Luna clung tightly to the dragon's copper scales as they soared over the rooftops of New Orleans. The wind whipped through her hair, and she could barely believe what was happening.
Just yesterday, she was a normal tattoo artist. Now, she was flying on a dragon she'd created with magic she didn't even know she had.
She looked around at the others riding with her. Declan was right behind her, his arms wrapped securely around her waist. Luna couldn't help but notice how warm and strong he felt.
His curly hair was even messier now, windblown and wild, but his green eyes were sharp and alert, scanning the skies for any sign of danger.
Zoe was gripping the dragon's scales so tightly her knuckles were white. Her eyes were squeezed shut, and she was muttering what sounded like prayers under her breath.
Bear, the giant of a man whose back had been the dragon's original canvas, looked oddly at ease. His massive frame took up a good portion of the dragon's back, and he seemed to be enjoying the ride, a broad grin on his face.
Iris, with her mismatched eyes - one brown, one ice blue - was perched near the dragon's head, her braids streaming behind her like a banner. She seemed to be communicating with the dragon somehow, guiding its flight.
Charlie, the tech wizard, was clutching his laptop bag to his chest with one hand and holding onto the dragon with the other, his glasses slightly askew.
As they flew, two more figures suddenly appeared in the sky beside them, riding what looked like... were those flying motorcycles?
"Don't worry!" Declan shouted over the wind. "They're with us!"
The two newcomers pulled up alongside the dragon. One was a woman with fiery red hair cut in a short, spiky style. She wore a leather jacket covered in patches and pins.
The other was a man with dark skin and dreadlocks, his arms covered in intricate tribal tattoos that seemed to shimmer and move in the sunlight.
"Meet Fiona and Malik!" Declan yelled, gesturing to the newcomers. "They're part of our team!"
Fiona gave a jaunty salute, while Malik nodded solemnly.
"Where are we going?" Luna called back to Declan.
"Somewhere safe!" he replied. "A place where we can explain everything and start your training!"
The dragon began to descend, heading towards a clearing in a dense forest outside the city. As they got closer, Luna saw a large, old-fashioned mansion hidden among the trees.
It looked like something out of a gothic novel, with towering spires and ivy-covered walls.
The dragon landed with a thud that shook the ground, and everyone began to climb off. Luna's legs felt wobbly as she slid down the dragon's side, and Declan was there to catch her before she fell.
"Easy there," he said softly, his hands lingering on her waist a moment longer than necessary. Luna felt a flutter in her stomach that had nothing to do with the wild flight they'd just taken.
As soon as everyone was off, the dragon began to shrink, eventually returning to its original size as a tattoo on Bear's back.
"Well," Bear said, rolling his shoulders, "that was something else. You've got some explaining to do, little lady."
Luna nodded, still trying to catch her breath. "I think we all need some answers."
Iris stepped forward, her mismatched eyes twinkling. "And answers you shall have. Welcome to Haven, the headquarters of The Veil."
They made their way into the mansion, and Luna couldn't help but gawk at the interior. It was a strange mix of old-world charm and high-tech gadgetry.
Antique furniture sat next to banks of computer screens, and what looked like magic symbols were carved into the wooden paneling.
They gathered in a large study, filled with books and strange artifacts. Luna sank into a plush armchair, feeling overwhelmed.
"Alright," she said, looking around at the group. "I think it's time for that explanation you promised."
Declan nodded, running a hand through his messy curls. "Right. Well, as we said before, you're what we call an Awakened. Specifically, an ink mage. You have the ability to bring your tattoos to life."
"But how?" Luna asked. "And why now?"
Iris stepped in, her voice soft but authoritative. "Magic has always existed in our world, but most people can't see or use it. Some, like you, have the potential to tap into this power. It usually manifests in late teens or early twenties, often triggered by a strong emotion or a life-changing event."
"For ink mages," Charlie piped up, adjusting his glasses, "it's usually during a particularly meaningful tattoo session. Your magic is tied to your art, your creativity."
