SNEAK PEEK #2 of A VERY DRAGON CHRISTMAS!

I am almost done! As usual, it will be longer than I thought. I had to move the release date back to 12/19! But NEVER FEAR!

Here is another SNEAK PEEK and I WILL have Cass and Abbie's story out to you by the 19th!

Until then, ENJOY THE SNEAK PEEK!

Be sure to comment and let me know what you think!

XOXO, Julia

“Hey!” A deep rumbling voice floated from the backdoor a second before the thud of boots on the hardwood floor followed. “Is that the one and only Caspian MacAllen, trying to sweet talk my Auntie Barbara?”

Getting to his feet, Cass smiled wide and put out his hand as Jed slid his in for a shake. As they shook, the Guardsman felt the connection of not only their heritage but their combined history, respect, and brotherly love.

Being older than all the MacAllen boys, both Cass and Jed had spent many good times exploring the MacAllen Ranch with Owen and Barbara before Gage came along. Then they became the Three Musketeers, and the real fun began.

Cass and Jed even experienced their first Shifts within hours of one another, under the full moon, in McKitterick Canyon, halfway between the back fence of the Ranch and the Magical entrance to the Reservation. Being much younger, Gage had missed the fun, but they'd been sure to prepare him for what was to come.

Together, the three boys were unstoppable, and although Cass hadn't seen Jed in years, not much had changed. One look into the dark brown, almost black eyes of the Stallion Shifter, and the memories came rushing back.

Walking under the bright, white light of the Yuletide Full Moon, the frozen sand abraded his bare feet as the winter winds whipped in every direction, beating at the flesh of his chest. It was the seventh night in a row that he’d paced the same path, and it was the first few hours of Christmas Eve. Unable to sleep, unwilling to stay inside, he’d prayed for the December weather to wash away whatever was haunting him and allow him to once again slumber as only a teenage boy can.

Visions of the land he loved, nocturnal animals of every kind running to and fro, the lush array of foliage, and the multitude of crops of the MacAllen Ranch contrasting with the taupe, brown, and red clay of the Chihuahuan Desert filled every corner of his mind–but the view was askew. It was so different than what he knew so well. Instead of seeing it from his already six-foot stature, the fourteen-year-old was looking down from a great height, taking in all he’d ever surveyed in a single glance.

The Magic of the Ancients thrummed with a vigor he’d never before felt, and the Enchantment of the Great Creator spoke to him in ways he’d only ever heard of in the stories his mom, dad, aunt, uncles, and grandpa told. Something had awakened within him, something he’d known was coming, but for some reason was resisting. There was a tug of war going on in his soul, but both sides were simply holding steady.

Cass thought about talking to Owen. He’d even gone out to the barn just that morning to talk to the Leader of the MacAllen Dragons. But when he opened his mouth to speak, the words refused to be spoken. Over and over, he tried, and over and over nothing happened.

He could talk about the saddle Owen was repairing, and the beautiful Mustang Mare he’d finally gotten to take a carrot out of his hand. Hell, he was even able to recount the conversation he’d had with Jed Thorntree about the Texas Baseball League finally getting a footing in Houston. But no matter how hard he tried, Cass simply could not bring himself to talk about all the weird thoughts and feelings wreaking havoc in his mind.

As a last-ditch effort, he’d gone to the Res to Chief Cheveyo and his sons, Dasan and Elan. Since his mom was one of the Tribe, and her Mating to his Dad had been blessed by the Great Creator and all the Chiefs, that meant Cass was also a Thorntree Cherokee. Having such an extensive extended family had been such a comfort after losing his parents at such a young age. He'd shared everything with them. So, why was he suddenly finding it hard to talk to them about what really mattered?

No, he wasn’t the only person, or child, to lose those he held most dear to the Skeenah Legion. Jed’s parents had also gone to the Heavens during the bloodiest battle of the war. Cass believed it was one of the many things that bound them as brothers tighter than blood ever could.

During the Conflict at Guadalupe Peak, the one that finally brought peace to their land, everyone who could fight did, and his parents were no different. Not only were they defending their people and their land, but they were also fighting for their freedom, their way of life, and their belief in the Universe and the Great Creator.

Too young to join the fight, Cass had been taken to stay with Barbara who was pregnant with her second son. He would never forget looking into his father’s eyes as he heard his low rumble reassuring, “Caspian Thomas MacAllen, you are the Hope. You are the best of all of us. Know that you are loved, my son. Never forget that you are loved.”

