Page 29 of All's Fair in Lion and War
Every eye turned to Tara.
Naomi went and stood next to her. She could hear Henrietta’s worried voice through the phone, even though Tara didn’t have it on speaker.
“There’s a strange man in the store, Tara. He’s asking where the dragon is. He’s huge, Tara. Very tall. Like your husband.”
Naomi’s eyes widened, fear for Tara’s mother spread through her body like frost creeping on the ground.
“As big as Owen?” Tara repeated out loud for the benefit of everyone in the room. “He’s asking about a dragon.”
Col appeared next to Tara before Owen and took the phone from her hand. “Mrs. Jenkins, please ask the man to take the phone from you. Can you do that for me?”
He tapped the screen and a soft white noise echoed in the silent cabin. Then an unfamiliar male voice came from the speaker. “Hello? Is this the dragon whose territory I’m within?”
“Please do not speak of my beast near the human. They are unaware.”
“I didn’t realize the town was claimed until I came into the store. I didn’t scent you. I need to request your permission to hunt.”
“Who are you?”
Naomi put a hand on Col’s arm. His fire was burning hot. The tension in his muscles was making her dragon anxious.
“I am Novik Di’Lasha. I am hunting a pride of lions of the La’Tar region. My mate was abducted by them three weeks ago. The fucking bastards don’t shift very often and it makes them difficult to track.”
Di’Lasha.
Naomi knew the prefix ahead of his name meant he wasn’t of royal bloodline. But it didn’t mean he couldn’t be a tribal leader.
The Ka’Lagh had stolen another woman.
A dragon’s woman. They were really stupid lions.
“What do you mean a pride of lions? Is that a new euphemism for assholes?” Henrietta’s voice came through clearly on the speaker, demanding and nosy. In other words, perfectly normal. “My daughter was kidnapped by some assholes last year. Her husband got her back from them. Maybe he can help you. His name is Owen.”
“Fucking hell,” Tara said from the corner of the room.
Naomi held in her snort. This was a serious situation, but Henrietta’s commentary in the background was gonna kill all their self control.
“Do you know how many they travel with?” Col asked. “We’ve just encountered them. One of my tribe rescued a female lioness being held as their prisoner. We were unaware of more prisoners.”
“A female lioness? Did some animals escape from a zoo, Col? What’s going on?” Henrietta interjected again. “Held prisoner? You’re talking about them like they are people.”
“They travel in small pods of four to six, but the whole pride is at least fifty males. My Tribe has been tracking them since they stole my mate Kelara.”
“Fifty lions?” Henrietta shrieked. “I should call the sheriff.”
“No. Henrietta. Do not call the sheriff.” Col’s voice dropped to a deep threatening growl. “Do not hurt the woman in your company, but do not allow her to use a phone or leave.”
“Of course. We don’t want the authorities involved any more than you. But what are you going to do with her?” Novik asked.
Henrietta started yelling obscenities in the background.
“We have people coming to town. Hold your position. We will be there within twenty minutes. We will collect the female. She is the mother of one of our Tribe’s females.”
“Understood,” Novik said. “I will lock the doors to this store and wait for you before we move again.”
“We? Your whole tribe is here?” Col’s heat signature went up again.
“They are waiting outside the town. I sent them south as soon as I realized you were in the area. I’m asking you for permission out of respect. We don’t want a conflict with you. We are simply pursuing the lions.”
