Page 5 of Wild Fire

“I need to think. Are you thirsty? I have water. Not much, but at least it’ll let you wet your mouth.”

She walked over to it and helped it tilt its head so she could pour water down its throat. The texture of its skin was extraordinary. It felt like armor, but armor that had been polished to a silky sheen and warmed—it was very, very warm and alive. She remembered being made to hold a snake when she was a child and disliking the cool, clammy feel of its skin. But this was very different.

Foraging around in her pockets, she found a couple of protein bars and fished them out. “Probably not very substantial for something your size, but they’re pretty tasty. Would you like them?”

It eyed the wrappers. “Salted caramel peanut cluster. I love those things.”

Dani grinned at him, unwrapped the bars and slid them into its mouth, past its enormous white teeth, watching as it closed its eyes and seemed to enjoy the snack.

“Thank you. Now, release me.”

“Not so fast. I’m not sure I’m okay with doing that, but I am sure I don’t want anything bad—or at least anything worse than what’s already happened—to happen to you. So, here’s the plan. I’ll go make sure no one is coming for backup. I’ll make sure the forensics team has done their thing for the night. I’ll close up and head back to the precinct and make sure everything is clear. Once it is, I’ll come back for you. Does that sound good?”

“Not particularly, but you have me at something of a disadvantage.”

She grinned. “I’ll bet that’s not something that happens very often.”

“Never.” She quirked her eyebrow at the chains. “All right; rarely.”

“I’ll be back as soon as I can. I’ll bring more water. What do you want to eat?”

“Never ask a dragon who’s been denied the company of a drakaina for months what he wants to eat. I know your legends say we ate virgins, but trust me, more often than not their screams were ones of pleasure, not pain.”

Dani could feel the blush start at the base of her throat and rise all the way up to the roots of her hair. It didn’t help that he made that chuckling sound again.

“That’s not on the menu,” she said primly.

“How very disappointing. But if that’s the case, a side of beef wouldn’t go amiss.”

Dani shook her head and ran up the stairs, pausing at the landing and looking back at him. She was now convinced the dragon was a male. He had ceased to struggle with his restraints and did seem a tad bit more comfortable. Not immediately calling for some kind of team to come get him was a mistake—a big mistake and she was sure of it, but she just couldn’t do it.

The forensic team had only just arrived when she made her way up the ramp to the main floor. They were working mainly on cordoning off the scene, securing the computers and electronics—thank god they hadn’t revealed the presence of her dragon—the dragon—he was not her anything. They were also intent on securing any evidence that might be compromised overnight.

It took a little more than an hour for the team to complete their work, and afterward she accompanied them back to the station.

Once inside, she went into the women’s locker room and dunked her head under the cold spray of one of the showers. Blotting her hair dry, she pulled it back and did a quick French braid. She was just headed out when her lieutenant called to her.

“Morris? Get your ass in here.”

Dani rolled her eyes, but turned back toward her boss’ office, slipping inside. “Yes, Lieutenant?”

“Damn fine job tonight.” And she’d thought the dragon was going to be the biggest surprise of the night. “I didn’t think much of your theory, but you stuck to your guns and put a huge dent in a major human trafficking ring. Well done.”

“Thanks, Lieutenant. I just did what you always tell us to do. I wish we could have saved them all, but I’m glad we got the ones we did. Maybe we can get the information we need to find more of the missing girls.”

He nodded. “Let’s hope. Of course, you know the Feds, Interpol, and everybody else and their brother is going to try and weasel in on the credit, but you and I know were it not for you, none of this would have happened. I’m putting you in for a commendation and promotion.”

Another shocker. “Thank you, sir. I appreciate it.”

“Think nothing of it. It’s well deserved. I’ve marked you out for the next three days. If you need or want more time, you just let me know.”

“I will and thank you for believing in me and letting me take the lead.”

“Your case, your lead, your collar—all deserved. Now, get out of here. If we need anything, we’ll let you know, but forensics will take over for a while.”

With forensics taking over and planning to be in the warehouse, she needed to get that dragon out of there. Or did she? What the hell was she going to do with a dragon? Why did she believe so strongly that if she didn’t help him, bad things would happen to him? Why did she care? Dani didn’t know the answer to any of those questions; she just knew she couldn’t abandon him to whatever fate had in store for him without her help.

“Yes, sir. Thanks again.”

---