feature
sneak peek
Jan Milusich
MARYLOU Q’S DRAGON DILEMMA Having a secret as big as Josephine, Marylou Q’s invisible guardian dragon, isn’t easy in a town as small as Earleville. On the last half-day before summer vacation Josephine tells Marylou about a prophecy foretold at Marylou’s birth that has been set in motion. Josephine must leave to see that it doesn’t come to pass. The prophecy has been kept a secret from Marylou and her twin sister Tessa for ten years and must stay a secret for two more days—until the eve of the new moon, Marylou and Tessa’s birthday. What will the prophecy reveal? How will Marylou and Tessa affect the outcome of what was foretold? What other changes come about on Marylou and Tessa’s birthday? Surprises await the twins, but Marylou wasn’t given her middle name, Question, for nothing, journey with her as secrets multiply, danger mounts and Marylou’s dilemma grows.
Tessa and I stare at each other. “What do you mean coming of age?” asks Tessa, her eyes flicker nervously from Momma’s to mine. “What changes?” Tell us we want to know.” “All in due time,” says Momma, the brusque tone of her voice, ending the conversation. The night darkens. There’s not a glimpse of the sun’s reflection off the moon, nor a streetlamp’s glow, everything is eerily silent. DONG...DONG The grandfather clock sounds and the air bristles with energy. Flowing ribbons of electrons dance above our heads. Pinpoints of heat prickle the length of my body. Stretching out my arms, I twist and turn them. My skin feels as if its stretching, growing. Tessa’s crying. I reach out, and a leathery blue wing extends toward her. Rows and rows of sapphire scales grow one on top of the other layering my chest, arms and legs. I am the blue dragon, I saw in the mirror at Mrs. Trecotten’s. Tessa’s a kaleidoscope of colors. Shades of pink, orange, yellow, green and blue swim before my eyes melding into a vast black. Tessa’s
jaw widens, her head takes on a dragonish shape. Rows of sharp pointed teeth line her open mouth. “I don’t want to be a dragon,” she cries. Her body shudders with sobs. “There’s nothing that will change who you are,” says Momma, touching her shoulder. Tessa shirks Momma’s touch. “But who am I?” Tessa shrieks. “You never told me I’d be anything but a girl, a human.” Momma’s eyes narrow. She sweeps her hand before Tessa, as if to wipe away her anger. “Sylvie and I have a lot to tell you, so put your lips together and let your ears hear your history.” Momma gazes at us with care. “Our family came from Cappodocia: that much I have already told you. It is a land where the wind whispers to the fairies and rocks rise like spines on the back of a giant dragon. It is the one peaceful place in which dragons can live hidden from outside curiosity. It was our family’s home for centuries, until the Garuda’s attack upon your father. The Garuda’s vow of vengeance forced us to leave. I left for both of you-- for your safety.” Momma’s eyes narrow. She sweeps her hand before Tessa as if to wipe away her anger. Momma’s steely eyed gaze leaves Tessa silent and sullen. Momma leans against the doorjamb gathering her strength to speak again, but before she does Sylvie touches her hand, and takes up where Momma left off. “Your momma fled Cappodocia on the same day that my mother and I fled. Now, Sylvie reaches out to Tessa, but again Tessa pulls May/June 2014 | 155