Unleashed: The Deepest Fears Lie Within (Secrets of the Makai) Read Online Free Page A

slumped onto one of the worn logs that circled an area of white ash; a fire pit large enough to contain the shack he’d been living in on the island.
    “That’d be quite a fire,” Tristan finally said, surprised that none of the branches hanging overhead showed signs of being singed.
    Had anyone at the festive event survived? What were they celebrating?
    “Te Hono-i-Wairua,” Landon announced.
    “Which is basically why we call it Donovan’s Place,” added Victor. “He has a thing for fire.”
    Tristan nodded, wondering what he should do with the remains of the body lying in the palm of his hand. “What can you tell me about dragons?”
    “Nothing really. Donovan’s doing the research.”
    Every time Tristan heard that name, an icy chill ran through his veins. “Why Donovan?”
    “He has the best access to private sources,” Landon said. “Are you going to fill us in?”
    Tristan sighed. “They were all happy, having some sort of party with music and dancing. Then, something looked over the edge of the cliff.” Tristan pointed to the top of the rock wall with his cupped hands. “Something in the air killed everything. Like its breath was poison. They all…everything died.” He uncovered his hand for a brief moment to make sure he still had proof. He did.
    “Party bugs?”
    Landon scowled at Victor.
    “Opposed to party animals….”
    Tristan shook his head, well aware that Victor was on the verge of laughter. “They weren’t fireflies or any other sort of bug.”
    “I believe you,” Landon said. “What were they?”
    Tristan studied the ash again, pondering the best way to answer. “She had wings and spoke English. This big.” He held up his hand, hoping that if they knew what they were looking at, the shape of her body might be visible.
    “I believe you too, but do you mean, like...Tinkerbell?” Victor asked, the corners of his mouth twitching.
    “No!” Tristan deflated and had to laugh a little. “Well, maybe.”
    “That’s the spirit,” Victor said, giving him a friendly slap on the back. “Just think of Disney’s version: Badbreath is a killer on the loose. Can Tink and her friends—”
    Landon glared, quite possibly scolding Victor mentally.
    “I’m so sorry,” Victor said. “That was extremely rude and completely uncalled for. I have a tendency to joke around, to make light of serious things at highly inappropriate times, and I wasn’t thinking.”
    Tristan re-covered the ash and stood, deciding to leave out the part about being summoned as a dragon. To save a queen’s first born? Was there something inside the deep-blue gem, a sapphire maybe, like the emerald and its Valkyrie?
    Obviously, he’d failed at whatever the creature had summoned him for. “Let’s just go.”
    “Look, we really do believe you,” Victor added. “Especially since we know you’re susceptible to visions.”
    That stopped him. “I am?”
    Victor clamped his mouth shut. Tristan waited until Landon finally spoke. “We only think that because of the fire you saw in Ireland.”
    Tristan recalled the night when he and Dorian made their escape. They’d gotten separated and the forest was on fire. Flames silhouetted people fighting with swords—an odd choice of weapon considering most of the people he’d met lately had magical abilities. And if they didn’t have magical abilities, they should be using guns not swords.
    That was when Landon and Victor had come to rescue him.
    “It wasn’t something we could see,” Landon continued.
    Tristan took another deep breath. “That’s fine. Whatever.” His first day was not going well. He peeked at the ash to confirm the truth and looked to the top of the rock wall, feeling watched, though he didn’t dare say so.
    Would he be allowed to walk away with evidence?
    What did it mean that he couldn’t trust anyone? Surely Landon and Victor could be trusted. He’d force himself to trust Donovan long enough to get information on dragons.
    “Let’s keep