Total pages in book: 65
Estimated words: 62528 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 313(@200wpm)___ 250(@250wpm)___ 208(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 62528 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 313(@200wpm)___ 250(@250wpm)___ 208(@300wpm)
He gave her a cold look. “How generous, but no thanks.”
“Okay, then what’s your plan? Because you can’t go to a regular doctor or vet—whichever. At least I’m used to dealing with grumpy old carnivores, and I don’t judge them for acting like impolite, ungrateful beasts.”
“You’re calling me a beast?”
She shrugged. “Yes, but that doesn’t mean you don’t deserve my help. Great white sharks, cheetahs, dragons, grizzlies, and even mosquitos are all deadly, all part of nature. Doesn’t really matter if I like them or not. I just have to respect them.”
He shook his head at the floor. “I commend you for caring about all the creatures of the world, but have you ever considered that some species need to end, dragons specifically?”
She blinked. “No. Why?”
“Well, for starters, young dragons prefer eating children. The plumper and juicier, the better. When they get older, they use pheromones to attract large numbers of humans and then gobble them up. That, or they turn them into slaves until such time as the dragon gets the munchies and eats them, too.”
She gasped. “Pheromones? Is that why the women lose their shit at the club?”
“Yes. And I have sex appeal.” He lifted his chin. “It’s part of the package.”
She leaned back in the couch, her mind spinning. “So-so…if there’s a mass spike in dragon births—”
“Thousands of children will disappear. In a few years, entire towns will go missing. Is that really what you want?” he asked.
“Of course not, but there has to be another way to keep the species alive.”
“Or you let nature take its course. Dragons never should’ve made it past the dinosaur era.”
Jac really didn’t know what to say. If Dash fathered a gaggle of new dragons, they’d go after kids. They’ll eat them! She did not want to be responsible for mothers and fathers losing their precious babies. Afterwards, the deaths would fall on the mothers and fathers. Brothers and sisters. People who were loved and needed. I’m going to have to tell Damien I can’t help.
“I should let you get some sleep.” She stood. “Enjoy the steaks.” She headed for the door. “Oh, and I meant what I said about giving you medical care if you ever need it. Not that I’m sure the sanctuary will be around much longer if I don’t find more donors with deeper pockets. But if we’re still here, you have a place to go.”
“Thanks, but my kind doesn’t get sick, and we heal quickly.” He added, “Though, I’m sure you haven’t seen the last of Heebie. He really likes you.”
Yes, she knew. He’d already told her. “Well, you and I still need to have a chat about him. I know he’s your special companion and you have magical healing abilities, but is that loud music really the best for his ears?”
Dash gave her a strange look. Maybe he didn’t like her bringing this up again.
“Okay, well, have a good night,” she said.
“Will I see you back at the club?” he asked. “I can talk to Cimil. I mean Mrs. Peepers. She can make sure Minky behaves.”
“You mean Mink?”
“Minky. Mink. Same evil unicorn.”
Okay. I really can’t digest this right now. That included understanding where unicorns came from, why it was evil, or how it had appeared human. Then invisible?
“Thanks.” She stepped out the doorway. “By the way, why aren’t you afraid of Cimil? I mean, given what she is?”
“We have an arrangement of sorts. We both get something we need, so…” He shrugged.
“But why do you do it, Dash? Why do you strip? I mean, you seem smart. I bet you could find something less—”
“We all need to eat, and the money is good.”
The word eat made her think. “You don’t eat people, do you?” He seemed so against it, but she didn’t know for sure.
“Never.”
Never? Dash must’ve been a young dragon at one point. Maybe he just didn’t want to talk about it.
“Good to know. Thanks for the chat,” she said.
“Night.”
Jac went to her truck, feeling like this new world wasn’t as frightening as she’d thought. In fact, part of her felt relieved. If a dangerous creature cared enough about the world to end his own species, maybe there was hope for everyone else. Not that everyone was in it for themselves. For example, she was here to help in any way she could. So were all of her volunteers.
Jac drove home and got into bed, knowing she had to get up in a few hours to start the rounds with the animals and prepare the volunteers’ schedules.
At five a.m. her alarm went off. She showered, made piping hot coffee, and texted Damien that the deal was off. She wasn’t going to push Dash to do something he felt morally against, and she couldn’t blame him.
Unfortunately, that left her right where she’d started. No money.
“I don’t know what I’m going to do.” She sighed and stepped out onto her porch.