Where the Wild Things Are

Chapter 14

"There's a Wild Thing that lives in all of us. It lives in our Passions and the people we love and our subconscious thoughts, our beliefs. It's even made a home in the darkest parts of us. But we can't be scared of it, we become it." Alessia Cara.

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Hermione was stretching after the rigorous training she just went through. The Ukrainians were forcing her to run with weights as she dodged flaming curses. They caught her a few times, but less than yesterday as she was working hard to shape her body to fit her new lifestyle. Muscles she was not used to using were flexing in ways she hadn't known.

Sitting on the grass in her sports bra and shorts she shivered as the air was chill, but moments ago she was covered in sweat. Pallas and Derrek were stretched out with her as they flexed their legs from the exertion of chasing her.

"Drakon divchyna, good work this morning." Pallas murmured and Derrek nodded.

"How long has it been now?" Derrek mused and Hermione smiled.

"Two months?" She asked and they nodded.

"Good, you are ahead of schedule. Your body enjoys this work, yes?" Pallas inquired and Hermione flexed her more toned arms.

"I believe so, this has been riveting." She was telling the truth; she never found excitement in a physical application before now.

"Char write recently?" Derrek asked and Hermione sighed and shook her head.

"Two weeks ago, since his last letter. I suppose he is pretty busy. I was supposed to go see him, but he never told me I could." She admitted and the Ukrainians glanced at each other.

"Will you check on the new Welsh hatchlings after lunch, Hermione? We have to clean up and go make our rounds to the adult Fireballs, they are being testy lately." Pallas murmured and Hermione nodded.

"I will get some studying done with breakfast and wash up before I head out there. I am going to go visit Durstia," she responded and stood up.

They laughed and nodded, "he has been so happy you are back. The poor beasty went through a depression when you and Char left. His female friend will be here next week. That will be interesting."

Hermione stifled a smile and shrugged, "the benefit of running a dragon reservation. We get all the cast-offs from smuggling operations." She stretched waved gentle, "tootles, boys."

"Do pobachennya, Hermione," Derrek murmured and she jogged off toward Durstia's hill.

When she approached Durstia flicked his tail but stayed relaxed on the grass. "Good morning, handsome." She told the dragon who tilted his head at her.

They had built a communication all of their own as they spent time together. He was being pensive and she did not mind; she sat against his torso and enjoyed the heat coming from his body.

"You haven't been flying much. Are we being broody today?" Her question came with a muffled grumble from her scaly companion.

He moved his head to gaze at her and smoke came from his nose. Durstia was annoyed and Hermione glanced around to see that one of the other dragons had burnt his trees. "We will fix it, alright? I am sorry they aren't nice to you. It might be jealousy."

The dragon grumbled again and nosed her. "I would fly with you if I had wings, but we are getting another of your kind here soon. She will make you feel less alone."

He snorted and tossed his head away. "Durstia, don't be angry with me. I am not a dragon. I cannot fly unless it is on a broom. Would you like me to go get a broom and fly with you?" She asked and he pressed his head to the grass. "I miss him too..." She admitted and the dragon let out a high-pitched sigh.