Autumn Calling by T. Lynne Tolles Page B

are you
doing?”
    “Good, I guess. I’ve missed you, obviously,”
she answered hugging him again.
    “I’m sorry about Jackson. I know you two
were on the cusp of something before we went on our trip and
now…Well, with him staying, I hope you’re not too
disappointed.”
    “No. I mean I was disappointed before he
decided to stay.”
    “Come again?”
    “He didn’t really stay in contact with me
while you were gone, so I think it all just faded away awhile back.
Though hearing it outright does bring up some disappointment.”
    “I see. So you’ve moved on then?”
    “I have,” she said with an embarrassed
smile.
    “Good for you. He’s a lucky guy.”
    “I like to think so, but I think I’m the
lucky one.”
    “I hope to meet him soon.”
    “You will.”
    “So, how have lessons been?”
    “Good, I guess. I think we’ve found I’m best
with the element of air, though I’ve not explored much yet in the
earth element. Fire is definitely not my forte.”
    “I see Morti’s got you using blood magic?”
He pointed to the poultice wrap on her palm.
    “Yes, but only just.”
    “Next time take the blade to you forearm.
You need your hands strong when battling, not in pain the whole
time.”
    “Good tip. Wish Morti had mentioned it
earlier.”
    “He likes you to figure things out for
yourself. But I imagine with all this magic being crammed down your
throat, you probably can barely think straight, let alone work out
all the ins and outs of it.”
    “Exactly.”
    “What about potions and spells?”
    “Love it. I’ve really enjoyed using my
knowledge of plants to make things.”
    “Great.”
    “Though I have realized gypsy magic is not
my cup of tea. I just don’t seem to get it.”
    “Very few do. In fact if you were to ask
most witches, they’d tell you gypsy magic isn’t technically real
magic. After all, look how abused it’s been over the centuries with
all the charlatans that have duped the weak and unknowing. The few
who are gifted with it are worth their weight in gold, I can tell
you.”
    “Really. Tori was quite deft at gypsy magic.
Turns out she has gypsy blood.”
    “How intriguing. How is Tori?”
    “I’m not sure.”
    “No? I thought you two were joined at the
hip.”
    “Not so much these days. We’ve had a bit of
a falling out.”
    “Oh?”
    “At least that’s what she thinks.”
    “Okay. I’m confused.”
    Summer went into the details of the accident
the Macabres inflicted on Tori and the demand Nick insisted
upon.
    “So you instigated a squabble to keep Tori
safe and Nick off your back.”
    “In a nutshell.”
    “Things have been eventful since I’ve been
gone.”
    “Sure have. Speaking of that, are you going
to tell us your news?”
    “I was tomorrow when the three of us were
together again, but I suppose I can give you the highlights. Our
investigations pulled up the existence of another dragon.”
    “But how can that be? You said all dragons
were connected and could feel the presence of one another.”
    “True and it’s this very reason I believe
that this dragon is much older than I am, and very possibly a
female.”
    “Really,” she said with a smile.
    “Knock that off. This dragon could be my
grandmother in terms of years.”
    “The way you explained it, she may be that
in age, but not necessarily in body. I mean look at you, you’re
what, over fifteen hundred years old, and you look like a
twenty-one-year-old.”
    “That’s sixteen hundred and thirty-five, but
who’s counting. It’s true. Dragons don’t age like other
beings.”
    “So there’s still promise for your species,
right?”
    “That is the hope, though just because we’re
the last ones on the planet doesn’t mean we’ll like one
another.”
    “I guess that could be true, but tell me
what makes you think she’s a she and that she’s so much older.”
    “Because I can’t sense her. Females are
better at hiding this sense from others to protect their nests, and
I expect her