The Dragon Nimbus Novels: Volume I: Volume I

one P’pa had sold to Brunix, fit under her arm, the patterns tucked neatly inside the cylinder.
    Her coworker, Taalia, staggered into the flat, more intent on loot than her own safety. Katrina barely spared her a glance. There was a second pillow and piles of lace for any who cared to grab them. She hated the thought of this greedy, spiteful woman claiming anything. With Brunix dead and the city collapsing around them, possession didn’t seem to matter any more.
    In moments she was back in the workroom.
    Jack stood beneath the window where he had sheltered her from Brunix and the palace magician. An expression of relief, bordering on bliss, filled his bruised and filthy face.
    “I’ll need you to Sing again, Katrina,” he said. His eyes were closed and his chin lifted as if listening to something far away.
    “What . . . what are you going to do?” She couldn’t bring herself to stand next to him. His entire body seemed to glow with an eerie blue light.
    Ghosts were supposed to look like that. Once more she looked for signs of her mother’s spirit. Half relieved and half disappointed at not finding her, she turned her full attention on Jack.
    Sounds of more buildings crashing together outside dominated her senses.
    “We’re cut off. I have to transport you and the lace to Shayla,” Jack stated.
    Fear pressed against Katrina’s chest. Transport? Magic! Where did he get the strength and the will?
    “Now listen closely. Shayla is large and formidable. But she won’t hurt you. Don’t be frightened. You must secure the lace to her wing with touches of glue.” He held out a pot of spirit gum he’d liberated from Brunix’s office on the way to the workroom. “Small touches of the glue, just enough to hold the lace in position.”
    “I can’t do it alone, Jack.”
    “You must. I have to stay here to keep Simeon and Rejiia from following you. I sense them coming closer. Sing while you patch Shayla’s wing. Sing like you did in the dungeon. The dragon will take you and your father to safety.”
    “You have to come with me, Jack. I can’t let you die here.” She rushed to his side, dropping her pillow at their touching feet so she could grab his arm.
    “I’ll follow when I can.” He opened his eyes and looked at her with longing. “Remember me kindly, Katrina. Now Sing as if your life depended upon it.”
    The only tune that came to mind was the work tune she hummed to herself as she worked alone at night. A few hesitant notes rose within her. Then certain that her songs gave this magician power, she opened her mouth wide and let the notes soar with her heart. If he needed more power to come with her, then she’d give it to him.
     
    Jack felt another major ley line collapse. His preparation for transport faltered. The void appeared and disappeared before him.
    Someone had thrown a powerful spell very close.
    Rejiia or Simeon? How close were they?
    He sent his awareness in a quick dart around the building. Two lives filled with purpose approached.
    “The shawl is near. I can feel it. The runes threaten me!” King Simeon’s voice.
    “Upstairs. The source of power is directly above us,” Rejiia said.
    The king’s mistress was close. Too close.
    Jack faltered in his deep breathing. The memory of the pain she had inflicted upon him sent his heart racing. His mind went blank. He had to get away from her!
    “Jack, what’s wrong?” Katrina tugged at his arm.
    Reality and purpose broke through his instinctive panic. “Rejiia and Simeon. Let go of my arm so I can send you to Shayla.”
    “No. She’ll kill you this time. You must come with me.” She held tighter as she changed her Song.
    Jack ignored her plea and accessed the void. From memory, he built a mental picture of the field outside the lair. He added the waterfall and the pool, tall cliffs and clumps of stunted Tambootie trees. The dragonets and Shayla climbed into the picture of their own volition. Lastly he added the big blue-tipped male, Fraank, and Corby.
    Then, he drew on all the power of the ley lines as he moved Katrina and her bundle of lace into the field, an arm-length from the edge of the pool. He’d better send her pillow, too; she’d risked much to salvage it.
    He barely noticed the feminine arm clutching his shoulders. He heard only the love ballad Katrina Sang with renewed vigor.
    “There they are!” Simeon called out. “She’s got the shawl. We have to stop them!”
     
    Cold blackness engulfed Katrina suddenly,