Page 28 of Cruel Daddy Dragon

I swallow hard again but just shrug.

“What’s going on?” Cyrus asks, walking in.

“Nothing,” I answer immediately, shooting a glare at Kaius.

Uncharacteristically, he keeps his mouth shut.

“So, Kaius has explained that Sarah is going off on a lead for a suspected relic,” Cyrus says, staring at me.

“Yes, that’s what she said. Apparently, it might not exactly be a relic, but she thinks it might be,” I answer, “Cyrus, I’m asking for permission to go with her. Obviously, if she ends up finding a relic, it’s important we get to it before Eclipse senses it and tries to take it from her. Not to mention, there might even be more keys down there, too. Even if she doesn’t find a relic, if Roscoe has found another entry into the collapsed mineshaft, that’s valuable info.”

He nods.

“Yes. I agree,” he says, “But after her kidnapping, she’s still a top priority to protect anyway.”

A ghost of a smile flickers across his face.

“You don’t have to justify it so hard,” he adds.

I nod, staring at the floor. I wonder how much the Alpha knows about all this…

Very little passes him by, so…

“Yes, you can go with her,” Cyrus says, “Make sure everything goes smoothly, and I’ll have Milo and Kaiuspatrolling nearby just in case you run into trouble and need backup for any reason. Call them if you need them.”

“Thanks, Cyrus,” I say, “I appreciate that.”

“Just one thing: youmustbe back before Evander and I leave for the council meeting,” he says, “No matter the circumstance, I need all my warriors here to protect Lena, Julie, and the map they’re making before we go. That is an order.”

I bow my head to him.

“I will. Thanks.”

“I’ll let the others know,” Cyrus says, “You’d better follow her now.”

He has a knowing look in his eye. I nod one more time before I turn and head after her, barely out the door before I’m taking flight.

Chapter 10 - Sarah

That was a rough conversation with Rufus. I didn’t know how to react to seeing him again—I still don’t know if I’m happy or angry last night happened at all. In the end, just putting on a poker face was the best I could do—Iwasworking, after all—but I could see the hurt in his eyes…

I don’t even know what to do anymore…

Just concentrate on the task at hand.

I have my spelunking gear with me—thicker and thinner ropes, hooks, and harnesses—everything I could need of all varieties. The only thing I don’t have is a team with me. It’s honestly quite unsafe tonothave a team with me, but I couldn’t quite figure out how I was supposed to gather the local spelunking team without telling them what we’re supposed to be looking for. What if we find something magic down there? How am I supposed to explain that? Or even worse, what if we run into a dragon or even a Naga? How can I, in all conscience, put them in danger?

I can’t. All I could do was let them know I was spelunking alone, ignore their warnings about that, and keep them on the end of a radio.

With that, I reach the hole under the boulder. Last time, I could reach in as far as my shoulder, but I got the impression that it went far,fardeeper. I shine my flashlight into the hole, and I still can’t see the bottom. I guess our resident trash panda has better climbing skills than we give his chubby little self credit for.

I start by snapping on my helmet, trying to look for a safe place to stab in the hook that will anchor me. It’s an easy processonce I get to grips with the knots, and once I’ve tested it a few times, I ready myself to go in. I press the button on the radio.

“All right,” I tell them, “I’m ready to descend.”

It buzzes for a moment before the sound starts.

“Okay. Be careful, Sarah,”comes the reply.

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