Dragon Feared Read online

  Dragon Feared

  It wasn’t bad enough that she found out she had to go to a school for witches, but finding out that she’s dealing with dragons, that’s going a little bit too far.

  With classes like Advanced Spellcasting, Mystical History, Mortal History, Introduction to Spells, and Artifacts 101, you’d think Ever would be too busy to try to learn more about the mysterious guy with those haunting blue eyes named Slade that keeps haunting her dreams and showing up at random places.

  You’d think that a kiss from Jared—The Jared Winchester The Third—would occupy what time her classes didn’t.

  But, no. Not Everest. She wants answers. She wants to know more about Slade, her mother, her father, not to mention being a First Descendant.

  Why is being a teenager so complicated when you’re a witch that dragons fear?

  Dragon Feared

  Ever Witch

  Kit Bladegrave

  Contents

  Dedication

  Chapter 1

  Chapter 2

  Chapter 3

  Chapter 4

  Chapter 5

  Chapter 6

  Chapter 7

  Chapter 8

  Chapter 9

  Chapter 10

  Chapter 11

  Chapter 12

  Chapter 13

  Chapter 14

  Chapter 15

  Chapter 16

  Chapter 17

  Afterword

  Rivals Excerpt

  Chapter One

  Chapter Two

  Chapter Three

  Chapter Four

  Chapter Five

  Dedication

  Thank you to the readers!

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  One

  Everest

  My first night at the school I slept like a rock on what had to be the most comfortable bed I had ever had the pleasure of being acquainted with.

  Edgar had apparently dropped by after leaving me alone with Elsa, because when Amelie opened the door after Jared left, I noticed all the décor he had picked out with me was already set up.

  The room had two large windows that overlooked the courtyard, so I was starting to feel a bit like royalty. I stepped out onto the balcony earlier that morning and took in the view of my new home.

  I couldn’t stop staring beyond the walls, something pulling me in that direction. I’d had weird dreams all night again, flying around on the back of a dragon, but this time, I hadn’t felt like someone else.

  And the battle below had taken place over a modern city. It was strange, but it hadn’t lasted long before I was seeing Mom again, hearing her cry as a man spoke to her.

  When I’d finally opened my eyes, I was shaking from what was happening and told myself they were just dreams.

  After I’d woken up a second time, it was Slade’s eyes I’d dreamt about and wished again that I could find him. Seeing him turn up at the mall, though, something told me I would get my chance.

  I spent that morning getting to know Amelie.

  I learned that she was a third-generation attendee at the school, and I was embarrassed to admit to her I wasn’t really sure how many relatives of mine had been there before me, but told her I knew at least Mom had attended.

  She bragged about being an excellent student, and I was relieved to hear that. The last thing I wanted was to be stuck with a slacker as a roommate. I’d rather hang out with the nerds any day.

  I wasn’t sure what a place for witches and dragons to study at meant for my future as a historian, but either way, I was going to take this opportunity seriously.

  Amelie had invited me along on some holiday plans, but I felt like I would be intruding, so I turned her down.

  She had happily hurried off with Penelope and Janelle, and I enjoyed the entire suite to myself. I took the day exploring a bit, but stayed out of Amelie’s personal bedroom.

  I bummed around the dorm and got in some well-deserved relaxation time. The most exciting thing I did that day was pick up my school uniforms from the main building. Skirts, mid-length, or black slacks, with black blouses, ties, and a black blazer with the school logo on the front right side. I guessed they could’ve been worse, but I still wasn’t looking forward to wearing this all the time.

  I wandered aimlessly around the campus after dropping the clothes back off in my dorm, not talking to anyone, just admiring the grounds.

  The gardens were gorgeous, filled with bright flowers and vegetables the further along I went. There was a greenhouse set along the back wall that surrounded the entire campus, more gargoyles perched there, too.

  The strong smell of basil and other herbs met my nose, but when I neared the greenhouse, I noticed a sign stating what was inside. None of the plants sounded vaguely familiar, and I decided against going inside to check them out.

  I found myself near the front gates toward the afternoon, when a weird pang of needing to leave hit me.

  I frowned, wondering where that had come from when the necklace against my skin warmed—the one Edgar had given me.

  I hadn’t taken it off yet, feeling like I would be losing something if I did.

  After a while, I forced myself back towards the dorm, throwing one last curious glance toward the gate before it disappeared from view.

  That evening, I passed out before Amelie ever returned, and I rose early the next morning, eager for my first day of classes.

  I showered in my private bathroom and dressed in my new, crisp uniform, feeling a bit more like I belonged here, but I had a feeling that wouldn’t last once the rest of the students noticed me.

  “I made breakfast,” Amelie called from downstairs, and I picked up my blazer, told myself I could handle whatever this school threw at me, and hurried to the kitchen.

