Page 37 of Fire Dragon
Emma dropped down and pinned herself to Liam’s head. When the fire came, it would have destroyed an ordinary dragon. But Liam was a fire dragon and could take a lot. In addition, his energy shield created another layer of protection. She felt some heat but nothing more.
The dragon didn’t charge but swept by them.
Liam pivoted midair which lurched Emma’s stomach. Being attached to Liam’s energy, however, kept her secure against his neck. With her rifle kinetically drawn tight to her leg, she pulled her pistol into her hand.
She had only one option. Ethan had been right. Normally, she would have aimed for the eye, but she felt certain the vision shield was bulletproof.
Liam flew straight up, then flipped midair.
Another serious stomach lurch, but she’d had enough training to manage it. She also caught a glimpse of the battle beyond them, of vampires firing and darting at Magi through the thick air of the sandstorm.
The single Magi dragon was coming in fast with another burn, and only a dozen or so yards away. She could feel Liam tense and she understood this time the dragon intended to attack.
But Emma wasn’t in the mood to be rammed. Instead, she slowly rose to her knees, drew the pistol up to support it with her other hand and ignored the sudden staccato of her heart. She drew a deep breath. With the practice of hundreds of hours at the range, she fired repeatedly at the smoking hole of the dragon’s enormous nostril just as Ethan had instructed. Like human sinuses, the nasal cavity led straight to the brain.
His gaping maw opened. She saw flame build at the back of his throat. She fired repeatedly. At least one hit home, because the flames suddenly disappeared, the dragon jerked in the air then fell to the earth below.
She was breathing hard as she lowered her handgun. Taking a quick glance around, she hunted for the enemy, but the vampires had made quick work of taking the remaining fourteen out.
All twenty were on the ground. Most of the dragons, once hit with a killing shot, shifted back to human. But a couple had suffered flesh wounds and writhed on the ground in dragon form.
Liam flew over the battlefield then stopped to hover in the place where Ethan and his team had gathered in the air and were making a slow descent to the terrain below. There were only five flying.
Liam?
They lost one.
Oh, God.She’d been ready to celebrate a victory, but she knew what losing a team member meant.What should we do?
Wait for Ethan. He’ll come to us in a minute.
With the sandstorm dying down, Liam treaded air with slow beats of his black wings. Emma stretched out on top of his head and grabbed his front right horn by habit but kept her hand politely still.
Liam shifted trajectory and also descended, though slowly. From that angle she was able to see all the vampires. They were now on the ground and in a huddle around one of their fallen.
Her heart set up a few dull thuds.
Two of the vampires suddenly shouted.
Liam?Her heart leaped.
Here’s hoping.
The group of men stepped back, and the sixth vampire rose to his feet, unharmed. He received about a dozen backslaps.
Oh, I’m so glad.
Same here.
Ethan was smiling as he flew in their direction. His gaze was fixed on Liam’s broad dragon face. Because the wind had eased up, he levitated in front of Liam and spoke aloud, “He’s okay and I can’t thank you enough for serving our city like this. Both of you. Using your energy shield gave us an advantage we don’t usually have.”
“Our pleasure,” Emma responded.
Liam responded telepathically.We’d do anything for you, Ethan. You know that.
Yeah, I do.
Ethan floated effortlessly in the air. “I’ve got a clean-up crew heading in so feel free to take off. Liam, you can use the lake house, if you want. I’ll be in my city apartment and hunkered down for the day tomorrow.” His gaze shifted to Emma. “Glad to have met you, lovely one. If you’re ever back in my neck of the woods, be sure to call, especially if you find yourself free of other, er, encumbrances.” Then he laughed.
