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    Dragon's Oath: A House of Night Novella
    Dragon's Oath: A House of Night Novella
    Dragon's Oath: A House of Night Novella
    Ebook133 pages2 hours

    Dragon's Oath: A House of Night Novella

    By P.C. Cast and Kristin Cast

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    About this ebook

    The first in an enthralling new mini-series of novellas from the #1 bestselling authors of the House of Night, Dragon's Oath tells the story behind the House of Night's formidable fencing instructor – the love that will transform him, and the promise that will haunt him

    In early 19th century England, long before he's a professor at the Tulsa House of Night, Bryan Lankford is a troublesome yet talented human teen who thinks he can get away with anything… until his father, a wealthy nobleman, has finally had enough, and banishes him to America. When Bryan is Marked on the docks and given the choice between the London House of Night and the dragon-prowed ship to America, he chooses the Dragon – and a brand new fate.

    Becoming a Fledgling may be exciting, but it opens a door to a dangerous world.... In 1830's St. Louis, the Gateway to the West, Dragon Lankford becomes a Sword Master, and soon realizes there are both frightening challenges and beautiful perks. Like Anastasia, the captivating young Professor of Spells and Rituals at the Tower Grove House of Night, who really should have nothing to do with a fledgling…

    But when a dark power threatens, Dragon is caught in its focus. Though his uncanny fighting skills make him a powerful fledgling, is he strong enough to ward off evil, while protecting Anastasia as well? Will his choices save her—or destroy them all?

    LanguageEnglish
    PublisherMacmillan Publishers
    Release dateJul 12, 2011
    ISBN9781429995849
    Author

    P.C. Cast

    P.C. Cast was born in the Midwest, and grew up between Illinois and Oklahoma, which is where she fell in love with Quarter Horses and mythology (at about the same time). After high school she joined the United States Air Force. After her tour in the USAF, she taught high school before writing full time. Ms. Cast is a New York Times Best-Selling author and a member of the Oklahoma Writers Hall of Fame. Ms. Cast lives in Oklahoma.

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    Reviews for Dragon's Oath

    4/5

    154 ratings8 reviews

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    • 4/5
      I really liked reading this novella. I really liked this was a glimpse into the life of Bryan Dragon Lankford, and how he met the love of his vampyre life. I liked how it showed the reader into his past, and present. This is definitely a must have if you like the rest of the House of Night series by P.C. Cast.
    • 5/5
      I absolutely devoured this novella. I love the House of Night series, love the professors, so this was a fantastic read for me. I loved learning more about Dragon and why he is the way he is and why he reacted the way he did to certain things in the series.If you love the House of Night, you have to read Dragon's Oath to understand more about him.
    • 5/5
      Dragon's Oath is a very Interesting story Set in early 1800's.I really love the main characters great chemistry!A very enjoyable quick read! A glimpse into a few characters of the House of Night series... I am very excited about the series!! I cant wait to read them all! I recommend this book!♥:)♥♥~♥ ♥~♥♥~♥
    • 4/5
      Magic, dragons, vampires and let us not forget love, angst and revenge all wrapped up in a great little novella. I read it in one sitting and thoroughly enjoyed it.
    • 5/5
      I just finished reading Dragon's Oath. It is a House Of Night Novella by P.C. and Kristin Cast. The book is about how Dragon and Anastasia met. It goes through their troubles that they faced, and about them falling in love. The purpose of it all was to remind Dragon of his oath that he made to Anastasia many years ago. I loved this book. I feel like it helped me understand some parts of the House Of Night better. It was also nice to see glimpses of Dragon as a fledgling and Anastasia as a young vampyre. This book doesn't have to be read with the House Of Night series, but I recommend that it be read with it anyways. I feel it'll help clarify a lot of things. The artwork in this book was completely beautiful. The person who drew the pictures that were used in the book has a lot of talent. They really made images of the story come to life. I loved it! I can see why P.C and Kristin Cast selected this artist to do the drawings. I recommend this book to any supernatural fan. Like the rest of the House Of Night series, it's directed at a younger audience, but I feel many people who are into vampire type stories will enjoy it. I definitely recommend this book to all the hardcore House Of Night Fans out there.
    • 4/5

      I am a fan of the House of Night series, and this was great. It gave insight into Dragon life and how he ended up at the house of night, his life as a child and growing up. Also how he fell in love with Professor Anastasia which was so sweet. I really enjoyed learning their back story and the illustrations were wonderful too. This is definitely worth especially if you are a fan of Dragon and the series.
    • 3/5
      Liked it. The art work was fabulous. The picture of the raven mocker creeped me out. Aren't my reviews great!
    • 4/5
      If you have been reading the House of Night series you'll be familiar with Professor Dragon Lankford. This is the story of Dragon and Anastasia.Before Dragon was a professor. He was Bryan Lankford- human. The son of an Earl. On the verge of becoming a fledgling his father disowns him and banishes him to America. These two events change his life and lead him to Anastasia. Dragon's Oath is a most enjoyable read. Dragon's story is set at a slow pace - but wonderfully so. A captivating world filled with destiny and magic. The Cast's spin a tale of love, treachery and heartache. I love that they have broadened their series to tell us stories of the Professors that make up Tulsa House of Night.Caitlin Davies narrates Dragon's Oath. The voice, tone and accent that she gives Dragon is perfect. Sounding exactly how I imagine he would. I listened to the audio version of this title.

    Book preview

    Dragon's Oath - P.C. Cast

    CHAPTER ONE

    Present-day Oklahoma

    Anger and confusion stirred within Dragon Lankford. Was Neferet truly taking her leave of them so soon after the death of the boy and their goddess’s cataclysmic visit?

