “Gotta run,” Snow said. She practically dragged her sister away from Krispin.

“Hurry up.” Snow strode through the busy tables toward the door. “If Mom realizes we’ve been out, she’s going to be so mad.”

“Come on then,” Red put on a show of speed, racing past the bouncers, out the doors of the Shifting Sands, and into the street.

Snow had to hurry to keep up with her. “Don’t be like that, Red. It’s me who should be mad. After all, you were making moony eyes at Krispin.”

Red yawned. “Krispin? You can have him. He’s not my type.”

As if Red had a type. She flirted with everyone with a Y chromosome.

Snow tugged her jacket tighter around her and glanced along the street. Traffic was sparse. A group of guys were hanging around one of the two alleys across the street; otherwise, hardly anyone was around. It was later than she’d thought. “If we want to beat Mom home, we’d better take the shortcut to the car.”

Red checked her phone and grimaced. “Oops, yeah. This is gonna be tight.”

They cut across the road and marched straight to the furthest alley. Snow peered between the brick buildings into the gloom. Nobody was loitering down this shortcut. “Come on, let’s go.” They dashed along the narrow lane, their footfalls snapping on the concrete sidewalk and bouncing off the walls.

Boots thudded along the alley. Snow cast a glance over her shoulder. Murky figures appeared—four guys in leather coats were stalking down the alley behind them.

“Hurry,” she hissed to Red.

“On it,” Red answered a spark flitting from a finger as they increased their pace.

Despite their burst of speed, the guys were quicker. Snow and Red edged to one side, walking in single file to let them past.

Just as the guys had passed them and Snow was breathing a sigh of relief, one turned and grabbed the strap of her purse, yanking it tight across her body.

She spun. Her hand shot out and grasped his wrist. Goosebumps skittered along her forearms as tendrils of power flowed from her fingertips.

“Ow!” He let go and shook his arm.

Shoot. She’d given him an ice burn.

But that wasn’t the worst of it. One of his friends grinned, his teeth a flash of white in the dark, as his blade slashed toward her.

Snow and Red is available on Amazon on a 99c special introductory offer or free in Kindle Unlimited.

If you like dragons, romance and danger, enter the simmering underworld of Pinevale in the Dragon Shifters’ Hoard today!

 

New Riders of Fire Dragon Masters Books

Riders of Fire Dragon Masters

New Riders of Fire Dragon Masters Books

Did you see the recent cover reveal of Dragon Mage? And the sneak preview of the first chapters?

Master Giddi’s dangerous adventures have grown so rich and deep that they needed to be split into two books!  Dragon Mage, book 2 and Master Mage book 4. Dragon Mage covers some of his teenage escapades, while Master Mage takes us on his dangerous rise to power and the tragic mistakes he makes. If only Giddi wasn’t so impulsive. Or so powerful.

#nospoilers

So, id Dragon Mage has been split into books 2 & 4, what’s book 3 about? And what is the title?

It’s time to update the Riders of Fire Dragon Masters series.

Riders of Fire Dragon Masters:

Dragon Pirate is born

Dragon Pirate Riders of Fire Dragon Masters book 3

 

A vengeful dragon.

A lucrative trade in a damnable cargo.

And a pirate captain with nothing left to lose.

Follow the Scarlet Hand in his rise to power.

Yes, Dragon Pirate is book 3. The Scarlet Hand is up to no good. He’s building a fleet of pirate ships to scour the Naobian Sea. He’s also made a shifty deal with Emperor Haakin of Metropoli, but by the First Egg, he’d better watch it, because the Emperor and his adviser General Vizza don’t play nice!

 

 

 

Riders of Fire

It’s been a challenge writing the prequels when I already know what will happen to many of these characters during Dragon War & Sea Dragon. However, it has also been a pleasure to dive deeper into their pasts and find out what makes each one tick.

I hope you enjoy Riders of Fire and the additions to the Riders of Fire Dragon Masters series and the rich backstory that unfolds.

Adrenaline-fueled adventure on dragonback awaits you! So, saddle up and ride!

Riders of Fire Dragon Masters – Dragon Mage Cover Reveal – New Books in Series

Dragon Mage

Dragon Mage – New Cover Reveal

Sometimes my stories grow…

… and grow.

Master Giddi’s exciting adventures have developed into a deep, rich story that spans more than one book! Yes, Dragon Mage, Riders of Fire Dragon Masters book 2,  has grown in to Dragon Mage and Master Mage.

However, Master Mage is book 4!

We have a mysterious book 3 lurking in the wings, waiting to be revealed. I’ll announce the new title  and reveal the beautiful cover art for book 3 soon.

My cover artist, Christian Bentulan, has done a wonderful job of depicting Giddi riding Aquaria, queen of the sea dragons.

Thank you to all my kind readers who have already pre-ordered Dragon Mage. The original cover will now be used for Master Mage, the story of how Giddi fell in love with Mazyka, a tempestuous ambitious mage, and broke the world.

Read on to find out more!

 an epic fantasy YA adventure set in Dragons' Realm.

Dragon Mage Riders of Fire Dragon Masters book 2

 

 

A young mage with raw, untamed power struggles for control while searching for his missing father. His vindictive trainer taunts him with the secret of his father’s disappearance. And secretly plots to kill him.

Giddi, a powerful young mage, can mind-meld with dragons at will, making him the only dragon mage in Dragons’ Realm. If he wasn’t so brash and impulsive, he might amount to something. It would help if his missing father, a Master Mage, could train him.

Instead, he’s stuck with Starrus, his arrogant and jealous trainer—the sole person who knows his father’s whereabouts.

If Giddi ever wants to see his father again, he must ensure his father’s secrets do not die with his trainer. But Starrus ruthlessly tests Giddi, repeatedly putting them in danger. Giddi’s rash actions cause an honored dragon rider’s death and a feud that will last generations, so he and Starrus are sent on a quest.

As if fighting fearless pirates, freeing a sea dragon and battling a kraken aren’t enough, Starrus abandons Giddi in the hot desert sands of the Wastelands, leaving him as carrion for the Robandi assassins…

How can Giddi convince Starrus to tell him the truth? Or will he die trying?

If you love epic coming-of-age fantasy, heart-pounding adventure and dragons, Dragon Mage is for you.

Dragon Mage, the second book in the exciting Riders of Fire Dragon Masters series, is the part of a new young adult epic fantasy series, a prequel to the award-winning, best-selling series, Riders of Fire.

Fans of Dragon School, Brindle Dragon, Dragon Riders of Pern and Eragon enjoy Riders of Fire.

Feel a dragon roaring beneath you and magic crackling under your skin. Unleash your power with Dragon Mage!

Anakisha’s Dragon Launch Party

Anakisha’s Dragon launch party!

Anakisha's Dragon

Anakisha’s Dragon is live in 6 days! Join us on 25 March 2021 from Noon ET-9pm ET for fun, games and giveaways in my Facebook group.

Anakisha's Dragon Launch Party on Facebook

I promised my readers a sneak preview of Anakisha’s Dragon. Read on and enjoy it!

Anakisha’s Dragon

A feisty street fighter avenging her dead brother. A dashing dragon rider in the right place at the wrong time. And an unlikely pirate captain with nothing left to lose.

Being a dragon rider is not in Anakisha’s plans. And Anakisha’s stubborn. She’s not giving up her dreams anytime soon.

Even the dashing Yanir—the King’s Rider, who patrols the skies on the onyx King Syan—can’t convince her to train at Dragons’ Hold. But then again, Yanir’s as irritating as he is good looking. Then Anaksiha’s gifts unfold, a dragon comes calling, and a crisis calls her into action.

Will’s an opportunist, combing the Naobian market to feed his starving sister. Luck goes his way, until a fateful game in a dodgy tavern changes his life forever.

He and his best friend wake on a ship, desperate, surrounded by bloodthirsty pirates, and armed only with Will’s gift of the gab. But even Will can’t talk his way out of this one…

This epic clash will plunge Dragons’ Realm into generations of bloody battles.

If you love epic coming-of-age fantasy, heart-pounding adventure and dragons, Anakisha’s Dragon is for you.

