Total pages in book: 45
Estimated words: 42796 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 214(@200wpm)___ 171(@250wpm)___ 143(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 42796 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 214(@200wpm)___ 171(@250wpm)___ 143(@300wpm)
I’ll remind you.
Thank you, Brooks. I need to land at the square. Are you okay walking to your grandmother’s house?
Of course. I don’t think the big bad wolf is going to be at grandma’s house.
If he is, punch him in the nose and get out of there.
Got it. Punch and run.
Rogan hovered over the square. Alerted by the beat of his wings, the crowd looked up and automatically parted to create a landing zone. He settled onto the ground. Immediately, several community leaders approached. He could tell they had something to discuss. This might take longer than he thought.
Brooks, call me if you need me. I may be tied up for a while.
I will. Take your time. And oooh! Tying you up sounds good.
You’re tempting me, Adventurer.
Brooks’s answering grin told him he knew exactly what he was doing.
Rogan shifted before his mate, aroused by him too much. The crowd did not need to see an erect dragon.
“Rogan! We’re glad to see you. We need some help to melt scrap metal to create some tools. Could you lend us your fire?”
“Of course. Show me what you’re doing first,” he requested.
A movement to his right caught his attention. Rogan turned to see the alleyway was empty. On a hunch, he excused himself and headed for the passage. No one. Rogan walked between the buildings, checking for hiding spots or doorways.
Behind a dumpster, he spotted a small panel that was slightly ajar. He shoved the large metal bin out of the way. Sensing the heat through the wall, he guessed one person lurked inside. “Come out,” he roared.
No one answered. Of course not.
“If I have to come get you, that doesn’t bode well for you,” he growled.
The panel moved slightly, and a young female voice asked, “You won’t eat me?”
“No.”
Seconds ticked by. The gap widened and a young teenager dressed in an overcoat stepped out with one hand stuffed in her pocket. “What do you want, dragon?” The fear in her eyes erased the bravado in her words.
It was way too hot to merit a coat. “Tell me your name.” He memorized her appearance—matted brown hair, blue eyes, hollow cheeks, and a slight form. She hadn’t been eating regularly.
“Puddintane. Ask me again and I’ll tell you the same.”
He noticed she angled herself away from him to distract him from her hidden hand. “It is not wise to mess with dragons,” Rogan reminded her with a steely stare. “Tell me your name.”
The teenager swallowed hard and admitted, “May.”
“Thank you, May. Now, pull that hand slowly out of your pocket.”
“I’d rather not.”
“Why?”
“Please don’t make me,” she whispered.
He could tell she wavered between two choices. “May, what is your family name? Do you need help?”
She shook her head frantically. “No. I’m fine.”
“Tell me what’s going on.”
“No.”
“Then I’ll have no choice but to take you to people who will help figure this out,” Rogan explained.
“Don’t make me do this.”
“What’s going on, May?”
“I’m not one of them. I like dragons.”
“Is someone forcing you to do something against dragons, May?” Rogan asked.
She nodded. “If I don’t, they’ll hurt my brother.”
“We need to avoid that. Is anyone watching us?”
“They’re inside the building. Where it’s safe. They can’t see.” She spit out the words in disgust. They’d sent a kid to do a job they were too scared to do themselves.
“Where’s your brother? Is he in the building, too?”
“No. They took him away. He’s only three.”
Anyone near the square? Rogan sent to the horde. I have a problem here.
And I thought you were a big, tough dragon.
Keres. Of course. Rogan mentally shook his head. He’d have to rely on the black dragon. Fair warning. I believe I have someone that’s involved with the attacks on dragons.
“May, I promise you I’m going to help you and your brother. Can you tell me if you have powder in your pocket?” Rogan asked, refocusing quickly on the teenager.
“I don’t know. That’s what it might be. They gave me a packet and told me to throw it at you.”
“Did they tell you it would kill you as well?”
She stared at him hard. “Are you telling me the truth?”
“Dragons don’t lie, May.”
“Will you help my brother?”
“I promise I will try. First, I need to help you. Take your hand out of your pocket.”
“If I do, the dust will fly.”
Rogan debated quickly. In this small alleyway, the effects of the powder would affect May and himself. It was best to take care of this here.
“Want me to take her out?” Keres voice growled from behind Rogan.
“What?” May cried, dodging behind the dumpster.
“Keres. Stay at the mouth of the alley. Keep everyone out,” Rogan directed as he maintained his focus on the young woman.
“May. That’s Keres. He’s an ass who always says the wrong thing. He won’t hurt you.”
“Promise?”
“I won’t let anyone hurt you, May.”
To Rogan’s relief, May stepped out from behind the dumpster to face him once again.