When I reach the open door where the sound came from, and where the maid ran from in terror, I gasp.
Daegan stands inside the room that’s adorned with couches, easels, a few musical instruments, and more. It’s a common room meant to entertain.
He’s standing over the body of a male with a knife sticking out of his back. Blood pools on the floor around him, and his head, twisted to the side against the ground, is turned toward me. A sickness falls over me as I take in the blank stare of his dead eyes.
“I—” I stop, unable to get the words out. My mouth feels dry and heavy.
He sighs, like this is but a mere inconvenience for him, and rubs his hand on his forehead. “It’s not what it looks like.” His voice is dripping with malice, maybe even annoyance.
As if I’d believe him.
“I gave you a chance,” I stammer, unable to move, ice filling my veins. I’ve never seen a dead body before, let alone one that was murdered so brutally. I can’t keep my eyes from returning to the face of the guard on the floor. An image I’m certain will haunt me for the rest of my days. His open, lifeless eyes, his pointed ears. He was one of my own…
I turn, take a few steps, and vomit into the hall. I’ve never been able to handle minuscule amounts of blood or cuts. This is beyond anything I’ve ever seen.
It takes me a few more heaves before I realize I’ve turned my back to the murderous dragon shifter behind me, so I quickly wipe my mouth with my sleeve, suck in a breath, and spin around, making sure he’s kept his distance.
He’s stepping closer.
“Don’t,” I warn. But he continues his approach at a slow, tentative pace.
“Let me explain,” he says, his eyes and voice as cold as my blood feels.
“No!” I cry.
I spin around and run.
Chapter 9
“He killed him,” I say between breaths as I lean against the cold, black wall. I ran until I found a guard, never looking back.
“Who, Miss?” the confused guard asks, eyes wide as he glances at his partner.
“Daegan,” I mutter as I suck in more air.
“Who is Daegan?” the other guard asks.
“The dragon. I saw him murder a man.” I guess that’s not technically true. I saw him standing over a dead man with a knife in his back.
Finally, the guards gather their wits and look around. “Show us.”
“That way,” I say weakly. “Down the hall and to the left.”
But just as they step in front of me to lead the way, Daegan comes around the corner. His pace is unhurried.
The guards unsheathe their swords. “Halt right there.”
Daegan raises his arms, extending his long fingers in the air, doing as they ordered. I can’t believe his face still seems unaffected, indifferent to the horror I just witnessed.
One of the guards glances my way. I must appear a frail little female right now. I wrap my arms around my waist, feeling cold again. I shiver as I nod my head, confirming that Daegan is, indeed, the one who just brutally killed someone. I curse myself for being such a fool, and the realization that perhaps his threats weren’t so empty after all washes over me.
“It’s not what it looks like,” he tells them.
“Put your hands behind your back. We’re taking you for some questioning.”
Daegan releases an annoyed sigh as he tilts his head back, looking up to the ceiling. He murmurs something that I don’t catch.
“He was the only other person in the room,” I mutter. “Someone needs to go… help him.” I know the guard is beyond help, but I can’t bring myself to say that the… scene needs to be cleaned up.
