Page 50 of Training my Human

“They shall be golden perfection,” Abaddon boasted.

When we arrived at Leo’s ranch, a sprawling few hundred acres of fields and forest, Maddox whistled. “Does that fence run the whole length of it?”

The metal barrier with rods spaced barely far enough to stick an arm through rose ten feet with the top of it barbed. Bolted to it at intervals were signs.No Trespassing. Private Property. Under Surveillance.

“Yup, the whole way around. Leo said his grandad had it erected because of a fight with another rancher. Something about cattle rustling.”

“Must have cost a fortune.”

“Leo’s family made a lot of money back in the day.” And Leo continued the tradition despite not being a rancher. Turned out renting land could also be lucrative—and less work.

“You have a code to get in?” Maddox stopped his truck by the front gate and opened his window so he could use the keypad.

I recited the alphanumeric string and he punched it in. The gate whirred and shifted on its mechanized track, giving us entry. The long driveway went for a quarter kilometer before reaching the house, but we turned left at the first fork and followed it for a click before reaching a large barn surrounded by paddocks.

Maddox whistled at the sight of the building. “You know, when you said barn, my mind immediately went to big, red, wooden shed.”

“As if Leo would own something so outdated.” The structure before us gleamed, the metal roof and siding immaculate, broken only by windows and doors. A small door for people and massive double for the horses. Currently, the barn held no animals. When Franco, the groom employed to handle the care and training of the horses, died, Leo chose to sell off his stallion and three mares rather than replace the man.

“Take in the duffel while I snag the groceries. Wouldn’t want the ice cream and fudge bars melt,” Maddox stated, sliding out of the truck.

As I hefted the zippered bag, I glanced around and noted a camera mounted to the barn facing the driveway. A blinking red light indicated it was recording. I’d have to ask Leo about turning it off. While I craved the security of the perimeter, I didn’t want Abaddon to have to hide all the time while we stayed here. A growing dragon needed fresh air. But what excuse could I use with my boss? I’d have to think of something plausible.

I entered the building and spotted another camera monitoring the line of stalls. Dammit. I’d have to warn Abaddon to not leave the loft apartment until I had those recording devices handled. However, before I called Leo to ask a favor, I’d get my dragon and myself settled.

The duffel bumped my leg as I climbed the spiraling steps to the second level. At the top, I unlocked the door and entered a spacious, open concept living space with massive windows overlooking the pastures. A great view of the open space. Wouldn’t be easy for anyone to sneak up from that direction.

“Can I get out now?” Abaddon asked.

“Give me a second to check the place out.” Did Leo have surveillance even inside the private apartment? I perused all the walls and ceiling before relaxing enough to say, “It’s safe to come out, but don’t be plastering yourself in the window until I know if this area gets any traffic.”

Abaddon emerged cautiously and sniffed as he waddled around the space before flopping on a shag rug in front of a cold fireplace and declaring, “This is acceptable.”

I snorted. “Glad you like it since it’s our home until we figure out our next move.”

“Our next move should be to vanquish the hunters.”

“Oh, just that?” I queried. “Easy peasy.”

“What’s easy?” Maddox asked as he entered laden with bags.

“Little Fella thinks we just need to eliminate the goons looking for him and all will be good.”

“Why do all that work when you can just go after whoever is paying them?” Maddox asked, heaving the bags onto the large island.

“That’s assuming it’s a single person giving them orders and not the government.”

“The more I think about it, the more I get the impression we’re dealing with a private player. This is Canada, after all. Our government takes forever to get anything done and usually only starts after years of pointless studies.”

My lips quirked. “Good point.”

“I’m hungry,” Abaddon stated. “Do I smell watermelon?”

“Yup.” Maddox pulled it from a cloth bag and my dragon moved so quick, I expected to see sparks.

“Gimme!” He held up his hands for it.

“Excuse me?” I huffed, hands planted on my hips.

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