Dancing Dragon

The warmth of the Dancing Dragon was stifling, and the hum of voices was already loud enough to drown out a dragonet’s roar, even though it was only late afternoon. Anakisha turned the tap on a keg, and pale ale frothed into the wooden tankard. She placed it on the bar, foam slopping down the side. An out-of-towner—a dashing straw-blond fellow with ebony eyes and a fine-spun cloak in midnight blue—smiled at her as he placed his coppers on the polished wooden bar.

The handsome man winked. “Keep the change.”

She smiled. “Thank you.” She tucked the coppers into her apron, and pushed a strand of chestnut hair behind her ear.

“When do you finish work?” The man raised an eyebrow.

Ew, yuck, he was way too old for her—nearly thirty summers. He could barely believe a girl of seventeen summers would be keen on him. Anakisha let the trace of a smile soften her words. “My work here is never finished. There’s always something to do.”

He gave a mocking grin. “Oh well, it was worth a shot. You don’t blame me for trying with such a pretty girl, do you?” He picked up his beer, sauntered off to a crowded table and sat down. His friends jeered and hooted, shooting more than one glance at her.

So, it was like that, was it? No doubt, the cad had been dared by his friends to try his luck with her. Anakisha turned her back and poured a beer for the next patron. He wasn’t the first man to have failed, nor would he be the last. She smiled to herself. She only had eyes for one man. She avoided turning to gaze at the best window table where Justan was seated with his father, the village arbitrator, and his father’s advisers.

As she spun, she couldn’t resist a peek. The late afternoon sun glinted in the golden strands of Justan’s blond hair as he nodded attentively at something important those men were saying. Now, there was a compassionate young man going places. Not like the lout sitting with his boozy friends. Not that Anakisha had anything against drinking. She and Pa supported their family honestly by plying ale, food and rooms in the Dancing Dragon.

Her father nudged her and nodded at a stranger in an identical good-quality blue traveling cloak. “Could you serve this gentleman too, please, Anakisha?” He wiped his brow and grinned as he poured ale into one tankard after another. “We’ll make good coin today. We’re still three days out, and this tournament is already great for business. Can you imagine how busy we’ll be tomorrow and the day after? Not to mention during the after-tournament revelry.” Pa bustled off, hands full of tankards, to serve a group of men at the other end of the bar.

The tournament. Anakisha rolled her eyes. Why did he have to remind her? It wasn’t as if she could forget. This was the first year she wouldn’t be competing.

A breeze blew through the tavern as the door opened and another group of travelers elbowed their way through the throng, past the dark polished wooden tables brimming with patrons, toward the bar.

“Three ales and two plates of steak and eggs with bread, thanks, Anakisha.” Farmer Orion placed his coppers on the bar, his frayed shirt cuffs trailing through a trace of froth. “I wouldn’t say no to mushrooms and onions if you have some too.”

Anakisha plonked his ales down, pocketed his coin, and wiped up the foam. “Thanks. I’ll bring your meals out when they’re ready.” She headed to the kitchen.

“Anakisha, when you’ve placed that order, could you take a few chairs and tables outside into the square?” Pa asked. “The new arrivals need somewhere to sit. And grab four beers for the corner table on the way back, will you?”

Anakisha bustled behind the bar through the door into the kitchen.

Stella’s face was pink and her forehead covered in a glowing sheen of perspiration. She pushed back wisps that had escaped her long blonde braid. “Can you give me a hand, Anakisha? I’m run off my feet.” Her younger sister flipped some ham steaks and cracked more eggs onto an already full skillet.

“I know the feeling. This is the busiest it’s been since…” She bit her lip. Stella was already stressed. None of them needed reminders of Ma and Jacob’s deaths right now. Anakisha grabbed some steak from the meat safe and plopped two pieces onto the edge of the skillet. She sliced a few onions and threw them and a handful of mushrooms on, too. “I’d better get out to the bar. Oh, Farmer Orion wants bread with his steaks.”

“But we don’t have any bread.” Face panic-stricken, Stella flipped the eggs and ham onto four plates and maneuvered the steak into the middle of the skillet.

Anakisha shook her head. Stella was barely beyond her littling years, only nine summers old. Managing a kitchen in the busiest season was no small task for an adult, let alone a young girl. “The bakery’s not closed yet. Nip down the alley and grab a few loaves, and I’ll deal with all of this.” Anakisha popped some coppers into her little sister’s hand and hustled her toward the back door. “Be quick.”

“Thanks, Anakisha.” Stella hurried out the door, but turned on the stoop. “It’s a shame you can’t enter the tournament this year. Jacob would’ve been proud of how hard you’ve practiced.”

He would’ve. And proud if she won the coin up for grabs. Coin that could help her family. Anakisha picked up the plates of ham and eggs and gave Stella a bright smile. “It’s all right.” She swallowed the lump in her throat as her sister dashed across the Dancing Dragon’s stable yard and down the alley.

For years, her father had let her tag along to the tournaments with her older brother Jacob, who’d taught her all he’d learned from the village’s master archer. This was the first tournament since Jacob had been murdered and Ma had died of pilzkrank. She’d been practicing every day since her brother’s death, determined to compete and honor Jacob’s name. But last night, when folk had flooded the tavern, Pa had forbidden her to enter the tournament this year, saying their livelihood came first. But if she won the prize, she’d be helping their livelihood too.

Pa stuck his head through the door. “Four more plates of ham and eggs, two apiece for tables seven and eight.” He raised an eyebrow. “Where’s Stella?”

“Gone to get bread.”

“Good. I’ll do the beers. Could you help me with the chairs once you’ve served those plates?” He ducked back into the bar.

Anakisha followed Pa into the taproom, the din enveloping her as she wove between crowded tables, deftly avoiding the odd stray hand—not locals’ hands—only out-of-towners would attempt something that daft under her father’s watchful eye.

Smiling, she gave the patrons their meals and then scampered down the hallway to retrieve the folding tables to ferry outside. The furniture was light, but awkward to squeeze through the crowded taproom. Anakisha dodged patrons and finally made it outside with a table under her arm. The square was brimming with visitors to Fieldhaven, hawkers plying their wares long after the morning market should’ve shut. Usually, setting the tables outside was one of their early morning tasks when they opened, but today, they’d been woken by people looking for rooms and food, and barely stopped since.

No sooner had she set the tables on the cobbles and dashed back inside to grab some chairs, patrons were flooding outside with their ales to sit in front of the tavern.

“Hey, love, could we have some stew and bread out here?” a middle-aged man with a huge belly and dark bushy whiskers asked. “Four bowls for me and my companions, please.”

“We’re out of bread, but I can bring you stew for now, and perhaps some bread later,” Anakisha replied.

“No bread?” The man’s eyebrows shot up. “Never mind. The whole town’s probably out with so many people here for the tournament. Just bring us that hearty stew. That’ll keep us archers going.”

His companions guffawed, flexing their bow arms.

Everyone in town—and from out of town—was competing, except her. Anakisha bustled through the taproom and into the kitchen, making her way to the cauldron of bubbling goat stew. She ladled stew into four bowls, salivating at the aroma of mushrooms, onions, meat and carrots in thick gravy. She hadn’t eaten in hours. Maybe she could snag a slice of bread when Stella returned. Balancing two bowls on each arm, and Farmer Orion’s orders in one hand, Anakisha pushed the door open with her hip and walked through the taproom, catching snatches of conversation.

“Dragons are on their way. They say even King Syan has been sighted coming south.”

“Syan? He’s not been about much lately. They say he’s been too busy training his young rider.”

“He has been. So, are dragon riders competing too?”

“They always shoot a few arrows.”

“The tournament’s early, so mind what you drink. You don’t want to sleep through it.”

“Who should we place our bets on today? What’s the local talent like?”

She gave Farmer Orion his steaks. “Stella will be back with bread soon.”

He nodded his thanks and kept on talking.

Anakisha escaped the dense babble and broke out into the square. “Gentlemen, I trust this will be to your liking.” The men broke off their conversation while she placed their bowls before them. Their tankards were empty. “Would you like more beer?” she asked.

The man with the beard chuckled, his belly wobbling beneath his shirt. “No worries, love. We’ll come to the bar when we need more ale. It’s so busy, it looks like you can hardly take a breath.”

She smiled gratefully and raced back inside.

