Page 15 of Destiny of the Dragons

“Lots of dragons.” Mia stabbed a piece of chicken with her fork. “One of my friends is a clanless Diamond dragon.”

“We’ll come up with something.” Jace frowned. “There’s got to be something else he finds valuable.”

Mia didn’t have anything truly rare in her collection. All the stuff she kept from estate sales had sentimental value, but nothing monetary that would add up to half a million dollars.

Cross implied she could sleep with him as payment, but even if she could stomach it, there was no guarantee he would actually keep his end of the bargain. Money was a transaction that could be enforced.

Mia’s phone rang. Her mother probably wanted a status update.

It was Cross’s number.

“Yes?” Mia tried to sound serious, but the effort was wasted.

Cross had to shout over the loud screeching to be heard. “Come get your bird before I kill it! You can pay me later.”

“I’ll be right there.” Mia hung up and smirked. “Sounds like my familiar doesn’t enjoy the threat of being stuffed.”

She stood up, and both of the guys stood up with her. “Relax, I’ll be right back.”

Jace shared a look with Smoke.

She took a few steps down the street, and then turned around. “That means Smoke is going to follow me, doesn’t it?”

The corners of Smoke’s mouth turned up. “I don’t know what you’re talking about.”

“Yeah, we’re going to wait here like good boys,” Jace said. “You’re a powerful witch. You can handle yourself.”

“And yet?” Mia hid her smile. Encouraging them would only make them more protective.

“I mean, on the other hand, you can never be too cautious. This is the Troll Market after all.”

Mia sighed. “Someone has to watch our food.”

Jace waved. “Come back soon, jewels. Don’t have too much fun without me.”

Mia blushed and muttered “ass” under her breath. Now that Jace put the image in her head, she pictured Smoke pushing her up against a wall in an alleyway with quick, furtive touches.

She shook her head. “Why don’t you two go pick someone else up? You could have a supermodel. A wealthy heiress.”

Smoke shook his head.

“Why then?”

Smoke looked at her, before scanning the street again. “You smell good. Our dragons like you. You’re a powerful witch. You’re hot, and we want to bed you.”

Mia was glad she was walking. It gave her time to think. These things made sense, sort of. She knew dragons sensed magic in other people.

“Jace is better at talking,” Smoke muttered.

“Blunt is fine.” She stole at glance at him. She could have sliced a finger on his cheekbones, and the ponytail with a black bomber jacket only made him look more dangerous.

They rounded the corner again. Mia was getting tired of this damn street. “Wait here.” She crossed the street without him. If he followed her, there would be hell to pay.

He must have known it, because she entered the shop alone.

The ear-splitting shriek cut straight to her head. “Cross!”

Her griffin stopped for a moment, and then began cawing in earnest.

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