“Don’t worry. I won’t let him hurt you,” I whispered.
As if my words were an insult, Tigger stiffened. “More like I shall protect you since you didn’t listen to me about getting a gun. And what happened?”
“I got shot.” Said on a sigh.
“And scared the shit out of me,” Apollo murmured. “What happened to hang tight?”
I glanced down at my orange menace and smiled. “Sometimes a girl’s gotta be brave and save her dragon.”
Our arrival at the house was met with food, as Francine had remained cooking, figuring we’d need something whether we succeeded or not. Tigger gorged himself in between asking Maddox questions about Abaddon until Maddox laughed and said, “You know what, it’s still early back home, but I’m sure he’d love to meet you.”
Meet all of us, as it turned out. With Apollo casting Maddox’s phone screen onto the living room television, we all got to see as the call got answered by?—
“Now that’s a big black brute!” Tutu exclaimed.
Rather than take offense, the large dragon, with sleek black scales and curling horns, stated in a deep voice, “Thank you. My servants feed me well. Maddox, I assume you’re calling to tell me you found Malone and handled him, seeing as how his tracker isn’t functioning any longer.”
“Lost him, actually, but I did find someone else.” Maddox half turned and beckoned to a suddenly bashful Tigger. “Come say hi, little guy.”
Tigger appeared reluctant, and I could see why. It must be daunting to meet someone who could open their mouth and swallow you whole.
“Hello.” Abaddon leaned closer to the screen. “You needn’t be afraid. While our goal might be to rule the world, given how things have changed since we last roamed the Earth, it wouldn’t be wise yet for us to turn on each other.”
“Are you proposing an alliance?” Tigger sauntered forward. “Dragons don’t usually indulge in such a thing.”
“Perhaps it’s time we changed. After all, our previous methods led to our annihilation. My humans have been yammering about the need for me to make friends.” Abaddon’s snout wrinkled. “While I have begun courting two females, it might be interesting to have a male to converse with.”
“I guess that wouldn’t be horrible. I hear you can roast with fire.”
“Indeed, I can,” huffed Abaddon, blowing smoke from his nostrils. “And you?”
“Poisonous gas, acidic spit, and healing.”
“A triple blessing. Congratulations. No wonder Malone wanted to get his hands on you.”
As Tigger and Abaddon traded arrogant statements, with Keanu chiming in with the occasional sarcastic remark and Maddox rolling his eyes, I leaned against Apollo’s shoulder.
“What a day,” I murmured.
“Tired?”
“Yes and no. What I really want is a shower.”
Apollo made it happen by interrupting Tigger saying, “Iolana needs her rest. Keanu, you’re in charge of Tigger, and you will show Maddox to the guest room beside yours. Mr. Abaddon, pleasure to meet you. Perhaps the next time we can do so in person.”
“Really?” Both Abaddon and Tigger exclaimed.
“Just let me know what the closest airstrip is to your ranch and I’ll get the pilot for my jet to file a flight path.”
Apollo grabbed me by the hand, and we left, heading up to his bedroom and right into the bathroom.
While he ran the shower, I stripped and stared in the mirror.
“What’s wrong?” Apollo asked, standing beside me.
“The bullet wound…” I traced my fingers over the smooth skin. “You can barely tell I was shot.” Only a red spot the size of a nickel remained.
“Amazing,” he replied.