Pa smiled at a red-faced laundress sitting at the bar, set her beer on the counter, and collected her coin with a practiced ease. “Anakisha, the arbitrator’s table would like ham and eggs, when you have a moment.”

“Stella should be back by now. I’ll let her know.”

“Ah, look, a new influx of guests,” Pa replied as yet more people pushed their way into the crowded tavern.

Anakisha popped her head through the door into the kitchen. “Stella, we need… Stella?” Stella was hunched over the table, shoulders shaking, her face in her hands. Anakisha rushed over and laid an arm across her littling sister’s shoulders. “Stella, what’s wrong?”

Her sister lifted her face, her cheeks tear-streaked. A dark bruise was blossoming on her left cheek.

“What happened?” Anakisha cradled her little sister’s head against her chest as sobs wracked Stella’s body.

“It was one of the Howlers,” Stella sniffed. “Purley’s gang stole my coppers, so we don’t have any bread.”

“Which Howler? Who?” Anakisha held Stella out to examine her face. Her cheek was swollen, and the bruise mottled her skin.

“It was Spike,” Stella sobbed. “I caught him with his hand in my pocket trying to steal my coppers.”

“What did you do?”

“I punched him, but only in the arm. He stole my coppers anyway.”

“So brave.” Anakisha pulled out a ’kerchief and wiped Stella’s eyes and cheeks, carefully dabbing around the bruise. It still made Stella wince. “Good on you,” she said. “I’m proud of you for standing up for yourself. I bet he has a right bruise tomorrow.”

Her littling sister smiled through her tears, heartening Anakisha. “Don’t worry,” Anakisha whispered. “We’ll get your coppers back.”

Stella’s tears stopped. Wide-eyed, she asked, “We will? How, Anakisha?”

“I know someone who knows someone who fights the Howlers.” Hopefully, that would be enough to satisfy her sister without raising suspicion.

“Stella,” Pa called from the taproom, “please bring the ham and eggs for the arbitrator’s group by the window. Anakisha, could you grab two more of those small tables and bring them outside for a new group? And when you’re done, they’d all like ales.”

Anakisha rolled her eyes. “Wouldn’t we all?” she muttered to Stella, managing to make her sister laugh. “Here, I’ll put the eggs and ham on. Watch them while I do the tables and ale and then I’ll take them out for you. The last thing you need is a ribbing from unruly patrons—and there are more than a few unruly ones out there at the moment.” Anakisha cracked the eggs onto the heavy iron skillet.

“Thank you,” Stella murmured, gingerly touching her bruise.

Anakisha clenched her jaw. Spike would pay for marring her sister’s face. She’d see to it personally.

***

Anakisha sauntered back out to the taproom balancing two plates of ham and eggs on each arm, with an extra ale for the arbitrator in one hand, in his special tankard. She deftly maneuvered between the crowded tables, avoiding being jostled by laughing patrons. Everyone was in a festive mood—except Stella, who was back on her feet, but still puffy-eyed, in the kitchen.

Trust the Howlers to ruin things.

“Evening, gentlemen. The ale’s on the house, sir,” Anakisha said, placing it in front of Justan’s pa. She deposited the plates in front of the arbitrator, his two advisers and Justan.

Justan’s father barely gave her a glance, although his scowl lessened slightly as he reached for the beer and continued his conversation with his advisers.

Anakisha briefly laid her hand on the table with five fingers splayed, then touched her shoulder with her left hand.

Justan’s eyes grazed her fingers on the table, then flitted to her hand at her shoulder. He tilted his head, watching his father as if transfixed, smiling slightly as his father gestured ostentatiously and delivered the punch line to his anecdote. Too busy laughing, the other men missed Justan’s nod, the two fingers he laid on the table, then his ten splayed fingers as he placed his hands on either side of his plate of steaming eggs and tangy ham.

Good. Tonight at twelve. But where?

“Do you require anything else, gentlemen?” Anakisha asked, deliberately giving Justan more time.

“I’m fine, thanks.” Justan scratched his chin, letting his forefinger brush his lower lip.

At the abandoned wine cellar, then.

“We’ll call you if we need anything, girl.” Justan’s father waved Anakisha away like a bothersome moth flitting too close to a lantern.

Anakisha made her way back through the maze of tables to the bar. With a flash of his midnight-blue cloak, the straw-blond man reached out to pat her waist as she edged past. She nimbly sidestepped his grasping fingers.

His companions guffawed.

“You’re going to have to try harder than that if you want her,” a man wearing a similar cloak chortled, banging his meaty fists on the table.

As far as she was concerned, midnight couldn’t come soon enough.

***

Pa stalked out from behind the bar, shouldering his way through the taproom. He towered over the straw-blond man, fists flexing. “I’d thank you to keep your hands off the tavern master’s daughter.” His voice was laced with iron.

The man turned his dark glare on Pa. “And I suppose you’re the tavern master, are you?” His tone bordered on arrogant.

“Yes, I am.” The iron in Pa’s voice brooked no nonsense. “Perhaps you’d like a meal to help you handle your ale?”

The man grinned. “Well, if I can’t have the girl, a fine slab of ham wouldn’t go astray.” His eyes raked over Anakisha’s hips and thighs, making her want to scrub herself with a boar-bristle brush.

Actually, make that his face she wanted to scrub with boar bristles. Instead, she stalked off and sequestered herself behind the bar. She could still hear Pa from here, but she felt a lot better with the solid walnut bar between her and that pretty snake.

“If you or your friends want any more beer tonight, keep away from my daughter.”

The man nodded. “Yes, sir. I wouldn’t want to disappoint my friends.”

His friends laughed as if he’d meant something else completely. Something ribald. Something sinister. A shiver rippled down Anakisha’s spine.

When the last of the customers at the bar turned to take their beer off to the crowded tables, Anakisha slipped into the kitchen.

Stella had pulled her hair out of her braid and was seated at the table, taking a rare break. Two steaming mugs of soppleberry tea sat on the kitchen table, their bittersweet aroma wafting to meet Anakisha. Her sister sipped from a mug and gestured at a seat. “Sit down, Anakisha. You must be tired too.”

Anakisha sank into a hard wooden chair and cradled her hands around the warm mug, inhaling deeply. “Ah, this is just what I need. Thank you.” As she took a sip, Pa wandered into the kitchen.

Stella leaned forward, pouring a third mug of tea for Pa, her hair cascading over her cheek. Then she went to the counter, her back to them, and busied herself with plonking dirty dishes into the wooden tub of steaming water on the benchtop. She didn’t fool Anakisha—Stella was hiding her bruise so Pa wouldn’t see.

Pa wearily sank into Stella’s seat and rubbed his hands over his face. “I don’t want you and Stella to grow up in this tavern cooking and learning your letters by day and serving drinks and food all night.” He took a long sip of tea. “I know there’s a better life for you both out there,” he spat. “A life away from thuggish louts and pretty boys who think they’re allowed their own way with women.”

Anakisha patted Pa’s hand. “It won’t be forever, Pa. Things will change soon.”

“I know you’re trying hard, blossom. Hopefully, you’re right and our fortune will soon change. With more busy days like today…” he trailed off, scowling. “Not that I want more incidents like that one. But with a few more busy days we’ll earn enough coin to hire some help.”

Anakisha had never dared to tell Pa about her plan: one day, when she married Justan, the arbitrator was bound to promote Pa to be one of his advisers. Then Pa could also wear fine ermine stoles. He’d be able to come home and see them in the evenings, instead of being stuck behind the bar serving guzzling patrons.

She smiled brightly and patted his hand again. “We’ll sort something out.”

Pa frowned, his blue eyes piercing. “You’re not up to some harebrained scheme, are you?”

Anakisha let her eyebrows shoot up. “Harebrained?” Her scheme was anything but that. “No, not me.” She wouldn’t tell Pa and Stella a thing until they no longer had to work in the Dancing Dragon. Perhaps, one day, she and Stella could live somewhere with a pretty flower garden—instead of a stable yard out back—and spend their summer afternoons sipping cold soppleberry tea under cherry trees, like Justan’s ma and sister did.

But not tonight—tonight she had work to do.

