Page 28 of Dragon in Boots

Weird. Weird. Weird. I am going to get to the bottom of this.

The moment the theater began emptying out, Jac cleaned up the bar. She noticed the guy, who’d been booed off the stage, yelling at someone in the corner.

“You were laughing at me!” he roared. “I did this to help you, and you were rolling on the damned floor.”

Jac did a double take. There was no one there.It’s got to be drugs in the alcohol.It wouldn’t be difficult to do, and it explained everyone’s bizarre behavior, including this guy’s.He probably had a drink when he got here.

Anger bubbled in Jac’s chest. Drugging customers for profit was wrong on so many levels.

Jac headed backstage to find Peepers or Mink and demand they end this sick, twisted scam. Jac was just past the door when she heard Dash’s deep, recognizable voice yelling in the staging area.

“Cimil, for the last time, it’s not going to happen. Got it?” he said.

“You listen good, my little dragon slave. The dragonettes will be here tomorrow night, and they’re expecting action.”

Wait. What?Jac continued eavesdropping. The female voice—whom he called “Cimil”—sounded like Mrs. Peepers.Why is she calling Dash her dragon slave?

Jac’s mind immediately jumped to the monster she’d seen in the sky. Had it been real?No, it can’t be.Dragons. Weren’t. Real.

“Well, I don’t care what they’re expecting; they’re not getting it,” Dash said firmly to Cimil.

“Their eggs must be fertilized,” Cimil countered, “or else there will be no more dragons. Is that what you really want?”

“What do I care?” Dash said. “I have my life, and I’m happy.”

“Your kind are all alike—only thinking of yourselves!” Cimil barked.

“And youfuckinggods only think about power and subjecting us all to your bullshit.”

Gods?Jac started feeling dizzy.

“Dashiel, the scrotum butter better be flowing tomorrow, or there will be hell to pay. Do you hear me?” Cimil said. “I want to see these walls dripping with sexy, hot bechamel! It’s the only way to make sure every egg is fertilized.”

Jac couldn’t believe what she was hearing. (A) Disgusting. (B) Dragons were real, and Dash was one of them?

No. No. Impossible.Maybe the two were rehearsing for a play or making adult fantasy films on the side, and these were their lines.

On the other hand, she had seen something in the sky tonight, and that something had spit fire.

“What do you want me to say?” Dash asked. “You need to deliver on your end of the bargain before tomorrow night, or no dragons. Either way, not my fucking problem.”

Jac heard a door slam—maybe Dash going to his dressing room.

Suddenly, Jac felt something hot and steamy on the back of her neck. She slowly turned her head to find two glowing red eyes beaming down at her. Jac’s mouth opened, but she couldn’t make a sound. Then something wet and warm swiped across her cheek, and for a split second, Jac could’ve sworn she saw a creature that looked like…like…

A unicorn?

Jac found her voice. “Help! Help!” She fell back on her butt. She needed to get the hell out of this place.

She flopped over onto her hands and knees, attempting to get to her feet, but whatever that thing was took hold of the back of her jeans.

Jac went flying through the air, landing facedown on the concrete floor.Ouch.Pain shot through her body.

“Dammit, Minky. Leave her the fuck alone.” Dash appeared, hovering over Jac protectively.

Jac heard a loud growl. Suddenly, Dash flew backwards onto the floor, too.

“Oh, you want to play, little unicorn?” Dash hopped to his feet and charged at whatever was attacking them. With his strong arms, he launched the invisible creature into the wall, leaving a big dent.

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