Zanaikeyros - Son of Dragons (Pantheon of Dragons #1)(51)

It had been a cornucopia of new information, and Jordan had processed it the best she could—but truth be told, she didn’t know how she felt about any of it: the idea of having servants, the idea of the Temple of Seven, or the persistent idea of spending an immortal lifetime with Zane…

Now, as she absently stirred some sugar from the bottom of a glass of iced tea, as she watched the granules float upward, refusing to dissolve in the drink, she noticed that most of the ice had melted, and she fidgeted with her spoon.

“Jordan. Jordan!”

She heard her name being called by Zane, as if from a very great distance, and she immediately lifted her head. Both he and Axe were staring at her like she was from another planet, which, in truth, she kind of was…at least from another dimension.

Had she been zoned out that entire time?

“Yeah,” she said. “I’m here. I’m here.”

“What were you thinking about, dragyra?” Zane asked.

Jordan shook her head. She glanced at Axe, rather than Zane, who for all intents and purposes looked like he’d rather be anywhere else—he must have felt like a loathsome third wheel—and she decided not to answer.

Again, it was all too new, and the information overload was a bit overwhelming.

Before Zane could press her any further, there was a commotion in the cafe: Karen Wilson, Macy’s mom, carrying a tray full of fruit, muffins, and crackers, and rapidly heading their way. She was calling Jordan in a boisterous tone, and trying to wave one hand without dropping the platter.

“Jordan! Jordan, honey! Oh, there you are.” She stumbled up to the table, almost tripping over Axe’s leg; slammed the tray down with a clamor, spilling some of her juice; and brushed her hair frenetically out of her eyes. “Whew!” she exclaimed. “I never thought I’d find you.” And then, without awaiting a reply, she turned her attention to Zane. “You must be one of Jordan’s very special protectors.” She gave him a conspiratorial wink. “I popped in to see Macy one last time before they wheeled her into surgery, but you guys were already gone. Just the same, she told me all about your terrible…clandestine…predicament.” She looked inordinately pleased with herself as she shifted her gaze to Axe. “And you, young man: You need to keep your legs forward and under the table. I could have tripped and fallen to my death.”

Axe jolted in surprise, his thick upper lip turning up in a scowl, and Jordan closed her eyes and cringed. Yes, Karen Wilson is eccentric, but please, Lord: Don’t let him flash his fangs…. Grateful that she didn’t have to explain the dragyris’ presence, she spoke in a rather loud tone of her own. “How are you, Karen? It’s so nice to see you.”

Karen pulled out the last remaining chair, plopped her rear in the empty seat, and rested both of her elbows on the table like she was utterly exhausted. “Oh, I’m fine, dear, just worried sick about Macy—you know how I get.” She leaned back in her chair and brushed some crumbs off her brightly colored blouse. “How are you, Jordan? That’s just terrible that someone has caused you so much distress.” She eyed Zane and Axe conspicuously, then immediately changed the subject. “But you seem to be doing well in spite of things—my gosh, that’s a lovely dress! You look just like a spring flower.”

Jordan’s heart warmed at the disjointed compliment. “Thank you, Karen. I am doing well. Just here to show Macy my support.” What else could she say? I’ve just been abducted by an immortal dragon. I’m scared to death. And you have no idea what—or who—you just interrupted?

Not hardly.

Karen nodded ardently, demonstrating her appreciation for Jordan’s support. She took her plate off the tray, tugged it a little closer, and took a long, slow drink of her orange juice. And then she seemed to notice, for the first time, that nobody else was eating. “Oh my, how rude of me,” she fussed. “Would you like a muffin, Jordan? I have two—they’re banana-nut!”

“Oh, no thank you,” Jordan said. “I ate earlier. I’m just having tea.”

Karen frowned and glanced around the table, stopping to take a good hard look at Axe and Zane. “What about you boys? You must like banana-nut?”

Jordan laughed involuntarily, the sound coming out as a bark.

You boys?

Oh, man, talk about missing the mark.

Axe drew back his head like a bee had just darted toward his nose, and Zane furrowed his brow into a frown. “No, thank you,” Zane mumbled, sounding a tad bit surly. “I’m fine with caffeine.”

Karen paid it no mind. “Oh, don’t be silly.” She waved a dismissive hand, reached for a plastic knife, and promptly cut one of the muffins in half. Then placing each half on a separate, flimsy napkin, she dragged one half in front of Zane, the other in front of Axe, and harrumphed. “There. A piece for both of you. You need to keep up your strength.” She glanced at the mid-morning sun. “And you both need to stay hydrated, as well—you should drink something other than soda.”

Jordan laughed again, only this time, she joined in the banter. “You’re gonna need more than that,” she mocked, repeating Zane’s words from breakfast, while pointing at his Coke. The subtle dig gave her infinite satisfaction. And then she had the oddest thought…

What if she just spilled the beans?