Grumpy Dragon Daddy by Milly Taiden
Tyla
She was glad the mystery man had suggested going to the roof. The dance floor had suddenly become stiflingly hot, not to mention the turmoil that was going on in her body. Her legs felt a little unsure, and her blood paced through her so fast she was sure he could hear it thundering.
A bit of air would help cool her down, slow her breathing and clear her head. Although the dancing had been exhilarating, she kicked herself for her lack of discipline.
Keep your head in the game. You’re a hunter of dragons, not here for one-night stands.
Yes, the air would do her good. Trailing behind her tall dance partner, they left the floor and wound their way to the doors that lead from the main ballroom to the stairs. As they climbed, they said very little. Tyla, wrapping her gown around her hand with one expert twist, navigated the stairs swiftly. She was used to walking in stilettos and dresses, no matter the terrain.
They reached the top after a few flights, and he pushed the door open to the roof. Brisk air kissed Tyla’s cheek, and she closed her eyes for a brief moment to let it cool her face. When she opened them, she fully expected to see the lights of Dallas-Ft. Worth. Instead, she beheld a soupy fog.
“Looks like I’ve timed this poorly,” the man said. She turned to smile at him but then realized she couldn’t even see him. The fog was that thick. It felt like she had found herself wrapped in a knit sweater, the mist dampening her hair and settling on her lashes.
“Yes. But it’s nice to cool down,” she said, a little uncertainly. Awkwardly, she reached out a hand for him, expecting him to be by her side. Alarmed, she realized he was not there.
“Excuse me? I seem to have…”
She didn’t get a chance to finish the sentence. Even in the near blindness of the fog, she knew he wasn’t there.
Something is not right. Things are not what they seem.
Immediately, her senses switched to high alert. All her training kicked into high gear. Securing the skirt of her dress, she took several shuffle steps to her right.
Her body was on autopilot. If she could make it to her equipment, she stood a chance. No self-respecting dragon hunter ever worked a location without placing a case with equipment and weaponry in a secure spot. Tyla knew that her life rested on whether she could get to the case.
Taking a deep breath, she let her body lead the way. She knew that she only had to make it to the air conditioning tower that stood only a few feet from the roof door.
Who knows? Maybe she wouldn’t need it. Maybe she’d bump into her mystery man. But something deep in her gut told her that wasn’t likely.
With a few more sure steps, her hip bumped the cool metal of the tower. Fingers snaking downward, she felt around until the heavy metal suitcase’s distinct ridges told her she’d found pay dirt.
Working almost totally blind, her fingers snapped it open. Within a few seconds, she pulled out a serrated knife, infrared goggles and, with a deep shudder of satisfaction, Tearbringer. Even in the near oblivion of the fog, the sword managed to shine with a dull light.
Slipping the goggles on, she quickly scanned the roof. In one direction, it was flat but for a few venting towers and chimney caps. Turning to her left, however, the roof suddenly erupted. For there, standing where seemingly nothing had been before, was the dragon.
How had he gotten here? Where had he come from? And why now? Her mind was a flurry of questions – all of which weren’t entirely useful at the present moment.
All she knew was that he stood before her, his huge form alarming in its ability to blot out what little light there was. Shock and awe rippled through her until she made two stunning realizations.
He had not yet realized that the goggles allowed her to see in the fog. It was clear from his body language that he thought he had the advantage. That, the hefty weight of Tearbringer in her hand brought instant confidence back to her heart. All she had to do was bring it home.
Lifting the sword above her head, a throaty yell escaped her. Immediately, the dragon registered the attack and maneuvered out of the way. But not quite in time. The sword made contact with the inner front leg, slicing downward like an onion.
A yelp of pain escaped the dragon, but it could have been much worse. Tyla knew her yell had given her away. Part of her wondered why she had done it. To do so was a rookie move and surely cost her the kill.
However, the smell of his blood steeled her resolve, and she planted her feet (still clad in the stilettos) to attack. He pivoted to anticipate her next move. Swinging her sword high above her head, she took another swipe at his leg, hoping to catch him off balance so he would expose his vulnerable underbelly.
It was all a ruse, however. As she swung, he, as she predicted, tried to avoid the blade. But in doing so, he left his back legs exposed. Running underneath him, she plunged the blade into his back foot.
Amazing how dragons underestimate us sometimes…
A mighty roar escaped him as his whole body tipped in response to the pain. In doing so, he lost his balance, and his body slammed into the ground with a gritty thud. All Tyla had had to do was avoid his body as it fell.
As the dust rose from the roof tiles, Tyla knew she had him right where she needed him. There, in the eerie glow of her goggles, she could see the soft patch of skin that would allow her sword entry.
All she had to do was plunge it in. Her arms set themselves in motion lifting the two-handed blade into position. But, at its apex, the sword paused and merely vibrated. She couldn’t bring herself to do it. It was as if an invisible hand had stilled her, locked her into place.
“Do it. Do it now. Or I’ll be forced to do it for you. And you know you’ll never live that one down.”
Tyla’s eyes flicked in alarm in the direction of the voice. Even though the goggles rendered the whole world in a pixelated green shade, she’d know that shape anywhere.
It was Sage. And she wasn’t kidding.