The view is so much better from the tenth floor! Dawn casts a purple shadow on the streets between the blocks, skyscrapers and shopping malls, where more and more people are crowding. Tiny ants in a hive. Just as small and insignificant as I once saw them – fit for sex, food, or I can simply tear off their limbs one by one for pure amusement.
When did I start comparing myself to them? Why have I gone so soft? Maybe it’s the thousands of years of loneliness…
I lean my forehead against the cold window and watch the crowd. A few minutes ago he was part of the crowd, but now he’s far away. My throat tightens with anger at the thought of what, or rather who was the reason for him to leave so early.
My hand clenches into a fist, then loosens. What could he have been doing here during the day? He’d be bored out of his mind. Besides, Devin likes his freedom too much. Why should I chain him to myself? Let him live his life.
I’ll do the same.
The water stops splashing and I hear the shower door open. The druid’s thoughts leak out through the bathroom door, left ajar… He misses his mate.
I wish she were here with me. In my bed. The sheets are just as crumpled as at home. I slept badly…
Like I care… But there’s nothing I can do. I hear him whether I want to or not.
Even though I asked her to come with me… Anyway, only two days left and…
His footsteps are as frozen as his thoughts. I love the awkward silence that comes with this. Some people shout, but he seems to be the quiet type. He quickly wraps the towel around his waist.
“How did you get in?”
Is he really standing in my room, or did I drink too much wine last night? Impossible, I only had two glasses. This impostor… it’s not enough that he cheats at the game, he also breaks in here. I’ll call security.
They used to use axes and pitchforks, but times have changed. How they’ve over-complicated their lives!
I draw the curtains and smile as I face the middle-aged, pale, blond man. I’m shocked at how ordinary he is, without his carefully slicked back hair and black shirt, as he rushes toward the phone in a towel.
“Come on, Mr Lockwood… Are you seriously going to call security over a fan?”
He is petrified by the soft calmness of my voice. But especially from my response to what he didn’t say out loud. His brows furrow as he lifts his faded eyes to me. I enjoy the fact that since there is no Alliance Seal on the dragons for him to detect, he has no idea who he’s dealing with.
“It’s a shame, I just wanted to compliment you on the excellent job you did on Emerald Grove’s last boss. Really creative… The druid dragon whose only ability is shape-shifting. The weakest dragon, who conspires for some power and must be executed for it. I loved that he changes shape in phases. My favourite is the green phoenix-tiger. Whatever shape he takes, he can’t change its colour. However, we both know that in the real life this colour is not green. It’s blue.”
His face is gradually losing its shade, he slowly backs away towards the door.
Oh, you’re not going anywhere!
I allow my rage towards the lesser beings to tear apart my years of accumulated inhibitions. All my anger, all my frustration, running under my skin. The fur of my hoodie spreads across my body, my hair becomes one with my spine, descends, lengthens into a tail, my human limbs become paws. My neck stretches, my skull reshapes itself with soft cracks, my teeth become larger and sharper. My horns curve up towards the ceiling, membranous wings protrude from my back.
Freedom tingles. It’s been years since I’ve worn this form. Even now, not in full life size, after all, it would be too conspicuous if I damaged the furniture or the building. But that doesn’t stop me from killing anyone who stands between me and my goal. In this case, a druid. To his credit, he still doesn’t scream, but merely turns on his heel and storms towards the exit.
With a single leap, I lay him on the ground, my clawed fingers digging into the skin above his shoulder blades, drawing blood. Superficial scratches, but deep enough to make him feel the hopelessness of his situation. He flails, but cannot shake me off. The tattoo of the Watchers’ scales is clearly visible on his struggling forearm.
I hold him to the ground, leaning close to his ear. So close that his wet locks of hair move by my breath.
Fucking hell… It’s a fucking dragon! One of the six… The very one that inspired the new expansion. Damn, who would’ve thought they were in this world! And that they’re playing with ROTA. What kind of fucking world-ruling deity plays MMOs? It’s absurd… They’re going to rip my head off… -he gasps uncontrollably, a tear rolling down the bridge of his nose onto the burgundy carpet.
I deeply inhale the scent of his fear. My mouth pulls into a smile, my saliva dribbles from my beastly teeth onto his shoulder. His growing terror lures out his antlers and dragonfly wings.
I invade his mind and speak right there. As clear and loud as his thoughts echo in my head.
Yes, your smell is certainly delicious. I would gladly bite out that soft, throbbing part of your neck.
He freezes.
But you’re doing too good of a job. I love your innovations, your ideas. Even when you make me a traitor and I end up dead in them.
“I’m sorry… I beg you… I’ll do anything, I’ll pay…”
My kind have never been interested in money, fame or anything of that sort. I’m not here to win either. I’m only here to save my honor. I am not a cheater. And you know it exactly, because every agent knows the skills of a dragon. And because you can’t hear your own thoughts because of mine at the moment. Inconvenient, isn’t it? Imagine how I feel in crowded places. So tomorrow, I’m going to request to play separately, outside the arena. Under controlled conditions. Without a team. Against anyone, just for the show. And you will support me. If the organizers are against it, you’ll convince them. Otherwise, I’ll visit you again and do what my green alter ego would do to you.