Kyra Dune - Discovering the Spirit

DISCOVERING

THE SPIRIT

Dragon Within: Book One

BY KYRA DUNE

DISCOVERING THE SPIRIT

Copyright 2013 Kyra Dune

All rights reserved under International Copyright Conventions. Published in the United States by Shadow Portal Books, a division of Shadow Portal Productions, USA.

No part of this book may be reproduced or transmitted in any form or by any means, graphic, electronic, or mechanical, including photocopying, recording, taping or by any information storage or retrieval system, without permission in writing from Kyra Dune.

This book is a work of fiction. Names, characters, places, and incidents are products of the author's imagination or are used fictitiously. Any resemblance to actual events, locales, or persons, living or dead, is entirely coincidental.

SPB Third Edition

Cover Art by

Shadow Portal Productions

CHAPTER ONE

T wo weeks before the start of the school year, my family and friends gathered together under the tallest tree in Brenner Park to celebrate my sixteenth birthday. Pink and white balloons were tied to a picnic table, in the center of which sat a three layer chocolate cake with pink and white frosting. The numbers one and six, surrounded by little pink roses, were stuck on top. Dont make faces, my mom picked all that stuff out, not me. I guess she meant well, even if it did look like we were having a party for a five year old.

Personally, I would have preferred to be at the Pizza Hut. At least they had air conditioning. August in Arizona desert country is hot. Real hot. I was in a tank top and shorts and still pouring sweat.

What are we waiting on? Trudy whispered. Being a newly acquired friend, she was unaware of the peculiarity of the Freeman family.

Tradition, Brandy said, with a roll of her hazel eyes. Her jet black hair was braided and twisted around her head like a wreath. On anybody else, it might have looked weird but when youre drop dead gorgeous like Brandy Levine, you can wear your hair any way you want.

On top of magazine cover good looks, Brandy had the highest grade point average in the district and her parents were loaded. Her mom used to be a Japanese super model and her dad was the CEO of a major international corporation with offices all over the world. If Brandy hadnt been my best friend since forever, I totally would have hated her guts. Since I loved her like a sister I had to settle for a little quiet jealousy.

I dont get it, Trudy said.

Mom insists I blow the candles out at exactly noon, I said. Because thats what time I was born.

Oh. Trudys green eyes crinkled at the corners as she smiled. Thats so sweet. Your mom is awesome.

I wasnt so into the whole tradition thing, but I had to agree that yes, my mom was awesome. Most of the time.

Whats with the creep? Kyle asked as he and Steve joined us.

What creep? Trudy looked around, wide eyed.

Over there. Kyle nodded toward a dark haired guy in a leather jacket who was leaning up against the swing set. Hes been staring at you guys for like ten minutes already.

You dont know hes staring at us, I said. The guy was wearing dark sunglasses, he could have been looking anywhere. He could have been asleep for all we knew. But once Kyle had pointed him out, I did start to get a creepy somebodys looking at me vibe.

Kyle draped his arm across Brandys shoulders. Hes staring all right. And whats with that jacket? Its like a hundred and ten out here.

If he was staring over here, he would have stopped once he realized wed noticed, Brandy said. And would you please take your arm off me, you caveman? Im hot enough as it is.

Kyle drew his arm away, but stayed close. Sorry. Guess I get a little crazy when some guy is staring at my girl.

Then you must be crazy all the time. Steve grinned. Even a blind guy would stare at Brandy.

There happen to be two other girls here, Brandy said. Are you implying Abby and Trudy are not stare worthy?

Not at all. Steve flashed us a grin and bowed with a flourish. Begging your pardon, ladies. You are both totally stare worthy.

Trudy blushed. Maybe they are. Not me.

Dont sell yourself short, I said. Youre cute.

Yeah, but youre pretty and Brandy is gorgeous.

Brandy made a face. An accident of genetics. And sometimes it can be a real pain. People take one look at your face and assume you dont have a brain.

Thats not something I have to worry about. Trudy dropped her gaze to the ground.

Brandy and I exchanged a look. This was the main reason I wasnt sure Trudy would last long as a friend. Im sorry, but I cant understand the whole down on yourself thing, especially when theres no good reason for it.

Three minutes and counting, mom said, looking at her watch. My parents were standing on the other side of the table, discreetly pretending not to hear anything we were saying. Dad was usually equally as awesome as mom.

This is it. Dad said with a watery smile. The big one six. This is a major milestone in a young persons life. He snuffled. Today, my little girl becomes a woman.

Well, I did say usually . God, dad, you act like Im going off to war or dying, or something. Think you could take it down a notch?

Sorry. This is an emotional moment for a father. I didnt mean to embarrass you in front of your friends. Only he didnt look the least bit sorry.

This is an important day, Abigail, Mom said. Your friends can all tell you that.

Except for me, Mrs. Freeman, Trudy said. I dont hit the big one six for two months yet.

Mom smiled. Well then I hope when it comes you try to be a little more appreciative of the effort your parents go through to make it special than some people are.

What can I say? Awesome or not, shes still a mom. I appreciate. I eyed the cake. Mom had baked it herself so I knew it was going to be really good. But Im starving and I really want some cake. Do you realize how you torture me by putting it out ten minutes before I can eat it?

Why do you think we do it? dad asked.

Mom swatted his arm. Now, wheres your cousin with the camcorder?

There he is. Steve pointed toward the sandbox, where Curtis was crouched with the camcorder focused on the ground.

Curtis, mom called. He looked up and she waved him over.

What were you filming? I asked when he joined us.

Ants, he muttered, looking down at his sneakers. Just ants.

Why would you want to film ants? Kyle asked.

Brandy shot him a look. Ive seen some of Curtis films and Ive no doubt he could make even ants interesting.

Curtis smiled shyly at her and Kyle scowled. As if he had anything to fear from my cousin. Kyle was six two and a hundred and eighty pounds of pure muscle. He was also the football teams star quarterback and the best looking guy in school. My cousin was fourteen, looked twelve, and Brandy treated him like he was her little brother. She wouldnt think of dating him anymore than I would.

Before I could think of anything to say to Kyle to let him know how much I didnt like him looking at my cousin like that, mom said, Everybody take your places. Its almost time.

I took my position in front of the cake while everybody gathered around to sing a round of happy birthday, to which Steve enthusiastically added a bunch of nonsense after everyone else was silent. I pulled my ash blonde back in one hand, leaned over the cake, and watched my mom watching her watch because apparently some great calamity was bound to occur if I blew my candles out half a second early.