To Wake a Dragon - Naomi Lucas

1

Haime Finds a Cave

“Haime! Don’t climb so high!” I yell.

I watch as my little ward claws her way up a jungle tree. She is seven seasons now, and I can scarcely believe how much time has flown by. It’s been two years since she’s been mine to train. Someday she will be a great huntress, and I’ve been honored with the duty to lead her down that path.

“It’s all right, Auntie Milly. This tree is no match for me!” she shouts.

Indeed, it’s no match for her. Haime is part-dragon. Part-dragon because her father, Zaeyr, turned into a human male during the red comet and mated with my clan-sister, Aida. Haime is the oldest of their four children, the eldest to a sister and two brothers. Together they’ve become the ruling family of Sand’s Hunters—what with Zaeyr’s might and Aida’s gift to bear strong sons.

But only Haime has been given to me to train. Her sister, Edenth, just turned five seasons and already prefers healing and caretaking more than hunting and exploring. Edenth will apprentice with another.

Which is okay—because Haime is a handful. I adore her though, maybe even because of it. She’s like the daughter I have always wanted.

Since Aida gave her to me to train, Haime’s filled a void in my heart. And I know why Aida gave her to me. She knows I love Haime dearly and would do all in my power to protect her, to train her into the fierce huntress she is destined to be.

I will never have a baby of my own. There are no males left for me. And…

Frowning, pushing away the thoughts that threaten to distract me, I follow Haime’s shadow. She’s moving through the leaves and up toward a higher branch. She and I are within the northern jungle, where the cliffs and lagoons of the south turn to long patches of giant plants and sand dunes. The trees aren’t as thick here, but it’s because the soil is drier. The jungle is also not as dark, nor as vibrantly green.

It’s easier to track prey here.

The northern jungle eventually meets the middle plains of Venys, and the soil only gets drier from there. Other tribes rule those lands with their own laws, and unless necessary, we don’t venture there.

But still, the north is a good place to train the young huntresses and not only because it’s easier to track. Smaller creatures roam here, and I don’t have to worry about ambushes from gorillas or jungle cats. Besides the occasional dune worm, cockatrice, or crocodile, there is not much to worry about.

And the sky is visible at all times, unlike the southern terra of the jungle, where the trees are thick and vines web throughout the canopy. The sky is often hidden because of the foliage. Knowing where the sun lies helps with telling time, and knowing the time helps with managing younglings.

“Haime, come down this instant!” I shout. “We must head back.”

“I’m almost to the top,” she cries. “I’m strong, remember? I will not fall.”

Strong? Sure. But Haime’s a child, and even with her dragon blood, she does not have the power of an adult, not yet.

“Oh!” she gasps.

Nervously, I debate going after her. “Oh? What do you see?”

“You were right, Auntie Milly! There’s a storm coming in from the ocean.”

A boom of thunder sounds the air, clamoring as if provoked.

Great. I roll my eyes. “I told you I heard thunder. Now get down here so we can make it back to the tribe in time.”

Haime lands in front of me, startling me backward. She jumped from the top of the tree. My eyes widen in horror. The little imp grins upon seeing my expression—and I know it looks horrified, for I feel the horror all over.

I clutch her to me. “You could’ve hurt yourself,” I shout, peering up at the tree. So tall. “Oh, waters, little dragon, don’t ever do that again!”

Haime embraces me back. “I’m strong.”

“It doesn’t matter!” I pull back to cup her cheeks. “What would your parents think if I bring you back to the tribe with broken legs?” Simply imagining it sends a gruesome shiver down my spine.

“I would never do that to you, Auntie Milly.”

Pressing her closer to me, despite knowing she’s safe, my heart still pounds ferociously. “You’d better not. I couldn’t live with myself after. I could not live knowing I had failed you and your parents. You may not be of my blood, but you are still mine, Haime.”

Haime rests her little head