The Cathedral of Cliffdale by Melissa Delport

Author:Melissa Delport [Delport, Melissa]
Language: eng
Format: epub
Published: 2015-08-14T04:00:00+00:00

Chapter 22

“We had better head back,” Tristan called “Isaiah will be waiting for you.” His niece pouted. Isaiah had begun Monique’s training the very day she arrived, and, while she enjoyed it, she would far rather spend her time exploring the wonders of the City than in the training room. Monique had spent most of the past few days exploring Summerfeld, but her desire to experience everything there was on offer seemed insatiable. Isaiah had never seen a Guardian more enamoured with the supernatural creatures, not even the petulant Blair, who displayed an uncharacteristic tenderness with the wards that belied her sullen disposition.

Monique had ridden unicorns, watched the giants - from a safe distance, although she had sulked when she realised that she couldn’t see the dwarves from so far away - and explored Lunar Grove, which was devoid of wolves without the full moon. She had even caught a brief glimpse of a firebird, a very rare sighting, as they were the most timid of all Summerfeld’s creatures. The firebirds shared the Silver Oaks forest with the unicorns. The size of a peacock, they were named for their majestic plumage, which glowed, emitting a red and orange light so bright it looked like flames trailing behind them when they flew.

Monique had pleaded with Isaiah to meet the merfolk and he had grudgingly allowed it. They had travelled to the far side of the lake so as not to come into contact with the dragons. The merfolk had not been particularly friendly but this hadn’t deterred Monique in the least. When her endless questioning had started to annoy the two young mermaids who had answered his summons, Isaiah had gently led Monique away, distracting her with the sight of a Rainia dragon returning to her nest, the deep blue-grey hue of her scales blending into the canvas of the sky.

“How many species of dragon are there?” Monique asked when the beast had settled behind a crag of rock, out of sight.

“Six. That Rainia you just saw is one of only three adults remaining, but she has a cluster of eggs that will increase their numbers. The Chumana line is down to the eggs in Kellan’s shed. The Saurean, Kazaan and Xenica breeds still have a few breeding pairs, so their futures are secure, for now.”

“That’s five,” Monique had been ticking them off on her fingers as he spoke.

“I wasn’t finished,” Isaiah chuckled. “The sixth dragon breed is the most dangerous. The Orochians are highly aggressive, and territorial. They are the only breed of dragon we don’t worry about.”

Monique was determined to return to Lunar Grove to see the werewolves in their wolf form when the full moon rose, but her mother had flatly refused and she had to be satisfied with spending an hour at Rafe’s mother, Vivienne’s, home during the course of the day. In human form, the wolves were very good company and Monique had been beaming when they had finally managed to drag her away.

Tristan had taken

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