Page 96 of Claimed by the Savage Dragons
No, I can't think of that, not while I’m here alone.
I hear far off talking that begins to get closer, and I realize it's a male voice, but he must be on the phone because I can't hear who he's talking to.
‘Yeah. As promised.’
‘Of course. I wouldn't come without the Tribute, but I’m the one who keeps her, and I join your leadership board. That’s what we agreed. She will be at my side at the dinner.’
‘Yes, of course, I'll be there.’
He hangs up when he's close, and I see a silhouette looming at the door. He flicks a switch, and I hear a delayed snap and a light flickers on overhead. I get my first look at Aziel. He’s nowhere as tall or bulky as I expected. In fact, he’s bordering on skinny. He doesn’t look lean, though, just weak. His beard is short, and his eyes are cold. The rest of his hair is blond, but greying a little at the temples, and I errantly wonder how many years dragons live before they go grey.
I guess if I ever get out of this, I can ask one of my dragons, but I try not to think of them right now. They’re coming. They have to be.
‘So, you must be Aziel,’ I say, raising my chin and looking at him defiantly.
He snorts at me, his eyes moving over me, lingering on my belly.
‘There was a time when your kind would at least give us Tributes who were unspoiled,’ he sniffs disdainfully and then rolls his eyes, ‘but I suppose a Tribute is a Tribute, so you'll have to do.’
He makes a noise of disgust.
‘What are you going to do with me?’ I demand.
‘You're coming with me. You're myinwith the Sky Demons. He’s been wanting a female Tribute in his quiver for some time.’
I wonder whoheis, but the dragon man doesn’t name names.
‘I don't understand. I’m just some human. I was chosen from a lineup by Tor,’ I snarl.
He tuts. ‘No. That may have been how it happened, but you were marked for it by the stars themselves. A Tribute is power and favor, and Drey gave you to his pathetic friends!’ he snarls. ‘You were meant to be mine!’
He sighs, a shaky hand coming up to smooth his hair and it seems to take a lot of effort for him to calm himself down.
‘But it doesn’t matter,’ he says with a wide, awful smile at me. ‘I’ve rectified Dreythos’ error. Now, you’re mine as you were meant to be and what you bring will be mine as well.’
There’s a righteous fervor in Aziel’s eyes and I realize two things from his words. One, he’s crazy. Two, the baby and I are in even more danger than I thought because he really believes this shit.
I need to buy time.
‘I don’t get it,’ I say. ‘Drey was gone. You had a faction. You were in charge. Why throw it all away?’
‘In charge? Of them?’ he sneers. ‘Those weak, pathetic excuses for warriors? They couldn’t even track down their own females after the bitches left! My father wasn't even a part of the Stormriders. He was Sky Demon. But because my mother was here, this is where I was raised. Below the others, never strong enough to wield the power that I deserve. My half-brother, Titus, was a great warrior, a leader of the Sky Demons. It should have beenmetaking his place after he was slain, but instead, I was stuck here playing second fiddle to Morcai and then that asshole, Dreythos. Pathetic idiots. Fools. All of them! I am the one who can bring the Sky Demons into the modern day. I’m the one who will protect our kind from the humans. Me!’
He nods vigorously, filled with his own righteousness.
My stomach cramps again. ‘Can I go to the bathroom?’ I ask.
He blinks and frowns at me as I bring him back from his grand daydream about subjugating my kind to my mundane urinary needs.
He rolls his eyes and turns away. ‘Soil yourself for all I care. You’ll be hosed down after we arrive, I’m sure. Though, I suppose I'll have to wait until you've given birth to your whelp before I can take my rights as your master.’
‘Where are you taking me?’
But he doesn’t answer, clearly finished talking to me, muttering something about having to wait for ‘those two idiots.
I shiver as he turns away, hoping I’m found soon.
At the door, he looks down the hallway and his nostrils flare.
