An idea formed when I noticed Allegra coming towards the car, most likely with the intent to search it.
I ducked out of sight, dropping into the space with the gas and brake pedals. I contained my bristling excitement as I heard the crunch of snow indicating Allegra approached. The steps varied in cadence as she circled the vehicle, pausing every so often to peek through the windows. Peek, but not open any of the doors, the one thing I needed her to do.
When it sounded as if she’d walk away, I had to act. The tip of my tail rose and tapped the glass.
The driver side door was ripped open so suddenly, I half expected the hinges to snap.
“Who’s there?” Allegra barked.
“Me.”
“What?” Her gaze dropped just as I lunged.
Now you might wonder how someone the size of a medium dog could prevail against a human several times my size. Here’s the thing about dragons, we are natural-born predators. Kind of obvious given, our teeth and claws. While I might not be full-size, I had surprise and fury on my side. Not to mention, I knew where to strike on the human body to cause the most damage.
In this case, I latched my teeth onto Allegra’s neck. She squeaked and thrashed, but couldn’t break my firm, crunching grip.
The gory details would be something I relived over and over. My first human kill—and not my last. The rush of victory filled me with adrenaline and my mouth overflowed with blood. Much as I wanted to slurp the yummy, warm juice, I had other priorities. There would be no snacking while my servants remained in peril.
I unlatched from my first kill and headed for the home, noting the brightly lit bay window through which I glimpsed a Christmas tree. We didn’t have one at Bruce’s place. We’d have to rectify that. I liked the idea of getting presents.
Bang. Bang.
Someone fired a gun. Most likely Bruce. I told Nicky he’d come to the rescue. Wanting to see the rescue unfold, I climbed onto the hood of the car for a better view. What I glimpsed through the window didn’t look good. I spotted Nicky, sitting in a chair holding Zaza in her lap. A man pointed a gun at my chef’s head. The threat forced Bruce, who entered looking fierce, to disarm himself. Although I did have a hint of hope when he flung his knife at the gunman.
When it failed to connect, I knew he’d die.
Without my permission.
Really, today’s humans had no concept of what it meant to serve a dragon and they’d never learn if they perished. Not to mention, the human with the gun needed a lesson on how to treat women and not piss off dragons.
But to lay down my law, I’d have to get inside. The closed door was beyond me but the window… Windows could easily break with enough force and this one wasn’t too high off the ground, especially given my vantage point.
The distance, however, required more than a leap. Could my wings handle it? They’d better.
To give myself momentum, I ran. From the roof of the car, down the sloped windshield, gaining speed, and across the hood before I launched myself. My newly sprung wings fluttered.
Had the gap been a few feet more, I would have failed. A good thing I hit that glass hard. It shattered, an explosion that provided me quite the spectacular entrance.
I barely wobbled as I landed and tucked my wings.
With my head held at a proud angle that all might admire, I said, “Unhand my servants at once.”
You might be wondering how everyone reacted at my timely and dramatic arrival.
Joseph gaped, jaw slack and eyes wide.
Nicky gasped loudly.
As for Zaza, she clapped and said, “Bravo, mio drago.” Yes, I was her dragon.
Rather than admire, Bruce acted and rolled towards Joseph’s legs, slamming into them and taking the miscreant down. The blow knocked the gun free and it skittered across the floor.
While Bruce tussled with Joseph, the pair evenly matched, it appeared, given they exchanged blows with neither achieving the upper hand, I glanced at Nicky who sat and stared. Stared instead of using the opportunity given to her.
It led to me snapping the obvious, “Now would be a good time to get Zaza out of here.”
“What? But Bruce?” Nicky chewed her lip as she rose with Zaza in her arms.
