Page 17 of Broken Veil
A driver hopped out. “Mr. Murray?”
“You’ve found him.”
Gone was the blacksmith, the smooth-talking laird sliding into place as the driver opened the side door and explained the features of the luxury vehicle.
Laura sidled up to her. “It’s very convenient, you having a rich boyfriend.”
“Laura—”
“Lachlan is charming, and admittedly he has a castle and stuff on the other side, but Duncan has a castlehereand he probably just bought this Mercedes with cash.”
“That is so much money,” Carys whispered.
“Just saying” —she slapped Carys’s shoulder— “if we’re going to save the world from an immortal war goddess, it’s good to have a bankroll.”
“…real wood trim, as you requested,” the driver was saying. “All leather seats and very little exposed metal.”
“Thank you, Derek.” Duncan held his hand out. “Is your card in the glove compartment?”
“It is.”
“I’ll give you a call if I have any other questions.”
The driver dropped the keys in Duncan’s palm and nodded. “Enjoy, Mr. Murray.”
“Thank you.” Duncan turned to Laura and Carys. “Your chariot, my ladies.”
Carys picked up her duffel bag and stepped forward. “Duncan, this is alot.”
“Yes, but Naida should be able to travel in this one, and it’s big enough for the wolf and the dragon.” He spun and looked at Laura. “Any arguments from you?”
“Nope. Do you know how to drive it?”
He nodded. “I do. Had to get a commercial license a few years ago. It comes in handy at the smithy.”
Laura shrugged. “Sounds good to me.” She threw her backpack through the open van door. “I’ll go grab Naida and Godrik. She was taking a bath before I came downstairs, and Godrik…” Laura sighed. “He’s probably hunting deer in the park.”
Laura left Carys and Duncan on the curb. Carys was staring at the van while Duncan examined it.
“Is that real walnut burl?” Carys stared at the fold-down tables next to each leather armchair.
“Probably?” He tossed his satchel into the back. “I told them no metal. So it’s leather and wood on the interior. There is a small kitchen in back with aluminum fixtures. I’ll have someone from the hotel run out to the market and grab some food before we go.”
“Always with the feeding me,” Carys murmured.
“Is this our transportation?” Cadell’s voice boomed from behind Carys. He braced his hands on his hips and glared at the van. “There does not appear to be an excess of iron.”
“So glad to meet your approval,” Duncan muttered.
“Naida was up late translating the manuscript,” Cadell said. “I believe she has finished, but she will need rest and a place to gain her strength back. Is there a wild forest nearby?”
“There’s a forest about ten miles from here,” Duncan said. “We’re ready to leave when she is.”
Cadell climbed into the van and—to Carys’s astonishment—the dragon’s large human form actually fit.
“We need one of these in California,” he said.
“If you want one of these in California,” Carys said, “then you better start looking for a job.”
