Page 16 of Serving my Dragon (The Dragocracy Chronicles #2)

Chapter Twelve

“I told you Pollita could talk,” Matias exclaimed.

“It’s one thing for you to claim it another to hear it,” the one called Juan stated.

I’d yet to decide if I liked the man. Referring to me as a measly lizard. The insult burned, especially since people kept repeating it. How could they not sense my greatness?

“How come you’re not in more shock? I mean, even when I told you earlier I’d found a dragon, you didn’t seem too surprised.”

“I’m not because there have always been rumors about Misti having a dragon hibernating in its depths.”

“What rumors?” Matias exclaimed. “How come I’ve never heard of them?”

“You most likely did but dismissed them. I, too, wondered about the veracity of stories passed down by my grandmother and hers before that. Scoffed at their talk that Misti would one day birth a mighty beast.” The old fella’s gaze met mine in the rearview mirror. “It’s smaller than expected.”

“Because I’ve not yet achieved my full size,” I hotly retorted. “And before you ask, it will be another molting or two before I get my wings.”

“Interesting, and I want to know more, but first, tell me how you came to find Pollita. And leave nothing out.”

The humans discussed me, which I approved of even if they lacked the reverence they should have for one of my kind. By the end of their retelling, the grizzled old man—who despite his rudeness had shown himself to be wily—grunted.

“So now we know the real reason why those people are after Kayleigh. They don’t wish the news of the dragon’s existence to become common knowledge. You’re sure they don’t know Pollita survived?”

Matias shrugged. “By their own words, that’s what they believe.”

“That’s good, but at the same time, I am concerned by the fact they are quite intent on ensuring Kayleigh doesn’t remember and speak of what she saw or heard.” Juan went quiet for a moment. “If they fear being exposed then it is because they have something more to hide.”

“You mean the fact they’re killers and probably don’t want to be arrested?” Matias replied.

“Bah. Those men we fought were American. They could have easily left Peru and avoided prosecution. Not to mention they were correct in that any mention of dragons by Kayleigh would have been mocked and led to the authorities disregarding her claims of attempted murder.”

The old man proved more perceptive than Matias, who appeared confused, so I helped my servant grasp what Juan meant.

“I am probably not the only dragon they’ve sought out.

Could be they have imprisoned others or know where to find them.

Identifying them, or who they work for, could lead to their entire dragon stealing operation falling apart. ”

“Smart girl,” the old man praised. “I would also add, how did those people know you’d be hatching? Even the volcanologists had no idea Misti would blow and yet those poachers came prepared. Knew they’d find you. How?”

“Could be they visit all active volcanoes,” Matias hypothesized. “If dragons hatch during eruptions, then it would make sense they scout each and every one.”

“Possible, and just one of the things I will ask of those bastardos who came after the family.” Juan’s tone deepened. “By the time I pay them a visit in jail, they should be eager to spill everything they know.”

“Why does it sound like you’ve got something devious planned?” Matias asked.

“I don’t yet, but I will be calling in a few favors to ensure those gringos are ripe for questioning by the time I return.”

Kayleigh leaned forward. “I still can’t believe somebody wanted to kill me for knowing about Polly.”

“Not just wanted,” Matias corrected. “They were the ones who caused your accident, only you survived.”

“You said one of them mentioned Sally dating some guy called Blake.” Kayleigh frowned. “I remember that name. She met him at the job she started mid-summer and started hooking up with him not long after.”

“A job doing what?” Juan questioned.

“Receptionist for some lab that handles animal studies. But no way would I believe she’d be involved in trapping Polly.”

“She was there,” I stated. “And so were you. You stood between me and my enemies. The only one to come to my defense.” I craned to look Kayleigh in the eye. “You saved me that day. Or at least tried to, until they pushed you off the cliff.”

Kayleigh blinked.

“Wait, you saw it happen? Why did you not say something before?” Matias accused.

“Because her head was covered in a mesh veil and her hair by a hat. But now hearing what my enemy said, it begins to make sense.”

“Not really,” Kayleigh muttered. “Wish I remembered. You said Sally was present as well. Did they push her too?”

“If they did, it happened after I plunged into the river.”

“I can’t believe she’d let anyone hurt me.” My servant sounded genuinely hurt.

“I don’t think she was on board with what happened to you,” Matias gently said. “The hotel clerk did say she appeared to have been crying.”

“Tears mean nothing. Could be she felt guilty about what happened,” Juan interjected.

“Sally wouldn’t hurt a fly,” Kayleigh exclaimed.

“But would she stop others from trying?”

A question that left Kayleigh silent, probably because it was a known fact humans would put aside their morals out of fear, for greed—and love.

“How could she? One tiny woman against a handful of guys?” Kayleigh shook her head. “Seems more likely they threatened Sally to keep it a secret.”

“Or she abetted to stay out of trouble.” The old man snorted. “Didn’t you say something about this Sally posting pics of you as if all is good?”

