Page 49 of Surge of Ice

I get down from the podium and walk toward him, lifting a hand. He leans down and lets me pet his head. The journalists rush over, snapping pictures and gaping.

Smiling, I raise my voice so all of them can hear. “This is a dragon. He is working with Specter Inc., just as the red and silver dragons are working with Specter Inc. And as such, they will be seen as the property of Specter Inc. Anyone, government or individual, who tries to harm these dragons will be prosecuted to the fullest extent of the law. With that said, any damage thatoccursdue to the dragons that are working with us shall also be the responsibility of Specter Inc.”

More questions are thrown at me, and I try to answer them the best I can. Everything I say, however, is meant to make it clear that Zane, Aydan, Sam, and I all belong to Specter Inc., more or less. This will help to tie the government's hands should they try to destroy “my” property.

My other goal is also to create a clear distinction between us and the dragons who are wreaking havoc on our worldright now. This isn’t enough to stop the idea that dragons are dangerous, but it’s meant to create doubt in the minds of the public, knowing that the public is who has the true control. If they are sympathetic to dragons, the government will have to listen.

“You truly expect us to believe that dragons can be this… tame? What is it, drugged?” one woman shouts.

I gesture for them to move back, and then I say to Aydan, “Roll over, boy. Roll over.”

Smoke curls out of his mouth, and I try not to laugh. But to my relief, he rolls over, shaking the very earth beneath our feet.

There’s some laughter and clapping, and looks of absolutely disbelief.

I see a lady with an apple in her bag. “Can I have that?”

She looks confused, but hands it to me.

“Fetch, boy. Fetch,” I say to Aydan, then throw the apple.

He gives me a look, but then goes and gets the damn thing and brings it back to me. He drops the slimy apple on my nice shoes. Then, he licks me. Full. Body. Licks me. Until drool is spilling off of me.

The cameras are flashing. No doubt the public will love this. I force a smile and then pat Aydan on the head once more, silently promising to get him back for this. I just wish we could communicate in our minds in human form. It’d sure as hell make things a lot easier.

I answer more questions, then nod to security. They tell the reporters that they’re out of time, and I head back to my limo. Aydan leaps into the sky and takes the faster route back to base.

My security guard hands me a handkerchief from the front seat. I dab the slobber on my face and sigh.Well, that went about as well as it could have gone.

It takes more time than I like to make it to the back entrance of Specter Inc. When I reach the parking lot, Aydan and Grangerare waiting, looking pissed. I steel myself for whatever they’re going to say about my little stunt.

My driver opens the door. I eye Aydan expectantly.Let’s get this over with.

Instead, distress flashes in his eyes. “Sam is gone.”

Gone?I stiffen. “Where?”

“Somewhere withZane,” Granger mutters.

My hands curl into fists.That was… a mistake.Behind me, there’s the sound of a car coming, and I whirl around, fire burning through my veins.

NINETEEN

Samantha

Dahlia will be checkedout soon. She’ll be okay. Deep breaths.

We pull into the parking lot at the compound and I spot Evander, Granger, and Aydan standing on the sidewalk, their arms crossed in front of their chests like identical pissed-off dads. I slow and drive past them, pull up as close as possible to the buildings, so we can get Dahlia to the medical floor as fast as possible.

I just have to deal with them first.

Putting the car into park, I sigh and look at Zane. “This is going to be unpleasant.”

“What?” he asks, looking confused.

“Aydan, Evander, and Granger. I don’t know if they’ll be more mad that I left, or that I left with you.”

He smiles, flashing his pearly whites. “The fire dragons are always mad. It is their way.”

---