Dragon Bound (Elder Races #1)(45)

How did I get here again? It’s like I had a grocery list of all the things I shouldn’t do, and I went right on down it, checking off things as I got to them. I’ve been very thorough about it. Live very quietly, her mom had said. Leave everything behind on a moment’s notice. Don’t get too attached to people. And don’t tell anyone anything about your real self. Simple, simple stuff.

I’ve got to give myself one thing. Mom never did tell me not to steal from a dragon. No doubt she thought it was too flaming obvious to mention. It should have been added to that Jim Croce song. You don’t spit into the wind. You don’t pull the mask off of the ole Lone Ranger, and you don’t steal from Cuelebre.

Think I might have destroyed any hope of living anonymously? Numskull.

A small sound sent her into a panic.

A key scraped in the lock.

Her body shrieked in protest as she pushed to her feet and backed against a wall. She pulled the switchblade out of her pocket and pressed the spring. The blade snicked open. She hid it along the length of her thigh, staring with a dry mouth as the door opened.

Dragos slipped in, his massive fighter’s body moving with liquid grace on quiet cat’s feet. He carried a leather pack on one shoulder. The black metal shackles were gone. Leather harness straps crossed his chest. The hilt of the battle-axe and what looked like a sword were strapped to his back. Knives in sheaths were laced on his forearms, and the sheath of another short sword was buckled at his waist and tied at his thigh. His chiseled features were calm. Holy cow, he made Conan the Barbarian look like a wimp.

Relief almost brought her to her knees. Black stars danced in front of her. In an instant he was in front of her, hands on her shoulders, bracing her back against the wall.

“Damn it, you look like you’re going to pass out,” he said.

“Well, I didn’t know it was going to be you, did I?” She showed him the switchblade she was holding against her thigh.

His severe face lit with a smile. “Surprise number one hundred thirty-four and counting.”

“You made that number up,” she accused. She pushed the blade against her leg. It closed with a snick and she slid it back into her jeans.

“Are you sure?” he said, sounding amused. “You know how to use that thing?”

“Well enough. I’m not really a fighter, though.” It was sad but true.

“No, your nature’s too gentle for that, isn’t it?” He stroked her hair and pulled her with care into his arms.

She leaned against him, her world settling back into place. On a deep level she didn’t have time to examine, it was a very disturbing experience. His body warmth drove the chill away. She put her arms around his waist and hugged him tight.

“I’ve had a lifetime of classes, but I haven’t had to use any of it in real life. Yet.” She forced herself to breathe deep until the lingering dizziness passed. “Just give me a chance to stick one of those two-legged cockroaches though, and I’m there.”

“They’ll have to get through me first.” He gave her a gentle squeeze and stepped back.

“You were faster than I was afraid you might be.” She looked at his new acquisitions. “It looks like you found a lot.”

“I located the key to the shackles, but I didn’t find the Goblin captain. I found his rooms instead. He’s a greedy son of a bitch. He had all kinds of loot. Half of it looked untouched.” He moved back to the door, listened for a moment and opened it. “We need to hurry now. There are more Goblins moving about. It sounds like their evening meal is finished.”

He led the way and this time he moved much faster. She struggled to keep up but fell several paces behind. He slowed as he reached the final turn that led to the outside door. He stalked to the corner, completely silent as he reached for the battle-axe and unsheathed the short sword in a simultaneous motion.

She caught her breath at the sight. He was an über-warrior, magnificent and terrifying. Hey, when he could shift into a dragon he was his own tank and aerial force all at the same time. Add to that his magical capability and he was virtually a one-creature army. She had known he was one of the premiere Powers in the world, but as she saw him in motion, she began to get a glimmer of real understanding what that meant.

She eased closer but was careful to leave plenty of space between them. He glanced at her, leaning back against the wall. He nodded to her in approval. He pointed the sword at her and mouthed, “Stay put.”

She nodded back. She wanted to obey that one.

He stepped into the corridor and twisted on one foot, bringing his big body around as he flung the battle-axe like a Frisbee. Continuing in the same smooth turn, he hurled the short sword in an overhand throw with as much ease as tossing a dagger. Without pausing, he drew the long sword and one of the knives and lunged forward out of sight.

She crossed her arms and gripped her elbows, tapping her toes and flinching at the sounds of battle.

Not that it was much of a battle. It was over in seconds. A moment later, Dragos stepped around the corner and beckoned her forward. “None of these grunts have keys. Now it’s your turn to do your stuff. It’s ugly,” he warned her.

“I expect so,” she said, looking at him round-eyed. She rounded the corner.

At first she couldn’t make sense of what she saw. When she did, she wished she hadn’t. There were four dead Goblins strewn about the end of the corridor. Or at least she counted four heads, not all of which were still attached to their bodies. And not all the bodies had all their limbs. Black blood had sprayed the stone walls and great pools of it dotted the floor.