Born In Light I | Born In Light II | Born In Light III

Michael and I sat in the library that evening, going over again the events of the day. I had eventually warmed up to the Dragon idea and stopped freaking out whenever I thought about the man beside me, turning into a giant scaled beast. He looked over at me since I had grown quiet once again.

“You ok?” His voice was soft.

“Yeah…I’m alright. It’s finally just settling into my brain.” I sat back and hugged myself, my eyes gazing at the carpet.

“Adrian has a lot more to explain to you before you can truly begin classes here.” He waved his hand around to indicate the school at large.

“Adrian?” My brow raised.

“Oh geez…did he forget to even tell you his name? The Headmaster.” Michael sat forward and laughed. “I swear that man would lose his head if it wasn’t on his shoulders. This has happened before.” He looked at me before continuing. “There was a new teacher hired a year or so ago, about a week went by before he even met Adrian, let alone found out his name.”

“Why is he so all over the place?”

“He’s got a lot on his plate. He doesn’t handle a lot of the day to day goings in the school, surprisingly. He’s more of a liaison to the Council, our governing body.” I sighed and hung my head as he spoke. More information I didn’t know.

“Well, am I ever going to know everything? I feel like I’m being kept in the dark.”

Michael shook his head. “You will…when we find those like you, brought in from the outside, we usually introduce slowly. We have found it is better to do it this way. Less chance of them going mental and all.” My eyes widened with his words.

“Has that happened?”

“I haven’t seen it personally, no, but I have heard stories of a long time ago. Had some of the first outsiders go absolutely insane when everything was revealed at once.”

“That’s so…unfortunate.” I had no idea what to say to that.

He nodded and smiled at me, opening his mouth to speak again, but the doors to the library slammed open, and Adrian came rushing inside. He stopped for a moment and looked around before spotting us and continuing his march. Michael looked up at the man and smirked.

“Headmaster, what can we do for you?”

“Sadly, I won’t be able to give you that break in the knowledge I had wanted to Ellie.”

His face was grim as he looked down on me, and I felt my mouth gap. “What?”

“There’s been a development…I had not foreseen this…Michael, could you do me a favor and head to the dorms? I think there’s some Freshman planning some kind of prank.” Michael looked between us and nodded slowly.

“Sure.  See you around, Ellie?”

“Yeah, see ya.” I waved softly after him and watched him go before Adrian gripped my hand and pulled me after him. I struggled to keep up with his quick pace, “Where are we going, Sir?”

“Back to my office, this is something that must be private.” I blinked at his response and felt my nerves begin to kick in.

Just what was so important that you needed to stay private? This couldn’t be good.

We arrived at his office, and he pushed me inside before glancing out and then shutting the door and locking it.

I watched him before something moved off to the side, and I turned. There, leaning against the wall, was the man from earlier that had stopped my run.

Ethan Hunter.

I couldn’t help but stare at the gorgeous figure he made. Adrian broke my gaze as he motioned me to the couch beside where Ethan stood and walked to his desk. “Good, now that we’re all here, we can begin.”

I looked at the Headmaster. “Ok…just what is going on?”

Adrian took in a breath, “Ellie…you know about the Dragons, so that’s one big step done.”

I only watch him waiting for him to continue.

He paused before a sigh escaped his lips, “Right then, so this school was established to train a special breed of Human. Dragon Riders, we call them. You are one such Rider.” He motioned to one of the paintings. A Rider rode atop a Dragon into battle. Creatures of shadow attacked from below, a crack in the Earth allowing them upwards.

“Those are the Shadows.”

I snorted. “Original.”

Adrian glared at me while Ethan said nothing. “Yes, well…our ancestors were a little pressed for time when they came up with it. Anyways…it has been our duty to battle these monstrosities for thousands of years. The partnership between a Dragon and their Rider has always been the key to successfully keeping them at bay.”

I nodded.  It seemed legit. After everything else I’ve seen, why not? I turn to Adrian then. “So why pull me aside like this? Why the secrecy?”

He sighs and looks to Ethan, who nods, “Because Ellie…we believe that you are Ethan’s Rider…”

I blink a few times and stare at him. “What?”