Part Four

Dragon glared at the lamia driving.

"What do you mean it isn't important?"

She could not believe it. That *annoying* vampire would not tell her why he had decided it was so vital he come on this mission. They were travelling down to Ryars Valley, a couple of days drive from Saynor, her *home* of late. It was where their soon-to-be- protected was, some human who couldn't keep out of trouble. And even better, a Daybreaker.

The second and hopefully last day of endless mindless driving was very trying. The road was little more than a dirt track, hot and dusty. The tiny car was like an oven inside, and to Dragon, the heat felt as though she should be lazing on a savannah, in lion shape. The track was deserted; they had not seen another car since yesterday. There were no bars, no shops, just endless open scrubland.

"Goddess, how can people *live* out here?" she demanded, staring at the empty horizon with faint horror. Dragon suppressed a shudder. Stupid question. A place like this was perfect for rebel Nightpeople. No one around to question how often you fed, or what sort of magic you practised. Or to ask about your past.

The lamia looked over at her, a ghost smile of sour humour on his face at her discomfort. Shivers ran down her back like electricity at the sheer malevolence in his eyes, but it was hidden in an instant and Dragon decided she must have imagined it.

He cursed violently as the car hit a pothole and his head hit the roof at terminal velocity. Dragon, who had seen that one coming, shifted back into her human form from where a large cobra had been coiled and laughed at his indignant expression. It was nice to see Shadow lose his poise for once.

"May I remind you," he said testily, "we are here to do a job."

Dragon stopped laughing and glared right back at him. "Well, if you would actually tell me exactly *why* we are here, I might help you out on that front."

How was she supposed to do this mission if she had only a vague idea of what to expect? He hadn't exactly told her much; most of it along the lines of: there is a cult that is killing humans, find out about and oh, while you're there destroy it. And, also, find out what you can about the Wild Powers - oh, yes, and there's a human who needs protecting. He's a Daybreaker. What *else* was a human who was being hunted likely to be?

She could see the vampire was getting annoyed. His hands were clenched on the steering wheel and she could hear the creaking from it. Without taking his eyes off the track, he said through gritted teeth, "You aren't going to give in until you find out, are you?"

"No." Dragon felt slightly smug; finally he was going to explain!

"Very well. This circle have been killing people who know about the Wild Powers. I need to find these people first. I must have their information! Their next target is a human, a boy called Matt Wolff. *You* are going to protect him. I need you to follow him, stick to him like glue."

The shifter-witch could see the fanatical glint in his eyes. And it made her feel slightly sickened and anxious. There was something fervent and *obsessed* in his voice, This was anything other than a routine mission.

Dragon was shell-shocked. "What do you mean 'you need to find them first'?" she asked incredulously.

The lamia shifted uneasily. "The Wild Powers…must be destroyed." He said this with an air of finality and with a certain malicious satisfaction.

Dragon stared at him. "Goddess, you really do believe all this, don't you," she said in realisation. Then it hit her. "What do you mean 'destroyed'?" she said, feeling hysterical.

The Wild Powers were supposed to save humanity. The Nightworld would be destroyed. They would all be safe. Humans would be none the wiser. Even the damn Daybreakers could live, if they stopped flaunting their insane philosophies. Wasn't that what he wanted? Shadow hated the Nightworld. Or at least, that was impression every one of the Justice Angels had.

Dragon didn't want the Nightworld to take over, for she would be extinguished without a thought for her half-breed blood. Her friends would die; every one of the angels would be killed. The new reign would be ruled in blood. Needless killing.

The vampire's voice was flat, emotionless. "They must be destroyed. Or all the power our - let us call it an organisation - all the power our organisation has gained will be lost. We will not be needed. And worse, all the new powers we have had - they will fade too. Then what will I be? Nothing!"

His voice had been hypnotic, but as he grew more impassioned, it became louder, seeming to grate on her sensitive ears. Dragon listened in horrified awe. ~ Isis, he's *insane*. ~ Hastily she tried to adjust that view.