Two Moons Ago

 

Star had buried herself under her covers again. Will peeled back her light summer quilt to peer at his littling sister. Her hair was tousled and her face creased with sleep. He stooped to kiss her brow.

As his lips brushed her forehead, she woke. “Are you going out again?” she murmured, and sat up, her ebony eyes bright in the predawn shadows.

“I am.” He smiled and tickled her under her chin.

She stifled a giggle and shot a glance at the next room. Their mother’s soft snores trickled from her bedroom.

Will sat on the bed. His eyes darted to Ma’s room. “I stayed by her all night. She slept well last night, the whole night through. You should be fine with her today. If there are any worries, go straight to Bessie’s.”

A frown puckered Star’s pretty brow. “Will you be home by supper?”

“Yes, I will.” He nodded.

Star gave a shy smile. “What will you bring today?”

Will grinned, even though he didn’t feel like it. Before he’d woken Star, he’d pried up the floorboard and taken out the last of their savings—a measly two coppers, enough for two loaves of bread. Ma had been sick for nigh on a moon now, and unable to work. Will had tried all sorts of work, but between caring for Star and Ma, and being clobbered by half the merchants in the local market for having a smart mouth, he hadn’t been very successful—until he’d started trading up.

Yes, things were looking better, but he’d need these coppers as seed money. You couldn’t get rich from nothing. By the First Egg, Ma had told them that often enough.

He smiled at his baby sister. At seven summers, she was still a littling and ten years his junior. Since Pa had died at sea shortly after Star’s birth, he’d done everything he could to keep them safe. And today would be no different. His smile softened. “Now, lie down and go back to sleep.”

She wriggled under the bed sheet, her chin poking over the top. “You promise you’ll be back in time for supper? Can you bring something tasty?”

Will nodded. “I will. In the meantime, there are a few bites of bread left. I’ve milked the goat and softened half the bread in a bowl for Ma. Hopefully, you can get a few mouthfuls into her today. And there are still a few plums on the tree.”

Star’s lip trembled.

Will tickled her chin again to make her smile. “There now, be a brave girl and I’ll bring you and Ma a treat for supper.”

Her face brightened immediately. “Perhaps an orange?”

“We’ll see what my master gives me.” There was no point in telling Star or Ma he’d been fired again. They’d just worry. He sighed. He’d never expected to become the man in the household at twelve summers old. For five years, he’d borne the weight like an enormous Robandi camel slung across his shoulders.

Perhaps camels didn’t weigh that much. Long-legged, the beasts had mighty bodies for sure, but perhaps his family weighed more—especially this last moon since Ma had gotten sick. If only he’d been better at earning a crust. He’d failed them because he couldn’t keep his trap shut. Well, it was that very same mouth that was keeping them fed now.

Will bent and kissed Star’s forehead. Then he brushed his fingertips across her eyelids and they drifted shut. He blew out the candle and tiptoed out the door into the dark.

***

It was an hour’s walk to Treyvin’s cottage but, as usual, Will had lingered with Star, so he had to hurry if they were to get to the market early. The empty burlap sack over his shoulder swung as the ocean breeze caught it. He hurried along the road between the farms and orchards, heading towards Treyvin’s house on the outskirts of Naobia.

When he got to Treyvin’s gate, his best mate was nowhere to be seen. With a rustle of leaves, Treyvin slid down a tree onto the road and landed with a thump. His teeth flashed in the gray predawn light, and he held up a handful of walnuts. Beside Treyvin’s cottage, the forge was already glowing—his father, a blacksmith, was an early riser. A head taller than Will and one and a half times as broad, Treyvin had the right build for a blacksmith—thick, well-muscled arms and large hands with blunt finger tips.

Treyvin moved with the confidence of a draft horse, big-footed and solid, passing Will a couple of walnuts and gesturing at his own bulging pockets. “There’s more where those came from. I guess you haven’t had any breakfast.”

Will nodded, pocketing the nuts to take home to Star. Although they were too tough for Ma to chew in her weakened state, his sister loved them. She’d wanted a treat for supper. Walnuts would do the trick nicely.

Treyvin gave him a cheeky grin and placed two walnuts in the palm of his large hand. He closed his fist around them and squeezed. When he opened it, the walnuts had cracked cleanly. Treyvin picked out the nut flesh and chewed it, grinning. “Your turn.” He held out two more for Will.

Will shook his head. “I don’t have strong blacksmith’s hands like you.” He took the nuts anyway and squeezed them as hard as he could, knuckles turning red and then white. It was no use. They didn’t crack.

Treyvin laughed and pulled another two nuts out of his pocket. Within moments, a crack sounded from his palm and those walnuts were in pieces as well. “Go on,” Treyvin said. “Try again, or you’ll never get any breakfast.”

“Maybe I’m not that hungry.” Will’s stomach grumbled, betraying him.

Treyvin sniggered as they hurried along the road toward Naobia, Treyvin cracking walnuts and passing them to Will.

Will picked the pieces of flesh from the shards and munched on them. They were good, but barely enough to keep him going. “Let’s take the shortcut through the orchard,” he suggested when they were near the city.

They sneaked through the peach orchard, snaffling some fruit on the way. Will even managed to stuff a few pieces into his sack. Peaches would please Star, no end.

As usual, they waited for sunrise at the edge of the orchard on a knoll just outside town. The red rays of dawn rose above the city of Naobia. The sun’s fiery wake reflected on the broad expense of the Naobian Sea, setting the ocean ablaze with red and gold. Will inhaled deeply through his nostrils, savoring the salty tang of the ocean and enjoying the wind ruffling his hair. “I love the sea.”

“I know.” Treyvin rolled his eyes. “You say the same thing every morning. It’s in your blood, from your pa.”

Could it be that simple? The sound of crashing waves tugged on something fierce and wild inside Will, making him want to ride out on the tide all the way to the Wastelands—the Robandi Desert where those giant-hoofed camels roamed and assassins pocked the dunes like canker. He shrugged. “Maybe it is from Pa. Maybe not.” Some days he could barely remember his father.

A green guard flew out from the city, patrolling along the coast. Three more flew out to meet an incoming ship. The dragons’ wings blazed emerald in the early morning sun, their riders sitting tall in their saddles.

“Being a dragon rider, now that’d be the life,” Treyvin said. “Soaring on the wind above the city, flying out over the depths and viewing the world from on high. Not having to slave over a hot forge in the summer heat.”

“How long has your pa given you?”

Treyvin grimaced and tossed an empty walnut shell into the grass. “Two more days to prove I can make decent coin, otherwise I’m back in the forge. Are you sure we can make this work?”

“We’ll be fine, you’ll see.” Will shaded his eyes from the rising sun. The dragons were now circling the ship.

“Do you think it’s a pirate ship?” Treyvin gestured at the incoming galley. The prow cut through the satin of the ocean, peeling it back like the skin of an orange, leaving a shimmering trail of foam in the galley’s wake.

Will shook his head, pointing at the sails. “Hard to tell, but I don’t think so. See how she’s riding low in the ocean? It’s probably full of goods from the Wastelands—or from Metropoli, ferried across the sand by camels.”

“Could be from farther along the coast,” said Treyvin practically.

Will grinned. “That wouldn’t be half as romantic.”

Treyvin shivered. “I’m glad I don’t live in Metropoli. They say slaves make half the wares there. Knowing our luck, we’d be among them.”

Will barked a laugh. “Us, slaves? No way. I’m glad I’m in Naobia living a free life. Even if I haven’t made my fortune yet, as least here we have a chance.” He elbowed Treyvin. “Besides, today’s our lucky day. I can feel it in my bones.”

“Me too.”

They bumped fists. “To freedom and good fortune.” Treyvin raised an eyebrow.

“To freedom and good fortune.” Will returned it with a raised one of his own. “We’d better get on with it. Our fortunes won’t be made standing here.”

They strode down the knoll onto the main road leading to the gate in the city wall. Merchants were unloading goods from the dock and bustling toward town.

Will and Treyvin strode through the city wall and along the road past a man pushing a handcart loaded with exotic fruit. Will inhaled the scent of cardamom as a horse clopped past, pulling a wagon laden with grains, herbs and spices.

“Make way, make way.” A man flipped the reins on his horse, his yellow and red caravan drumming up a flurry of dust. Pots and pans fastened to ropes outside the rear door clattered as Will and Treyvin stood, their backs to the stone wall of a building to let the tinker pass.

