Tristan Hale and the Dragon's Keeper

Tristan has been homeless for over a month now. He's slept under bridges like a troll, dumpster-dived for leftover burritos, and even hijacked a Smart Car. Tristan believes that he has seen everything, that is until he tries to steal from a wealthy old man named Alwin. The escape would have gone smoothly if it weren't for the flaming projectiles firing at his head or the barn full of dragons he tries to hide in.

When Tristan wakes up with a strange tattoo on his back, his worldview changes completely. He's bonded to a dragon named Astarot and discovers an entire world hidden from humans where dragons and their riders rule the sky. Astarot isn't just any regular old dragon (if there is even such a thing), though, he's the Dragon's Keeper.

Excerpt:
A shuffling next to me is what eventually woke me up. My eyes opened slowly and were startled to find themselves staring directly into the sunlight. I groaned and covered them with my hand. It took my brain only a few seconds to remind itself of what happened yesterday and it had me shooting up into a sitting position.

Before I could take the time to let my eyes adjust to the sunlight, a sharp pain knifed its way up my back and I had to uncover my eyes and hold my hands to my spine. I let out a small cry and turned around to look at the uncomfortable place I had been sleeping on.

What I saw made me pause. It was a large white pillow-like thing. It didn't look like it would be uncomfortable, but when I touched it, it felt rough and...scaly. I frowned and pressed harder into it; I had never felt anything like it. It was really warm and it was soft and sleek when I brushed my hand across it. If you brushed the other way, however, it would catch on your palm and scratch your hand. Suddenly, my pillow moved and groaned.

Odd.

Pillows don't usually move or groan.