Page 29 of Fallen for the Two-Headed Dragon

Dana rose quickly enough that her chair clattered to the floor. “With all due respect, I am not interested in mediation. Jackson tried to kill me. I’ll see the judge, but I’m bringing my attorney and pressing charges.”

She gleaned a brief look at the chief’s stunned face before it hardened into something much less friendly. He looked as though he expected her to incriminate herself with the next words out of her mouth.

She didn’t give him any satisfaction, instead turning on her heel. She tripped over the fallen chair, cursing as she caught herself ass-up. She barely heard the chief state the time and place behind her. She’d lived in this little unincorporated town her whole life. She already knew where their one judge and makeshift courtroom were.

“What’s wrong?” Samantha asked the moment she got in the car.

Before Dana could answer, angry tears still burning in her eyes, she noticed movement in the sky.

“Oh, no. Drive!”

Sam obeyed immediately, casting the sky a frightened glance. “Where am I going?”

“Go to the road we used to drive down to smoke in high school.” The rural road led out into the country boondocks with houses miles away from their neighbors.

Samantha, always down for an adventure, stepped on the gas and delivered them to the sight of many fond and embarrassing memories. She parked on the side of the road, where Dana hopped out and paced to the tree line for a little added privacy, pushing her glasses farther up her nose. Sam followed, clearly excited for the chance to meet a real-life dragon.

Rathym downshifted mid-flight, landing in front of her in his reptilian form. A peek at Sam showed she was already doing better at accepting the existence of a mythical creature than Dana had at first, although her hazel eyes were wide and alert.

“What are you doing here? We agreed I had until tonight.”

“I felt your strong emotion. Are you all right?” His deep voice was unyielding, the ancient dragon in him shining through.

“You could’ve been seen. What will I do if you’re shot down?”

Rathym’s ridged brow slammed down. He scoffed.

“That would not happen.” A puff of fire and smoke leaked from his jaw as he spoke. “Men and their weapons will not stop me from protecting what is mine.”

Samantha’s sharp inhale drew both of their attention.

“Who is this?”

“Rathym, this is my sister, Sam. Sam, Rathym.”

“Pleased to meet you.” Rathym dipped his head reverently, cupping Sam’s hand and pressing it to his mouth.

Sam fanned herself with her free hand. She caught Dana’s eye and mouthed, so sexy!

“I’m sorry I worried you, but you have to trust me.” Dana’s cheeks burned, the familiar panic over upsetting someone threatening to stutter her heartbeat. “I need to spend some extra time here to deal with Jackson and those idiot cops.”

Rathym’s rough stoicism hardened into something much more terrifying. “That is not what we agreed.”

“Rathym,” she pleaded. He stood rigid but allowed her touch on his smooth abdomen. “I want to come home. But I have to do this first. I have to make sure he can’t hurt someone else.”

His silence was heavy, but she laid her head on his chest and wove her arms around his waist. His scales pricked her fingers as she ran them up and down, nuzzling into him.

“Fine.” His voice was rough, like it had been raked over hot coals. “But if I sense you are in danger, I will come for you. Nothing will stand in my way.”

“I know.” She tilted her head to reach his lips. “Thank you.”

Chapter Sixteen

Dana

Dana marched into Judge Larson’s makeshift courtroom—a smattering of chairs and desks in the community center—with her cousin by her side. Chrissy was a bang-up attorney, and the only attorney she could afford. Chrissy had contacted Judge Larson and the police chief the moment Dana reached out, stating a gross misuse of the laws based on nothing but small-town ignorance. She’d arranged a private meeting with the judge to discuss the charges being brought forward. Something that would keep Dana from having to relive the incident in front of the man who’d tried to kill her. Something that dignified her as a victim and not the one to blame. The judge, thankfully, had agreed with Chrissy and seemed equally as frustrated with how the police staff had acted.

Like everyone in this area, Judge Larson was more than just a judge. He was a well-known and respected man who had acted in many capacities throughout Dana’s childhood. Soccer coach, mail man, city official, grocery store clerk. Even when she’d moved to the city, Judge Larson would greet her every time she was back in town and shopped at the Buy Mart. He was kind but also took no shit from anyone.

---