Page 7 of Dragon's Flame
“It says, ‘I look amazing, and you’re welcome,’” Sarah countered. “What’s wrong with that?”
Kenna stuck her tongue out at her, but her phone beeped, drawing her attention.
Her chest tightened when she saw the message:
Can’t wait to see you!
Her fingers hovered over the screen for a second before she typed back,Me too!
She stared at the words, smiling. The nerves eased, just for a moment—replaced by a flicker of hope.
Tonight?
Sexy everything.
5
TARIAN
Tarian used his phone to find a place to buy clothes and essentials, leaving the dog in the car. Afterward, he drove to the place he intended to use them: a nice hotel downtown.
The woman behind the counter hesitated when he asked for a room, her nervous gaze flicking over him, reinforcing his decision to change his appearance. She looked ready to refuse until he waved the black card Rax had given him, while pushing with a little magic, and then everything went swimmingly.
No one noticed the little dog trotting beside him down the outdoor hallway to the room. The dog peed on a column outside, then hesitated, tail wagging cautiously as Tarian unlocked the door.
“I get to go in? With you?” the dog asked, tilting its head.
“I don’t see why not. But on one condition,” Tarian said, glancing down at it. “I’m not the only one who needs a bath.”
The dog took a step back and growled. “No way.”
“Yes way.”
Tarian had considered the dog’s potential uses back at the store. No matter how much TV he’d watched or how many lectures Rax had given him about Earth, things would be much easier if he had a creature he could rely on for good advice.
But the dog looked ill-kept, and it was just as smelly as he was. If he was going to get close to Seris again, he wouldn’t risk losing her over a stinky dog.
He crouched, holding the dog’s gaze. “Wouldn’t you like to never worry about food again? Never having to go through trash to eat?”
The dog’s eyes widened. “Going through trash is one of my favorite things.”
Tarian groaned. “Then what else might I bribe you with?”
The dog seemed to consider this, his shaggy tail twitching. “I want to be dog-king of the six-block area. Where you found me. I want all the dogs, from the McDonald’s to the Safeway, to acknowledge me as their ruler.”
Tarian raised an eyebrow. “That sounds like something I can help with. You help me with my goals, and I will install you as dog-ruler when we are through.”
The dog wagged his tail harder, clearly delighted. “Deal!”
Tarian hid a smile. “And what do they call you, oh future king of dogs?”
“Rocky,” the dog proudly announced, twisting his head. “It’s on my collar. You can see it right there.”
Tarian leaned closer, and sure enough, beneath the tangled, matted hair, there was a collar. Dangling from it was a metal bone with the name engraved.
“I am Tarian,” Tarian said, offering his open hand.
Rocky bumped against Tarian’s palm with the wet tip of his nose. “Nice to meet you,” he said, wagging his tail furiously. “So what kind of adventure are we talking here?” he asked, trotting into the hotel room like he owned it.
