The Morphling's Gem

Chapter 11

  After she had met Jay, Brielle had taken a walk around the Headquarters. Evening fell, and Brielle sat on the sands of the empty training arena, gazing up at the rosy fading light that caressed the walls. She wanted so badly to fly up and touch the wispy, pink-bottom clouds, and then realized she practically could. It had been a little longer than a day since she had been a dragon.
  Her blue-green wings unfolded, carrying her into the sky. Brielle was getting the hang of transitioning in and out of her dragon form.
  Beating her wings upward, she soared on warm currents, taking her high up above the aircraft. She swooped and dove, clawing the air with empty talons in pure joy. Something about flying made Brielle's spirits soar with her height.
  It was her heart, the sky, and her wings. Nothing made her feel more alive.

  Brielle watched a streak of orange shoot up into the sky after her. She realized it was a dragon, fiery orange scales with pointed, straight golden horns and talons. It's ruff was rimmed with golden scales, shimmering in the evening light.
  As he got closer, Brielle realized it was Nick. She frowned. Leave it to Nick to ruin her happiest moments.
  "It's time for dinner! Your mother's been calling you for ages." Smoke poured angrily from his nostrils.
  Brielle flared her ruff, and snarled. "Goodness me, Nick. I can can get myself there." She snapped.
  Reluctantly, Brielle followed the orange scaled dragon boy back to the dining hall, where they were human again. As they grew closer, the tempting aroma of honey roasted ham filled the hallways, making Brielle realize how hungry she was.

  It was a long table, with thirty-or-so seats lined along the mahogany dining platform. Beautiful dragons where engraved in the edges, complementing the antique decorations and chandeliers in the Hall.
  Brielle watched as Nick took a seat by Anna and Jay, leaving Fluer opposite them beside a girl with bronze skin and chocolate brown hair tied back in two braids that rested on her chest. She was a very pretty girl, about fourteen, Brielle's age. She sat down beside the girl.
Brielle watched the girl with hazelnut-colored skin before she spoke. "Hi. I'm Brielle."
The girl smiled. "Oh I know who you are already. Your mother's the head of the MU," she laughed.
There was an awkward pause, and then the girl stuck her hand out to shake. "I'm Harper."
Brielle shook it. "Nice to meet you."
She smiled a pearly smile. Just then, a chef with a large table-cart wheeled out, and began serving the dishes of food. Brielle was ravenous.
She ate like there was no tomorrow, receiving stares from the other people at the table. She even spotted her own mother, at the head of the long table, glance at her.
When she had finished, she said "that was delicious!"
Harper looked up "you must have been hungry."
Brielle nodded. She glanced around, noticing a few more unfamiliar faces besides Nick, Anna, and Jay.
A boy with bronze hair walked past Harper, and tapped her on the shoulder lightly. Brielle watched him go, slightly confused.
"Who's that?" She asked.
Harper sighed. "Oh, that's Mason. He's a very good friend of mine." Harper pointed to the blonde boy he was talking to. "And that's Corin. Practically Mason's best friend."
"So, who are all the adults here?" She asked, pointing to everyone else besides the kids at the table.
"All of our relatives that are Morphlings. We all eat, fight, and train together, most of the time..." Harper explained. "Usually Mason, Nick, Corin, Jay, Anna, Fluer and I train together."
Brielle nodded. "Cool."
Harper glanced at Brielle. "So what's your power?"
Brielle shrugged. "Apparently I'm a mindreader."
Harper almost choked. "What?!"
Brielle met her astonished gaze. "You heard me."
Harper shook her head. "That's almost impossible." She patted Brielle on the back, and got up. "Look Brielle, it was nice meeting you and speaking to you, I just really have to go now. Um, see you at training tomorrow?" She suggested.
Brielle was a little astonished. "Uh... Sure?"
With that, Harper left the table.