Page 27 of Tailwind

‘Feint to pull off an undertake. Lotiere on Fuger, flying for Adviant in Volitant Forge, thirteen years ago, fifth race of the season – his first one with Surquet too.’ The rose-gold dragon flashed in my mind’s eye, sending a shiver of awe up my spine.

‘Lena Paldon, you may be a problem, but I have solved you.’ Josie spread her arms wide, triumphant.

‘No more numbers?’ I asked, filled with hope.

‘No more numbers,’ she confirmed. ‘Well, maybe some numbers … just for me.’

I shrugged, smiling. ‘I’ll take it.’

CHAPTER EIGHT

One of the benefits of Josie also being a keeper was the lack of suspicion raised when we started spending time together. We spent the journey to the Mirendi circuit going over potential strategies for the race, finally in a context I could understand. After sleeping until the sun crept through the broken blinds we tidied the cabin and headed to our actual jobs … together.

We wove through the clusters of Kiestral crew that had spilled out of the cabins in anticipation for the arrival. Josie gave and received polite nods.

‘You’re popular,’ I muttered behind her as she led the way to the dragon carriages.

‘I work for Bach Lotiere,’ was her reply as her tall frame parted the river of people.

The enthusiasm I’d seen while going over plans the night before was gone. Instead she was back to a neutral tone that gave nothing away. I understood her implication regardless. Bach Lotiere wasn’t just a hero to me, but to many. Where Thorne literally demanded respect, Bach had earned it through his determination, hard work and humble nature. Not only in the races, but outside of them too.

Naturally, people wanted to be around him. Myself not included – the less he saw of me the better. Josie was a conduit to him. Other members of the Kiestral crew knew this and, it seemed, treated her as an extension of the legend.

‘So, they suck up to you?’ I asked, not particularly caring if anyone overheard.

‘Yeah.’

‘And you let them?’ If anyone started to try and lick my boots to get to Thorne they’d be horribly disappointed.

She tapped her pass card on the security augment by the doorframe to get into the first dragon carriage.

‘Why not? If it makes my life easier then why shouldn’t I enjoy my briefing notes laid out early for me? An extra set of clean overalls in the aviary. It’s not like I’ll ever get reparations for my stunted career, so I’ll take what I can get.’

‘We’re very different people …’ Where I was set to burn with anger at every slight I’d ever received and be happy to set everyone around me on fire too, Josie had taken a higher road – slightly. Mine was warmer though.

‘All right, see you in the aviary, yeah?’ Josie turned and offered a light wave as she carried on down the corridor to Rosinder’s carriage.

‘Yeah, later.’

It was the kind of exchange I hadn’t had in so long. An easy-going goodbye. A promise to catch up later. Casual. Friendly.

This could backfire on me. Sure, Josie was promising to help me, but promises were easily broken.

Regardless, she knew my secret. There was no getting around it.

I tapped my card by the interior door and focused instead on the heavy scent of dragonbreath that escaped into the corridor as Gottyk’s compartment hissed open.

‘Hey, buddy,’ I said, entering his private cabin.

His orange scales clattered against the copper pellets as he rolled on to his back, stretching out his limbs and tail. The space was half as big as his usual stall in the aviary and there was no overflow for his augments, my flight suit or armour. Still, it was purpose-built for him to travel in comfort, which was more than I got.

‘Careful. If people see you rolling around like this your mystique as a fierce racing dragon will be gone.’ I tickled under his chin as he let out cheerful huffs. ‘We’re arriving soon. You’ll be able to stretch these wings in no time.’

Happy-sounding grumbles ricocheted along his neck. With him being upside down, I could see the sound reverberating under the peach scales. They darkened to a deep orange around the sides and then got brighter on his back. It was a marvel every time I saw them. No amount of time spent with dragons ever took away their majesty. Even if he was nothing more than a good boy who loved chin tickles.

The train slowed. I shifted my weight to counterbalance it. The heated pellets rolled through the room, warming my feet and ankles.

Out of the window the sparse rocky hills gave way to a familiar view: Eauveil.