The Witch of the Western Gate: Dragon's Gift Read Free Page A

in the morning to help you get refreshments ready. I'd invite you to the meeting Ivy, but I heard that Elizabeth is taking you school shopping," Grandma mentioned politely.
    Elizabeth was Ivy's step-mother. Both Blue and Grandma Lily knew that Ivy had no interest in a 4-H meeting, which was convenient, because it was really a meeting for paranormal girls. Exactly the sort of thing they didn't want Ivy to discover. They always called it "the girl's 4-H meeting" if Ivy was around.
    "That's right," agreed Ivy. She started to frantically put on her coat and gloves. Blue knew that no way did Ivy ever want to attend. "I can't disappoint Mummy. She has been looking forward to this shopping trip, after so much unpacking and decorating. We're going to Toronto of course."
    "Of course," agreed Blue, as they walked outside together, Blue holding the door.
    "Ewwww", said Ivy. "Don't tell me we have to ride in that rusty old truck of Grandpa's that says 'Buggy Man Pest Exterminator,' on the side. I hope no one sees me."
    "Tell you what, Ivy, I'll take your photo in the Boogeymobile and will post it on Facebook." Ivy made a face at Blue as she stomped across the driveway then hopped into the rusty SUV and slammed the door.
    Blue caught Grandpa Lou's eye and she nodded toward the back compartment where the dragon was in a crate under a blanket. Grandpa Lou gave a nod in return. Blue knew that he could smell the dragon with his heightened werewolf senses, before they even reached the car. Besides, he likely discovered it when he was loading his mechanical cockroaches. He turned his back to the truck for a moment and whispered to Blue.
    "That breed of dragon you have in the car is not usually found around here. They mostly live high in deep wilderness areas, near lakes or swamps."
    "Its wing is hurt. I'll get him on his way again as soon as I can."
    Grandpa Lou nodded.
    "You need to get him out of here fast, Blue. The Paranormal Council won't tolerate any magical, legendary critters running around. They'll kill him if they find out."
    "Yes, I know. I'll have Aunt Violet check his wing and I'll send him away as soon as possible. Until then I'll keep him hidden."
    "Another thing, Blue, I know Ivy is a handful but she's going through a lot now, so let's try to be patient with her," he said.
    "Sure Grandpa."
    Blue was puzzled. Grandpa Lou so rarely involved himself in other people's affairs. His wolf nature kept him removed from that sort of thing. Not once ever had he paid the slightest attention to the minor squabbles that went on between Blue and Ivy. He left it entirely to Grandma Lily or Aunt Violet to sort out that sort of thing if necessary. He must have been referring to Ivy having to move to Lockport and leave all her downstate friends behind.
    Ivy looked suspiciously around the truck. "What is that awful smell in back?" Blue was surprised Ivy had noticed since she couldn't smell anything and the dragon had remained quiet. "Just a raccoon, replied Blue. One to be released out at the game preserve."
    "Figures," sniffed Ivy. "It's a stinky old raccoon. It smells like a dead fish. So gross."
    Chapter 2
    After a short drive, Blue was home. She quickly lugged the crate inside the McChesney house, a large, historical, stick style Victorian. Some say that stick style Victorians are a high Victorian elaboration of the Gothic Revival style. Others say it is a transitional style between Gothic Revival and Queen Anne. Either way, the McChesney house was a masterwork of grey stone, shingles, and planks. The shingles were dark green with small seafoam green scallopped shingles highlighting features, and pale grey-green stick boards outlining the architecture of the house. Vintage ruby paint highlighted the windows, porches and trim. No one ever forgot the McChesney House once they had seen it.
    The house had been built by Blue's great-great grandfather and it now belonged to Blue’s father, Cormac McChesney. Cormac and Blue's mother, Rose, had