Hiker blinked at the question as if he hadn’t expected it and was broadsided. “I honestly thought they did their own thing, keeping to themselves. I was shocked when I learned there were no more out there once we returned to the waking world when mortals could see magic once more.”
Sophia let out a long breath. “That doesn’t make any sense though. Like, Thad went after some, but according to the Complete History of Dragonriders, there were quite a few demon dragonriders after the Great War.”
“It doesn’t say what happened to them?” Mahkah questioned.
“No. It cuts off after then.”
“Doesn’t sound very complete,” Evan observed.
Sophia laughed. “I think because the House of Fourteen—or rather the House of Seven then—rewrote history, that the Complete History of Dragonriders paused, not knowing how it should tell the events. I suspect that it’s sorting out the details now and will write those chapters soon, once things settle down on the timeline.”
Wilder shook his head. “A book that writes itself. That’s impressive.”
“It records events,” Hiker imparted. “I suspect you’re right, Sophia, and the book was confused. To your point, it is curious that demon dragonriders disappeared seemingly overnight, but we were locked here, and it seemed that they probably got themselves killed off.”
“I think it would be worth looking into what happened to them,” Sophia stated. “We know that Thad was the last one from the old generation. Maybe if we find out what killed off the rest…”
“We can find that and use it again?” Evan jokingly supplied.
Sophia smirked but shook her head. “No, we can figure out what went wrong the first time.”
“Why?” Hiker arched an eyebrow at her, a deep curiosity in his gaze.
“Because we were almost extinct,” Sophia began, trying to piece everything together in her head as she spoke. “It started with us warring with each other, the angel and demon dragonriders. It feels like that’s where we’re heading once more. Magicians loathe us right now. Tensions are high. Mortals don’t trust us. We’re fighting to stay alive against our own. What if history repeats itself? There are only so many of us left and no more dragon eggs to replace us.”
“Are you offering to dig into this matter?” Hiker asked. “Can you figure out the missing part of history?”
Sophia nodded with determination. This felt right—the most logical next thread to pull. “Yes, and I know exactly where to look. It’s through understanding what went wrong in the past that we correct the future. We have to figure out what went wrong and fix it this time.”
Chapter Four
In Los Angeles, Sophia was used to steady warm temperatures. If constant was what she wanted, Scotland offered that, reminding Sophia of her childhood hometown. However, it wasn't nonstop sunny weather in Scotland, but rather the persistent rains. At least Sophia knew what to expect day in and day out—rain.
Sophia didn't have a predictable job, so having predictable weather was nice, even constant showers. She didn't mind it so much. It was humbling, and Lunis had explained the weather in Scotland was chosen by the first generation of dragons as their home because they believed it made them hardy, but more importantly, it strengthened their riders. Only the tough could ride on the cutting winds with their heads held high, and their shoulders braced against the cold.
The rain had let up for the time being when Sophia stepped out onto the Expanse of the Gullington after the meeting in Hiker's office. However, she didn't delude herself into thinking that meant the sun would break free from the blanket of thick clouds and bask the grounds in rays of golden light. It merely meant that she wouldn't get drenched during her meeting with Lunis.
The blue dragon flew down from his new place, a cave opening beside the Nest known as the Pad. It wasn’t cold and damp like the Cave with the elder dragons. Nor was it filled with dragonettes like the Nest. It was all Lunis’ and pimped out to his taste with surround-sound speakers, tons of electronics, snacks, and a cozy bed for him to sprawl out on.
Lunis landed on the soft ground beside Sophia with a new serenity on his face. They were quiet for a long moment, not even greeting each other but rather soaking in each other’s presence without words.
Finally, Sophia said, “So, the new place—”
“It’s incredible!” Lunis exclaimed, cutting her off, his tone vibrating with excitement. “I couldn’t sleep. There were so many fun things to check out. I have a Nintendo Switch now and don’t need your stupid phone or to rely on my cracked iPad that you got me secondhand from Liv—”
“You’re welcome,” Sophia said dryly.
“Then I got a stomachache from eating too many spicy Cheetos,” Lunis continued.
“Which is why you have cheese dust under your claws,” Sophia observed after glancing down at the dragon’s feet.
“I took a long soak and finally fell asleep listening to rock music at full volume, without a care in the world for waking the baby dragons who haven’t let me have a good night’s rest since they defiled my world with their repugnant existence.” Lunis finished with a dreamy quality in his green eyes.
“You get that the new generation is supremely important and the world’s future rests on their existence and growth,” Sophia blandly stated.
Lunis gave her a dismissive look. “Whatever. It doesn’t mean I have to like them.”
“Well, I’m glad you like the Pad and that you’re able to have your space and quiet,” Sophia offered.
“By quiet, you mean I blared Metallica until my ears bled.”
“Metallica, eh?” Sophia questioned, surprised. “That’s a bit different than your usual pop music choices.”
“I’m in a particularly angsty mood, displaying my independence from the colony.”
Sophia nodded, enjoying the cool mist laced in the wind that swept across the Expanse. A few dragonettes flying low in the sky followed it, gaining height as they headed for the Barrier.
“They’re leaving.” Sophia indicated the almost full-grown dragons.
Lunis nodded. “That’s the second group today. They’re ready, it seems. Or they’re bored without me around the Nest for them to annoy.”
“See? You forced them to spread their wings by moving out of the Nest.” Sophia laughed.
Lunis gave her an irritated look. “Your puns know no bounds.”
“You’re welcome.”
“No, they really should. Leave the puns to me. I’m better at them. You’re the pretty one. I’m the funny one. Let’s not step on each other’s roles.”
Sophia shook her head. “I won’t be confined. You do you, boo. I’ll do me.”
He rolled his eyes at this. “Leave the hip talk to me too. Otherwise, you’ll get all this shade thrown at you, and it will be big yikes.”
“You’re straight up trippin’. I totes know the current hip slang,” Sophia argued.
Lunis shook his head. “You’re so cringy, you potato.”
“What are you even saying right now?”