Read Online Marked by the Dragon King by Caroline Hale - Free Book Online

medicinal purposes. I can see why they would think it was a deer horn. It’s too big to be anything else found in North America during that time period, well at least according to their version of history. Silly humans.
    People shamble past me as I stare at the display, trying to think of someway that I can break the glass without anyone knowing. If only my magic was working in full force. Waiting for the last few people to file out of the room, I notice a woman wearing a hooded sweatshirt lurking in the corner. Normally, I wouldn’t pay much attention, but I can tell that she's trying to cast a spell, sensing the electricity crackling in the air as she releases it. I’m not close enough to tell what she cast, but I see disappointment all over her face and recognize the look of defeat. She can’t use magic either. I move to where I can watch her better. Is this another candidate? Is she trying to get the fang before me?
    “Jax!” she whispers into her backpack. “Jax, I’m here but I don’t know what I’m looking for…” A small furry head pops up out of her backpack and scans the room with large green cat eyes, making brief eye contact with me before ducking quickly back into the bag.
    They must have communicated in some way because now the girl is looking right at me. She tentatively makes her way over to where I’m standing. She lifts her hood while she walks and I can see that we have another thing in common, bright red hair.
    “Hi!” she says enthusiastically with a friendly smile, warmth radiating off of her. I like her instantly despite my jealousy. I can’t help but wonder if she’s been with Ash, even if he doesn’t remember. “My name is Ruby. Jax says that we should help you. Jax is my cat. He won’t tell me what we’re looking for, though. Do you know?” All of this spills out of her mouth so fast than I can barely understand her.
    “Melinda,” I say, shaking her hand. “Are you a witch?” I ask quietly, looking around to make sure no one can overhear us.
    “Yep, Level 2. No real luck with magic though, obviously. I can hardly do my hair in the morning!” she laughs. If only I could be so light hearted about my magical inability. I chuckle as she pulls her fingers through her seriously tangled curls, getting her fingers stuck. Yanking them free she blows an escaped tendril out of her face and blushes. “Oops! Anyways,” she continues “Jax says…”
    “Jax can speak for himself,” the cat interjects, poking his head out of the backpack. I have seen talking cats before in the Underground, so it doesn't shock me, but I am intrigued by how old he looks. His coat is dark grey with black stripes, the muzzle and top of his head coated in white. Magic cats don't usually live to see old age. “You’re looking for the key. I can feel that it’s in the room with us, but I don’t know what it is. We don’t have much time,” Jax says as he jumps out of her bag and onto the marble floor.
    “What are you doing?” I exclaim. “I’m trying to be covert, people will definitely notice a talking cat running around.”
    “Covert, huh? You set off quite a disturbance bringing your Guardian Uptop. I tracked her Locate spell and set Ruby here on your trail. We’re here to help,” he says with a low bow. I can’t help but grin and stifle a laugh. A cat bowing looks ridiculous. “We must hurry though. If I was able to detect your spell, anyone can. And we don’t want to have to deal with SIGMA up here with our magic lessened.”
    “Great…” I say, wondering how they could possibly help me. Another witch that can’t use magic and a know-it-all cat. Quite the team.

 
     
     
    Chapter Nine
     
     
    “I can see that you already have the mark. That’s good. You’ll need it to be able to work the key,” Jax explains as he wanders off, looking around the room. “Ruby, don’t just stand there girl. Look around!” he admonishes Ruby with a quick swipe of his paw and she flushes in