After all, he was right. After the millennium, Nightpeople would be little more than humans. All they had worked for - gone. And the humans, little more than savages, would survive as the vampire, witches and shapeshifters gradually died out. Still…she pushed any doubts aside and asked calmly, "Yes, you're right. I should have seen that. So, tell the rest of the details."

Shadow said quietly, his features serene, only the wild shark eyes belying his calm countenance, "This circle are after the human. He's had a few run-ins already. Escaped lightly. Daybreak is worried, but they can't do anything - there's a lot of trouble with someone they think is the first Wild Power. One of the Redferns apparently.

"Now, the circle; pose as a witch and get accepted somehow. I don't care how you do it. Then you will tell me anything you can find out. Anything. When you have found out what you can, we will…take action. Our aim is to put an end to this circle." He finished his briefing, then said resignedly, "Questions?"

Dragon raised her eyebrows sceptically. "And, pray tell, how do we destroy them when one of the rules is 'thou shalt not kill'?" Her tone was very acidic. Dragon liked this assignment less and less the more she heard. There were just too many loopholes, too many places where things could go wrong.

And Shadow's strangeness was beginning to worry her. She had the feeling that there was an iceberg lurking beneath that cool exterior.

The lamia smiled fiercely. He looked like a wolf with its prey cornered. And Dragon had seen - had been in that situation before. "Actually, they're more like guidelines."

* * * *

It was beautiful. Dragon was stunned. She was standing on the top of a range of hills surrounding the valley, wind blowing in her face, sun beating down on her. And below, poetry. Pure, undiluted beauty. It was a 'shifter's paradise; silver streams sluggishly winding down to a huge glittering lake, acres of green luscious forest and by the lake, a low wide town spread over the land. ~ How did something like *this* get into the middle of a desert? ~

She spun as she heard footfalls behind her, a sound that only finely tuned ears could hear. It was Shadow. He stood there, arms crossed across his chest, staring impassively at her. "Finished staring?" he inquired curtly.

She smiled and quoted at him; "What is this life, if full of care, we have no time to stop and stare?"

He just glared back, his sour mood spoiling the joy that filled her at seeing this nirvana. "Your life will be in danger if you stand around and stare for eternity," he snapped.

Longingly, the 'shifter-witch took one last look at the scene below her, then nodded and walked back to the blood red car - very appropriate for a vampire.

* * * *

Dragon glanced around the quiet streets of the town. Too quiet. Hardly anyone was around - not normal for a Saturday afternoon. A feeling of anxiety was growing inside. She tried to quash it, tell herself there was nothing wrong, she was paranoid, but somehow, it didn't work.

They were walking down the main road, Shadow silently appraising the town. Off to one side was a set of two-storey pale buildings - the local high school. Dragon would be a junior there, Shadow a senior. They would, of course have to change their names - not many people had names like that.

Yet despite its quiet beauty, there was something indefinably *wild* about this place. And there was another feeling beyond that. It took a while before she realised. It was fear. The few people around stared suspiciously at them, stepped back when they passed - she even saw one woman drag a tiny child out of their path across the road, despite the hunting sheen that glowed fierce in the toddler's eyes.. Laughter had a nervous edge, conversation was little above a murmur. The shifter felt sad that this valley was so wretched.

Shadow turned down a street. Dragon flicked a glance at the sign as she went past. Angel Lane ~ Appropriate, at least. ~ He stopped at one of the houses. It was like all the others, small, but was painted icy pastel blue, fitting perfectly against its peaceful background. The lamia knocked on the midnight blue door.

It swung open to reveal a sturdy girl with nervously darting brown eyes. Her features relaxed as she saw the two. A witch, Dragon guessed. She must be one of the three Angels here.

"Thank the Goddess you've got here at last," she said fervently, stepping back to let them in. "Things have gone from bad to worse lately." She shook her head despairingly, sending mousy hair flying. "The circle aren't bothering to cover up anymore. Even humans are getting worried - and afraid."

Shadow frowned, dull eyes pensive, muttering something under his breath. Dragon shamelessly shifted her ears, hidden under her curling hair. She caught the last of the litany: "…idiots. They can't let anyone suspect… how to let them know without that bloody dragon…" The shifter-witch was shocked - surely she couldn't have heard him right.

