Page 23 of Medium

Big breath again. Then I heaved the pot and Pia up so the bottom of the pot could rest on my hip. My hand shook as I reached for the handle on the screen door. I pulled it open and stepped forward so my body prevented it from closing.

Not wanting to wake the neighbors, I knocked at what I thought was a considerate volume. Then I waited. Nothing.

“They’re in there,” Garfield said. “Two people. But I can hear the shower running.”

“Two!” Dimi scowled and put her hands on her hips. “Shane better not have one of those app hookups over.”

Fuck. I did not have time for this. I banged my knuckles as loud as I could against the door. It made a satisfying echo. They had to have heard it.

For good measure, I did it again.

“Shower’s off.”

I nodded my thanks at Garfield, then I shouted, “Hey! I need some help out here!”

The air suddenly became warmer on my right side. The ghosts shrieked, and I whipped my head around to look.

A giant green reptilian head was peering at me under the roof of the porch.

“Aaaaaaaah!” I clutched Pia to me and ducked, moving back against the railing on the other side of the porch. The screen door slammed closed.

Keeping my body between the creature and Pia, I stared at it over my shoulder. What the fuck was it? It looked like a fucking dragon from a movie or something. But I could smell the smoke coming out of its nostrils, so this was real. Pia had lifted her head from the plant and was trying to peek around my arm. Her teeth were long and sharp again, but I was grateful she didn’t have any thorns.

Lorraine materialized between me and the dragon. “Get away from her, you, whatever you are!” She shook her fist at it.

Dimi joined her, shouting, “Shoo! You’re not welcome in my house!”

The dragon pulled its head back slightly. Its eyes darted around the porch. Could it see the ghosts?

The other ghosts moved to stand with Lorraine and Dimi, exclaiming about not knowing what that thing was, though it wasn’t a shifter.

I couldn’t run down the porch steps without getting too close to the dragon’s mouth for comfort. I shot a quick glance over the porch railing to gauge the distance to the ground. There were some bushes to break my fall, but I wasn’t confident I could keep Pia safe if I jumped. Maybe I could lower her and the pot first?

The front door swung open, and two men wearing only towels around their waists rushed out.

Too bad I had to keep my eyes on the dragon.

CAL’S CAMPAIGN COMPENDIUM

HUNTER

Type: Hunter

Class: Magic Carrier

Overview: Taking their name designation from Dungeons & Dragons, Hunters are the Navy SEALs of the magic carriers. They are generally responsible for rescuing Wonders in difficult situations, such as kidnapping or from areas where humans are encroaching or fighting.

Skills:

Extremely heightened senses (smell, sight, hearing)

Ability to go into an extreme version of “combat mode” (hyperfocus, ultra-enhanced senses, improved reflexes, night vision, ultra-fast running speed, super-strength) when under threat or periods of stress.