“Can’t you like twist and snap it? It’s not very big.”
“It’s metal,” I pointed out as I gave the small padlock a tug and turned it side to side.
Tigger sighed. “Did you not bring any tools to my rescue?”
“No. But you know what, we don’t need to break you out this instant. The important part is getting you off this plane.” I grabbed the cage and hoisted it before heading for the exit.
An exit that suddenly held someone.
Malone pursed his lips. “Well. Well. If it isn’t the local woman who hatched a dragon in a kiln.” He snorted. “Have to say that wouldn’t have occurred to me, but good to know for future reference.”
“Out of my way. Me and Tigger are leaving,” I stated with more bravery than I felt.
Malone’s brows lifted. “Tigger? What kind of ridiculous name is that?”
“A special one given out of affection because Tigger’s my friend and, as such, you are not taking him anywhere, so please move.”
“I don’t think so.”
A response I’d expected but which left me with a dilemma. How to escape? “If I were you, I’d be hightailing it. Apollo’s fetching airport security.”
“That would be a very bad idea because then neither of us would get to keep the dragon.”
“Tigger isn’t a thing to be owned but a living, sentient being.”
“Who is extinct and will be of great interest to many organizations. I imagine, though, that zoos and animal protection groups won’t be the ones who get to keep him. Most likely, he’ll end up in some Area-51-type location, a creature of curiosity for the scientists who will experiment until he dies.”
“I won’t allow that to happen,” I huffed.
“As if you’d have a choice. Tell you what, why don’t you come with us? The creature is attached to you, and it would save me paying for a caretaker.”
“No. I won’t allow Iolana to be your prisoner,” Tigger exclaimed, finally joining the conversation. I’d been surprised at his restraint thus far. “You will let her go free.”
“You’re smart enough to know that’s not an option. She and her boyfriend know too much.”
“I’ll be a model prisoner if you do,” my dragon offered, leading me to exclaim, “No, Tigger. I won’t leave you.”
“While this is all very touching, the pilot will be here soon, and the last thing I need is for him to balk before we’ve left the island.” A gun emerged, and Malone pointed it in my direction.
“Put the cage down.”
I didn’t see I had much choice.
Being a smartass, Tigger whispered, “Told you firearms would pose an issue.”
“Not the time to say I told you so,” I huffed as I set the cage on the floor.
“On your knees, hands over your head,” Malone ordered.
I hit the carpeted floor and locked my fingers atop my hair.
“I’m going to tie you up and tuck you in the bathroom. If you try anything, I will kill you. Understood?”
Since he had a gun—that I suspected he wasn’t afraid to use—I had no choice. I gritted my teeth and nodded.
Malone undid his belt and held it in one hand as he approached. I saw no way of avoiding becoming his captive.
So much for rescuing my dragon.
