So Many Books, So Little Time

•Chapter Seven•

"You really think so?!" Aleah gasped happily.

"Definitely," Phoenix assured her. "It's too bad you aren't one. They're going somewhat extinct, you know; it really is quite a shame. Have you shown your parents this book, by any chance?"

"I talked to my mom about it," she replied, somewhat confused. Why did he care if she showed it to her parents? In magical adventures, the main characters usually didn't tell their parents because it could put them in danger. "I haven't told my dad yet, because my brothers were telling him about their driving experiences and girl problems last night. Do you want me to tell him?"

Phoenix's eyes gleamed with a secret unknown to her. "Yeah, I think you should. He might just surprise you."

"What do you mean?" she inquired, her curiosity returning in full force. "Does my dad know about the magic ink?! How come he never told anyone?!"

"That's a question you should be asking him, not me," he laughed. "Don't worry, I'm sure he'll clear things up. And if he doesn't, bring him over here sometime and we'll figure it out together. Okay?"

"Okay," she sighed.

"Let's read my entry now, shall we?" he suggested, knowing she was impatient to question her father. She nodded and obediently flipped to the pages near the back of the book. Once she found it, she again read it aloud.

"I am Phoenix, a fireflare dragon. Please grant my wish to become human with the ability to transform into my dragon shape at will, and in return I shall discover new breeds of dragons, hybrids, shapeshifters, and the elusive halfwings. I will guard the magic ink until its rightful new owner arrives.

•

"This request has been granted. Results still pending.

"Hey, what's a halfwing?"

"Half dragon, half human," he answered with a mysterious wink. "Some dragons become fully human, or a type of shapeshifter, like me. Either way, they still have the natural magic of dragons embedded in their blood, so it passes to any children they have. This magic lies dormant until reawakened by the dragon parent, and the halfwing is then able to become a shapeshifter."

"Whoa! That's awesome!" Aleah grinned, a new secret hope burning brightly in her heart. She didn't dare ask the question smoldering on the tip of her tongue, and sternly told herself to wait for her dad. So she did the next best thing and asked a different question. "How do you find these people? Er, dragons."

"Heat signatures," Phoenix said nonchalantly, like it was the easiest thing in the world. "I'm a fireflare dragon, so if I want to I can read that kind of stuff. Dragons, even if they're in some sort of human form, give off really bright flares. Halfwings are harder, but I can still distinguish them from regular humans."

"That. Is. Awesome," Aleah gasped in awe, her eyes wide and shining. He didn't know it, but Phoenix had officially become her favorite person in the world, and her new mentor. Most of her mentors had been authors, but now it was a real life dragon! She was pretty sure she'd look up to him for the rest of her life. If he stayed long enough, that is. There was still the looming horror of his departure, which was made all the more frightening by its unknown date.

"So, when's your dad get home?" Phoenix asked, readjusting his position on the beanbag.

"Five-thirty," she replied, glancing at her watch. She wore one at all times because she was obsessed with knowing what time it was, and her family had been irritated by her asking the same question every five seconds. "It's only three-forty-five right now. Do you mind if I stay here for a little bit longer?"

"Not at all! I can tell you more about dragons if you'd like."

"Definitely!"

***

When Aleah returned home about an hour later, she spent the next forty-five minutes waiting anxiously for her father's arrival. Her sister merely scoffed at her, because she knew that Aleah would talk about something "silly" like the magic ink or the dragons. Which was true, but it wasn't silly, no matter what Raylee said!

Because Phoenix is not wrong, and he's not crazy, she thought firmly. I saw his glowing eyes for myself! And everything makes so much sense! I can't start doubting now. No, I'm going to believe in this because it's true!

Finally, at long last, her straining ears detected the sound of the garage door. She let out a happy whoop, startling her mother and twin sister, and raced for the door. Her brothers, who had also been waiting for their father's return, intercepted her easily and flung the door wide open.

"Dad! Dad! You'll never believe what happened today!" Kirk cried, grinning, and tackled Robert Blanc in a tight hug. "Your advice worked! I actually asked Samantha out! And she said yes!"

"Dad, guess what? I got that job I told you about!" Doug cheered, piling onto the hug. "And I have this really cute coworker who showed me the ropes and stuff, I think she's into me."

"And you know what else happened?" Kirk continued. "I've told you before how she likes baseball, so we're going to a game on Friday night-"

"-her name is Rosa, and she's the coolest girl I've ever met," Doug was saying, cutting Kirk off. "She dyed her hair purple, and you have no idea how awsome it looks-"

"-I almost crashed the car today when I taking Mom to the store, but I swerved and I think I'll be fine when I drive Samantha-"

"-ask her out? What do you think, Dad? Should I wait, or-"

"-and what color should I wear? Do girls have preferences for this kind of-"

"-grow my hair out. She told me she's into-"

"Okay, boys, that's enough!" Robert commanded, instantly silencing his sons. "Tell me later, okay? Aleah! There you are! Mom tells me you got a new book yesterday. Tell me about it at dinner? Now, Kirk, Doug, let's go over how to not run over the other people in the parking lot."