Total pages in book: 44
Estimated words: 41518 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 208(@200wpm)___ 166(@250wpm)___ 138(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 41518 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 208(@200wpm)___ 166(@250wpm)___ 138(@300wpm)
Men rushed from the building to look up at the sky. They fired guns after him, making Argenis skyrocket upward out of the way. Several bullets bounced off his scales and one grazed his snout. The sting made Argenis snort.
Are you okay?
I am fine, Little Sky. I will be home soon.
Argenis smiled slightly in a dragon grimace at her concern. Their connection was strong.
Turning his attention back to the men below, Argenis released his light. He watched the men shield their eyes, fall to their knees, and collapse, dropping the guns to the ground. He landed and sent another burst of pure white to address anyone inside who had not shot at him.
A quick shift and he cautiously dashed inside. That second indirect blast had knocked out the resistance. They’d wake up with headaches but would be totally functional in a few days.
Argenis strode through the pharmacy, noting all the things inside that could help others. He shook his head at the thought of men profiting from the needs of others during this tough time. Searching through the stacks of medicine, he found the remainder of a large canister holding the medicine Jenkins needed. He took it and checked off the other items. Perusing the drugs that remained on the shelves, he grabbed a container of a well-known antibiotic and a supply of bandages. After stuffing everything into a backpack from the shelf, he left the rest for others who would need help.
“Can I go in there?” a woman stood just outside the entrance as if scared to go in. “My father…”
Argenis spoke when she hesitated. “It is safe inside. Gather what you absolutely need and pass the word to others. The men inside won’t wake up for twenty-four hours.”
“Thank you!” she rushed inside and returned with several vials and syringes. As she ran down the street, she announced, “The pharmacy is open for a day. Go now. Get only the essentials!”
Argenis shifted, and after grabbing the bundle of supplies, took to the sky. From above, he could see people emerging from different buildings to race toward the freed complex. Hopefully, a new crew would not replace the old.
Chapter 9
“You’re hurt!” Ciel reached to touch the welt on Argenis’s nose.
“It is nothing and will soon disappear,” he promised. “The new grinding stone is being installed as we talk.”
“They shot at you?”
“Not the miller and his family. For their safety, I brought them here to Wyvern,” Argenis tried to distract her. “Keres came to help.”
“The black dragon. He’s scary.”
“When did you meet Keres?” Argenis asked. She could tell he was concerned by the furrow on his brow.
“He came here after you left.”
“Send a message to me immediately if he shows again,” Argenis ordered.
“O—okay. Is he dangerous?”
“I don’t believe so,” Argenis answered slowly as he was considering his words carefully. “Now, someone is coming to meet you.”
“Who?”
“The gold dragon, Drake, and his mate. Her name is Aurora.”
“What a pretty name! I think I remember someone named Aurora in school. She was a few years older than me, I think,” Ciel suggested.
“I think you’re right. She just finished college.”
“When are they coming?” Ciel asked, lifting a hand to smooth over her hair. She had given up putting on make-up and there were no blow dryers or curling irons. Her split ends were out of control, but there was no way she could cut the long tresses herself.
“I see them now.”
Ciel turned and raced back into the house. The cool shadows of the house slid over her heated skin as she ran for the bathroom. After quickly washing her face and putting a bit of powder on, Ciel brushed her hair and started braiding it into a thick plait.
Come.
She raced back through the house as she finished weaving her hair together. As she walked out the door, Ciel spotted the gold dragon shimmer into an amazingly fit man. A woman stood with her back to the house.
“Hi,” Ciel called as she finished the braid and wrapped a scrunchie around it.
“Ciel. I thought that name was familiar. I think we were in physical education together in high school, “Aurora said with a smile.
“I recognized your name, too. I’m sorry I don’t remember better. Freshman year was the absolute worst,” Ciel confessed.
“No problem. I’m glad to meet you now. Let me introduce my mate, Drake.”
“Hi, Drake,” Ciel said with a wave.
“I am glad to meet you, Ciel. Congratulations on your mating,” Drake told her in a voice even deeper than Argenis’s.
“Ciel, I am going to show Drake something on the map while he’s here. Why don’t you show Aurora the swings in the back?” Argenis suggested.
“That sounds like fun,” Aurora said with a smile.
“Come on. Argenis just put them up for me,” Ciel said, waving to Aurora to follow her.
The two settled in the simple swings made with smooth wood and ropes. Pushing off with their legs, they swung back and forth for a while. Finally, Ciel asked, “Had you heard of the dragons?”