Island of Dragons Read Online Free PDF Page B

bit, Miley sighed. Why had she been so stupid to wander into the canopy without the help of a gps marker to get back to the shoreline, or a map, or …Well… it was an uncharted, undocumented, unexplored island she reminded herself.
    Tears flowed freely now down Miley’s cheeks. Would she ever get home again? Would she starve to death on this island, or would she die of dehydration?
    Darkness began to fall and Miley shivered slightly. How stupid had she been to not bring warmer clothing? She hadn’t brought a sweater, no jeans, and nope… not even a blanket.
    Searching for something that she could use to start a fire with, Miley whimpered when she came up short. She hated her life. Why had she decided to go on this stupid trip anyway?
    Her parents would be so ashamed that their daughter was so stupid. They had never encouraged her love of photography. They had wanted her to do something better in their opinion, like marry Leon, who did not like her love for photography either.
    When Miley refused his proposal, after finding him in bed naked with her sister… she rebelled and flew out to New York, taking the job at Siegel on a whim. Her parents wouldn’t release her trust fund until she turned twenty-one and returned home or married the man of their choice. Now, she seriously contemplated her sanity.
    So…contemplating her sanity, cold, afraid, and alone, Miley curled into a ball and covered herself with a few big leaves she had pulled from the lowest branches of trees that she could find.

Chapter 12
    The next night, the perimeter patrol set out again. They set out as soon as the night would cover them from sight. Searching by foot did not really get them far, so instead of wasting their energy in that way, the group rested and waited until it was dark once again.
    “This time I want to have the focus on the shore line. That is where we should have started. I want each group to fly out in their specified direction toward the ocean. We will fly around in each direction until the entire shore line is covered. If you do not spot anything by the time you meet up with another dragon, take to the inner island, and focus on the parts of the island which we haven’t covered yet.” the leader told his patrollers.
    “Yes, sir!” the dragon patrollers barked back.
    They removed their articles of clothing and shifted with ease, letting the night’s crisp air waft over them as they did so.
    The patrollers had met in the village center tonight, each having said goodnight to their families. Once their partners had shifted, the teams headed out. The village sounded like a massive wind tunnel as a multitude of dragons took flight flapping their massive wings and lifting their colorful bodies into the night air. A chuff-like sound from their leader alerted them to take their leave of the village in search of the woman.
    Derek, the young patrol leader’s son and his partner, Max, a massive creamy orange dragon took off to the east while two others headed to the north, south, and west. Derek and Max were usually partners, best friends, yet both were focused and strict warriors.
    Together the two flew, their wings nearly touching as they swept through the sky. Each with their heads tilted downward searching for a sign that a visitor was below. Once they reached the beach, they turned right flying toward the next group’s location.
    Max’s chuff alerted Derek. Derek turned his head toward his friend with a quick nod; the two dragons dropped to the ground. They had found a camp.
    “I’ll shift and search the tent,” Derek whispered to his partner.
    Max nodded and stood guard while Derek shifted and pulled on a pair of shorts he had tucked in a pack around his calf. It was specially made to expand with the growth of a dragon’s leg.
    Derek carefully stalked forward. He knew Max had his back and would make sure that nobody snuck up on him. The camp site seemed to be abandoned. Nodding his head over the tent, Max suggested Derek