Page 58 of The Timeless Vigilante

The ruler of all dragons looked strangely out of place on the top of the modern skyscraper roof. His shimmering purple scales and golden chest and eyes were a stark contrast to the blue skies behind him, dotted with puffy white clouds. All around him, rectangular buildings made of metal and glass were starkly different than his angular shape and rippling form.

As Emperor folded in his wings and stood tall, appraising the aviaries, Bermuda made her way over to the dragon. Awe was written on her face, as if it was the first time she’d seen a creature like this, although she’d met many a dragon. Her mouth fell open and her eyes widened in fascination as she took in the magical creature that towered over even her.

“Bermuda Laurens, your reputation precedes you,” Emperor said, his deep voice carrying in the wind, most likely made by the invisible birds. “I have heard of your research through the ages and how much good and awareness it has brought to the world.”

Bermuda bowed her head slightly in a show of respect. That wasn’t something that Gen guessed the giantess did often. But then, she had never met or been complimented by the ruler of all dragons.

“And you, Emperor, are as incredible in form as people describe you,” Bermuda stated, pausing when only a short distance from the dragon. “Your brothers and sisters knew of your existence and kept it a secret from us. They must be very grateful that you have joined them, providing the rule they have surely lacked.”

Emperor cut his golden gaze to Gen, a knowing look in his eyes. “Some are happier about it than others. It was quite the shock when they learned we were demon dragon and rider.”

Bermuda looked sideways at Gen. “That is simply a term to categorize. It really shouldn’t have a negative connotation.”

“And yet it does,” Emperor stated. “Demons are soul-sucking creatures. We are associated with them.”

“You manage that which angel riders and dragons would never have the audacity to control,” Bermuda countered. “And under your rule, I expect that the dragons will make progress in a world that could benefit from the age-old wisdom of the dragons. Tell me, if you deem me worthy, what are your powers, Emperor?”

“I do indeed find you, Bermuda Laurens, to be qualified to know such information,” Emperor replied in a dignified voice. “I have telepathy, psychic insights and mind control.”

A gasp flew from the giantess’s mouth. “Oh, that is very impressive.”

“Oh, and I’m also incredibly strong and have fire,” Emperor added, a slight lightness to his tone.

Gen laughed. “Yeah, but he can’t beat me at arm wrestling.”

He actually grinned at his rider. “Not yet, but I will.”

Bermuda shook her head, seeming perplexed by all this new information. “Would it be permissible for me to get your measurements, Emperor?” She then added. “For research purposes, of course.”

“Oh, too bad, I was hoping you were making him a pretty dress,” Gen teased.

His small smile faded. “That’s not funny and yes, Bermuda, you’re more than welcome to do so.” Emperor redirected his gaze to Gen. “I noticed some suspicious activity on the east side of this building. Why don’t you make yourself useful and check it out.”

“I can multitask, inspect, and think of more jokes, you know,” she replied, striding over in the direction he indicated. Gen saw immediately what Emperor was referring to. There were a series of black, unmarked cars on a nearby road, next to a rather large building. The street was closed down and there was no law enforcement anywhere in sight. Actually, now that Gen thought about it, the police presence was starkly understated in the downtown area, which seemed strange for a city this size.

“This large white building here,” Gen began, looking over her shoulder at the giantess next to the dragon. “What is it?”

“That’s a museum,” Bermuda muttered, busy with the task at hand of taking measurements of Emperor.

“Right,” Gen said, returning her attention to the building. She didn’t know much about this modern world. And what was going on below could be perfectly normal. But something told her by the way the men in all black next to the vehicles moved that they were doing something wrong. They had an air of paranoia about them. Also, if Emperor had noticed something, she assumed it was because his psychic intuition picked up on a disturbance.

Gen knew that as a Rogue Rider she was supposed to manage crime—allowing some of it. But there had to be a line between supervising and intervening. And something in her told her that whatever was happening below wasn’t on anyone’s radar and might need her involvement.

CHAPTER FORTY-SIX

JUSTICE OVER NACHOS

Gracias Madre Restaurant, West Hollywood, California, United States

“He said what to you?” Liv asked, taking a sip of her bright green margarita, garnished with a cucumber and a jalapeno.

Gen sipped her own drink, something orange and fruity with pineapple and berries. “Dwayne Stone said that I had to oversee over three-thousand magical creatures now. But it was only because Bermuda released all the birds while we were there for their nighttime flight and once I watched them all fly away with Emperor, she said I’d just observed over fifteen hundred species in one go. Apparently each of the exotic birds are so different that they classify as their own types. Anyway, when I told my boss I was done with that task, he was utterly pissed and assigned me more to do. He’s never going to let me have a case.”

Liv nodded, sitting back in her seat. “I’ve seen this before. He’s afraid of you being in the field because as soon as you are, you’re going to mess something up for him. He’s hiding something. Something you’d sniff out.”

Gen leaned forward, not wanting to be overheard in the busy, fancy Mexican restaurant. “I did see something today. Something that Emperor alerted me to. We think that there’s a heist that’s about to happen at a museum in Los Angeles.”

Liv rubbed her hands together. “That’s it. That’s what you need to intervene on. Find out why it isn’t on the Rogue Riders’ radar. Because if something bad was happening of that magnitude then Sophia would have known about it. If Dwayne doesn’t, then there’s something sketchy about that guy. Either he’s really bad at his job, or he’s corrupt at it. From what I’ve seen of him, it’s hard to say which one it could be. There’s so much ego at play in Dwayne that he could be both incompetent and corrupt.”

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