  Jared was there, and I stumbled over my feet when I saw his charming smile once again. “Morning. How was your first night? Well, ah, and the second, I guess?” he asked.

  “Good, they were good,” I said with a nervous smile, not about to mention the stream of crazy dreams I had again.

  But this time, I swore I saw something happening to Slade, but I hadn’t been able to help it. It was weird, but I shook it off, and sat down to breakfast.

  I heard dishes clinking together and frowned.

  Amelie sat on a stool, busy on her phone.

  I slowly turned towards the sink and nearly choked on my mouthful of pancakes when I saw the dishes calmly washing themselves.

  “That’s, uh, that’s neat,” I managed to say, and they both laughed.

  “Don’t worry, before long I’m sure you’ll be able to do the same,” she promised me.

  “Not so sure about that,” I muttered, not hungry anymore as my gut twisted in knots. “I’ve never used magic before. What if my uncle was wrong? What if I’m not a witch?”

  “You are, trust me,” Amelie promised. “You wouldn’t be here if you weren’t. Just going to take some time and practice.”

  Time and practice, I was good at those two things at least.

  “And do you stop by every student’s dorm in the mornings or is Amelie just that special?” I asked Jared.

  His cheeks reddened slightly as Amelie hid a laugh with a very fake sounding cough.

  “I thought I would make sure you were ready to go,” Jared said in a rush. “It being your first day and all, I just wanted to make sure you remember where all your classes are.”

  “Thanks, but I think I got it,” I assured him, smiling to see him unsteady for once.r />
  Now he knew how I felt around him, and everyone else here. I didn’t think I’d ever made anyone feel like that around me, and my heart gave a little flutter.

  “I’ll walk you to your first class anyway.” He flashed another grin and sat down beside me as Amelie passed over a plate of pancakes for him too, before joining us herself.

  “Isn’t there a cafeteria?” I asked, pretty sure I saw one on our tour.

  “There is, but this is much better than that food, trust me,” she insisted, dousing her pancakes in syrup. “I only suffer with that food for lunch. Everything else, I make. And this kitchen is yours, too, so anything you want to cook or stock up on, have at it.”

  I’d eaten at the cafeteria yesterday, or well, picked up food, and brought it back here. It hadn’t been that bad, but then again, I’d been living off macaroni, ramen, and hotdogs for a very long time. Anything was different from those three items tasted fantastic to me.

  “I will, thanks,” I said, not wanting them to know just how bad my life was before I was dumped here in this school where food was provided, and I had my own room. My own bathroom. I didn’t want to see their cringes or pitying looks.

  “I don’t blame you,” Jared said. “About the food there, although they make some good pies.”

  “Really? The pies?” Amelie said, and we laughed.

  It was nice to sit with them and listen to them banter back and forth. They’d known each other for years and were apparently really good friends.

  The three of us finished our breakfast and then headed to the History building. I was happy to learn that I had Mortal History with Amelie, Penelope, and Janelle.

  Amelie told me all of us would have Mystical World History together, along with Jared, and that she and I would be together again for Advanced Spellcasting later that day, though I wasn’t sure I should be in a class labeled Advanced. I’d never cast a spell before in my life, but she assured me I would be fine.

  Jared and I also had Science and Combat together. That meant I only had Lessons for Mortal-Raised to deal with without my new group of companions.

  Jared bid us farewell, and I dipped into Mortal History with Amelie. There was an empty seat next to Penelope, so she waved me over. I was relieved they weren’t treating me weirdly, not like Alana had my first day here. Having a few friends would be a big help in adjusting to this new life I found myself dumped into. I wanted to fiddle with my necklace, but it was tucked in my blouse and out of sight.

  Before class started, the teacher called me to her desk after I set down my stuff. She introduced herself as Mrs. Sloak, and from her bright yellow eyes, I guessed she was some sort of dragon, but I definitely was not going to make any more assumptions.

  “Welcome, Everest,” she said softly. “I expect you to do well in this class, what with being mortal-raised.”

  I smiled even as I wondered if there was a label on my forehead stated what I was. “Um… thanks,” I said uncomfortably.

  “Don’t worry, I’m not the kind of teacher who pulls the new student to the front of the room when class starts,” she promised. “Just going to give you what you need and then we can get started with today’s lesson.”

  I appreciated the sentiment.

  She assigned me my textbook, and it looked just like a standard textbook on world history I would have gotten in any normal high school.

  By the looks on the kids’ faces, I could tell that this was one of the boring classes. I sat down by Penelope, and class began. It was just like a regular high school classroom, albeit the fancy stained glass windows, stadium seating, and how the chalk moved itself across the board while Mrs. Sloak spoke.

  I hid my amused smile to see magic being used so casually, and did my best not to get too excited and draw even more attention to myself.

