Page 11 of Dragon's Code

We all learned how to fight. I stopped my lessons after I graduated from high school and went to college. I played football and stayed in shape, but I definitely would prefer Krystana being my bodyguard.

Ash chuckles a little. “That’s fair. I’m pretty sure she can kick my ass too. I know she thinks I’m an antiquated asshole, and maybe I am, but I just didn’t want her to be used or taken.”

“She knows that you love her and that you’re an antiquated asshole,” I say. “With that, I’m off to Las Vegas.”

“Hang on, there’s some stuff you need to be aware of.”

* * *

When we arrivein Las Vegas, I immediately turn my phone on when I get the okay from the flight crew. I’ve got emails from Ash already, but I ignore those when I see the text from Athena.

ATHENA: Kash, I need your help.

I quickly type out a response.

KASH: Anything. Are you okay?

I stash my phone in my pocket, gather my crap, and deplane as quickly as possible, glad to be in the first class section, so that I can get off the plane before most of the other passengers. I love flying, but not like this.

Once we arrive at baggage claim, I pull my phone out again.

ATHENA: May I come visit you?

KASH: Of course, but I’m in Las Vegas for the foreseeable future.

ATHENA: That works for me, as long as I’m not cramping your style or anything.

KASH: You could never cramp my style. Do you want me to buy you a ticket?

ATHENA: I know you’re a millionaire or whatever, but I can handle my own travel. I’ll see you in a few hours.

KASH: What happened?

ATHENA: I’ll tell you when I get there.

Concern niggles at the back of my mind, but I push it aside so that we can get to our hotel. As soon as we’ve got our luggage, Declan points at the man in a suit holding a sign: Wystan Clan.

We all climb into the stretch limousine while the driver takes care of our bags.

“It’s nice of Jerrick to take care of us,” I mutter.

Declan scoffs, “He’s showing off because we’re in his territory. He finds his mate in Las Vegas so he buys out a casino.”

“It’s a nice gesture,” I say. “Stop being a grump about all this unless you want to talk about what you’re up to.”

“Don’t worry your pretty head about it, Kash,” Declan growls.

I just slump in my seat and stare out the window. I wonder what could possibly scare Athena so much that she would ask to be wherever I am. This is something big.

Krystana is the only one of us who seems genuinely excited to be here. I don’t blame her, and if it weren’t for the fact that I’m here on official clan business, I might share some of her excitement. I mentally start thinking through some of the Las Vegas things that we could do, to let her live a little with only the minor shackles of me as her companion.

We arrive at a hotel right in the middle of the Vegas strip: The Dragon’s Lair. I don’t know how smart it is for several dragons and their mates to be holed up at a hotel with a giant dragon breathing fire out in front and a big dragon display in the lobby too, but here we are.

We climb out of the limo and Declan helps the driver unload our stuff. We head inside and to the front desk.

“Mr. Wystan, Mr. Wystan, and Ms. Wystan. I’m so glad you made it safely. I hope your travels were smooth.”

The man behind the desk is in a concierge uniform that is black and red. Not surprising since Jerrick is a Garnet dragon. We all wear our colors like sports fanatics sometimes. The concierge is an older gentleman with gray at his temples. He holds himself much like a man from another time, arms pulled back behind him, shoulders back, ramrod straight spine, and chin tilted up.

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