One of the boys strutted forward, a smirk on his hardened features. "What are you going to do about it, mister?"
Jory did a move that his instructor had shown him ages ago. Stepping to the side and shifting his weight, Jory slipped under the kid's punch and flipped him face-first into the brick wall. The teen screamed in pain. When Jory flipped him over, the boy's thin face was white with terror and bits of red brick were embedded in his skin.
While the memory of his beating was still fresh, Jory laid down the law. "I'm going to let you leave, but you take your little friends with you when you go. Am I understood?"
"Y-y-yes, s-sir," the leader said in a shaking voice.
Jory stepped away from the kid and moved to the side so they could escape. All three of them started to sidle towards the alley opening. "That's an impressive move, sir," the oldest one said in respectful tones. "Me and my boys will be going now."
He heard one of the other boys whisper, "I didn't even see him move."
Jory watched them, knowing that one encounter wouldn't keep kids like these on the straight and narrow. "I'll be keeping an eye out for you three. Don't make me have to talk to you again."
"No, sir."
"Absolutely not."
"You won't see us again." With that parting shot, the leader fled the alley after his friends.
Jory watched to make sure they were completely gone before taking his eyes from the alley opening. Huddled in the shadows, the small form crouched low, trying to be as small as possible, Jory could almost hear it shivering. "Shhh. Come here, sweetheart. I'm not gonna hurt you." He kept his voice at the low crooning tone he used on the palace children when they were upset.
A scraping sound came from the corner, like a blade across a sharpening stone. Glowing gold eyes flared in the darkness as a tiny, scaled creature emerged from the shadows.
A dragon. A baby dragon.
Shit. What did he do now?
Shiny black scales covered its tiny body. When Jory spoke, its little ears perked up and its clawed feet tapped the pebbled ground as it crawled forward. A low purring noise rumbled from the long creature. It reminded him of the Chinese dragons he saw on reference sites of ancient Earth.
In the dim light, he saw dots of blood smearing the dark scales, but overall the wounds appeared superficial.
"Aww, poor baby, they were hard on you, weren't they?" He let out a low whistle. "Come here, precious, let Jory take care of you."
He didn't know how much the small dragon understood, but it crawled cautiously up to him and sat down, curling its tail protectively around its small frame. Wide golden eyes watched his every movement. Kneeling down, Jory scooped up the tiny creature. Both of his hands spanned the creature's entire body.
"Aren't you a precious baby? We'll find you a good home, yes, we will," he crooned. The longer Jory held it the more it calmed down until it finally used its claws to climb up Jory's chest and curl up on his left shoulder. Wrapping its long tail around Jory's neck for balance, it settled its pointy head on Jory's right shoulder, hiding beneath his hair. The scales scraped his skin as the creature adjusted to his movement. He held still until the little dragon settled, not wanting to antagonize a creature lying so close to his jugular.
Good thing his leather jacket was thick or those claws would've sliced through his skin.
"I can't take care of a dragon, precious," Jory said, stroking the ebony tail. He also couldn't take a dragon home. It wouldn't be right to bond with an obviously intelligent creature and then desert the little thing. Unless he truly mated with someone, he would be leaving the planet at the end of the month.
The small creature gave a low purr, sending vibrations down Jory's spine. He laughed at the tickling sensation but didn't bother to try and dislodge the dragon. Giving the animal a gentle pat, he let it stay on his shoulder as he walked down the street looking for someone who could tell him what to do with a traumatized baby dragon.
He wished his cousin Tor was here. The older man had bonded with a space dragon as a child and was subsequently blinded. However, his cousin knew more about different types of dragons than anyone in the solar system and was one of the few people Joriah could count on to always tell him the truth. He could use some of his calm relative's wisdom about now.
Watching the signs as he walked, Jory hoped to find one that matched the few street names he had memorized. After a few minutes he had to admit he was hopelessly lost, and certain the prickling on the back of his neck had more to do with the fact he was being followed, then by the scales brushing against his nape. He stopped by a shop window and pretended to look at the wares inside while scoping out the street behind him. The crowds made it difficult for him to see anything to explain his uneasiness. Just when he'd almost convinced himself he'd been mistaken, he saw the clear reflection of Brill step into the darkened doorway across the street. The man's presence on the planet chilled Jory to the bone.
A sign for a pastry shop caught his eye. At the same time, his stomach let out a loud rumble. The dragon growled back in agreement.
"Yes, I agree." It would also get them off the streets. The crowds could hide Brill's actions, but he wouldn't try anything in front of only a few witnesses who might be able to point him out later. Brill specialized in shadows and stealth. Jory would have to send a note to Father about this development. He wished now he'd put his knives in his boots. It was stupid to wander the streets late at night without any protection.
Looking through the window, Jory saw a large bakery case with dozens of delicious looking pastries and stacks of little pink boxes. They reminded him of the pastries the palace cook used to make him as a child. Memories filled his head of light, buttery croissants melting in his mouth and rich chocolate cupcakes served with warm hugs from a softly padded woman.
"Looks like a great place for a snack, precious," he muttered, scratching behind the ears of his scaly companion. Jory headed for the bakery, careful not to let his behavior betray he knew about the tail.
The dragon gave a chirp.
The small bell over the door chimed merrily as he entered.
