I already knew Abaddon had delusions of ruling the world.A goal that would fail because I’d kill him myself if he dared to even try.I wasn’t about to see my species go extinct because of a hatchling’s arrogance.
Hopefully I wouldn’t have to act, as I kind of liked knowing dragons had returned to the world.Should I reach out to the hatchlings?Would they even be open to companionship?If they came from a certain clutch, I feared their preprogrammed shell—imbued with the knowledge their mother wish to impart—might have tainted their minds.If that were the case, then they posed a danger to Earth.To me.To all mankind.Still, could I be so callous as to end their lives before they’d barely begun?Should I judge them before they committed any crimes?At the same time, getting rid of them now while still in their growth phase would be easiest—if cruel.They wouldn’t stand a chance against me.
Thus far, according to my lawyer, they seemed mostly concerned with their own well-being, striving to create a safe environment, acquiring loyal servants, as well as accumulating—or in some cases confiscating—wealth for their hoard.
If I thought they would be content with getting rich and lording it over their territory, I wouldn’t be worried, but while my progenitor had passed on to me only basic knowledge, I feared their mother had passed on more.I wondered if, like her, they’d inherited an insatiable need for power and domination—and a taste for human flesh.
Decisions.Decisions.As if I didn’t already have my hands full renovating the castle and now dealing with a human who wouldn’t shut up.Adding to that, I now also had Asteria claiming she saw me going on a journey with Davina.Not a fucking chance.
As my mind whirred and I coasted the currents above the isle, my keen gaze sought movement on the ground.During inclement weather, most animals burrowed, waiting out the storm.Even if they ventured forth, they’d be safe from me tonight, for I hunted not to feed but protect.Where had the Red Cap from that afternoon gone?
The rain had washed away its tracks and scent, but it had to be here somewhere, even as I wondered how it had arrived.Had it been hidden from me this entire time or only recently been sent by Nessie, and, if the latter, why?Sure, our last visit almost ten years ago hadn’t gone well.The shock of Nessie cussing me out because I wouldn’t do her a favor had shocked.
“If I weren’t a prisoner of this loch, I’d go myself!”she’d yelled.She’d wanted me to visit a distant cave once inhabited by a dragon long dead.
“There’s no point in me visiting.It’s best to leave the past alone.”
An answer that led to her trying to attack me, to no avail.She was stuck in the water, and I simply jumped into the air and flew away, subjected to her furious screams for miles.I’d not been back since, figuring once she snapped out of her mood she’d send me an apology.I waited still.
I circled the island, dipping and sniffing, puzzled by the fact I couldn’t seem to find the Red Cap.Had it fled the isle, knowing I’d kill it?It wasn’t until I winged in the direction of my castle, giving up my search, that I caught a putrid whiff.
A smell headed for my home!
The nerve.
Soon as my clawed feet hit the ground, I shifted to my man form and took long strides toward the kitchen door, which I could see had been busted open.The stupid creature dared trespass?
In my rage, I almost shifted.If my dragon would have fit, I’d have rampaged through the castle.However, the rooms and halls, while large and grand, couldn’t accommodate my girth.Whatever.It wouldn’t be the first time in my long life that I had to fight in my human shape.Although, I did wish that my sword, a beautiful claymore I’d wielded for centuries, wasn’t in my room.
A butcher knife from the kitchen lacked the length I would have liked.The short blade would make it harder to decapitate, but I’d manage.Losing its head wouldn’t actually kill the Red Cap—for that, I needed fire—but a body without its head tended to be easier to handle when the time came to setting it aflame.
The dirty and wet trail of the Red Cap passed through my kitchen to the hall and up the stairs.Given its attack earlier that day, no need to guess where it headed, although I did wonder at its interest in Davina.
I bounded up the steps, two at a time, moving quickly, wondering if I’d arrive too late.
A sudden scream showed my guest still alive.In that moment, I had a choice: slow down and let the Red Cap solve my dilemma, or save the woman?
I sprinted, my tarnished honor unable to do anything less than go to the rescue.
The door to my bedroom gaped open, and I entered to find Davina cornered, her back pressed to the wall, a pillow in hand.Make that soaring, as she tossed it at the Red Cap.See what I mean about humans lacking basic preservation skills?
A quick glance at the bed showed the sheets shredded.The creature must have attacked while she lay abed, only Davina had obviously sensed the danger and moved out of the way.
To distract it from the professor, I snapped, “Did you not get the memo?This isle is off limits to Red Caps.”
The creature whirled and hissed in my direction, as if I would be impressed by its savage appearance.I’d seen worse.
“Do not get involved,” it growled.
“Says the fucker who came uninvited into my home.”
“I have my orders.”
Interesting.It came at someone’s behest.“You are not killing my guest.”
“The female won’t die.”
“The split in my mattress says otherwise.”
