Page 9 of To Fall for a Dragon

He didn’t wait for Hakko to respond. The dragon had a way of keeping Poe from his tasks. His openness and willingness to listen was a balm to Poe’s frazzled nerves. If Poe ever decided that the backwoods of Ontario weren’t for him, he’d stay with Hakko. He didn’t have preconceived notions or ingrained prejudices. He accepted people. Poe shook his head. No, getting involved wasn't in the cards. One more night and then he’d return to his home and disappear. He’d done it before, and he could do it again.

“What a surprise. My wee Poe, hanging out in the cemetery. You are a grim little boy, aren’t you?” Sawyer stepped around a pillar and leaned on it. He was wearing a heavier coat today. “This was where we met, wasn’t it?”

“Whatever you’re selling, I’m not buying,” Poe muttered. The trees rustled as they watched over him. The graveyard pines always protected him. It was because of them he'd managed to stay alive that night.

It was here that Sawyer had taken his humanity. It was here that Sawyer decided his victim could be anyone, and that meant Poe. Sawyer never offered Poe a choice or an option. Met Poe three times over the course of the new moon and afterwards disappeared from Granite altogether. He stole Poe’s life and left him in a pile of needles and compost.

The trees had been inconsolable as they'd done their best to save Poe. They'd rescued him, and he abandoned them. But they loved him anyway. Shaking off his dark thoughts, Poe faced Sawyer.

“I’m just saying I have fond memories of this place. We became acquainted in the summer, didn’t we? When this place wasn’t even in town.” Sawyer stepped close to Poe, his hands in his back pockets as he smiled. “No one cared about you, not even your responsible lover. You were so ripe for?—”

“I lived in the poorhouse. Of course, I didn't have anyone. Let it go, Sawyer. You were a big, bad guy, oooohh,” Poe interrupted Sawyer, bravery making him cocky.

Sawyer scowled at Poe’s frank admission. “You’re useless, and yet I need to bring you to the table. So, you’re coming with me. And God, seriously, find a drink. You’re fucking disgusting like this.”

The compulsion to listen to Sawyer was there, but Poe didn’t have the urge to act on it. Sawyer had been such a terrible sire that their bond never formed in Poe. “I have other plans, Sawyer. Go catch someone else.”

“Haven’t you ever wondered why you were drawn back? And yet here you are, and here I am. Aren’t you the least bit curious?” Sawyer asked, drifting closer. His dark eyes were fierce and hypnotic. Poe fought the urge to wonder and to listen. It was odd he'd chosen now to come home.

“It doesn’t matter, Sawyer. I have one reason to be here and then I’m out. Granite can kiss my ass,” Poe snapped. The trees recoiled, and a wave of sadness tangled Poe’s hair. He grimaced but remained focused on Sawyer. He didn’t trust him, not when he was being snake-like.

Whatever Sawyer expected from Poe was obviously not what Poe gave him. Sawyer’s scowl grew dark and demonic. His eyes glowed an unearthly yellow, and his fangs dropped. Bumps and ridges formed on his forehead, reinforcing the demonic look. It wasn’t natural. Vampires weren't TV show ripoffs. If anything changed, it was the size of their mouth as the incisors dropped for feeding. “Dearest Poe, you act as though this is optional. It's not. You will see the mayor when I tell you.”

Sawyer attempted to grab Poe’s arms, but he managed to dance away. The long sharp claws caught on Poe’s worn jacket, tearing a larger hole in the soft material. Clothing didn’t matter, not when he was trying to stay out of arm's reach of Sawyer.

Poe rubbed his arm. The freezing touch of Sawyer burned his skin with its frigidity. “I would thank you to not do that again. I don’t appreciate it. I’ve already told you. Whatever you and whomever you’re working with want, I don’t have it, nor would I give it to you.”

“You were created by me. You should be enthralled by me. Why aren’t you?” Sawyer hissed as he circled Poe. “You’re weak. I can see it in your bearing and in your skin. Come with me, Poe. Let me strengthen our bond. It’s so easy. Just follow me.”

Poe stumbled back, jabbing his foot into a headstone. He hissed at the sharp pain. Ignoring the sting dancing along his nerve endings, Poe slipped around the stone and continued walking backward to the river. His eyes stayed on Sawyer as he didn’t want him to take the inch Poe might permit him. Poe remained silent as he braced himself against the slope of the bank. Cold water would be licking his feet soon. He’d rather dive into the river than listen to Sawyer’s manipulations.

“Poe, dear, look at you. You have a chance at a better life. Come with me. Talk with the mayor. He has connections. You can finally be free of this hell you call living,” Sawyer whispered. His words wrapped around Poe, and for the first time, Poe pondered. He considered that Sawyer might be right and that Poe’s way of surviving was wrong. An image of warm golden-brown eyes made him waver. The dragon, with kindness built into his heart and soul, determined to help Poe was another path Poe had never imagined. “Goddamnit Poe. Youwilllisten to me.”

Poe arched an eyebrow at the imperious tone and stepped back once more. He winced at the shock of water nipping his feet, but kept going as the water went over his knees. The trees rustled in desperate worry as Poe continued to walk deeper into running water.

“Poe? What are you doing?” Hakko’s shocked question startled Poe, and he stumbled and fell into the icy water.

ChapterSix

Hakko heard voices in the cemetery. He hadn't meant to follow Poe. He had to make sure he was alright. Hakko had figured Poe heading toward the cemetery was okay. The land and the trees accepted Poe as one of their own.

When the wind gained energy and the trees rattled ominously, Hakko had to investigate. Poe's safety was of the utmost importance.

He found himself at the edge of the cemetery, and Hakko sneered at the skulking man trying to intimidate Poe. His words were meant to entice and enchant but failed miserably. Hakko stayed back and watched as Poe defended himself.

He hadn’t meant to startle Poe or have him trip into the river. Poe’s actions worried him, and he didn’t think about remaining silent. He rushed past the skulker and charged into the water, aiming for where Poe fell. He slid on a slippery rock under the surface when Poe appeared. He braced himself against the rushing water and slick ground for Poe to hang on to. “I’m so sorry.”

“Fuck, Hakko. Why?” Poe shook out his arms, trying to get rid of the excess wet.

“Poe, he’s not worth your time. Stick with me. I can make your life so much better if you just—” The man’s voice was silky and seductive to Hakko’s ears. The compulsion was strong, and Hakko had to stop himself from following. Hakko gazed at the man and recoiled. He might have sounded sexy and rich, but his appearance was wrong. His skin was stretched across his face and loose in other places. The brow ridge was pierced, leaving trails of blood.

“Oh, fuck off Sawyer. You’re a fucking liar and nuts if you think I’d even consider meeting your creepy-ass boss.” Poe scowled and trudged out of the water. Hakko hovered behind him, waiting for anything telling him he could help Poe. The river was cold enough to cause damage to a regular human, but Hakko wasn’t sure about vampires. Poe stood onshore and shook himself like a dog.

Hakko had stepped into some sort of confrontation, and he didn’t wish to antagonize Poe any more than he already had. Staring at the vampiric man, Hakko sneered as he remembered the asshole from the town meeting. Nothing came to mind, and all he had was an impression.

“This isn’t over, Poe. You are my progeny, and you will follow my will,” the demon shouted as he stormed away. Hakko tracked his progress and made sure he was off the museum’s land before ensuring Poe’s recovery.

“Do I need to worry about anything?” Hakko asked, offering a hand. He wanted to bundle Poe up, but he also needed to make sure the land and its inhabitants were safe.

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