Aurelia Renatus thought she had seen enough strange things for a lifetime. And she had experienced enough heartbreak to last for ten lifetimes.
But fate had more in store for her.
Something big and hot was floating towards them from the north. Smoke billowed around its body, obscuring its face from view. Aurelia knew that it was not a demon, or at least not a demon that was in its original form. Otherwise, her instincts would have picked up the scent.
At first, she thought it was Willoughby 2 because of the translucent smoke. But as the thing came into sight, her heart leaped into her throat.
All she could was stare.
'Bessie!' Aurelia gasped.
Bessie, the dragon, came to a stop in front of Aurelia and whined. She looked like a black and white version of Aurelia's pet dragon from Lapis Valley. The one Hunter had tried to train unsuccessfully. The dragon came forward and nuzzled her with its head, its hair tickling her.
