Dragon Blood- The Complete Trilogy Read online

  Dragon Blood

  The Complete Trilogy

  Katie Cherry

  This book is a work of fiction. Names, characters, places, and events contained therein are solely products of the author’s imagination. Any resemblance to actual events, locations, or persons, living or dead, is entirely coincidental. By no means will any part of this publication be reproduced, displayed, or otherwise used for personal gain without permission from the author. Doing so will result in the execution of the proper legal action required to protect all intellectual property present.

  Cover art by Germancreative on Fiverr.

  All rights reserved. Copyright 2019 Katie Cherry.

  Contents

  Foreword

  Dragon Blood

  Chapter One

  Chapter Two

  Chapter Three

  Chapter Four

  Chapter Five

  Chapter Six

  Chapter Seven

  Chapter Eight

  Chapter Nine

  Dragon Soul

  Chapter One

  Chapter Two

  Chapter Three

  Chapter Four

  Chapter Five

  Chapter Six

  Chapter Seven

  Chapter Eight

  Dragon Heart

  Chapter One

  Chapter Two

  Chapter Three

  Chapter Four

  Chapter Five

  Chapter Six

  Chapter Seven

  Chapter Eight

  Chapter Nine

  Epilogue

  Thank you & About the Author

  Sneak Peek at Rising From Dust

  Foreword

  Dragon Blood was written for myself, first and foremost. The story idea came to me as I suffered through a particularly horrible patch of time, wherein I felt I was drowning in darkness and despair. Why was I suffering with chronic pain that doctors could only guess at, but couldn’t ever really fix? I needed a reason for my pain, even though there wasn’t one.

  As a fantasy author, the first thing that came to mind was a fantasy solution. My brain wouldn’t let the idea go, so I sat down and wrote this story in just a few weeks (easily my fastest yet). I didn’t have to publish it, but I really enjoyed this story, and well, that’s my job! I give you the awesome ideas I come up with. So, I published it. Yes, it’s short. No, it doesn’t jump right into the action, but gives you a chapter or two to get to know the character, Myra, first.

  Why this is okay: there are more books than just this one! While it was intended as a standalone, reviewers demanded more, so I gave them more. As long as they/you keep wanting more and I feel able to provide, there will be more books to continue Myra’s story! Secondly, the character is pretty much 95% me. The main character in the Crystal Dragon saga is based off of me as well, but Myra is much closer to who I actually am rather than my imaginings of myself.

  So, through reading this story, you’ll get to know me better than through any other piece of work I produce, though they all contain a piece of myself, as all art does.

  Those are the reasons this story is so close to my heart. I’d love to hear how it resonates with you when you finish. (The best way to do that is through a review, but I’ll also leave links at the end of the book where you can find me on social media or email and let me know your thoughts privately if you prefer as well.) If it sounds like the consensus is that you’d like more books to continue the story, then I’ll write more! That’s how Dragon Blood expanded into a Trilogy, so you have all the power in the world to make it expand even further!

  I hope you enjoy reading the Dragon Blood Trilogy! See you on the other side!

  ~Katie Cherry

  Dragon Blood

  Dragon Blood Trilogy

  Book One

  Katie Cherry

  Dedicated to those who persevere

  though days of endless pain.

  I’m with you.

  Chapter One

  Myra grimaced as the sour liquid made its way down her throat. Smacking her tongue against the roof of her mouth, she scowled at the now-empty cup that had just held a strange herb mixture that yet another doctor had prescribed to her. It was just another guess, however. None of them ever knew what was causing her such pain. Every test came back saying that she was healthy. Once in a while something small was off, like too much of a certain kind of bacteria in her gut, but everything she was prescribed felt like it was only treating the symptoms, at best. This would turn out to be much the same and have little to no effect, she was sure of it. But, she had to try.

  Removing her glasses and rubbing her eyes wearily, she shut off the bathroom light and shuffled in the dark over to the bed that she spent far too much time in. Still, she sank into it with a grateful sigh, feeling foggy with fatigue despite being up for only half the day. Looking back on her day, she felt the now familiar tugging frustration at her inability to get done what she wanted. Whatever was wrong with her, it was ruining her ability to live her life. At least she had been able to make herself something more than a peanut butter and jelly sandwich, and had even gotten the dishes done.

  Trying to soothe her frustration with these small victories, Myra turned onto her side with a deep sigh. Closing her eyes, she cleared her mind to focus on falling asleep, but as soon as she had done so, the pain in her abdomen seemed to sharpen with the lack of distractions that help her to get through the day to day. Pushing against the area, she found it hard, as though whatever organs lay beneath the skin were clenching. Something burbled as she continued to press, and the intense pressure beneath her fingers relaxed a little. Blowing out the breath she didn’t realize she had been holding, Myra relaxed her hand, leaving it to rest on the smooth skin of her stomach. Evening out her breathing, she quickly slipped into sleep with only a few tears soaked into the pillowcase beneath her dark eyelashes.

  *****

  Dragging herself out of bed in the morning- nearly noon, technically, but it was good for her- proved to be a challenge as usual as her body felt like it was on ‘low power’ mode. Checking her phone, she felt a quick pang of envy. “I wish sleeping could recharge me as well as my charger works for you,” she muttered to it, forcing herself to her feet and taking the phone with her to the bathroom across the hall.