Looking at his momma, he tried hard not to cry, but the tears fell when she whispered, "Oh, my little Agiyvsdi, what an amazing young man you have grown to be, and what a great man you will be. Every day and in every way, you make me proud to be your momma. Remember your Faith in the Ancients of All, the Great Creator, and the Universe. As your daddy said, you are the Hope. Know that you are loved and that one day, that Love will come in the form of your Mate. She will see who you really are and love you all the more for it." Kissing him on the forehead, she pulled back and added, "Your daddy and I will always be with you."

It wasn't until much later that Cass realized his parents knew they wouldn't be coming home. For a long time, he was angry. He resented them. He was pissed off at the people who'd come home. Well, except Owen. For some reason, that rage was never pointed at his uncle, but it was alive and well with regard to others. He could feel blinding hatred trying to take root in his soul every time he saw a mom or a dad with their child.

On one of the worst days, the wee hours of the morning of Christmas Eve, he’d gone to Guadalupe Peak, the highest point in the entire state of Texas. The trek had been hard and long. Cass had fallen more than once and thought about giving up with almost every step he’d taken, but his need to see where his parents gave their lives was stronger than all the other feelings.

Once there, he’d been greeted by a very large, obviously very lazy Black Bear. Laying there, its eyes the only moving, the Yonah–bear in the Cherokee language–did nothing more than grunt in Cass’s direction.

Halfway through his journey to the battlefield, the young man turned to find the Bear had gotten up and followed. Instantly enraged that the time he needed with the ghosts of his parents was being interrupted, Cass growled, “Go away. I want to be alone.”

No sooner had he spoken the words than the Black Bear transformed into a six-foot woman with long red curls and the stature of an Amazon. Wearing a deep rich brown tanned deerskin vest, leggings, and breechcloth, she was an imposing figure he instantly knew was used to being respected, if not revered.

Taking in the large, colorfully beaded chest plate adorned with hand-forged silver medallions, Cass was immediately aware that he was in the presence of greatness. Then his gaze landed on the spear carved from the holy Cedar tree with a head shaped from white granite and there was absolutely no doubt he was in the presence of a true Cherokee Warrior, the Leader of the Ditlihi, the Chief of the Chosen Warriors.

Before he could speak, she reached into the thick fall of auburn hair lying on her shoulder, pulled out the wing feather of the Sacred Bird, a Bald Eagle, and held it in the space between them. Unsure what to do, but knowing if he didn't take the gift, he would be insulting the Great Creator's Chosen Warrior, the young man held out his hands.

Having been taught the ways of the Cherokee Nation by some of the most honorable Ani-Yunwiya, Real People to those of the Tribe, Cass accepted the token, bowed his head, and reverently acknowledged, "Thank you, Noble Ditlihi, for this gift. I shall wear it with pride and remember the day I was in the presence of the Great Creator’s Chosen Warrior.”

Gasping when just the tips of her fingers softly touched the underside of his chin, Cass allowed her to lift his face until he was looking deep into her dark brown eyes. Watching gold flecks swirl as a Magic that could be none other than Mother Nature’s wrapped over and around them with the unconditional love and acceptance that can only come from an adoring Omnipotent Being.

“Can you feel that, Uktena?" Not waiting for an answer, she continued, "You are loved. Like the Eagle from which that feather fell, you are strong. You have great courage. You embrace your freedom and want the same for all others. You were blessed by the Sacred Bird at the moment of your birth."

Without another word, she let her hand drop and took a step back. Raising the spear she held at her side; she pointed toward the Reservation. “Those are your people.” Then she turned and pointed to the MacAllen Ranch. “Those are also your people.”

Returning to face him, she stood perfectly still for what seemed like forever but was truly only a second. When she spoke again, Cass could feel the magnitude of her words. “In your heart, all are your people. In the days to come, you will be asked to make a choice. It will not be concerning who you love, who you protect, or who you call Family. Neither the Great Creator nor the Universe would ever be so callous. They know your heart and have seen you are more than worthy.”

Smiling, the expression brightening not only her face, but all of Guadalupe Peak, she continued. "The decision you will be asked to make–the choice–will be simple. No sooner will the question be asked than your heart and soul give you the answer. Trust your heart. Listen to your soul. Believe in all you've been taught. Know that you are loved, Caspian Thomas MacAllen. Believe that you are the Hope.”

