Page 18 of The Black Dragon
“Make the offer and get back to me on my cell by tonight.” Mirrored sunglasses sliding into his hand, Justin took a last look at the house before striding over to hisHarley.
He donnedthe glasses and then roared off, his blood humming, his body tensing with anticipation. Money talked and he’d just chatted up close to half amil.
Soon, Ariel would be in hisgrasp.
But soon was not enough. He itched to see her again, a nagging curiosity that had little to do withrevenge.
Justin drove the bike a few miles away to a secluded spot in the canyon. He stretchedout on a rock and dozed off in his beloved sunshine, feeling the warmth sink into hisbones.
An hour later, he woke, called upon his magick andshifted.
Bones lengthened and became lighter. His blood sang with power, the heady rush filling him as his eyesight sharpened, his hearing became acute and he tasted desert heat and dry air upon histongue.
For this venture, he shrankto the size of a raptor bird. Looking like a vulture or an eagle would fool Others who happened to glance overhead. They would think him a bird ofprey.
Not adragon.
Like other dragons, he could adjust his true size to fit the need. Imprisoned in Harrington’s basement, he could not grow to full size. Iron chains had restrictedhim.
Justin flapped his wings, confident hismagick cloaked him in invisibility to Skins. Others could see him, including Ariel and herfather.
But he had not survived on earth for three decades without learningstealth.
Soaring through the air, he reveled in the feel of wind against his scales, the thrill of gliding on currents and over rock and brush. A rabbit below, sensing the overhead threat, scampered into underbrush.Justin smelled its sharp stench of fear, ignored thecreature.
He had bigger prey tochase.
Dragons were meant to fly, not be caged and tortured. Letting his anger fuel him, he flew to Ariel’s house towait.
Watch.
Justin landed on the thick branch of a pine tree near the second floor deck. Folding his wings back, hewaited.
Finally, a truck rattled into thedriveway. Doors slammed. A few minutes later, his patience wasrewarded.
Ariel stepped onto the deck, walked toward the railing and leaned on it. She stared at the distant rock rock cliffs. Damn, she was much lovelier than memoryrecalled.
Hidden by pine needles and motionless, Justin knew she couldn’t see him. Scent him, perhaps. But Ariel looked so lost, he doubtedit.
Lonely.
Nopity.
Still, his dragon’s heart constricted as he watched her hang her head and sigh, as if she carried the weight of the world on her slendershoulders.
Such a little thing, hisAriel.
His? Justin startled. Yeah, she washis.
He’d put his mark on her from the moment she’d boldly hobbled into his cell and let him touchher.
Her long sable hairlifted with the slight breeze. Cheeks hollow, color sallow, as if she hadn’t seen sunlight in awhile.
Last time he’d seen her, she was alive, vital with health, despite her amputatedfoot.
Had his magick kept her thriving somehow? What if Harrington’s motive truly was altruistic, to save his onlydaughter?
No. The Mage was evil.He wanted to cut off your balls and sell youfor gold. Doesn’t put him up for Father of theYear.
