Page 65 of Hunted

DB snorted. “You really think the Al Maddeiri castle is civilization? Zakerek lives there.”

Zakerek was a red dragon, who never missed an opportunity to be inappropriate. “Good point.” She wanted to ask after everyone, but there wasn’t time.

Instead she said, “What’s going on? Where’s Tristan? Did he find out something about Thanatos?”

DB shook his head. “No. And he’s…” He cleared his throat. “Not here.”

Michelangela said, “Do not tell me he sent you to look for me all by yourself. Because I know that didn’t happen.”

He rolled his eyes. “Of course it didn’t. They still think I’m twelve. I came and found you on my own.”

She said, “I thought you weren’t allowed out of the Al-Maddeiri territory without Emon’s permission.” Emon was the king of the Al-Maddeiri Draken clan, and DB’s guardian.

“I’m not.”

They grinned at each other. One thing they had in common was a total disregard for the rules.

“Okay then,” she said. “Why did you come?”

“Because he hasn’t found out anything about Thanatos. Only rumors. Which is a bad sign—you know that between Tristan’s resources and Thorne Greystone’s, they should be able to find out about anyone.”

Thorne was the oldest dragon on earth—and possibly the oldest creature of any kind. He’d helped build the internet, and was tapped into every network in the world, electronic and magical.

“That is strange,” Michelangela murmured.

“Yeah. I don’t like you in there without backup.”

He sounded about forty.

“I have Gunn,” she said. “But I couldn’t take the chance on bringing in anyone else. The people he works with, his pack, the Enforcers can’t know about them. They’re doing good things, but not exactly according to the rules.”

“I like them already.”

“Yeah. Me too.”

He said, “This Gunn guy. I’m assuming he’s the one out there in the tux? I saw how he was looking at you. He totally wants to boink you. Like, all the time.” He sounded affronted.

Michelangela winced. “Geez, DB. Could you not?”

“Well, I know he’s your mate, but he’s only a wolf. You deserve better.”

Shocked, she said, “How do you know he’s my mate?”

He rolled his eyes. “Duh. I can see magic. The bond between you is so obvious.” He shook his head. “You should have held out for a dragon. I’ll be eighteen in two years. You could have waited.”

She ruffled his hair, which he hated. “Sorry. It’s fate. You’ll find your real mate one day.”

He pulled his head away. “Whatever.”

She said, “I really appreciate you coming, but I’m fine. Gunn’s people are backing us up.”

“Yeah,” he said. “The ones who work for the mystery guy whose motives are unknown. Good plan.”

She ruffled his hair again. “Thanks for caring.”

He pushed her hand away. “I didn’t come here just to give you warm fuzzies. Let me see your amulet.”

Michelangela tucked her finger under the ornate (and completely fake) diamond necklace she wore and hooked the amulet chain, pulling it from where it hung out of sight down her back.