Page 12 of Hot for the Dragon (Saltwater Grove #3)

12

ARCHER

A rcher's chisel slipped on the delicate wood carving as acrid smoke drifted through his workshop windows. His nostrils flared at the familiar scent of dragon fire. Dropping his tools, he rushed outside, muscles tensing as he spotted multiple dragon forms circling above the town center.

"Damn it, Carmen."

His transformation was instant, scales rippling across his skin as his massive red dragon form emerged. With powerful wing beats, he launched into the sky, the wind whipping past as he raced toward the chaos below.

Come to join the fun, Hawke? A younger dragon's telepathic taunt rang in his mind.

Archer barrel-rolled, avoiding a blast of flame before slamming his tail into the cocky dragon's wing. You call this fun? I call it amateur hour.

Two more dragons dove at him. Archer twisted mid-air, his larger form giving him the advantage as he caught one with his claws and used the momentum to throw them into their companion. They tumbled through the air, wings tangled.

Getting slow in your old age? Another dragon swooped past.

Still fast enough to teach you some manners. Archer shot after them, his powerful wings carrying him higher. He counted at least twenty dragons - twice what Carmen brought last time. The town's defensive spells flickered under the continued assault.

A blast of fire nearly singed his wing. Archer spun to face three more dragons closing in. What's wrong? Need backup to take on one old timer?

He dove between them, forcing them to scatter or collide. These younger dragons might have numbers, but they lacked experience. Their attacks were predictable, uncoordinated.

Banking hard around a building, Archer caught sight of City Hall still standing. At least Hugo had managed to keep that protected. But Carmen was nowhere in sight - this was just a distraction. The question was, from what?

Getting tired yet? A dragon with green scales taunted.

Archer snapped his jaws, catching their tail. I could do this all day. Though I'd rather be working on my model ships.

The sounds of battle filled the air as Archer continued to engage multiple opponents, keeping them occupied and away from the buildings below. He might prefer his solitude, but he'd be damned if he let these upstarts destroy the town.

Through the chaos of battle, Archer's keen dragon eyes caught a flash of movement below. His heart lurched as he spotted Daphne - foolish, brave Daphne - helping an elderly woman limp across the street. A massive bronze dragon swooped down, jaws opening wide with flames building in its throat.

Oh no you don't.

Archer tucked his wings and dove, the wind screaming past his scales. The bronze dragon never saw him coming. He slammed into its side with enough force to send them both rolling across the cobblestones, well away from Daphne and her charge.

Get inside! he roared mentally at Daphne hoping she could somehow understand him, while pinning the struggling bronze dragon beneath his larger bulk.

The bronze dragon snapped at his throat. The great Archer Hawke, playing hero?

More like teaching you some manners. Archer's tail whipped around, catching the younger dragon across the snout. Attacking civilians? That's just poor form.

He glimpsed Daphne and the woman making it safely into the Cauldron & Cup before focusing fully on his opponent. The bronze dragon tried to buck him off, but Archer's weight and experience kept him firmly in control.

You're getting soft, the bronze dragon taunted. Running errands for witches now?

Archer responded by slamming the dragon's head into the street. Better than being Carmen's errand boy.

Three more dragons dove at him from above. Archer launched himself skyward, meeting them head-on. His massive red form twisted between their attacks, his greater size and skill making up for being outnumbered.

Below, he noticed some of the town's magic users joining the fight. A water witch sent a hydrant's spray arcing up to knock a dragon off course. A fire witch redirected dragon flame away from buildings. Even Nina from the coffee shop stood in her doorway, her protective wards shimmering as they deflected attacks.

Are you worn out yet? One of the younger dragons called out mockingly.

Archer snorted, smoke curling from his nostrils. Please. I'm just warming up.

He spun through the air, his tail catching one dragon while his claws raked another. The third tried to retreat but Archer's powerful wings carried him in pursuit. These youngsters might have enthusiasm, but they lacked his decades of combat experience.

A dark shadow passed overhead, and Archer's muscles tensed as he recognized Carmen's distinctive blue scales. She hovered above the town square, her massive form blocking out the sun.

Well, well. If it isn't the infamous Archer Hawke playing guard dog for the Council, Carmen's mental voice dripped with disdain.

Archer maintained his position, wings spread wide. And here I thought you'd learned your lesson about picking fights you can't win.

Carmen's laugh echoed through his mind. You think stealing my supplies will stop me? That little raid on my storage unit just proved how desperate the Council is.