But suspicion darkened her eyes as they entered the safehouse.

* * * *

The next day, Dragon worked out a plan. She was sat on the floor of her tiny room, leaning on a book. She was writing a letter to find out about Shadow. It was all she could think of at the moment.

Lanaka,

Well, I got here OK. This place is lovely - perfect for hunting (but I know you don't want to hear about that.) Listen, I need a favour. Something is wrong here. Don't ask me to explain, because I am not sure I can. This circle though, they aren't being careful anymore. The humans know - or at least they're suspicious - and they're scared.

This favour - find out about Shadow. Yes, I know it sounds difficult but he's been acting very strange lately. Seems he wants to kill all the Wild Powers. Maybe that isn't strange, but we were talking yesterday evening, and he said, "We must destroy them so the shapeshifters can rule the world once more." As you can imagine, I gave him a strange look, and said, "Shadow, you're a *vampire*. He made some sort of excuse, but still…

Oh, and a word of warning - don't ask the Angels about him, not even Jon. They are all completely loyal. Try asking a friend of mine, Myandra Akafren. She's a witch. Her address is enclosed. Thanks for this.

Dragon

As soon as she'd finished, she mailed it. Using the excuse she was going for a walk.

* * * *

The next day, the shifter walked down the empty corridors, lined with lockers, trying to figure out where her first class was. She was completely lost, for the first time in her life. After considerable debate (Shadow arguing and her screaming) she had been enrolled as Dragon Tiamat, running on the theory that no Nightperson would dare pose as a dragon as they did not exist.

Shad Owen ~ Such an *original* alias ~ had confidently strode off to his classes ten minutes previously.

She was simply dressed, deciding a *normal* look might be a good idea; indigo jeans, tight white top, boots that boosted her height by a couple of inches. Finally, of course, the signs that told any Nightperson what she was - a black hair clip in the shape of a dahlia pulling back her hair (except for the silver strands that hid her four horns) and a gold bracelet with a foxglove in the traditional colour fixed on.

Desperately the shifter scanned the doors, all varnished and wooden. None of them led to where she was supposed to be. Giving up, Dragon decided she had better go back and find out where room E5 was.

"Having trouble?" a voice inquired lazily, with the slightest trace of an English accent behind it.

She whirled round to find a boy, leaning against a locker, smiling sympathetically. He had sun gold hair, with odd brown spots in it, like a wild cat's coat and he was a lot taller than she was, but wasn't everyone? Dragon liked him instinctively, for the elegant manner and wicked glimmer in his cheetah green eyes. He straightened up and offered her his hand. As she took it, she saw the black foxglove on his watch, in the same moment seeing that he noted the bracelet circling her wrist.

He smiled charmingly and said simply, "I'm Jepar." He looked at her, raising his eyebrows

Dragon looked steadily at him. "And you're a cheetah." It wasn't even a question, it was so clear in the way he looked and acted. The hair was a *big* give-away.

He laughed, showing perfect teeth, with the canines just a little longer and sharper than normal. "Is it that obvious?" he asked ruefully, giving her an infectious grin.

"'Fraid so." She had to smile back.

He said delicately, "Well. You're a shifter, that much I know, but what you are, I don't." He grimaced, evidently baffled.

The dragon-witch murmured, "Well, I'll just have to stay a mystery then." She was glad she had managed to evade that question. She did not relish telling people what she was. At least not unless she was in a bullet proof room and they were outside it.

"Maybe," his tone was curious, Dragon couldn't place it. "It has something to do with your being a witch."

She was completely caught off-balance. She felt growing respect for Jepar. She decided the truth was best - or at least as much as the truth which suited her. "I'm a half-breed," she admitted.

He gave her a startled look, green eyes wide. Clearly he had thought she was wearing the flower clip as coincidence, or for a joke. "Look, some free advice, " he said suddenly, face unreadable. "Don't tell anyone else that. I don't give a damn, but some of the witches in the Doomfire-" he stopped then swore.