Before his brain had time to catch up with his mouth, Cass blurted out, "That's what my mom and dad said. It was the last thing they said to me. How could you have known?" Shaking his head and then running his fingers through the messy curls atop his head, he didn't wait for an answer but hurried to add, "It doesn't matter how you knew. I came here tonight to… to… to…"

Once again closing the distance between them, the Ditlihi laid her hand on his shoulder. “You came here for answers, and I came here to give them to you.”

Taking her hand off his shoulder, she motioned toward the battlefield where his parents lost their Earthly lives and ascended into the Heavens. “Your mother and father were great warriors. Esta Evilhawk and Thomas MacAllen, their names will forever be written on my heart. I was there that night. I had the honor of not only calling them Sidanelv, my Family but seeing how very much they loved you."

“But they… they….:

"No, Caspian, you are wrong," she corrected when he couldn't say the words. "They did not choose to leave you; they chose to give you life. They made the ultimate sacrifice, not of their own lives, but of a long life with you to preserve the Light and extinguish the Darkness. They willingly, bravely, and with all the faith I have ever seen in my long life ran toward the enemy, toward The Skeenah Legion, when they realized that I, along with the Nûñnë’hï, could not save every Warrior of the Light. They fought more courageously than any other I have ever witnessed, and they look down from the Heavens every minute of every day with love and pride at the man you are becoming.”

He didn’t have the words. His mind had sufficiently been blown. This woman, the Warrior, the Being who was chosen by the Great Creator to protect all Ani-Yunwiya had come to this place on this night to speak to him about his parents. She was there to…”

“I am here to prepare you for the decision you must make and ensure that your heart is without doubt, fear, or hate, and you do not blame your parents for the choices they made. I have been sent by the Great Creator and the Universe to be sure you see the Truth.”

Slowly nodding just once, she speared him a look that he felt in every fiber of his being. Time stood still. Cass didn't move. He didn't blink. Hell, he didn't even breathe.

Finally, when he was sure he would pass out, the young MacAllen exhaled as the Ditlihi added, “You are loved, Caspian MacAllen. You are the Hope. Watch for the signs. Follow your heart and soul when faced with decisions. And always look for the Nûñnë’hï. One of those very special People Who Will Live Forever is the key to your happiness, to your happily ever after.”

Before he could take another breath or say a word, the Warrior was gone. Not even the Black Bear remained. Cass was alone and for the first time since he’d lost his parents, it didn’t bother him at all.

Walking to the center of the battlefield, he saw the outline of the crater that had opened up and swallowed The Skeenah Legion. As far as the eye could see, the echo of the souls of the righteous who had fought to protect the world cast long shadows. They didn't move. They didn't moan. They were nothing like the comic books or stories would have people believe.

No, they were stoic. They stood tall. They stood guard. They were the Favored. They had been called to defend the Light and had run headlong into the Darkness with no thought of their own wellbeing.

Slowly traversing the entire area, he prayed to see the shadowy figures of his parents. His heart and soul willed to happen, but it was not meant to be.

As the winds became stronger, some of the gusts nearly knocked him backward. And the temperature was dropping, the mercury flirting with that elusive zero mark.

Heading back to the trail, he slowly and carefully inched his way down. Ascending had been much easier than descending. Gravity was a strange and unforgiving Mistress.

The sharp, narrow turns, no wider than two feet, were nearly impossible and with the wind pushing and swirling in every direction, his fingers and hands were raw for grabbing the jagged, sharp limestone and sedimentary rock that formed the massive formation.

When the balls of his feet finally touched down on the ice-covered sands of the Chihuahuan Desert, the pounding of running footfalls cut through the blustery breeze. Turning one way and then the other, he finally caught sight of Jed Thorntree racing toward him, his long, dark hair flowing behind him like the mane of a great Stallion.

The moment the boys were within shouting distance, a flash of bright white light followed by a blazing bolt of Ancient Magic shot from the Heavens. Eyes locked on the glowing sphere rising from the sand, Cass could not believe what he saw.

Then a deep baritone with a thick Scottish brogue that reminded him of Grandpa MacAllen spoke from somewhere deep within him, asking, “Tell me, Caspian Thomas MacAllen, do you choose Uktena or will your Fate and your Destiny belong to the Wa ya?”

XOXO, Julia