Page 49 of Training my Human

“As if I’d let you move in alone, and besides, you need my truck seeing as how little bud is too big for your saddlebags now.”

Duh. I’d completely forgotten the bugger had grown again. Good thing one of us was using their head. Actually, in Maddox’s case, he used two. Snicker.

“While I was out, I also grabbed some groceries.”

“You and Leo must share a brain,” I said with a laugh. “Apparently, he had the fridge and pantry fully stocked as well.”

“Well, considering a certain someone’s appetite, you’ll need it.” We both eyed Abaddon, now the size of a medium dog, who’d moved on from the chips and was eating directly from a box of Honeycombs while Princess sat on a stool, tail swishing.

“How are we getting him into the truck without being seen?” I asked.

“I’ve got a duffel bag that’s roomy enough for him.”

“Oh, he’s going to bitch about that.”

“Wouldn’t be the first or last time.” Maddox chuckled.

But to our surprise, Abaddon willingly entered the zippered luggage with a bag of beef jerky and cookies.

The ride to Leo’s estate took about twenty minutes, the first ten minutes spent craning backwards to see if we were followed.

“You can stop giving yourself a neck cramp. We’re clear,” Maddox murmured softly. “I’ve been keeping an eye on traffic.”

I leaned back in the seat and sighed. “Being paranoid is exhausting.”

“Well, if you’re boss’s security is as good as you say then you should be able to relax.”

I snorted. “Doubtful. If Mr. Stick-Up-His-Ass shows up again flashing an actual warrant, I’m fucked. Leo might be a rebel about the machine, but even he avoids trouble with the law. As he should. I don’t want him having any issues because of me.”

“I think if that asshole were legit, he’d have had all his paperwork in order when he descended on your place. More likely we’re dealing with some fringe group that thought they could bully you into giving them what they wanted.”

“A fringe group?” I repeated with a chortle. “Like, what, you think they belonged to the Society of Dragon Collectors?”

“You laugh, but I wouldn’t be too surprised if one existed. I mean, there are other examples of odd sects like the Templar Knights or the Illuminati.”

Could he have a point? “Guess if some such cult did exist, they’d know the basics about dragons. I just wish I knew what they planned to do with Abaddon. It would be one thing if they wanted him so they could worship and serve him, but another if they wanted to dissect or use him nefariously. I wonder what happened to the other dragon Abaddon heard them referring to?”

“Assuming they already have one, they’ve obviously not done anything public with it yet. I haven’t seen anything about fire-breathing dragons in the news or on social media,” Maddox pointed out.

“Not all of us breathe fire,” came a muffled reply from the back.

I craned despite not being able to see my Little Fella amidst the grocery bags. “What else can dragons do?”

“Lightning. Acid. Water. Wind.”

“Hot damn. A water dragon would be cool for my garden when we get summer droughts.” Yeah, I said it on purpose and Abaddon fell for it.

“Water dragons are the weakest,” Abaddon squeaked.

“Doesn’t water put out fire?”

“Water douses, but fire burns. Water won’t tumble castles or do more than soak a person, whereas fire can destroy entire towns.”

“Speaking of burning down shit, no fire inside the barn! We need that place to live,” I admonished.

“I’m not stupid or careless,” Abaddon muttered.

“Just putting down some ground rules.” Then to soften my order, added, “I can’t wait for you to roast me some marshmallows.”

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