  Noises and happy chattering came from the kitchen, and Myra once again smiled with relief that her roommate, Harper, respected her need to be alone until she was dressed and in the kitchen- the sign that she had the energy to deal with another person. Closing the bathroom door behind her, she stared at her reflection, fingering a section of hair. “I think I could get away without showering today,” she murmured, glancing at the roots. They were darker than the rest of her brown hair, but not shiny with grease. “Yeah, no one should notice,” Myra concluded with relief. Harper had let on that she had made plans for the two of them that day, and she didn’t want to ruin them by not being able to function until deep into the afternoon, especially with a shower slowing her down even more than normal.

  After quickly brushing her teeth and combing through her hair, Myra walked back to her room, closing the door and grabbing the nearest clothes. A pair of blue jeans and a grey t-shirt. After pulling a denim jacket on, she pulled her ponytail through the back of a dark grey baseball cap and pulled the brim down, immediately feeling better once she had done so. Peeking under the brim at herself in the mirror, her feeling of safety increased as she noted how it hid her bright green eyes. She wasn’t trying to hide, exactly, but she had no energy to be a socialite, so the better she could blend in, the better she would feel. She only had so much energy in a day, and she was already sure she would be digging deep today, knowi
ng Harper and her enthusiasm.

  Her stomach rumbled as she stepped into the kitchen. Harper had made enchiladas. If this was the plan for today, I have nothing to fear! I’m a little surprised that she would want to stay in with me, though, knowing her outgoing nature.

  “Myra, you’re up!” Harper happily greeted, jumping up from her chair and releasing Daniel’s hand. Of course, her fiancé is here already, Myra sighed to herself before smiling and returning Harper’s hug.

  “Yeah, those enchiladas were calling my name,” she joked. Grinning, Harper quickly dished a couple up for her.

  “So, what are you girls doing today?” Daniel asked, leaning back in his chair, his plate already scraped clean.

  Harper beamed as she sat beside him, but she turned her face back to Myra. “I was thinking we could go get our hair done,” she said cautiously, waiting for Myra’s response. Her immediate response was panic, causing her jaw to clench tightly around the bite she had just taken. Harper was much more adventurous than she. She’d never pictured herself getting her hair done, let alone the dye job she was guaranteed to be referring to. “I’m getting tired of red hair,” Harper continued, turning back to Daniel to give Myra a moment to make a decision. Myra smiled at her thoughtfulness. Her one-track mind usually made it difficult to see Myra’s side of things. Maybe it won’t be so bad. I don’t have to do bright red like she did last time, at least. It doesn’t have to be extreme. Besides, this is technically still a low-effort activity. Not emotionally, but I can pretend it won’t be draining.

  “Okay,” is all she could manage to say, but it was enough to make Harper’s day. That’s her usual response to any suggestion for things anyway- just, ‘okay.’

  “Oh, yes!” Harper cheered, jumping up from her seat. “I made an appointment, and you got up early enough for us to walk, but we should still go now.”

  Sighing, Myra shoved a few more bites into her mouth before following Harper to put on their shoes. “Have fun,” Daniel called as Harper led them out the door, a bite of Myra’s abandoned food already on his fork.

  A fresh Colorado breeze greeted them as they stepped onto the clean, empty streets. Taking in a grateful, cleansing breath, Myra followed closely behind Harper, already dreading the plunge they would need to take into the busier streets. After a little over half an hour of walking down increasingly busy streets, Harper finally turned to go into a building. Myra peered up at it, frowning at the name. ‘Do the Bang Thing!’ She sighed as she stepped through the glass door behind her friend. This is a very… Harper place to go, she admitted to herself, wondering why she expected anything other than what was before her. The pink, studded chairs sat before the plain mirrors, and the workers had brightly colored hair as well. Myra let out a little of her pent-up breath as she noted the crowdedness of the store. It looked like every seat was filled. Maybe I can actually get out of this, despite her having made an appointment.

  “Harper!” the store keeper squealed, rushing over to give her a hug. Her bright blue hair only caused Myra’s stomach to tighten into a more condensed knot of worry. I don’t know that this is the kind of place I can get away with trying to do a normal color. I guess I have to quickly figure out if this is a battle worth spending my energy on.

  “I’m so glad you and your friend could make it!” the storekeeper continued enthusiastically as her eyes moved to scan Myra. Turning back to Harper after a moment, she led them to a couple of chairs tucked into a back corner that Myra had missed in her initial scan. Drat.

  “Viola, I know you always do my hair yourself, but if you’re free, I’d love for you to do my friend Myra’s hair today. Let’s get her confidence up and ready to take on the world!” Harper instructed as she settled into her chair. Myra subconsciously sunk further into the plush chair she was just led to. Before she could prepare herself, her hat was yanked off and her ponytail pulled out.

  “Sounds great, Harper!” Viola replied, Myra’s hat in her hand and hair elastic around her wrist. “Alright. Myra, right?” she continued, placing the hat- Myra’s main defense- on the counter before her. She resisted the urge to snatch it back and meekly nodded instead. “Do you have anything in mind?”

