Page 73 of Serving my Dragon
Lola reminded me, “You don’t need a male to be strong.”
As if I didn’t know that.
Carmelita had a prediction. “Together the two of you shall do great things.”
Given I wished for this first conversation to be private with no outside influence, I gripped the laptop in my claws and flew to a tall bough in a tree that left me close enough to receive a signal.
Then I waited. Impatiently. Yes, I was early, but that didn’t stop the fluttering in my belly. Would he actually call? Should I even bother speaking to a rival?
A chime went off asking if I wanted to accept a video call. I took a deep breath. Nervous? Maybe a little, not that I’d ever admit it.
A tap of a key and the session went live.
I stared at the screen and a handsome dragon stared right back.
“I’m not alone,” I whispered in the old tongue without meaning to.
“It’s nice to meet you,” he replied politely in the same language. “I am Abaddon.”
“Pollita, but my servants call me Polly.” I could have bitten my tongue for admitting I allowed them such leeway.
Abaddon didn’t show disdain but rather chuckled. “Such disrespect. Mine still call me ‘little fella’ despite the fact I’m bigger than Pip and catching up to Maddox.”
For some reason, his admission relaxed me. “I hear we both hatched through unnatural means.”
His brow furrowed. “Yes. A group of humans intentionally caused our volcanoes to erupt with the intent of capturing us. They’ve since seen the error of their ways.”
Having spoken to Pip and Maddox at length, I knew most of the story. “You have in custody those who began the hunt for us.” A rich man who’d been convinced by a scientist to look for dragons. That same man had since become a devoted slave and given over all his wealth to Abaddon. The scientist, however, while he had been providing aid, apparently remained untrustworthy. He'd been the one giving orders to Blake and the others who’d come after me.
“Leo’s been successfully converted, however, Malone is sly. While he’s been doing the tasks assigned to him, I am sure he plots his escape and my demise.”
“Why not kill him?”
“Because he might be useful. I currently have him studying our kind so we can know more about ourselves.”
“Why?”
“Because the humans are many, so we must be aware of our every advantage and weakness.”
Smart, not that I complimented him. “Have you discovered anything interesting yet?”
“No, but he’s only recently begun his research. I am thinking of providing him with an assistant, although one versed in dragon lore will be difficult to find.”
“Not really. The female who tried to capture me seemed fairly knowledgeable.” Sally would most likely be grateful to trade a mental asylum for a prison that would allow her to pursue her passion—if without the glory she’d wanted.
“That might be an option.” Stated without emotion but I could tell he admired the idea.
I changed the subject. “Your servants mentioned you are plotting world domination.”
“Aren’t you?” he countered.
“Of course.”
“It won’t be easy. The humans have exploded in growth and their technology makes them fearsome.”
“Agreed.”
“It will take us time to become of imposing size and acquire the army we need to conquer.”
