Page 49 of The Black Dragon
“Parker, this is my friend Justin. Justin, this is… Parker. A familyfriend.”
Justin forced himself to be polite and shake the man’s hand.It was wet and limp, like paledough.
“Are you a Mage?” Parker peered at him as if studying a new species ofinsect.
“Dragonshifter.”
At those words, the other man turned away, ignoring him. “Ariel, what are you doing with him? I thought you’d accepted my proposal ofmarriage.”
Someone must have slammed a fist into his stomach. Surely that was the reason he felt suddenlyill. Justin stared at Ariel. Explanations would begood.
She turned away. “Parker, I told you, I’d give you my answer by nextweek.”
“I’m the impatient sort, my dear. I can’t wait. I’m buying a home so we can set up housekeeping, Ariel.” Parker pushed his glasses up his nose. “For when we marry. As long as you’re here, let’s go see what I bought forus.”
Justin shoulderedup to the Mage. “The lady said next week. You’re assuming alot.”
All his instincts went on full alert. Even if Parker wasn’t competition, the Mage smelled off, like chicken going bad. He wasn’t here for the sense of community, but the magick and the power. No matter how much money Parker Covington had, it couldn’t buy himmagick.
“I don’t know if I want to marry you,” Arielmuttered.
Parker continued to ignore him. “Ariel, my dear, be sensible. Marriage to me is your only option. Who else would wantyou?”
Her lower lip wobbled. Justin wanted to punch Parker in the jaw.Iwould.
“Marry me, Ariel, and you’ll have everything you wanted. Safety, security.” Parker puffed out his chest. “Babies, lots of them. We’ll have afamily.”
He winked. “You’llenjoy making babies with me, mydear.”
The thought of Ariel having sex with this despicable snob enraged Justin. He struggled to leash his risingtemper.
“Why would she marry an arrogant snob like you? She’d be better off living on the streets,” Justinsnapped.
Parker’s gaze turned sly, his lips curled upward. “What right do you have to offer your opinion,lizard?”
Others stopped playing with their children and started to gather around, watching with uneasy expressions. Justin didn’t care. Lizard? The insultstung.
He narrowed his gaze. “What did you callme?”
“Justin,” Arielstarted.
“This is a community of artists and writers and Mages who create. You’re a dragon. All you know is how tokill.”
That did it. Justin went to hithim, and Parker ducked. Pure rage engulfed him. Justin blew out a breath and orange flames leapt onto the grass, burning it to smoldering ashes. Just as quickly he realized his mistake and waved a hand to extinguish theflames.
Too late. They saw what he’ddone.
Justin offered a weak smile. “Forgot to gargle this morning withmouthwash.”
No one laughed. Only Parker had a satisfiedsmirk on his thinface.
Ariel’s gaze widened. “I…I didn’t know you could do that inSkin.”
He turned away. “Most dragonscan’t.”
But he wasn’t like most dragons and they both knew it. Her father had altered his chemistry and his powers. He knew how to destroy, not create art and beauty. Even amongst those who posed no threat, and invited creativity, he could only tear downinstead ofbuild.
“He’s dangerous. And you allowed him in here?” Parker pulled her hand, yanking her away from Justin. “Stay away from him. Before you getburned.”
