Total pages in book: 49
Estimated words: 45585 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 228(@200wpm)___ 182(@250wpm)___ 152(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 45585 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 228(@200wpm)___ 182(@250wpm)___ 152(@300wpm)
“I don’t know, Little one.”
He wrapped an arm around her to press his hand into her lower back. “Let’s go talk to my staff.”
As they walked out onto the driveway, Twila rang a large iron bell that stood next to the castle. People streamed forward to join them. A few took a bit longer, mumbling that their trucks wouldn’t start and they’d had to walk.
Drake stood silent, not answering their questions until Twila nodded that everyone was there.
“Thank you for heeding the call of the bell. I included the instruction to come when it rings since it was first hung. This is the second time I’ve had to use it.”
Aurora watched everyone glance at the weathered, time-worn bell. Immediately, she could feel the atmosphere change from wonder to serious concern. She shivered against Drake and felt his body warm slightly against her.
“I do not have all the answers. This may be as serious as I believe it is or not. Here is what I know. This afternoon, the computer, cellphone, and electrical grid stopped working. This isn’t only affecting the castle. Look below at Wyvern.”
Everyone turned to look at the city barely visible below them. Cars were stopped on the roads leading into town and all the lights were out. Dots representing people streamed around here and there.
“I heard a report that someone had hacked into the internet, and it had stopped working all over the world. When the radio stopped, I thought it was a joke.”
“Go check on your families. In the coming days if this isn’t resolved, know that all the members of my staff are welcome here to continue being paid for their work.”
“How are we getting down to the city?” a young man asked.
“Walk,” an older man answered before meeting Drake’s gaze. “You may need protection.”
“I am capable of protecting myself, but I will need someone to guard my mate if I am elsewhere,” Drake answered.
“I would be honored, sir. My son will take care of my family. I will remain here.”
“Thank you, John,” Drake told him with a grateful nod.
A roar sounded from the silver dragon’s mountain and was answered by another and another in succession until silence fell once again.
“Go, Drake. John will keep me safe.”
Drake looked at Twila and she nodded as if understanding the silent message from her employer. Turning Aurora to face him, Drake kissed her softly.
“Take care of yourself as well,” she whispered. “I’ll call for you if I need you.”
He nodded and jogged away. In a flash of gold, the massive dragon pushed off and, gliding into the air, bellowed at the others who circled in the sky.
Chapter 21
The gathering in the center of town was massive that afternoon. The descendants of the original families stood ready to answer questions at tables arranged on the raised platform in the middle. Each rested their gloved hands on the large tomes laying in front of them.
The dragons all stood in human form on the next level up around the ancient dragon statue. They observed the crowd carefully.
“Can you tell us what is happening? My daughter is away at college. I can’t get a hold of her,” a woman’s loud voice called.
“The stoplights have been going out for days now,” a man who Aurora recognized as the local postmaster shouted.
“My son rode his skateboard home on the highway,” a man shared. “He said he had to dodge around the looters. Money isn’t worth anything now. He couldn’t even buy a candy bar.”
“Dragons! You’ve revealed yourself as the protectors of Wyvern. What can you do for us?”
“Oh, now you want our help,” Keres muttered loudly.
Drake stepped forward, drawing everyone’s attention. “This morning, several of us ranged away from the city to gather information. What we discovered is all forms of technology have ceased to function. I know many have noticed small and big things in the last few days that could have been harbingers of the current problems. How far ranging this is, we can’t tell you. I went to Chicago and found riots.”
“The conditions were the same in Las Vegas,” the silver dragon stated.
Each dragon told the same story of a different city, ranging across the United States. Finally, only the black dragon hadn’t reported. When everyone’s gaze landed on him, he stepped forward to speak.
“I went to Orlando and did not come back wearing mouse ears,” Keres commented before easing back.
“We did not travel outside of the US, but suspect this is happening worldwide,” Drake told the crowd.
“All hell is going to break loose,” a voice called from the crowd.
“Yes. We anticipate that will happen if this continues. As people get more desperate, conditions outside our mountains will worsen.”
“What about life inside the mountains?” a male shouted.
“Your city leaders are preparing a plan. They are in control of what happens inside our territory.”