  The teacher gave a lesson on the American Civil War, and I took notes in a normal notebook.

  I kept my mouth shut for the first half of class whenever Mrs. Sloak asked a question, but I soon realized that this entire class of people were clueless on the subject. We were in Virginia. How could so many people live right in the middle of the State of Virginia and know nothing about the American Civil War? I vaguely remembered a Great War mentioned by Jared and figured that must be what they all grew up learning about instead of whatever fighting the mortals got into.

  The battle Edgar had described to me, that had to be it, but this was not a history class for the dragons and witches. This was about this country we lived in, and none of them seemed to understand how knowing that history was important, too.

  “No, Darren. Gettysburg is in Pennsylvania,” Mrs. Slovak said, rubbing her brow in frustration. “We are talking about the battle. Please pay attention.”

  Penelope raised her hand. “Did any dragons or witches even fight in this battle?”

  “No, Penelope, not that I am aware of. There were a handful of warlocks who signed up for the Union Army, but the mortal soldiers were unaware of that fact, and all they did was make a mess of things before they were forced to remove themselves. Now, as I was saying, the Battle of Gettysburg was fought in July of 1863.” Mrs. Sloak motioned to the projector, and it magically changed a slide, as it had been doing throughout most of the class. This image depicted a number of different weapons that were used during the time. “Who can tell me why this battle was so significant for the war?”

  Blank stares all around.

  She sighed.

  I was starting to feel bad for her; these people didn’t even care a little bit, and I was starting to realize how they must see all mortals, and why they disliked mortal-raised kids.

  I finally just raised my hand, so we could get through this painful lesson. This was my subject, after all. Mrs. Sloak smiled and nodded in my direction.

  “Well, most historians believe that this was the turning point of the war. General Lee pushed the advantage after a victory over the Union soldiers when he marched farther north and attacked at Gettysburg, but his overconfidence cost him, and after some of the heaviest fighting in the war, he was forced to retreat, losing a huge number of his men.”

  Mrs. Sloak beamed at me, and the students around me fell silent.

  “Very good, Everest,” she said proudly, and continued on with the lesson.

  For the rest of class, anytime she asked a question, I was the first to answer, growing more confident with each answer I gave.

  A few of the students glared at me, but others seemed impressed I knew so much. When class finally ended, I was amazed at how little these kids knew about the country they lived in.

  Granted, they weren’t exactly normal, but history was history. They should know about where they reside and who died to make it what it was today.

  As I exited the room, I spotted Jared waiting for me in the hall.

  My bag was a bit heavier with that new textbook in it, but there wasn’t time to dart over to my dorm and drop it off.

  I waved bye to Janelle, Penelope, and Amelie as they walked to their next class, and I followed Jared to Science which was of course in another building.

  On our way there, we bumped into Little Miss Sunshine, Alana. She was standing with some friends, some of whom had been in the Mortal History class with me.

  I held my breath as we neared her group, hoping we’d get by without any sort of confrontation, but luck was not with me today.

  “I heard you know your stuff in Mortal History,” she sneered.

  I started to speak, but she cut me off.

  “Figures. I mean, you might as well, what with being mortal-raised, right?”

  Being raised like a normal human being wasn’t much of an insult, but she sure was trying to make it that way. I wasn’t going to give her the satisfaction.

  I paused and putting on my most charming smile asked, “Why, you need a tutor or something?”

  She rolled her eyes, and a few of the girls behind her glowered at me. “I don’t need a tutor,” she snapped.

  “Oh, well, I t
hought that’s what you were asking.” I smiled sweetly at her. “I wouldn’t mind helping you out and all, if you’re failing or something. I know learning can be hard for some people, retaining facts. Reading even.”

  I should’ve stopped while I was ahead, but the words spilled out, and I heard Jared stifle a laugh behind me.

  She bristled, and her glare shot from me to Jared before a sly smile spread across her face.

  “So, what do you have going on after school today, Jared?” she asked, obviously flirting and deciding she was just going to ignore me.

  Which was honestly fine with me.

  He shrugged and returned his gaze to me. “Ready to get to class, Everest?”

  He escorted me away from Alana, and I swore, out of the corner of my eye, I saw her stomp her foot like a toddler.

  “Nice, by the way. Not many hold their own against her.”

  “She’s just a bully,” I said simply. “I’ve dealt with plenty of those.”

  “I’m going to guess they don’t give you too much trouble after you talk to them.”

  “I wish,” I sighed. “It’s whatever. I’m here to learn, right? If she wants to be a pain in the ass, then she can be. I just don’t have to listen.”

  Jared smiled, and I felt his hand brush casually against mine as we walked.

  My cheeks grew hot, and anything else I was about to say died in my throat.

  Inside the classroom—no stadium seating this time, rather, lab tables—Jared, tugged on my arm so I would follow him to his table and sit beside him.