“Gemma Pollard?”
I rested my mug on the diner table and looked up, spotting a well-dressed gentleman with a balding head and glasses.
“Yes,” I said.
“I’m sorry for bothering you. My name is Leon Hopkins. I’m the branch manager at Felicity Bank, which is just down the street. I believe you know one of my colleagues, Holly Baxter.”
I nodded.
“I have a problem,” Leon said. “And Holly said you might be able to help.”
My brow furrowed. “What kind of problem?”
“Do you mind if I sit?”
“No. Go ahead.”
Leon slid into the empty side of the booth. “It concerns a dragon,” he whispered.
I arched an eyebrow. “A dragon?”
“I’m afraid so. It’s taken refuge in our bank. More specifically, our vault. And it refuses to leave.”
“Okay. So, what is it you want me to do?”
Leon swallowed. “Holly says you have some magic rings.”
It was accurate enough.
According to my mother, I had a connection to gemstones even before I was born. For example, I would become active in the womb whenever she wore her amethyst necklace. That’s why my parents named me Gemma.
Ever since then, I’ve had a fascination with gemstones. They seem to empower me, which is why I own five gemstone rings, each one providing me with a unique ability.
“Still,” I said. “I’m not sure how I can help.”
“The dragon won’t even allow us to open the vault. It’s destroyed our security cameras, and it’s threatened to use force if we don’t leave it be.” Leon cleared his throat. “I was hoping you could make your way inside and let us know what it’s doing. Even if you can’t get it to leave, at least we’d have eyes on it.”
I could definitely gain entrance to the vault without being seen, but I remained skeptical about getting involved.
“Have you paid yet?” Leon asked.
“Pardon?”
“For your lunch?” he elaborated.
I shook my head.
“Allow me.” Leon pulled some bills from the fold of his wallet and deposited them on the table. “And I’ll pay whatever you want if you’re willing to help. Just name your price.”
As I approached the entrance to the bank, I considered turning around and heading home. However, when I noticed Leon staring at me through the glass door, I realized it was too late. He pulled open the door and held it for me, allowing me to enter.
“Thank you so much for doing this,” he said, closing the door behind me. “Let me show you the way.”
I took a deep breath as I passed several bank tellers, one of whom was Holly. She smiled at me but, given my nerves, the best I could do was force a grin. Leon guided me down a hallway, and I could see the massive round door ahead.
There was a five-spoke handle that resembled a boat captain’s wheel, an electronic lock mounted right beside it. The door was silver-colored and clearly made of metal. I don’t know how thick it was, but I imagine it was built to withstand an extreme amount of force.
“Here we are,” Leon said, stopping in front of the vault. “As I mentioned before, we haven’t opened the door for days out of fear that the dragon will turn aggressive.”
“How did the dragon get in there?”
“It burrowed its way in through the floor.”
I let out a breath. “And you just want me to spy for you?”
“Yes. We’d like to know what it’s doing in there.”
“Okay.”
I reached a hand into the front pocket of my pants, pulling five rings from it. I grasped the alexandrite ring and returned the other four to my pocket. Then I slid the ring onto my right index finger. I watched as Leon’s eyes went wide.
“So, it really does work. You’re invisible,” he said.
“Not only that,” I replied. “It also allows me to walk through solid objects.”
“How?”
“Alexandrite offers a balance between the physical and spiritual world, so just think of me as a ghost.”
“Amazing.”
“But it only works for a few minutes. Then the stone will need to recharge.”
Leon took a step back. “I won’t delay you then.”
I eyed the vault, exhaled, and pressed forward. My vision went dark as I penetrated the metal door, eventually clearing as I came out the other side. I nearly bumped into the dragon as I passed through, making sure to sidestep it.
I’d seen dragons a few times in my life, and this one wasn’t the biggest I’d ever come across. However, it was red, which meant it was a fire breather. The beast was curled up, its chest slowly rising and falling while it slumbered.
I surveyed the vault, immediately surprised by its contents. Expecting to see shelves of cash and precious metals, I found row after row of drawers instead. They filled the other three walls and appeared to be safe deposit boxes.
The room was spacious and modern with bright overhead lights and white floor tiles. I wasn’t sure what to do. The dragon was sleeping, and there wasn’t much to see. What did Leon expect of me?
“You may be invisible,” a throaty voice said, “but I can hear you breathing.”
I spun around, the dragon’s yellow eyes staring back at me. I gasped, and my heart fluttered.
The dragon got to its feet and stretched. Despite my being invisible, the beast managed to look me straight in the eye, and I debated whether to stay or go.
“I won’t hurt you unless you give me a reason to,” the dragon said.
I contemplated. “Fair enough. I just want to talk.”
“Then talk.”
It wouldn’t do me any good to keep the ring on. It was better to conserve the gemstone’s energy in the event that I needed it. I slid the ring from my finger but continued to hold it in my hand.
“That’s better,” the dragon said. “Do you have a name?”
“Of course. Everyone has a name.” I paused. “It’s Gemma. And you?”
The dragon deliberated. “Jatha.”
I nodded. “Where are you from, Jatha?”
He looked away before meeting my gaze again. “I’m originally from Kofloinia, but I haven’t been back in years. I move from place to place now.”
“And that includes bank vaults?”
Jatha shrugged. “Whatever appeases me at the time. I’ve found this place to be cozy, and I like to be surrounded by treasure. Or, in this case, people’s valuables.”
I considered the vault to be anything but cozy, but I knew dragons liked treasure, so that much made sense.
“Any idea when you’ll be moving on?” I inquired.
Jatha snorted, smoke erupting from his nostrils.