“We can’t assume she’s the one doing it.”

“Are you always this stubborn?” Juan retorted. “But enough of this Sally person. There is some good news that came out of tonight. Those gringos don’t know the dragon survived and is with us, so let’s aim to keep it that way.”

“That won’t be easy once Polly gets bigger,” Matias noted.

“In the city, maybe. The location I’m taking you has no neighbors or casual visitors. The dragon will be able to grow there without discovery. ‘Course, the place you’ll be inhabiting is a little rough at the moment, but a few supply runs should help to make it comfortable.”

“Exactly how long do you expect us to stay there?” Matias queried.

“You can most likely return home once the situation with those gringos is handled,” Juan replied. “Once we get them to spill everything they know, we’ll put them on a plane back to ‘Merica and I’ll talk to my friend over at customs to make sure they can’t return.”

“Who’s to say they won’t send a new crew?” Matias argued.

“The easiest solution to that is to send me away. Once I’m gone, they won’t have a reason to bother Matias or anyone else and Polly will be safe,” Kayleigh suggested.

I protested the bad idea. “I do not give you permission to abandon me.”

“I don’t want to leave, Polly, but so long as they’re seeking me, you risk discovery.” Kayleigh stroked the spot between my ears that she knew I liked.

“Which is why you should have eliminated my enemies,” I huffed. “Imprisoning them doesn’t send the right kind of message.”

“Killing them doesn’t give us answers,” Juan retorted. “Fear not. They won’t enjoy their stay in a cell.”

“Hmph,” I grumbled, only slightly mollified. “Let me make it clear, right now, as my servants, you are not allowed to leave me.”

A firm statement that led to Kayleigh protesting, “But Polly, Peru isn’t my home, and I can’t keep imposing on Matias and his family.”

“Your home is where I am,” I declared. “And that goes for you as well, Matias.”

“Wait, what? You can’t just decide that.” Matias craned in his seat. “I have a business to run, not to mention I can’t live forever out in the wilds.”

“A dragon’s retinue serves for life, but rest assured, once I begin acquiring treasures for my hoard, you will be richly compensated for your service.”

Matias groaned. “Polly. You can’t simply order us to revolve our lives around you.”

“You chose this role when you rescued me. Kayleigh and Lola volunteered when they fed me. As for your uncle, he has obviously taken on the role of protector.”

“Hold on, you think Mama and Juan are your servants too?” Matias exclaimed.

“Do I need to repeat myself in Spanish?” I asked.

“You are unbelievable,” Matias huffed.

Juan chuckled. “Bossy little thing, ain’t she?”

“You don’t know the half of it,” Matias muttered.

“Don’t worry, Polly, I would never abandon you without making sure you were taken care of.” Kayleigh gave me a hug as if that would relinquish her from her duties.

It didn’t.

“Our exile shall only be temporary. Once I grow, we will claim a proper lair, one that will have room for many servants as well the progeny you and Matias will create.”

“What?” The pair of them yelped in shock.

Did they not understand where babies came from? Perhaps I had to explain. “Children are the result when opposing sex humans copulate.”

“Uh.” Matias seemed to have forgotten how to speak.

As for Kayleigh, she murmured, “We aren’t lovers, Polly.”

“You will be.” I could smell it each time they got within close proximity of each other.

Juan cleared his throat. “About this protector thing…”

“Fear not, you will not be alone facing my enemies. You have Matias, who acquitted himself adequately, considering his lack of weaponry. He will be my personal guard. Given your wily nature, you shall be tasked with defenses and recruiting more fighters, as well as overseeing them.”

“Me, in charge of a dragon’s army?” Juan sounded surprised. Understandable, given I’d gifted him a lofty position.

“It will be up to you to ensure my enemies cannot harm me. Once I have claimed a castle, we will begin fortifications.”

“Castle, eh? You might be getting your wish sooner than expected.” And that was all the old man would say.

I allowed it since Kayleigh produced a snack for my rumbling belly which led to a nice warm nap in her lap. By the time I awoke, dawn crested and we were bouncing on a rough road through a dense and green jungle.

“How much further?” Matias asked as we hit a particularly large bump that smacked his head off the roof of the truck.

“Once we park, about a mile on foot.”

A mile through a hot and humid jungle—which I quite liked—over rough terrain that hid yummy, slithering things I’d be snacking on later.

Kayleigh huffed and puffed and sweated. Matias kept slapping at bugs. Only Juan appeared unbothered.

When he stopped and said, “There it is,” it took me a moment to grasp what he meant.

A look around from the rocky ledge we stood on showed the stone rimmed a decent-sized lake fed by a waterfall.

Kayleigh exclaimed. “How pretty.”

And it was. Bright blooms. Green foliage. The hum of living things all around and more swimming beneath the liquid surface, but it was when I looked more closely at the water tumbling over the cliff that I saw it.

Home.