“Let’s duck down here.” Will gestured to a side alley, and he and Treyvin went down it to avoid the press of traffic. Will wiped the dust from his mouth with the back of his hand.

They broke into a piazza holding Will’s favorite fountain in all of Naobia. A tangle of sea dragons carved from opaline crystal cascaded water out of their maws, their tiny glassy scales glittering with rainbows in the early morning sun. Will scooped the sparkling water up with both hands and took deep gulps, rinsing the walnut bits from his teeth. He drew a damp hand through his dark hair and slicked it back. “When you’re trading up, you have to look the part. Best to present yourself tidily so people trust you.” He inspected his reflection in the water, satisfied.

Treyvin looked dubious, but bent to swish a wet hand through his hair. “Any good?”

“Uh, it’s sort of sticking up. Perhaps you could…” Will mimed slicking rather than scrubbing, but no matter what he did, Treyvin’s hair stuck up at odd angles like an untidy shag’s nest.

“That’ll have to do,” said Will. “If we don’t get to the market soon, it’ll be shut.”

“It’s only set-up time,” Treyvin protested.

“Ah, it was just an idiom.”

“I’m not an idiot.” Treyvin frowned quizzically.

“That’s not what I meant. Forget it. Look, if you’re going to learn how to trade up, you need to copy me. Are you with me?” Will held out his fist.

Treyvin bumped it. “To freedom and good fortune,” they said in unison and hurried down the lane to the market square.

Night Wings

 

A few stray customers were still outside, sipping their final ales at the tables in the square, when Anakisha and Pa closed up and dragged their weary bodies up to bed. “Good night, Anakisha,” Pa said, pausing on the threshold to his room. “Thanks for your help tonight.”

“Night, Pa.” Anakisha slipped through the door next to his and closed it.

Stella was long since in bed, breathing softly and evenly, a dark hump under her covers, barely visible in the strand of moonlight that slid between the crack in the curtains.

Anakisha drew the drapes back and opened the window, the lacy net curtains fluttering in a gentle breeze as she pulled the sash window up. She took a stick out from under her bed and propped the window open. The slurred voices of the last drunken patrons floated up from below, their raucous chuckles drowning out Stella’s even breaths. Moonlight fell across Stella’s bed. Anakisha stole over and gazed at the mottled bruise on her sister’s pretty cheek.

Anger stirred in her belly. The street rats had probably killed her brother. Now, they’d bullied one littling too many. Tonight, she’d teach them. She eased her door open and peeked down the corridor. Candlelight glimmered under Pa’s door. There was no way she could sneak out the back while he was still up. The window, then.

She closed the door and stole over to the hearth. Anakisha grabbed a handful of ash and smeared it on her cheeks, then threw her warmest cloak over her shoulders and padded to the window. They’d closed late. It must be after midnight. How long would Justan wait for her? Hopefully long enough. She took off her boots, tied the laces together and hung them around her neck.

With moons of practice, it was no problem for Anakisha to hoist herself into a crouch on the window sill, twist, and maneuver herself onto the ledge outside, grasping the stones on either side of the window to steady herself. A burst of raucous laughter echoed off the cobbles. Anakisha glanced down. The moon glimmered off pale hair. A familiar voice drifted up to her.

By the First Egg, it was that straw-blond man and his cronies, swathed in their midnight-blue cloaks. Luckily, they were too busy enjoying the dregs of their ale to notice her. She edged along the ledge, her fingers grasping familiar handholds. Only a few steps to go until the corner.

The unmistakable swish of dragon wings beat overhead. A rush of wind gusted her hair across her face and made her cloak eddy around her legs. Dark wings blotted out the moonlight.

The straw-blond man laughed. “Hey, what’s that? Anyone feel like besting a dragon rider tonight?”

“Not that particular rider,” crowed a crony, “but if you’re itching for a duel, I’ll best you.”

More laughter broke out.

Anakisha froze on the ledge. Gods, if they saw her and yelled out, they’d be sure to rouse Pa—and all the dragon fire in the realm wouldn’t save her.

If she could just get around the back, near the stables, she wouldn’t risk being seen. She tentatively reached an arm around the corner, then stretched out her leg, her bare feet grasping toeholds. Only two handholds until the next ledge.

Anakisha whipped around the corner as the blond man said, “Wouldn’t mind a taste of that tavern wench.”

Shuddering, she paused on the next ledge, and drew in a deep breath. The sooner she got out of here, the better. She reached out for a handhold and launched herself across the gap to the next ledge, and then the next, her boots swinging, whacking her chest. Finally, heart pounding, she reached the drainpipe at the corner of the stable yard.

She shimmied down the pipe and landed on the rain barrel. Anakisha breathed a sigh of relief and thudded to the ground, her boots thumping against her chest. Thank First Egg, she’d escaped those drunkards.

Raucous laughter rang down the alley.

Strong hands shot out of the shadows and grasped her arms. “What are you doing out past your bedtime? Looking for fun?” A flash of teeth in the darkness—and that straw hair. “Gimme a drink from those pretty red lips,” the drunk slurred, tightening his grip until the bones in her forearms ached.

Gods, he was strong. “You’ve obviously had enough to drink,” she said. “The tavern will be open tomorrow if you’d like another ale.” Around the corner, his cronies were laughing about tavern wenches.

Tavern wench indeed. What gave those men the right to treat her like this? It wasn’t her fault Ma and Jacob had died, leaving her and Pa to run the Dancing Dragon. Nevertheless, a prickle ran down her spine at their deep chuckles. Gods, if they came around the corner too…

“Come on, you know you want me.” The man leaned in, a gust of stinking beer rushing across her cheek and over her lips. He shoved her up against the wall, leering. “You made a fool of me, but your father’s not here to protect you now, girl, so I’ll show you a thing or two.” He jammed her harder against the wall. Despite her thick cloak, the stone bit into her spine.

Wedging his shoulder against hers, he fiddled with his belt buckle. As quick as an asp, Anakisha kneed him in the groin.

Gasping, he doubled over clutching his crotch. She kicked out, her foot connecting with his chest. He tumbled to the cobbles, his limbs sprawling in a drunken heap.

Anakisha ran, her boots thumping against her chest and feet scraping on the rough cobbles.

Bellowing, the brute thundered after her and yanked the end of her cloak. She surged forward and the fabric ripped. Anakisha darted down a tiny lane. These alleys were her playground, her territory. She knew them like the back of her hand—better than the back of her hand. Better than he did.

His boots pounded the cobbles, echoing off the sleepy buildings. A bolt of green flame shot through the air. Anakisha ducked as it sizzled past, narrowly missing her head, and hit the stone facade of a bakery. She dashed around a corner, catching a glimpse of green sparks dripping from his fingertips. A mage—just her luck.

She raced like a flaming dragon was on her tail, leaped over a pile of garbage and scrambled to the end of the lane. A wooden fence and a pile of refuse blocked her way. But then again, she’d known that. Anakisha surged over the garbage and clambered up the fence. The bottom corner of her cloak snagged on a nail, and for a moment, she teetered on the top of the fence, the ties of her cloak tightening at her throat and choking the air from her windpipe.

The straw-blond mage laughed, making gooseflesh ripple down her spine. A blast of heat roiled toward her. Desperate, Anakisha flung herself toward the ground. The cloak’s ties constricted her throat. Dizzy, she let her weight carry her. With a wrench, her cloak ripped free of the nail and Anakisha fell off the fence into the farrier’s yard.

Gasping, she sprang to her feet and took off across the hard-packed dirt. One of her boots had become dislodged and banged against her back as she ran, the other thumping her chest. Gods, her feet were sore.

A curse rang out behind her. There was a muffled thud as the mage hit the ground. He didn’t rise. No sparks flitted from his fingers. As she glanced back, a deep snore rumbled across the yard. The drunken sod had banged his head and was out like a snuffed lantern.

Feet aching, Anakisha kept running.

***

Anakisha bolted along the cobbled alley that wound between storefronts nestled together like a cluster of toadstools. Storm clouds scudded across the moon. Her feet slapped on the rough cobbles and her breath rasped. Gods, what a night—and it hadn’t even started yet.