I took a step back. “I didn’t mean anything by it. I’m just curious.”
“Once I’ve grown tired of this place. It could be days. Or weeks. But I’ll decide when it’s time to move on.”
I raised my hands in surrender, making sure not to drop the ring. “Okay.”
Jatha’s eyes narrowed. “What is that?”
“What’s what?”
“That in your hand.”
I glimpsed the ring, then Jatha. “It’s a ring. The same one that made me invisible.”
“You need a ring to do that?”
“Yes.”
“Ha,” Jatha bellowed. “I figured you for a sorceress, but you’re just a normal human.”
“I’m not exactly normal,” I admitted. “I happen to have a powerful bond with gemstones.”
Jatha’s eyes widened. “Gemstones?”
“Yes.”
“Gemstones are my favorite. If you give me the ring, I’ll allow you to leave unharmed.”
I pondered. “I prefer to keep it.”
Jatha craned his neck, towering over me. “I wasn’t asking. I demand that you give it to me. Otherwise, I’ll burn you where you stand.”
I had a decision to make, but I didn’t have the benefit of time. If I put on the ring and fled, it would likely enrage Jatha, and he could go on a rampage inside the bank. Or, worse yet, take his actions to the streets outside.
Another option was my pearl ring. It protected me from fire. The problem was I couldn’t use more than one ring at a time. I’d have to choose between the two.
“I have something better,” I said, slipping the existing ring into my pocket and fishing the pearl ring from it. I glided it onto my index finger.
“What’s that?” he asked.
“A pearl. I dare you to burn me.”
Jatha’s face contorted. “You’re crazy.”
“That’s what I’ve been told. So, are you going to do it or not?”
Jatha shook his head in disbelief. Then he offered a toothy smile. “If you wish.”
I watched as Jatha’s chest inflated and flames streamed from his mouth. The fire warmed me but didn’t burn my skin or bring any discomfort. If anything, the flames tugged at my body, tickling me.
“Impossible,” Jatha huffed.
“Yet, here I am. Unscathed.” I took a confident step forward. Maybe too confident. Jatha couldn’t burn me, but he still possessed sharp claws and brute strength. “How about we make a deal?”
“What kind of deal?”
“I’ll give you one of my gemstones, but you have to leave this place.”
“And go where?”
I shrugged. “That’s your choice.”
Jatha squinted at me. “And what are you offering?”
I couldn’t surrender my ametrine ring. It provided healing energy. And my alexandrite and pearl rings were just as important. Even agate, which gave me courage, strength, and a sound mind, would be difficult to give up. Which left only one.
“This spinel ring,” I finally revealed. It resembled a ruby in color.
“Spinel is a source of high energy,” Jatha replied. “And I rarely come across them.”
It was true, but I had more at my disposal.
“Is it a deal?” I said.
Jatha huffed, gradually bobbing his head. “Yes. I agree to your terms.”
“And how do I know you’ll keep your end of the bargain?”
“You have my word. That’s all I can offer.” Jatha hesitated. “I’m curious about something, though.”
“And what’s that?”
“Do you have any other gemstones?”
Leon was waiting for me on the other side as I passed through the door of the vault. I eased the ring off my finger and pocketed it, Leon’s eyes going wide at the sight of me.
“So,” he said. “How did it go?”
“The dragon has agreed to leave.”
“That’s wonderful news. How did you manage to convince it?”
“By bartering.”
Leon arched an eyebrow.
“I offered him one of my gemstone rings,” I said.
“Oh.” Leon rubbed his chin. “I hope it wasn’t too expensive.”
“It’s a rarer gemstone, but it doesn’t necessarily make it expensive. I pay about fifty dollars per carat for that particular stone.”
“And how big was it?”
“About two carats.”
Leon mulled it over, eventually nodding. “I’ll be more than happy to add that to your payment. But how can you be certain the dragon will keep its word?”
I shrugged. “I can’t, but the problem is resolved. For now, at least.”
A breath escaped Leon’s lips. “I suppose that will have to do. Follow me, and I’ll get you paid.”
I walked behind Leon as he directed me to his office. He pulled a pen and a piece of paper from one of his desk drawers. Then he filled out the check and handed it to me.
“I hope that number is satisfactory,” he said.
“It’s very generous of you, Mr. Hopkins. Thank you.”
“No, Gemma. Thank you.”
I bid him farewell and waved to Holly on my way out. As I exited the bank, I knew I’d see Jatha again. That’s because the two of us had come to an agreement before I left the vault.
Jatha wouldn’t reveal the reason for it, but he had been banished from Kofloinia many years ago, and he missed his homeland immensely. One thing that reminded him of Kofloinia was a ruby gemstone he once possessed while growing up there.
Rubies are some of the most expensive gemstones in the world, so when Jatha asked if I could obtain one for him, I was reluctant at first. Despite their typically high price tag, though, some could be bought for as little as twenty dollars per carat.
The quality was much lower in these cases, but Jatha didn’t care, which is why I ultimately agreed to his request. Since I was sympathetic to Jatha and his situation, I even offered to do it for free.
A gush of warm air brushed my cheeks as I trekked the sidewalk of the busy city street. I looked up to see Jatha flying overhead. He glimpsed me, offering a smile, and I returned the gesture. Jatha had kept his word, and so would I.
Kevin Hopson has dabbled in many genres over the years. A few of his stories have been contest/award winners, and Kevin’s work has appeared in more than twenty anthologies. You can learn more about Kevin by visiting his website at http://www.kmhopson.com.
I enjoyed this very human story and its sympathetic dragon.