Page 27 of Hot for the Dragon

The café door suddenly burst open. Hugo stormed in with leaves swirling around his feet. "This is your fault, Hawke! Your reckless theft brought this attack on us!"

Archer's jaw clenched, his hand still wrapped around Daphne's wrist.

Daphne stepped closer to Archer's side. "Hugo, that's not fair-"

"Not fair?" Hugo's voice rose. "He antagonized Carmen and now look what happened! The town's half destroyed, more people are hurt, and it's because he couldn't resist showing off!"

Archer's fingers tightened around the hot chocolate mug, his jaw clenching harder as he stared down Hugo. The dragon inside him stirred, wanting to show this presumptuous witch exactly who he was dealing with.

"Excuse me?" Archer's voice carried the dangerous edge of a predator. "The Council dragged me into this mess. I was perfectly content leaving you all to your own devices until you came begging at my door."

"We asked for help, not for you to provoke Carmen into destroying half the town!" Hugo exclaimed.

"Right, because sitting around wringing our hands was working so well." Archer set his mug down with controlled precision. "Carmen was looking for any excuse to attack. At least now we've cut off her supplies."

"At what cost?" Hugo gestured wildly toward the windows. "Look outside! Buildings are burning, people are hurt-"

"And more would be dead if I hadn't been here to stop them." Archer stepped forward, using his height advantage to loom over Hugo. "But by all means, tell me more about how we should do nothing out of fear."

"There's a difference between doing nothing and being reckless-"

"Enough!" Daphne's voice cut through their argument like a blade. Both men turned to find her standing with her hands on her hips, green eyes flashing. "This isn't helping anyone."

Nina's purple sparks were starting to dance around her fingers as she watched the confrontation. The café's other patrons had pressed themselves against the walls, trying to stay clear of the brewing storm between the dragon shifter and the witch.

"Archer." Daphne's tone brooked no argument as she grabbed his arm. "Outside. Now."

Something about her commanding tone stirred both his irritation and his curiosity. Archer allowed himself to be led toward the door, though he couldn't resist throwing one last smirk over his shoulder at Hugo's thunderous expression.

13

DAPHNE

Smoke lingered in the air as Daphne led Archer away from the Cauldron & Cup. Her fingers remained wrapped around his forearm, feeling the tension in his muscles. Debris littered the cobblestone street - scorched awnings, broken glass, and scattered merchandise from the shops.

"Look," she said, releasing his arm and gesturing to where a group of people huddled together in the street. "Instead of arguing with my brother, help me check on everyone."

Archer crossed his arms. "I don't do community service."

"Well, today you do." She marched toward the group, knowing he'd follow despite his protests. "Besides, you just saved half of these people. You might as well make sure they're okay."

"That was different. That was fighting."

"And this is cleaning up after the fight." She knelt beside an elderly woman whose hands shook as she clutched her purse. "Mrs. Bennett? Are you hurt?"

"Just rattled, dear." The woman's eyes darted to Archer, who loomed behind Daphne like a storm cloud. "Is he... safe?"

"Safer than those other dragons," Daphne said firmly. She helped Mrs. Bennett to her feet, steadying her with gentle hands. "Archer, would you mind walking her home? She lives just around the corner on Maple."

"I don't-" He caught Daphne's look and sighed. "Fine. Come on, ma'am."

As they walked away, Daphne heard Mrs. Bennett say, "You know, you're much more handsome than the rumors suggest."

"The rumors also say I eat people," Archer replied dryly.

"Do you?"

"Only on Tuesdays."

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