When she came to the corner of the Narrows and Bloodlust Alley, she slowed, slipping into the shadows and moving silently along the stone facades until she reached the hatch to an old wine cellar beneath a derelict tavern. Anakisha gave two short raps on the door and waited. A sliver of moonlight broke from between the dark clouds and hit the hatch as it opened, illuminating a pale hand that motioned her inside.

Still panting, Anakisha climbed down the rickety stairs, hoping she wouldn’t get splinters in her aching feet.

Justan grunted and slid the hatch shut. A lamp flared, illuminating his and three other ash-smeared faces.

Brianna scowled. “You’re late.” The flickering lantern light made the ropey scar across her throat gleam. Caught in a knife fight, Brianna had been no match for the Howler that had wielded the blade against her. Luckily, Justan had been passing and jumped in at the last minute. Since then, Brianna had fawned over him.

Fox, Brianna’s brother and Jacob’s best friend, shifted uneasily, shadows playing across his thin face and pooling under his sharp cheekbones so his head looked like a skull with a thatch of wiry red hair. Next to him, Billy flexed his brawny arms and looked at Justan with his slanted emerald eyes—not unlike a cat’s.

“We couldn’t really leave without her, could we?” Justan said. “Since she’s the one who called the meeting, and all.” He spun to Anakisha, hands splayed. “So why did you want to meet tonight?”

Anakisha sat on the bottom step and rubbed her aching feet. Her words came out in a torrent as she tugged her boots on. “The Howlers attacked Stella and stole her coin when she was out buying bread for the tavern. She came back in tears, empty-handed, with an ugly bruise on her cheek. I want revenge. Purley has to pay.”

“Purley has to pay, all right. And not just for wee Stella.” Justan growled. “That’s four attacks on us and ours this week. They kicked Shiv in the guts behind the tannery and then wrenched my arm something awful in a scuffle in the marketplace, knowing I couldn’t fight back because my pa was around.”

“With Stella, that’s three. Who’s the fourth?” Anakisha tugged her laces tight.

“They poisoned Widow Mayfree’s cat,” Fox piped up. “I know it was them, even though they denied it, ’coz she hit Spike with her purse when he tried to lift her coin last week.”

Justan shook his head. “They’re a nasty bunch, all right. We need to rid the streets of these rats. If my father wasn’t so spineless, we could fight the Howlers on behalf of the council and be paid good coin. But he’s terrified of them striking back.”

Justan was noble, fighting for the cause even though it could cost him his inheritance—no mean feat, because the arbitrator had the largest estate in the village. Despite his father being the arbitrator, he was brave enough to take matters into his own hands.

Justan’s gaze turned to Anakisha and lingered as his voice softened. “We need to avenge the Howlers’ wrongs.”

She swallowed and blinked hard. After Ma died, Jacob had been consumed with grief and taken to fighting. He and Fox had fallen in with the Night Wings. For three moons, Jacob had fought the Howlers alongside Justan, Fox and Billy. And then one night, Justan had arrived at the back door of the Dancing Dragon with Jacob in his arms, splattered in her brother’s blood. The dagger hilt protruding from Jacob’s chest had said it all. Pale-faced, Justan had passed Jacob’s body to Pa and taken Anakisha in his arms, holding her while she sobbed. Comforting her. He’d been her refuge in the storm. On the spot, she’d pledged to fight with Justan in the Night Wings and avenge her brother’s death. The next night, she’d sneaked out to meet the Night Wings and put an end to the Howlers’ crimes.

“Why are you late?” Justan asked.

“Couldn’t help it,” Anakisha said. “A lout followed me from the tavern and tried to have his way with me.” Her heartbeat sped, just thinking about it again.

“By the dragon gods!” Justan’s eyes narrowed. “You all right?”

Anakisha’s heart stuttered. Shards, it was nice to know he cared. “Yes, I’m fine, but that strange mage is not. He’s out cold in the farrier’s yard.”

One of Fox’s red eyebrows quirked up. “You bested a mage? Good on you, Anakisha. Jacob’s fighting lessons paid off.”

Billy grinned and Brianna laughed.

“Let’s get down to business.” Justan palmed a key from his pocket and strode behind a row of fusty old barrels.

They all followed, Fox carrying the lantern. Justan bent and opened the weapon chest. The flickering lamplight glinted on the collection of blades. Justan selected his favorite sword and tucked an assortment of daggers into his belt and boots. As Justan’s new right hand, Anakisha got next choice. She lifted her scabbard from the chest and drew out her sword, the fine blade gleaming as she inspected it. Anakisha sheathed it and fastened it at her hip as Fox took his sword, Brianna her knives, and Billy his cudgel—not that he needed it; his fists were powerful enough.

Justan snapped the chest shut and locked it.

“Over the rooftops?” Fox whispered, a sly smile sliding across his thin face.

A nod from Justan and they padded to the stair. Billy hung back and blew out the lantern, plunging them into darkness. He pushed past them in the inky-black and opened the door without fumbling. It was uncanny how well he could see in the dark—and how little he spoke. They stood, hands on hilts, as he poked his head outside. “All clear,” he murmured.

They filed out and hugged the stone walls while Justan and Billy shut the heavy hatch. Fox led the way, flitting through the shadows, the rest of the crew stealing after him through the winding alleys. He darted down a narrow lane between the shoemakers and the tannery, and nipped into a shadowy recess between two buildings. Fox jammed his fingers and feet into cracks in the stone and scampered up the side of the building, as agile as a squirrel. Soon, a rope whipped down and dangled in the recess against a stone wall.

Billy didn’t like heights, so he slunk off into the darkness to meet them near the Howler’s latest haunt—a burned-out brewery on the shady side of town, deep in Howler territory.

The rope twitched—Fox’s signal for Brianna to climb up. She grasped it, set her feet against the building, and scaled the wall.

Waiting, Justan edged closer to Anakisha, his breath tickling her ear. “You all right to climb? You’ve had a rough night with that mage, and all.”

“Fine,” she purred, smiling in the dark.

“Good. I wouldn’t want anything to happen to you.” He squeezed her hand.

The warmth that stole through Anakisha had nothing to do with the night air.

The rope twitched—her turn. Anakisha scaled the building quickly. Her arms and face tingled with warmth by the time she got to the top. It was nothing to do with Justan, of course. Only the exertion. Maybe.

Once Justan joined them, Fox hoisted the rope and tied it around his slim hips.

The undulating rooftops snaked around the winding alleys. In single file and staying low, the crew scrambled over the shingles up onto the ridge of the roof and balanced there, grasping a chimney.

Justan gave them a nod. Fox raced along the ridge and leaped across a narrow gap. Brianna went next. Anakisha pelted across the rooftop and jumped. Her foot caught the lip of the next roof and she stumbled, landing on her knees. Although she’d grazed them, she slithered out of the way so Justan could land. A moment later, he thudded down beside her.

“You all right?” His voice hissed like the scrape of a sword sliding from its scabbard.

She scrambled to a crouch and dusted off her knees. “I’m fine.”

A bloodcurdling howl rose from Bloodlust Alley.

“Come on, let’s go.” Justan took her hand and pulled her across the roof after Fox and Brianna, who were already running along the ledge of the next roof. Fox leaped, his red hair catching the moonlight as he nimbly landed.

They leapt to the next roof. Fox grinned and clapped a hand on her shoulder. “Sore knees, or are you used to it by now?”

Anakisha shrugged his hand off. “I’m fine.” She glowered, but that only made his grin wider.

Fox and Brianna took off along joined rooftops that rose and fell like dragon spines along the winding alleys of Fieldhaven. Justan and Anakisha followed, keeping their tread light. They’d been traversing the rooftops at night for so many moons it was almost second nature—except for that cursed first gap which Anakisha kept muffing. All of the Night Wings gave her no end of ribbing about it.

Soon they got to the Howlers’ turf—the rundown poorer quarter where the Howlers prowled at night.

Fox and Brianna were up ahead, flat on their bellies looking over the edge of the roof. Anakisha dropped to the rooftop and slithered over on her stomach. Better safe than sorry—there was no point copping an arrow in the head. She wriggled forward, the worn shingles smooth under her fingers from years of rain and snow. She peered over the edge, wrinkling her nose at the carcass of a dead bird lodged in the gutter an arm’s length away. Not that the alley below smelled much better—it was full of rotting refuse.

