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“I know, but we didn’t have time to explain anything at the docks.” Apparently, when people visit Dragon Isle, they’re supposed to check in at the Nellenston Harbor and then charter a boat over. This prevents shifters from just flying directly to the island. It enables there to be a sort of screening process that protects the dragons who live on the island. It also protects shifters from being shot at over the waters, which has happened before, apparently.
Living in the middle of a forest clan, we haven’t dealt with random poaching. Our clan is fairly well protected and hidden away. Unless you know what you’re looking for, you aren’t going to find Fablestone on a whim. That’s one of the most wonderful things about our secret home. It’s private. Isolated. Ours.
Emerson’s eyes soften. “What is it you need, brother?
“This,” Donald reaches into the bag he’s carrying. During the flight, I wore my own backpack, along with the shoulder bag that has all of our supplies. Once we arrived, he offered to carry all of the bags, but I insisted on keeping my backpack. I’m not really sure why except that it’s the last thing I have that’s “mine.” I’m wearing borrowed clothing he rustled up for me and everything kind of feels like a whirlwind right now. Nothing feels normal. Everything feels fast and important.
In addition to the herbs and mixtures he needs for the cure for the illness at Fablestone, Donald also brought a set of clothing, which he’s now wearing, and a book. That’s what he reaches for first in the bag: the book. It’s heavy and has this thick, decorated cover. It looks very, very old, and to be honest, I’m a little scared to touch it. The pages look weathered, like they could fall apart at any moment. Donald picks it up easily and flips to a page with a plant. The name of said plant is ridiculously long.
“What is it?” Emerson asks, scrunching up his nose in confusion.
“Our clan is in trouble,” he says. “We’ve encountered a sickness and we need this plant to create a cure.”
“How can I help you find it?” Emerson asks, instantly at alert, and I realize this is one of my favorite things about shifters. There are no questions asked right now. There’s nothing except compassion and acceptance and a willingness to help.
“It’s in the center of the island,” Donald explains. “It’s native to Dragon Isle.”
“I’ve never heard of it.”
“It’s quite rare and unless you’re making this particular potion, it’s a useless plant.”
“You can help yourself to as much as you need,” Emerson tells him.
“Thank you,” Donald says. “We can find it on our own. We don’t need any assistance.”
“You shouldn’t encounter any trouble,” Emerson says carefully. “But I’m going to send Anthony with you as a precaution.”
“Anthony?”
“He’s one of my best,” Emerson explains. “He’ll help you with anything you need, and he’s very familiar with the center part of the island. He’s got a place out there, so he may be able to locate this plan faster than if you go on your own.”
“Thank you,” I tell Emerson.
“Anything for a fellow clan,” he says.
“For your trouble,” Donald pulls out the vase and hands it to Emerson. The dragon’s eyes light up. For a brief second, I think he’s going to say it’s too much, that he can’t accept the gift, but he does no such thing. Instead, Emerson simply nods and smiles.
“Thank you, my friend.”
We all hug once more and then Emerson calls Anthony, who agrees to meet us outside the office in five minutes. We wait in silence, choosing to be quiet for a few minutes. It’s now that I finally allow my mind to wander. I’ve been so focused on completing each task put ahead of me that I haven’t had time to worry about my dad or my mom or my life in general.
I haven’t had time to worry about Donald or that kiss we shared.
I’ve been too busy trying to hang onto our belongings, too busy trying to make sure we find the island.
Now, though, all I have is time, and as I sneak a quick glance at Donald, I wonder what’s going through that brain of his.
Chapter Fourteen
Donald
Anthony arrives and after brief introductions, we’re off. He doesn’t recognize the plant, but he seems to know the way to the center of the isle, so I follow him with Natalie planted firmly on my back. It takes about twenty minutes. We pass mountains and trees and creeks and lakes on the way. Finally, we land in a clearing and after shifting, we look around for a moment.
“Have you ever used this plant before?” He asks.
“Once,” I tell him. “Long ago. I wasn’t the one who acquired it from the island. If I had, I’d be able to give us a better idea of where to look.”
One of the physicians who taught me how to use everything around me used to carry it. He’d grown up on Dragon Isle and had discovered the book I’m now carrying with me. He’d found it in the basement of some dusty mansion and had read it cover-to-cover. When he realized there was a plant that could help with extreme viral illnesses, he immediately started carrying it with him.
