Broommates: The End Is the Beginning

Part 5 of the serial Broommates. Start from the beginning orΒ read the previous episode or click the “Broommates” link at the top of the page to see the full list.

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“So that’s it, then,” Anthony said. Miranda nodded. They surveyed the house, which was covered in a thin layer of dust because of the shaking it had endured from the dragon’s attacks.

“I suppose I’ll get the broom,” he said finally, and turned to leave.

“I know we weren’t entirely… forthcoming with you,” she said.

He stopped and shrugged. “We weren’t either.”

“But now that this is all out in the open,” she continued, “let’s lay some additional cards on the table, shall we?”

Anthony stared out the window at Kitty, who appeared to be conversing with the increasingly tame dragon outside. “What kind of cards?”

“The kind where you tell me all about you, and your compatriots, and this house, and–”

“No deal,” Anthony said quietly. His jaw was squared, his expression stony, and it gave Miranda pause. She folded her arms across her chest and treated him to her best impression of a schoolmarm waiting for an explanation as to why Timmy was run up the flagpole again.

“Everyone has secrets,” he said. His eyes met hers, a caramel brown that had hardened like amber. “Some secrets protect and preserve.”

“And others are dangerous,” Miranda countered. “Why should we trust you to know the difference?”

“Why should we trust you, period?”

“We just saved your lives!”

Anthony looked away. “We probably could have made do without you,” he muttered. “We’ve done before.”

“And you can do again if we leave, I suppose?” Silence was his answer.

They watched as Kitty curtsied to the dragon, then reached out a hand with her finger pointed, jabbing it forward as if popping a bubble. The dragon shook itself like a dog after a bath, stretched its wings, and in one vigorous leap took to the air.

“Kitty!” Miranda shrieked, racing to the door. Anthony was right behind her. They sprang outside, Miranda clutching an iron rod and Anthony hefting a longsword. By the time they reached Kitty’s side, the dragon was a rapidly shrinking speck in the sky.

“Why would you–” Miranda said, then stopped when she saw Anthony. “Where on earth did you get that sword?”

“Me?” he yelped. “It’s over a hundred degrees all of a sudden, how much cold did you suck of out the air with that…” He waved the sword in the general direction of her rod.

“Come on, you know that’s elementary magical transference, I have to get the cold from somewhere and there wasn’t time to–hey now, don’t be evasive, you didn’t have that sword a minute ago!”

Kitty left them arguing and went back into the house to tend to Parker, who was still passed out on the floor. A sad smile played at the corners of her lips. They would all have to talk about the dragon sooner or later, and it wouldn’t be very nice, especially since she was pretty sure she knew who had sent it. And he was a nasty sort, indeed. But that was a story for another time.

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Part 6: The Seventh Son

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17 Responses to “Broommates: The End Is the Beginning”

  1. Marisa Birns says:

    Each not trusting the other with the secrets. Story continues in wonderful intrigue and unanswered questions.

    Now to find out who the nasty sort is, and when he/she sent the dragon!

  2. peggy says:

    This is just wonderful. I enjoy jumping inside this fantastic tale.

  3. Gracie says:

    Another wonderful one. I love the mistrust and arguing. And the magic. And I can’t wait to find out who the nasty sort is, too.

    Very well done. I’m hooked (as if I wasn’t before). πŸ™‚

  4. 2mara says:

    So much fun… love this series πŸ™‚

  5. I like how you don’t answer all the questions, but rather pose more. Very nicely done!

    CD

  6. John Wiswell says:

    Glad you are keeping this up. How much further ahead are you planning it out?

  7. Valerie says:

    Thanks so much, you guys! As you suggested, John, I sketched stuff out in advance, but this is the end of this arc. Next up: Know Thy Enemy.

  8. Hey Valerie: while I haven’t been following like the others, I do think this piece stands pretty well on its own. The relationship interplay is well done and realistic. I enjoyed it and will be checking out more of the series.

  9. Laura Eno says:

    I just love magical series… πŸ™‚ Another great piece!

  10. And now I’m impatient to find out who sent the dragon… Hope they’ll trust US with their secrets, even if not each other! πŸ™‚

  11. This is delightful. All the secrets, distrust and evasion. Color me eager to see what comes next.

    Take care,
    Jess

  12. Valerie says:

    Thank you all for the comments! The mystery will remain, ahem, mysterious for now but I promise it won’t reach Lost-level proportions.

  13. GP Ching says:

    Clever! I enjoy your style of writing. Lots of action and strong dialogue. Nicely done.

  14. Good dialogue in this. Love how they refuse to trust each other. Makes for interesting conflict to go along with the bigger conflicts. Well done!

  15. Xanto says:

    I love the flow of these episodes. They are quick and fun to read!

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