Page 30 of The Timeless Vigilante

“Yeah, the mansion,” Gen muttered. “I’m sure I’ll love it.”

“I hope so,” Lunis said. “But the mansion is about like cheap, tight underwear.”

She blinked at him in confusion. “What? What does that mean?”

Sophia groaned, shaking her head.

Lunis laughed. “There’s no ballroom!”

CHAPTER TWENTY-FIVE

THE WHIP THAT BINDS

Grounds, Rogue Rider Mansion, Beverly Hills, California, United States

The scowl that Emperor shot at Lunis gave Gen an idea. She laughed, enjoying the flare of annoyance she suddenly felt in her dragon.

“So you don’t like jokes, do you?” she asked the purple dragon who, strangely enough, towered over Lunis. That was saying something because he was massive and known for his super-size, especially on the night of a full moon.

But Gen reasoned that as the emperor of all dragons, hers had to be the most impressive in size and just about everything else—like skill. They’d have to get into that soon since all she knew about Emperor’s skills was that he was telepathic and psychic, but with limitations. There just hadn’t been much time for that kind of sharing.

“I don’t like bad jokes,” he seethed, looking between Gen and Lunis. “I thought you’d outgrow that childish behavior.”

The blue dragon shrugged, rolling over on the grass and scratching his back on the ground. “And I thought that after six hundred years in a shell, you’d be more fun. I guess some things never change.”

“I like your jokes,” Gen said, laughing at Lunis’ playful behavior.

“You can have him then,” Sophia teased. “He’s had all his shots and is neutered.”

Lunis rolled over and sprang to his feet, growling at his rider. “I am not!”

She giggled, obviously enjoying the game. “Of course you aren’t. Just like no one can have you because you’re not up for adoption.”

Gen admired the camaraderie between Sophia and Lunis. It was a fun dynamic and she suddenly wondered if she and Emperor would ever have that. Studying the purple dragon, she didn’t think so since he looked as high and mighty as a peacock in mating season, strutting through the henhouse.

“I heard that,” Emperor said, glaring at Gen.

“Good,” she shot back, before glancing at Lunis, motioning between the dragons. “So you really all know each other? Like always and since the beginning, even before hatching? How is that?”

“It’s the chi of the dragon,” Lunis explained. “Our consciousnesses are all intertwined. You’re a part of it in a way now. You’ve probably noticed that your senses have all heightened. That’s a component of it.”

“Unfortunately, it doesn’t make us any taller,” Sophia joked, her blue eyes dazzling in the California sunlight.

“That’s fine.” Gen shrugged. “I’m used to being short.”

“You’re much shorter than I thought you’d be,” Emperor said, gazing down at her.

“Well, you’re not the runt that I thought you’d be, but you’re smellier,” Gen chimed.

“I am not!” Emperor boomed.

“Have you bathed since the hatching?” Gen asked, a mock look of seriousness on her face. “You’d been in there…well, forever.”

Sophia giggled, affectionately looking up at Lunis. “Remember when we first got to know each other. They remind me of us.”

“They really do,” Lunis said with a smile. “How many times did I threaten to eat you?”

“Since this morning or do you mean the beginning?” she asked.

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