Page 45 of Training my Human

“Yes. He came with a woman and some men in what I believe are called hazmat suits.”

“Hunh. The group that showed up to harass Pip were in black combat fatigues. And no woman. Just the dick.”

“She might have suffered injury when I spewed my flame.”

Maddox stumbled. “When you what?”

“Along with my wings, my ability revealed itself. I am a fire-breathing dragon.”

“Well, shit. I wasn’t expecting that.” He paused. “Guess that explains the trailer burning down.”

A touch of chagrin did fill me at hearing that. “An accident. The flame burst from me suddenly when I was threatened. I only meant harm to those trying to kidnap me. Pip must be upset.”

“She is, but she was more worried about you.”

The warm feeling within made me think the fever returned.

“We should go assuage her concern,” I announced grandly. “Onward, my long-legged protector.”

It took Maddox longer to reach his borrowed vehicle than it would have taken flying, but once he started driving, he did so above the posted limits—with me hiding ignobly in the back under a blanket.

The entry to his domicile involved parking in an alley and me being stuffed in a duffel bag through which I could only hear. Our subterfuge also involved a convoluted route that took us through a laundromat, identifiable by the smell of detergent, followed by entry into a basement where he allowed me to emerge. I watched as he slid aside a shelving unit to reveal a locked door for which he had the key.

He glanced at me. “The previous owners of my shop and the building right next to it used to run a moonshine operation. They had this door put in so they could skedaddle if the cops showed.”

A secret passage. I heartily approved.

Passing through the opening led us to the next basement filled with neatly stacked boxes.

“We’re under my shop,” Maddox said in a low voice. “I’m gonna pop upstairs to make sure the coast is clear. Wait for my signal and then follow.”

I appreciated his caution even as I champed with impatience. What if Pip had been accosted during Maddox’s absence?

At the low whistle signal, I scampered up the steps and found myself in another storage room with Maddox standing by another door. “Interior stairs to the apartment. Head on up, bud.”

My eagerness had everything to do with my coming meal, and yet when I entered the apartment—having mastered doorknobs—did I head for the fridge?

Nope. I threw myself on Pip and wrapped myself around her.

And to anyone claiming I had tears in my eyes, I say it was allergies to the cat dander, because dragons don’t cry.

ChapterFifteen

I hugged my dragon tight,and my voice choked as I murmured, “Thank fuck you’re safe.”

“As if they could outsmart me,” Abaddon huffed. “Although, apologies for the destruction of your home.”

“You set it on fire?” I asked.

“Accidentally. I meant to roast the people trying to capture me.”

At the word roast, I froze. “Roast how? What happened?”

Maddox answered. “Seems bud here can breathe flames.”

“And I have wings,” Abaddon proudly announced.

I’d been so caught up in hugging my dragon that I’d not noticed the new appendages lying flat against his back.

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