This story, Dragon Tamer, is part of the I Dream of Dragons II anthology.

Female dragons are developing a mysterious blight and dying, quickly. Darian Archer, head of a dragon breeding program, calls in the IFM – International Field Marshals expecting his brother to be the agent sent to investigate. Serrah Gayle is the IFM agent sent instead and she has a secret, she can hear dragons talk telepathically but she’s never told anyone. Serrah was told as a child that people who could talk with dragons are kidnapped from their families and forced to work as dragon tamers even if they don’t want to, so she kept her ability a secret. Now Serrah faces a dilemma, she is a professional investigator, trained to use every available option to solve the crime but would admitting her ability risk her career. However, her talent may be the only way to figure out what is really happening. No one else can talk to the dragons and ask them what they know. To complicate matters even more, Serrah and Darian are very attracted to one another but Serrah believes that someone on the inside at his facility has deliberately done something to harm the dragons and Darian is having a hard time coming to terms with that. If Serrah is right and has to arrest someone close to Darian will he be able to separate her job from the woman?

Dragon Tamer by Kathleen Scott is a short story that reads like a full sized book! The story grabbed my attention from the very beginning and it never wavered. I loved the characters of Darian and Serrah. Darian is a caring man who is genuinely distressed at the loss of the beautiful creatures he takes care of. Serrah is an independent, strong woman, and very determined to solve this case even if the case is dangerous to her. The apparent impossibility of a permanent relationship between Darian and Serrah also presents an interesting dilemma. I hope this story is part of a series. I’m intrigued by the interaction and relationship between the dragons and the humans who care for them. The world in this book is fascinating and there appears to be a lot more that could be explored in other stories. I want to know what happens next with Darian and Serrah. I want to read Darian’s brother Tavil’s story and I want to know more about the Dragons and the missing tamers. Please tell us that there is more to come!

Reviewed by: Stephanie B.