The Howlers lived rough, squatting in the remains of a brewery that had been gutted by fire. Although the charred stone edifice still stood, most of the windows had exploded in the blaze. Along the ground floor, jagged shards gaped in the windows’ hollow maws. The street rats dragged their spoils back to their blackened lair: food and valuables they lifted at the market; coin they extorted from locals; and good old-fashioned pickings from those they robbed or treated to brutal beatings.

Anakisha shook her head. Stella was only nine summers old. These street rats picked on anyone—especially the weak and vulnerable.

Scuffling and voices rose from the twisting alley. Anakisha edged forward, peering over the gutter.

“What are you doing on our turf so late at night?” Purley barked, her dagger at the neck of a man who was backed up against the huge brown shutters over the cooper’s store.

In the sputtering torchlight, his cherry-red velvet cloak was a stark contrast to the dirty worn home-spun of the Howlers arrayed around him. He was obviously a stranger, here for the tournament, or he would’ve known not to come to these parts of town at night.

Lefty swaggered over waving his strongwood staff and shoved his face right up against the man’s as Purley held him at knife point. “What you got for us tonight?” he crooned. His staff was taller than the stranger, but, then again, so was he.

“Maybe I should have a go-round with him,” a sultry voice said as Adora materialized from the shadows. Spike flexed his knuckles and grinned.

Hang on, only four of the Howlers were here tonight. Where was Snitch?

The traveler’s dark eyes flitted over the Howlers. He shook his head. “I have no coin, nothing valuable, only the clothes I’m standing in.”

Anakisha mentally groaned. That was a wide-open invitation for the Howlers to strip him naked. These rats knew no bounds.

“Mighty fine cloak,” Spike snarled. “Give my mother’s teeth for one of those.”

“Your mother ain’t got no teeth.” Lefty snorted.

“Whether she does or not, the cloak’s yours, Spike.” Purley’s dagger flashed, cutting one of the cloak’s ties. She yanked the man forward and the velvet slumped to the ground, pooling behind the traveler’s fine boots.

Spike his foot under the cloak and, in a lightning move, kicked the fabric into the air, caught it and fastened it around his neck. “Blood red. I like it. Won’t show your blood when I beat you to a pulp.” He edged in, teeth flashing in a nasty grin.

Anakisha shuddered. She’d been terrified the first time she’d seen Spike’s teeth. He’d inherited his name by filing his teeth to sharp points. The malice in his eyes along with those evil teeth had made her blood turn icy.

The traveler paled, hands shaking. “I—I… What do you want? I have nothing.” Scarlet welled up on the man’s collarbones, gleaming wetly in the moonlight.

Anakisha drew in her breath with a soft hiss. So Purley hadn’t just cut the cloak.

“You still have a fine pair of boots,” Purley said.

“Let’s see how those boots can dance.” Lefty’s chuckle skittered down Anakisha’s spine. He smacked the butt of his staff on the cobbles, making the man leap. He whacked it again, knocking the man’s shins, then smacked the strongwood onto the cobbles again and again, the dull thud echoing along the alley. The thunks sped up like a battle drum as the man leaped and yelped whenever Lefty struck his legs.

Adora stalked over to the dancing traveler, her willowy figure casting a long shadow against the shutters in the sputtering torchlight. “My turn now.”

Lefty hefted his staff and stepped back, leaving the man panting and wild-eyed as Adora approached. Purley’s eyes never left her target, her dagger glinting as she held it ready.

Adora stalked around her prey, then ran a finger down the traveler’s cheek. “If you have no coin, then pay us in other ways,” she purred, toying with one of his long dark locks, then running a seductive finger down his throat to his collarbone. She drew her finger through the blood, then licked it. “Delicious. I wonder what the rest of you tastes like.” She trailed a finger over his jerkin down his chest to his stomach.

“Stop that. I’m a married man.”

“They’re the best.” Adora giggled. “Much more experience.”

“Back off.” Purley barked. “He’s obviously loaded. You won’t get that sort of payment tonight.” She thrust her dagger under his chin.

The man yelped, and more blood trickled down his neck.

There was no time to lose. Justan, Anakisha, Brianna and Fox shimmied backward over the shingles. Fox grabbed the rope from his waist and fastened it around the chimney. One by one, they slipped down the rear side of the building. Sticking to the shadows in single file, they flitted down the dank passageway between two buildings. Billy was waiting at the mouth of the passage. He gave a quick hand signal and Justan nodded. They raced out of the shadowy passage to confront the Howlers.

“We’re under attack!” A cry rang out from a neighboring rooftop.

Snitch! Sure enough, a pale, skinny face peeped out of an upper story window in the fire-gutted brewery. Lefty spun and raced at Justan’s Night Wing crew. Spike tailed him, sauntering over. There was a flash as Snitch loosed an arrow, aiming straight for Justan.

Anakisha dived, knocking Justan to the ground. The arrow clattered off the stone building behind them and hit the cobbles. Billy bellowed and rushed Lefty. Brianna joined him, whacking her sword against Lefty’s staff as he twirled it at Billy.

Above them, Snitch clambered out the window and shimmied up a rope onto the rooftop of the charred building, his bow and quiver slung over his back. Anakisha scrambled to her feet, wishing she’d brought her bow, and raced toward Spike.

Fox rushed at Purley. Before Fox reached her, Purley kicked the traveler. He crashed into the cobbles. Adora leaped on him, straddling his stomach, facing his feet with her dagger at his groin.

Then Fox was there, slashing his blade at Purley. He lost ground as Purley drove him back with rapid slashes of her dagger. Justan dashed to help Fox, swinging his sword.

Adora ignored them all, tugging the traveler’s boots off. Her victim struggled, but a quick slash of her blade on the inside of his thigh stopped him. Blood soaking his breeches, he whimpered as Adora yanked off his boots and scrambled to her feet. She held the boots aloft. “These are mine,” she yelled triumphantly. I scored ’em fair and square.”

The traveler scuttled sideways on his elbows and haunches like a crab, desperate to get away without being noticed. A fat coin purse bulged at his waist.

Adora lunged and cut it free with her dagger. “You said, ‘Nothing but the clothes I’m standing in.’” She hooted. “Well, now you have only half your clothes and no coin.” She laughed and tucked the purse inside her tunic as the man scrambled to his feet and fled, stocking-footed, down the alley.

“Good work, Adora. Now get stuck in,” Purley bellowed, clashing blades with Fox and Justan.

Brianna struck Lefty’s arm. He cried out, dropping his staff. Billy smacked into Lefty. They sprawled and rolled, pummeling each other’s faces, stomachs and chests. Brianna danced around them, slashing her sword at Lefty whenever he was uppermost. Gods, if Brianna wasn’t careful, she’d slice Billy.

The clouds shifted, the moon bathing the alley in chilly white light. Another of Snitch’s arrows flashed. Anakisha ducked. It zipped overhead and thunked into the cooper’s shutters, the arrowhead sinking deep into the wood.

Spike swaggered, sliding his sword out of his scabbard. Pointed teeth flashing in the moonlight, he lunged at Anakisha. Their swords clashed, the impact jarring her to the elbow. She deflected his thrust and danced out of reach, drawing Spike away from the others. If she could incapacitate him, they may have a chance—as long as they avoided Snitch’s arrows.

Spike’s reach was longer, his arm stronger, and he had a powerful, trained physique. Their blades clashing, he drove Anakisha back toward the fishmonger’s shopfront, the shutters drawn beneath an orange linen awning.

Anakisha stumbled, losing her footing. Gods, she was tiring. She had no way of winning with brute strength. She had to use her wits. Yelling, she darted sideways and swiped at him, smacking his arm with the flat of her blade. He spun and slashed, ripping the fabric of her sleeve. Anakisha jumped and raised her sword. Leaving herself unprotected for an instant, she slashed her blade through the fishmonger’s awning, and dashed off. The heavy fabric fell, knocking Spike off his feet. He yelled and kicked, twisting it around his limbs in his attempt to get free.