Storage unit? Oh, that dusty old box. Archer circled lazily, matching her altitude. I needed kindling for my fireplace.

Carmen's tail lashed through the air. Always with the jokes. But I'm not laughing anymore, Hawke.

The younger dragons gathered behind her, forming an intimidating wall of scales and teeth. Archer counted at least thirty - more than he'd initially estimated. His wings ached from the earlier fighting, but he kept his movements fluid, refusing to show weakness.

This was just a taste, Carmen's mental voice boomed across the square, intended for everyone below to hear. Next time, I will bring my full force. No more playing nice. No more warnings.

You call this playing nice? Archer snorted smoke. Hate to see your idea of a real party.

Carmen's massive form wheeled around to face him directly. You've gotten soft, Hawke. Living among these weaklings, making wooden toys. When I return, I'll remind everyone why dragons should rule.

Big words from someone who's leaving with their tail between their legs, Archer projected back, letting his amusement color the thought.

Carmen's response was a deafening roar that shattered several windows. The town will kneel, Hawke. And you'll wish you'd chosen the right side.

With a powerful beat of her wings, Carmen soared upward, her followers falling into formation behind her. Archer watched them disappear into the clouds, his jaw clenched. He'd forgotten how exhausting it was dealing with megalomaniacs who loved the sound of their own mental voice.

Archer landed in a nearby alley. His transformation back to human form was swift and practiced. His muscles ached from the fight, but concern for Daphne pushed him forward. The bell above the Cauldron & Cup's door chimed as he entered, the magical aroma of coffee and starlight doing nothing to calm his racing heart.

"Daphne?" His eyes scanned the crowded café, catching sight of her helping Nina tend to the elderly woman she'd rescued.

"Archer!" Daphne's face lit up. She hurried over, her hands fluttering near his arms as if checking for injuries. "Are you hurt? That was incredible what you did up there."

"Me? You're the one who ran out into dragon fire." He caught her wrist, examining a small burn on her forearm. "What were you thinking?"

"Someone needed help." She smiled up at him, and something stirred inside of him. "Besides, you had my back, right?"

Nina floated two steaming mugs their way. "Dragon's Breath Hot Chocolate, on the house. You both earned it."

"Thanks, but I don't need-" Archer started.

"Drink it," Nina insisted, purple sparks dancing at her fingertips. "It'll help with the muscle strain from shifting."

The café door suddenly burst open. Hugo stormed in with leaves swirling around his feet. "This is your fault, Hawke! Your reckless theft brought this attack on us!"

Archer's jaw clenched, his hand still wrapped around Daphne's wrist.

Daphne stepped closer to Archer's side. "Hugo, that's not fair-"

"Not fair?" Hugo's voice rose. "He antagonized Carmen and now look what happened! The town's half destroyed, more people are hurt, and it's because he couldn't resist showing off!"

Archer's fingers tightened around the hot chocolate mug, his jaw clenching harder as he stared down Hugo. The dragon inside him stirred, wanting to show this presumptuous witch exactly who he was dealing with.

"Excuse me?" Archer's voice carried the dangerous edge of a predator. "The Council dragged me into this mess. I was perfectly content leaving you all to your own devices until you came begging at my door."

"We asked for help, not for you to provoke Carmen into destroying half the town!" Hugo exclaimed.

"Right, because sitting around wringing our hands was working so well." Archer set his mug down with controlled precision. "Carmen was looking for any excuse to attack. At least now we've cut off her supplies."

"At what cost?" Hugo gestured wildly toward the windows. "Look outside! Buildings are burning, people are hurt-"

"And more would be dead if I hadn't been here to stop them." Archer stepped forward, using his height advantage to loom over Hugo. "But by all means, tell me more about how we should do nothing out of fear."

"There's a difference between doing nothing and being reckless-"

"Enough!" Daphne's voice cut through their argument like a blade. Both men turned to find her standing with her hands on her hips, green eyes flashing. "This isn't helping anyone."

Nina's purple sparks were starting to dance around her fingers as she watched the confrontation. The café's other patrons had pressed themselves against the walls, trying to stay clear of the brewing storm between the dragon shifter and the witch.

"Archer." Daphne's tone brooked no argument as she grabbed his arm. "Outside. Now."

Something about her commanding tone stirred both his irritation and his curiosity. Archer allowed himself to be led toward the door, though he couldn't resist throwing one last smirk over his shoulder at Hugo's thunderous expression.