Page 26 of To Fall for a Dragon

Elijah stood at the front entrance to the museum, alone. He had no bodyguards or underlings at his side. His eyes were dark as the abyss as he waited for Hakko to acknowledge him. Hakko sent Ethan from the room, as it wasn’t necessary for him to hear the poison dripping from Elijah’s mouth.

“Hakko, good evening. I thought I’d pop by before your crowd to see if you’d be willing to talk with me,” Elijah said. His voice was wrong. It grated on Hakko’s ears with its staticky feedback and tonal quality.

“No.” Hakko crossed his arms and blocked the door. His spinal plates tore through his shirt as he fought the urge to shift. He had a duty to protect every soul in the museum from all threats.

“Hakko…” Elijah said. He glided up the half dozen stairs to stand in front of Hakko. Hakko winced at Elijah’s rough appearance. His face was stretched and saggy. Horns tore through the flesh of his forehead, allowing thin lines of blood to trail down his face.

“Elijah, or should I say Hastur?” Saying Hastur’s name terrified the humans in town, but because of Hakko’s dragon, the presence of demons never bothered him. Hakko inhaled through his nose and allowed smoke to exit. He needed to become larger than Hastur, more dominating and intimidating. “Why are you here?”

“You know why. You’re a smart dragon. You connected the dots. The land is alive. I want it. I want your broken toy as well. He has a connection that I didn’t consider. He’s so much more than the green godling.” Hastur hovered close to Hakko as though that would scare him. So Hakko crossed his arms and waited.

Hastur cocked his head jerkily to the side. As he blinked, one eyelid refused to work. “Move, dragon. You do not have the strength or the power to deny me. I can raze this building if I snap my fingers.”

“No, you may not enter. I am the caretaker and a voice for the voiceless. You are not welcome here. They do not trust you to have their best interests in mind,” Hakko said while smoke puffed out his mouth.

Hastur arched his eyebrow and smirked. “If you bar the mayor from the exhibit, you know that’s going to cause concern for the public. Really, Hakko, you should think before you speak. I’d like to see how things are set up now. Read the pretty notes you have.”

“I’m afraid nothing’s quite ready yet for public viewing. Elijah will just have to wait until evening.” Hakko stood his ground. His claws dug deep into his palms as he fought for control of the situation.

“That’s too bad. It’s not even dusk yet, so I can’t say hello to your toy. How is he doing? I’ve heard he’s the cause for all the angry ghosts here.” Hastur leaned to the side to peer into the building. Hakko mimicked him, blocking his sight line.

“It’s a building with a terrible past. It’s no wonder there are ghosts. Sir, leave. You have not been given permission to enter. Return during the gala and do your best then.” Hakko retreated into the main lobby and closed the door, a note of finality sounding as it latched shut.

Hakko sighed and pinched the bridge of his nose. Somehow, he was going to have to demon-proof the museum or create a barrier in a way Hastur wouldn’t notice. “Fuck.”

“Hakko?” Ethan’s voice wavered as he shuffled into the lobby. He was a pale green, and his webbed fingers flexed on a wooden ladle. Ethan was so good at hiding his kappa self unless he was relaxed or terrified.

“It’s fine. It’s fine. I just need a minute.” Hakko paced the length of the lobby. Ideas and wishes were tossed out and abandoned as fast as they appeared in his head. Hastur was too impossible to contain. “Can you contact your witch friend? See if he can get here before anyone else arrives?”

“I can try. What’s going on, Hakko? Do I have to prepare for another incident?” Ethan clutched his ladle close to his chest.

“Are you okay? Do you need to sit this out? If this is too much, please let me know. I am so sorry, Ethan.” Hakko’s need to protect swamped him as he led Ethan to a nearby bench.

“It was just shocking. I’ve never seen the mayor like that. He’s always been so polished,” Ethan said anxiously. Hakko went to the nearby office and grabbed a glass filled with cucumber water. He sank to his haunches and helped Ethan hold the drink. “Thank you, Hakko.”

“I won’t let him ruin tonight. You will be safe with me,” Hakko promised. He gazed at the wooden doors. Hastur was planning something, and Hakko needed to be prepared.

ChapterFifteen

Poe woke up cold, and wishing he wasn’t in the storage closet. A feeling of dread had settled over him. Something had happened, and enough residual fear agitated the spirits.

Glancing around, Poe spied no one hiding in the corners, or anyone at all in the workroom. A pinch of hurt touched his heart as he realized he was alone. For some silly reason, he had hoped maybe Hakko would have been waiting for him.

The press of ghosts shoved him along until he was in the main museum. For an event that was happening in a few hours, there wasn’t a lot of activity.

It worried Poe.

“Hakko? Anyone?” he called out. Nothing. Poe searched every room until he found himself in the lobby, where it seemed like a tornado had gone through it.

Ethan, the assistant, was clutching a cup and a ladle. Hakko paced, his physical tail swishing angrily with every step, hitting things with no care whatsoever. His dragon was agitated.

“Hakko?” He tentatively placed a hand on Hakko’s arm, feeling the rough texture of raised scales.

Hakko whipped his head around and glared at Poe. His humanity was an afterthought. Black horns curled high on his forehead. His eyes were reptilian gold fire, and smoke drifted out of his mouth as he spoke. Poe bared his teeth, posturing for the creature before him. A moment passed before he remembered that it was Hakko. “Poe.”

“I don’t know what’s going on, but nothing good. Are you okay?” Poe asked, glancing between Hakko and Ethan.

“The King in Yellow decided to visit. I denied him. It was ugly. So, I demand you remain in the cottage tonight.” Hakko straightened his shoulders as he tried to intimidate Poe.

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