Page 25 of Princess Seeks Dragon

“Won’t that put your brother’s family at risk?”

“No. Because they’re not going to find you,” I say firmly.

“You sound really confident.Tooconfident.”

“It’s the tricks up my sleeve,” I remind her. I’m tempted to flash scales for a second, but I decide not to. I’m going to be busy playing the prodigal son this afternoon and calling in favors.

“Elaborate?” Angela requests, but I’m not fooled. She’s going to jump out of the truck and run if she doesn’t like my answer.

My smirk sneaks back. I like that about her.

“Well, you met Claire, and Milo and Libby?” I offer, thinking fast.

“Yes, and Genesis and his wife—Melody? Melinda? You know, the pretty nurse with long red hair?”

I’m frozen on mute for a second. Genesis? Genesis the gargoyle? I can’t very well ask her, but how many Genesises are there in a town of this size—or even in the world? “Genesis got married? How about that?”

“You sound surprised—and like maybe you’re stalling.”

“No, no, just surprised.” I really am. Genesis is one grumpy old piece of flesh and stone, and from what I knew of him, he didn’t just want to marry a gargoyle, he found human women quite repulsive. She could be something other than human, but Angela’s description makes me think maybe he caved. Or maybe he decided love supersedes race and kind. “Love is a strange thing,” I hum, turning off on Ponderosa and heading toward the lush development of McMansions that my brother calls home.

“You were asking who I knew?” she prompts.

“Oh, right. You’ve met a handful of the locals. This is a very civic-minded town. There’s a neighborhood watch that’ll double the patrols in our area once I let them know it’s needed. The police have time to devote to helping locals, and I know for a fact that at least one of them is not in Genovese’s pocket. And uh... Uh, some folks are a wee bit superstitious. I think we’ll have the house blessed.”By the pastor and the coven. Doesn’t hurt to put up two layers of protection.

“That’s it? A civilian patrol, a friendly local cop, and a blessing?” Angela bites her lip.

Something singes my insides. It’s on the tip of my tongue to tell her not to bite that full bottom lip that creates a delectable, rounded heart, naturally pink in an oasis of buttery caramel. Let me bite it for you, little runaway wren, flying fast. The big dragon wants to catch you...

Graham, stop that. No, you don’t. You can listen to Ian and Vanessa, listen to Angela—and still hold out for what you want. Love—with one of your own kind.

We turn into Pleasant Pines and weave around expensive-looking houses with their fenced yards and swimming pools until we find Ian’s house. “That’s notentirelyit.” I hop out of the truck and walk into the shadows of the three-car garage. In the dark, she can’t see me shift, calling on Halfling strength. My clawed hands slip under the silver fender and clasp the body of the truck. I tug, gritting my teeth, eyes watching Angela’s expression change from worried to stunned as I pull the truck into the garage. “There’s also me. Strong. Fast. Tricky. Satisfied?”

I shift back as Angela nods and pushes open the door, her mouth in a soft circle of shock.

“Did... Did... How did you just do that?” she asks, gesturing to the truck. “You pulled a truck. Abigtruck!”

“Yep.”

“Wow. You’re hired. Are my parents paying you enough?” Her voice shakes as she swallows a couple of times.

Her parents aren’t paying me anything. I’m going to lose my job in California.

She walks past me, heading for the door in the garage that leads into the house, and her scent hits me so hard that my insides ache. Her hip brushes my leg as she scoots into the darkness, and I can feel the flames that aren’t supposed to exist in my human form licking my gut.

“I’m getting paid plenty,” I croak.

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