Fox was slumped against a building, grasping his arm. Purley and Justan circled each other, twin daggers glinting in their hands. Justan lunged and she deflected. He jumped back, warily looking for an opening. Suddenly, Purley leaped. They went down in a heap of flashing blades. Anakisha rushed over, but she was too late—a moment later Purley was sitting on Justan’s chest, a blade under each of his ears.

There was a swish overhead, and the moonlight was blotted out by broad leathery wings.

“Dragon rider! Scarper!” snapped Snitch, his feet pounding across the rooftop shingles.

Purley scrambled off Justan and ran.

“Justan, are you all right?” Anakisha’s heart pounded as she crouched beside him.

Something hard smacked the back of her head. Pain ricocheted through her skull as footsteps pounded away down the alley. Her knees crumpled and darkness swept in.

Enjoy the rest in Anakisha’s Dragon

Meet Eileen’s Riders of Fire Readers Around the World

They’re reading Riders of Fire here! And here! And there!

I recently ran a  contest for my Riders of Fire readers. Here are the results. Meet my readers from around the world.

Our Riders of Fire readers grand prize winners are Zach and Cherish

Eileen Mueller's Riders of Fire readers
Cherish Kasner in Ledges State Park in Iowa

Cherish is from Madrid, Iowa USA, and loves Ezaara. She says, “The Riders of Fire books are original and they pull you in!” She sent some lovely photos of her having fun with dragons, a trainee dragon rider, swords and magic! Scroll down to see more of Cherish!

Cherish’s A2 poster of Dragons’ Realm is being flown by dragon post to her doorstep!

Eileen Mueller's Riders of Fire readers
Zachary Spencer in Alberta Canada

Zach has many aliases, including Zach the Shark, because he gobbles up so many books and is always prowling the waters of Amazon looking for more! (If you didn’t realize Amazon was a sea, it is now! I claim poetic license). He helps run a Discord Server for readers in his spare time, loves gaming and is a valiant Rider of Fire, leading the troops against Commander Zens!

When asked what he likes about Riders of Fire, Zachary tells us, “I love the dragons, fast paced feel. You do not fear having loss or darkness, and of course your overall creativity.”

Wow, that’s cool and totally unexpected. Thanks, Zach.

I’m hoping the dragons don’t freeze their wings off flying up to Canada to drop Zach’s Dragons’ Realm poster to him. (I’m also hoping the sharks don’t eat them, but don’t tell Zach that!)

Lanyard winners

The following readers have won lanyards which are in dragons’ saddlebags, winging their way to their doors.

Eileen Mueller's Riders of Fire readers
Christine Steffens in Minnesota

Christine Steffens in Minnesota loves all things dragons and even has some pets that like to steal her e-reader and read about their fellow dragons. Look at this cutie!

Christine’s wee dragonet even matches the color scheme for Bronze Dragon, which is quite a feat! I wonder if the dragon is a chameleon, changing color depending on what book its holding.

When asked what she loves about Riders of Fire, Christine says, “Dragons, of course!”

Yeah, I get that!

Eileen Mueller's Riders of Fire readers
Andrew Agnew in Findlay, Ohio, USA

Andrew loves dragons too (surprise!) and owns a super-sized copy of Dragon Hero which he’s proudly cradling above. He’s a Dragon Hero himself, out crusading against tharuks and battling evil.

Originally from Australia, he’s now at home in Ohio where it’s rumored that dragons are plentiful and there are many tharuks to fight. He loves audio books and e-books!

Andrew says, “I love the connection between dragons and their riders, and not just in your books, but others as well. Especially when the dragons are good and not evil. Can’t wait for the next in the series.”

The words of a true dragon hero! Go Andrew!

Eileen Mueller's Riders of Fire readers
A young Kasner dragon rider!

Cherish’s daughter is also a fan of dragons and got into the spirit of things. I don’t usually publish kids’ names on my blog. But here she is, armed with her sword, a trusty dragon at her side, and a great book to read!

Way to go!

Eileen Mueller's Riders of Fire readers
Ina Fowler in Spring Hill, Florida

Ina was in a playful colorful mood and tried out Zaarusha’s rainbow colors while riding dragons!

I love this attitude of experimentation and the bright upbeat colors that every dragon rider should wear as a warning that we will triumph over evil tharuks and the darkness of Commander Zens’ Death Valley!

Ina says Riders of Fire is “Intense and mystifying.”

Well, in this photo, I think Ina is too!

 

Eileen Mueller's Riders of Fire readers
Richard Goodrum in Carrollton

When asked what he likes about Riders of Fire, Richard Goodrum sent me this photo, with the simple statement, “Dragons!”

I asked him if he had any further comments, and he said, “Dragons!”

I think that says it all! He’s obviously fiercely loyal to a species that has a special place in our hearts!

Eileen Mueller's Riders of Fire readers
Deb, USA

Deb lives in the USA and loves Riders of Fire. She’s an e-book, print book and Audible fan and has the books in all three mediums! That’s pretty awesome.

Rumor has it that she’s writing books of her own, but not about dragons. Hey, it doesn’t always have to be about dragons! Good luck, Deb.

Eileen Mueller's Riders of Fire readers
Cherish deep in story!
Eileen Mueller's Riders of Fire readers
Cherish fighting tharuks with a dragon at her side!

More Riders of Fire readers

Alisha and Elena Hewett of Crockett Texas, USA visiting New Zealand earlier this year

In January this year, I had a surprise when someone called me out of the blue and wanted to visit! Elena and Alisha devour all the books in their local library and often make recommendations to the librarians, who are happy to order titles they like.

It’s cool to know that Riders of Fire even has a home in Crockett!

If you live in Crockett, Texas, feel free to take my books out of the local library. Also feel free to recommend them to your own library!

And yes, we three do actually have eyes. It was just a bright sunny Wellington day!

More Riders of Fire readers’ comments

Some readers didn’t have photos, or experienced technical glitches when uploading,  but wanted to let me know what they thought of the series. Here are their comments.

Sherryl Taylor of Eugene, USA, says, “I LOVE LOVE LOVE DRAGONS. Have loved them since I was a kid. Now I’m a 66 year old kid!”

I know young adult fiction appeals to readers of all ages. I’ve had a kid of 9 years old write to me about my books and also pensioners in their late eighties who enjoy a dragonback adventure as much as teens do!

Stuart McClements of Bellshill says, “I like all things fantasy and horror!”

Although I don’t write stirct horror, I do have a couple of dark short stories about dragons that haven’t been widely published (in magazines or out-of-print anthologies). They may hit the light of day as soon as I have a good cover.  So hang in there, Stuart, and you may get fantasy dragons with a tinge of horror!

Gene Mallard of Lilburn, Georgia, loves the covers of Riders of Fire.

A special thank you to Christian Bentulan, my amazing cover designer! He really has helped this series come to life.

Thank you to everyone who has participated in sharing their love of Riders of Fire.

Riders of Fire Audio Books on Audible

I’m absolutely thrilled to announce that Audible Studios  have produced Riders of Fire audio books for Ezaara, Dragon Hero and Dragon Rift, the first three books in the series. They’re up on pre-order now and will available to listen to on November 5th (subject to time zones) on Audible .com – USA, Audible .au – Australia, Audible.can – Canada and Audible.uk – United Kingdom.

We’re lucky to have the fabulous Caitlin Davies onboard as narrator.  Caitlin, an award-wining narrator and actress, has narrated many books in various genres.  I discovered her when listening to Lindsay Buroker’s Dragon Blood series and Alisha Klapheke’s Fate of Dragons. She has a great voice and excellent narration. I hope you enjoy her rendition of the first three Riders of Fire books.

As you can imagine, Caitlin and I have had fun with my pronunciation guide. I created MP3 files, using my fantastic New Zealand accent to pronounce all the fantasy names in the series. It’s been great emailing each other and gaining insight into the narration process. Seeing Caitlin discover Dragons’ Realm and our courageous dragon riders and dragons was fun. It was quite an adventure, especially my rendition of growly, snarly tharuks, some of whom only speak broken English. Despite my weird kiwi accent, I know she’s done justice to the characters. I hope you enjoy listening to Riders of Fire. Now you can enjoy your favorite series out walking, doing housework or working, anywhere at any time.

Get Riders of Fire on Audible here.