Page 10 of Wild Fire

“Please tell me there are no T-Rex or Velociraptor shifters.”

Again, the deep, sexy chuckle filled the Jeep. “Not to my knowledge.”

“If not the hospital, do your people have any doctors or vets or whatever?”

“We do, but I am uncomfortable trusting or involving anyone else in what’s going on at the moment. I should heal with just a bit of rest. It might not hurt to have the cuts cleaned and dressed. Any good drugstore should have what we need. If you would spot me the money, I would be appreciative and will see that you are reimbursed.”

Warrick leaned back into the seat as Dani sped through the streets of Seattle, doubling back and taking a circuitous route to find a pharmacy and pick up the supplies Warrick had indicated he would need. Deciding he would need some clothes, Dani found the men’s section of activewear and purchased a pair of sweats, sweater, socks, and sneakers she thought would fit. He could go commando until he could shop for himself.

Tossing her purchases in the back, she could tell Warrick had been dozing by the way he startled awake.

“It’s okay, big guy. Just me.”

He smiled wanly. He looked as if he were in a lot of pain and that he had reached the end of his reserves.

“There is no ‘just’ you. You have proven yourself to be more than enough and a capable warrior.”

“Thank you very much. Can I assume then that you won’t be having me for a crunchy snack with ketchup?” making a reference to a popular meme.

“Of course,” he said with a drowsy smile. “I prefer my humans with a side of ranch.”

Dani glanced over at him, saw the smile, and shook her head. “Not funny, Warrick.”

“It was a little funny,” he cajoled.

“Well, maybe, but only a little.”

Warrick’s answering smile and exhausted sigh made Dani peaceful and happy. He seemed to instinctively know she wouldn’t betray him, and she wouldn’t. She drove out of the city, checking her rearview mirror to ensure they were not being followed. She thought she saw a battered truck behind them, but it faded away and she continued on her journey—to where and to what end, she had no clue, but for now they were reasonably safe, and it would have to be enough.

CHAPTER 5

WARRICK

There had been a tremendous thundering in his head since early evening. It seemed his tasty snack—what was he going to call her? A companion? A comrade? A friend? Maybe it was easier to stick with tasty snack and he wouldn’t mind making a tasty snack of her. At her request, he’d managed to pull on the sweatpants and sweater she’d purchased for him.

“I think I should mention that dragons don’t normally wriggle into clothing in the front of a car.”

“It’s a Jeep, and better you look at least presentable if a taller vehicle drives by.”

“You humans do have a hangup regarding nudity.”

“Do dragons just wander around letting it all hang out?”

“Unfortunately, no. We’ve been forced to conform to some human eccentricities during the last millennia.”

“And before that?”

“Dragons mostly wore loincloths, while our drakaina were not allowed to cover their beauty until they were bonded and mated.”

Dani snorted. “Good to know men are men be they dragon or human. I suppose you much preferred having the women around you naked.”

“Much,” he agreed. “Women are creatures of beauty and grace and should be admired.”

“Well, we women also won the right to vote, drink, and have our own money,” she said, shaking her head. “And what do you mean by ‘the last millennia?’”

“Dragons existed long before humans began recording time,” he answered evasively. While dragons in general enjoyed a longer lifespan, his brethren among the Phantom Fire were immortal. “Where are we going? I assumed you lived in the city?”

“I do, but if they caught my license plate, I worry they can track me to my home. I’m headed for Issaquah,” she said checking the rearview mirror. “There’s a guy that owns a place that sits right on the border of Tiger Mountain State Park. I’ve stayed there a couple of times. I texted him when I was waiting in line at the store. I also picked up enough groceries to last for a couple of days—at least, I hope there’s enough. You seem to have an appetite. Anyway, there’s a lot of ways in and out of the area, whether we have a vehicle or not.”

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