Dragon's Oath

“It is a dragon,” he said, staring at the carving of the masthead. It was truly spectacular – a black dragon, claws outstretched, teeth bared – ferociously ready to take on the world.

“It seemed to me, after the events of the night, to be a good omen,” Shaw said.
Bryan stared at the dragon and was filled with the most intense flood of feelings he had ever experienced. It took him a moment to realize what they were, and then he knew: excitement and anticipation and longing all joined within him to create a single sense of purpose. He met the vampyre’s gaze. “I choose to enter the dragon.”

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“If you were more mature you would care about others feelings,”

He scowled. “Really? I’m almost twenty.” Dragon paused and looked her up and down appraisingly. “How old are you?”

“Twenty-two,” she said, lifting her chin.

“Twenty-two! That’s too young to be a professor and too young to be lecturing me on being more mature.”

“And yet I am your Professor of Spells and Rituals, and someone should lecture you about what you would be if you acted older. Who knows, with a little guidance you might grow up and be a Warrior of integrity and honor.”

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Anastasia turned her body so she could look directly at him. “Has anyone ever explained to you the difference between confidence and arrogance?”

“If I say no are you going to lecture me?”
She hesitated before speaking and then said, “No, I don’t think I will.”

They rode on in silence and after a short time Dragon sighed. “Okay, lecture me. I like it. Really.”

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This excerpt can be found at House of Night Series.com.
Copyright © 2008 by P.C. Cast and Kristin Cast. All rights reserved.