  “Maybe some blonde highlights?” she managed to squeak out in response.

  Viola laughed. “Oh, honey, you gotta be more adventurous than that! Hmm… those are gorgeous green eyes you’re hiding there,” she continued, gently pulling her glasses off. “How about we show those off more? Perhaps… a light purple?”

  Panic blasted through Myra’s chest. “Purple… highlights?”

  Viola laughed again as though she had told a joke and walked a few feet to the side, selecting the required bleach and dye. Myra squeezed her eyes shut, unable to watch, but unwilling to fight back. “Is it alright if I cut your hair too?” she heard Viola ask at her shoulder. Myra managed a weak nod. Any cut is better than purple hair, it can’t make it any worse.

  As the scissors began their snipping and the heavy weight at her head that Myra had never noticed began to drop away, she pulled into her head mentally. I’m doing this for Harper. I’m honestly making my friend’s day by doing this. I can always go somewhere else tomorrow and get it dyed back to normal. It’s just for today… it’s just for today.

  She kept her eyes closed through the whole process, despite her curiosity for how it’s done, steeling herself so she could pretend to enjoy the change when the time came to react to the finished product. She would crush Harper’s joy if she were to, say, burst into tears.

  When the last bit of tin foil was removed, she was spun around. No longer facing the mirror, Myra could open her eyes, but she still didn’t do so, afraid of the reactions of those around her, despite reason assuring her that everyone there was much more interested in their own hairdos. “Okay, hun, I just need you to lean back and put your head in the sink for me so I can rinse off the bleach. And try to not be so scared of it,” she chuckled with a wink that Myra caught just as she opened her eyes. Gulping and trying to smile, she nodded before leaning back and resting her head in the small black sink, the edge of the sink pressing into her spine enough to make it tickle. She tried not to squirm as rivers of water raced down her scalp, increasing the tickling feeling. She resisted the urge to giggle and wiggle around.

  Finally, Viola instructed her to sit back up. The process was repeated as she applied the dye. The whole time, Harper chattered about her own hairdo, which Myra gratefully focused on. She was going for a platinum blonde, nearly white hairdo, and keeping it long.

  Spun back to face the mirror after the second time, Myra forgot to close her eyes in time. Oh, that’s not too bad, she thought, looking at the short dark strands now only just reaching her jawline. It almost just looks black.

  “Time to dry it, and then we’ll give it some loose curls!” Viola updated, pulling out the hair dryer. As the hot air began its work, Myra’s relief evaporated. It was looking more and more purple by the second. By the time she was finished and Myra’s head was completely haloed in light purple and her glasses put back into place, she’d resigned herself to her fate. Just for today.

  The curls applied, Myra could see that the hairdo was actually really cute. On anyone else’s head.

  “Oh my gosh, Myra, you look amazing! You’re a whole new person!” Harper gushed, her own hairdo strangely already looking natural on her, unlike Myra’s clear detachment from her own hairdo. Oh, she might have done this color before, though. It’s hard to keep track since she’s changed it so often in the past year. Working as a model until she could pursue her dream of being an actress, Harper would change her hair based on each new photo shoot. Photo shoot! Myra gasped, looking at her phone for the time. I totally forgot, I had a job scheduled for today… good, I have some time to run home, grab my camera, and get back out…

  “Thanks, Harper,” Myra responded, distracted as she shoved her phone back into her pocket and retrieved her hat, pausing at Harper’s sharp look as she lifted her arms to put it bac
k on her head.

  “No hat today,” Harper instructed, pulling the hat away. You’re going to be a whole new girl today, okay?”

  “Okay,” Myra groaned, her feet shuffling back toward the door. “I forgot though, I have a shoot today…”

  “Oh, that’s fine! I’ll just pay and meet you back at home later.”

  “Thanks!” she got out before the door closed behind her and she took off running.

  Chapter Two

  She got to the park a few minutes early. Breathing a sigh of relief when she pulled up and noticed it was empty, she put the car in park and began to set up. The slight breeze quickly cooled her heated skin and she shivered a little, the back of her neck exposed for the first time in years. Pulling her light denim jacket closer, she glanced at the sky. The clouds were beginning to darken. If the family today was quick, the cloud cover would make for the perfect lighting. If they were slow, she could do some shots in the rain, but it was a risky game. They could either turn out great, or everyone would be a mess. It only took a matter of seconds for it to melt into a disaster.

  “Are you… Myra?” A male voice came from behind her. She spun around, flushed in embarrassment at being caught staring at the clouds. The dad was tall and handsome, his wife had a kind smile, their three-year old and their newborn happy and energetic. Myra couldn’t help but smile at the ironically ‘picture perfect’ family.

  “Yes, that’s me,” she responded with a shy smile.

  “Ah, the hair threw us off for a minute there,” the wife explained with a smile.

  Myra’s blush deepened. “Oh, yeah, I just… got it done. It wasn’t planned or I would have warned you.”

  “It wasn’t planned?” the dad chuckled. “I remember having days like that before I got married,” he murmured wistfully.