Luna thought back to the dragon tattoo she'd done for Bear. It had been a challenging piece, one she'd poured her heart into. "So that's why the dragon came to life?"
Declan nodded. "Exactly. Your magic awakened during that session, infusing the tattoo with life."
"But why are those Collector guys after me?" Luna asked, remembering the men who had attacked her shop.
The room grew tense at the mention of the Collectors. Fiona, the redhead, spoke up for the first time, her voice hard. "The Collectors are bad news. They hunt down Awakened, especially new ones like you. We don't know exactly what they do with the people they capture, but it's nothing good."
Malik, the man with the tribal tattoos, added in a deep, rumbling voice, "They believe that magic should be controlled, harnessed for their own purposes. They see Awakened as resources to be used, not people."
Luna felt a chill run down her spine. "And you guys? What's The Veil all about?"
Declan's green eyes met hers, intense and sincere. "We're the good guys, or at least we try to be. We find Awakened individuals, help them understand and control their abilities, and protect them from groups like the Collectors."
"We're all about balance," Iris added. "Making sure the magical world doesn't spill over too much into the regular one, but also protecting those with gifts like yours."
Luna's head was spinning with all this information. She looked over at Zoe, who had been uncharacteristically quiet. "Zoe? You okay?"
Zoe shook her head, her purple hair swaying. "This is... a lot to take in. Magic? Secret organizations? It's like we've stepped into one of your fantasy novels, Luna."
Bear chuckled, his deep laugh rumbling through the room. "Tell me about it. One minute I'm getting a sweet dragon tattoo, the next I'm flying over New Orleans on its back."
Luna couldn't help but smile at that. Despite the craziness of the situation, she felt a sense of excitement bubbling up inside her. "So, what happens now? You said something about training?"
Declan nodded, a small smile playing on his lips. "That's right. We need to teach you how to control your abilities. An untrained ink mage can be dangerous, both to themselves and others."
"Dangerous how?" Luna asked, suddenly worried.
"Well," Charlie said, his eyes lighting up with enthusiasm, "imagine if every tattoo you've ever done suddenly came to life. Or if your emotions started affecting your magic, bringing random doodles to life without you meaning to."
Luna thought about some of the more... interesting tattoos she'd done over the years and shuddered. "Okay, I see your point. So, when do we start?"
"Right now, if you're up for it," Declan said, standing up and offering her his hand. "We've got a training room set up that's perfect for new ink mages."
Luna hesitated for a moment, then took his hand. As their fingers touched, she felt a spark of... something. Magic? Attraction? Maybe both?
"What about me?" Zoe asked, looking uncertain. "I'm not magical. Should I just... go home?"
Iris shook her head firmly. "Absolutely not. The Collectors saw you with Luna. You might be in danger too. Plus, having a friend around can be a big help during the early stages of training."
Bear stood up, stretching his massive frame. "Count me in too. This dragon on my back makes me part of this now, I reckon."
As they all filed out of the study, Luna felt a mix of emotions - fear, excitement, confusion, and something else she couldn't quite name when she looked at Declan.
This was the beginning of a whole new life, a whole new world she never knew existed.
They were halfway down a long hallway when suddenly, all the lights went out. In the pitch darkness, Luna heard Declan curse.
"Everyone, stay calm," Iris's voice came from somewhere to her left. "This shouldn't be possible. Our defenses-"
She was cut off by a loud crash from downstairs, followed by the sound of breaking glass.
"They've found us," Malik's deep voice rumbled in the darkness. "The Collectors are here."
Luna felt Declan's hand find hers in the dark, gripping it tightly. "Luna," he whispered, his breath warm against her ear, "remember what I said about your training being important? Well, it looks like you're about to get a crash course. Are you ready?"
Before Luna could answer, a bright light flared at the end of the hallway. In its glow, she saw figures in black tactical gear, their faces hidden behind masks. And they were heading straight for them.