~ Oh, so he wasn't going to tell me. I wonder why…~ The shifter said evenly, "I know about that."

He looked at her in interest. He wasn't going to waste time on his mistake now. "Really? Well, I'll give you all the gory details later. Your name wouldn't be…" he paused, seeming a little embarrassed. "…Dragon, would it? Someone called Shad sent me."

She smiled radiantly, turning on her own charm. "Yes. You must be one of the Angels." He nodded.

The cheetah boy turned, calling over his shoulder, "Come on. I'll take you to the first class. We have the same one."

* * * *

Jepar muttered belated apologies for being late as he slid into his seat, winking at Dragon and giving her that sunny smile that seemed as much a trademark as his wildcat hair.

The rest of the room watched Dragon, some of them looking hostile. The math teacher glared at her. "You must be the new girl…" his voice tailed off as he sorted through a heap of papers. "…Dragon Tiamat."

She saw several people stare at her in disbelief. Dragon marked them down as Nightpeople.

"Yeah, that's me, " she said in a bored voice. It wouldn't hurt to give people that impression - she was just another dumb shifter without the brains to know what not to do. Not an incredibly powerful dragon with mind enough to throw up an act that would fool the most practised vampire.

The teacher gave her an acidic look. "Well, I hope your attitude towards this lesson will be an improvement on that," he snapped. "Since you appear to know Jepar, you can go and sit over by Elizabeth." ~ Sadist. ~

He gestured to a plump brunette, with glasses on the opposite side of the room to Jepar, who smiled at her in a way Dragon knew was false. ~ I may be a shifter and a newbie, but I am not stupid, ~ she thought in rage. The brunette leaned back and whispered something to another girl, a plain creature with small green eyes. They both sniggered and Dragon felt her anger peaking.

~ Hey, calm down. ~ She heard Jepar's voice. She risked a glance in his direction, and saw his wicked grin that matched the devilment sparking in his tilted eyes. ~ Ol' Wilson's an idiot, and he doesn't like late people or newcomers. You're both. He's harmless really. ~ he paused then looked thoughtful. ~ Well, he would be if you threw him in a pool of bubbling acid. ~

Dragon felt her lips twitch. She liked this guy. ~ Most people would be. ~

~ Hmm…I don't know. ~ He raised an eyebrow. ~ Maybe we should set up an experiment. And throw in dear Elizabeth too. ~ Voice was innocent. Eyes were not.

She spent the rest of the lesson chatting with Jepar, who gave her all the gossip on various members of the class. * * * *

Dragon caught her first glimpse of her charge without realising it in the last lesson before lunch, chemistry. She was sitting next to a cute boy called Rob and she kept getting jealous looks from the other girls. ~ For Isis' sake, I'm not interested in humans, ~ she thought. She couldn't afford to be.

This time, there was no Jepar to crack jokes.

The teacher was having fits over assignments that hadn't been handed in. "Matt!" she bellowed. Dragon jumped at her loud voice.

Rob of the grey eyes and good looks reassured, "Don't worry, just be happy it's not you she's mad at."

A voice said from the other side of the room, "The dog threw up on it." There was laughter round the room. Dragon could see the voice belonged to a lithe boy, with fox coloured hair and glowing amber eyes. ~ Is he human? He looks more like a fox than anyone I've seen. ~

He was gorgeous, the shifter had to admit, and obviously all the other girls in the room thought so too. She saw a couple of them give her 'stay away' looks when they noticed she was observing him. Just how immoral did they think she was? Humans were a no-go area. *All* humans.

The teacher however was not impressed, until Matt went off down the corridor and produced a revolting mass of paper from his locker, causing mass groans and complaints.

Rob muttered, "Trust Matt to have an excuse that's actually true." He smiled at Dragon, then leaned forward, "How would you like to go out some time?"

The shifter saw that pretty much everyone had heard that and the whole room was waiting to see what she would do next. She groaned inwardly. True, this wasn't one of life's greater problems, but it was one of the more complex ones.

She smiled at him and began to speak.