The other teens gasped and pressed themselves up against the stone walls of the training arena. Daisy even picked up the broken end of a spear while Mel and Buddy crouched behind shields. Alone in the middle of the ring, Duke was frozen stiff as he tried to keep himself calm. All eyes were on the Tabikat Max had let out.
"Hey girl, how you doing?" Max spoke in a hushed voice, keeping calm while he kept both of his hands up, palms facing the blue dragon. The Tabikat kept her attention on him as he led her towards his adopted brother. Duke glanced around at everyone else, worried that something bad was going to happen.
"Duke, hold out your left hand like I am," Max whispered as he and the dragon got closer. Gulping nervously, Duke did exactly as he was told. His entire arm trembled fearfully as he briefly gazed up at the Tabikat in front of him. Max, in the meantime, stepped aside so the pair could complete the task. Sniffing the hand in front of her face with curiosity in her green eyes, the Tabikat swished her tail before she pressed her nose into Duke's palm. The Viking's eyes widened in awe.
The bond was complete.
Delighted that the first dragon was cooperating, Max approached another cage door as he called over his shoulder, "Mel, you're next."