    Neferet, what of the fledgling’s body? Should we not continue to hold vigil? With an effort, Dragon Lankford kept his voice calm and his tone even as he addressed his High Priestess.

    Neferet turned her beautiful emerald eyes to him. She smiled smoothly. You are right to remind me, Sword Master. Those of you who honored Jack with purple spirit candles, throw them on the pyre as you leave. The Sons of Erebus Warriors will hold vigil over the poor fledgling’s body for the remainder of the night.

    As you wish, Priestess. Dragon bowed deeply to her, wondering why his skin felt so itchy—almost as if he was covered in dirt and grime. He had a sudden inexplicable desire to bathe in very, very hot water. It is Neferet, his conscience spoke softly to him. She has not been right since Kalona broke free of the earth. You used to feel that …

    Dragon shook his head and set his jaw. Peripheral events did not matter. Feelings were no longer important. Duty was all encompassing—vengeance was utmost. Focus! I must keep my mind on the job at hand! he commanded himself, and then nodded quickly to specific Warriors. Disperse the crowd!

    Neferet paused to speak to Lenobia before she departed from the center of the campus and headed in the direction of the professors’ living quarters. Dragon barely spared her a look. Instead, his attention was pulled back to the fiery pyre and the boy’s flaming body.

    The crowd is being dispersed, Sword Master. How many of us shall remain to watch by the pyre with you? asked Christophe, one of his senior officers.

    Dragon hesitated before he answered, taking a moment to center himself as well as to absorb the fact that the fledglings and professors who were milling uncertainly around the brightly burning pyre were obviously agitated and thoroughly upset. Duty. When all else fails, turn to duty!

    Have two of the guards escort the professors back to their quarters. The rest of you are to go with the fledglings. Be quite certain they all return to their rooms. Then stay close to the dormitories for the remainder of this terrible night. Dragon’s voice was rough with emotion. The students need to feel the protective presence of their Sons of Erebus Warriors so that they can, at least, be certain of their safety, even if it seems they can be certain of little else.

    But the child’s pyre–

    I will stay with Jack. Dragon spoke in a tone that allowed no interference. I shall not leave the boy’s side until the red glow of his embers turns to rust. Do your duty, Christophe; the House of Night needs you. I will see to the sadness that remains here.

    Christophe bowed and then began calling out commands, following the Sword Master’s orders with cold efficiency.

    It seemed only seconds had passed when Dragon realized he was alone. There was the sound of the burning pyre—the deceptively soothing pop and crackle of the fire. Except for that, there was only the night and the vast emptiness in Dragon’s heart.

    The Sword Master stared into the flames as if he could discover the balm that would soothe his pain within them. The fire flickered amber and gold, rust and red, reminding Dragon of a delicate piece of jewelry—unique, exquisite, tied to a strand of velvet ribbon the color of fresh blood …

    As if moving of its own accord, his hand went into his pocket. His fingers closed around the oval disk he found there. It was slim and smooth. He could feel only the faintest hint of the bluebird that once had been etched so clearly and beautifully on its face. The golden piece rested snugly in his hand. He cupped it, protected it, held it, before he slowly drew out his hand, the locket nestled within it. Dragon twined the velvet ribbon through his fingers, rubbing it with his thumb in a familiar, absentminded motion that spoke more of habit than thought. Expelling a deep breath that sounded more sob than sigh, he opened his palm and looked down.

    The light from Jack’s pyre flitted across the locket’s golden surface. It caught the bluebird design.

    Missouri’s state bird. Dragon spoke aloud. His voice was devoid of emotion, though the hand that held the locket shook. I wonder if you can still be found wild, perching in the sunflowers that overlook the river. Or did your beauty and those of the flowers die out, too, along with everything else lovely and magickal in this world? His hand closed on the locket, gripping it so tightly his knuckles turned white.

    And then, as quickly as his fist had closed, Dragon released his hold on the locket, opening his hand and turning the gold oval over and over reverently. Fool! His voice was ragged. You could have broken it! Trembling fingers fumbled with the clasp, but when he finally unlatched it the golden piece opened easily, unharmed, to display the tiny etching that, although faded by time, still showed the smiling face of the petite vampyre whose gaze seemed to catch and hold his.

    How can you be gone? Dragon murmured. One finger traced the old portrait on the right side of the locket, and then moved to the left half of the piece of jewelry to stroke the single blond curl that nestled there over the empty space where his youthful picture had once been. His gaze turned from the locket up to the night sky and he repeated the question louder, from his soul, crying out for an answer. How can you be gone?

    As if in response Dragon heard echoing in the night air the distinctive croaking caw of a raven.

    Anger rushed through Dragon, so hard and hot that his hands once again trembled—only this time he did not shake with pain and loss; he shook with the barely controlled need to strike out, to maim, to avenge.

    I will avenge her. Dragon’s voice was like death. He looked down at the locket again and spoke to the shimmering blond curl it held. Your dragon will avenge you. I will set to right what I allowed to go wrong. I will not make the same mistake again, my love, my own. The creature will not go unpunished. On that I pledge to you my oath.

    A gust of wind, hot from the pyre, blew suddenly strong. It lifted the lock of hair and, while Dragon fumbled unsuccessfully to stop it, the curl floated out of his reach up, up, up on the heated draft, almost feather-like. It hovered there and then, with a sound much like a woman’s gasp of surprise, the hot wind changed, inhaling, drawing the lock of hair down into the fiery pyre where it was turned to smoke and memory.

    No! Dragon cried, falling to his knees with a sob. And now I’ve lost the last of you. My fault…, he said brokenly. "My fault, just as your death was my

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