Read Defiant Dragon for Free Online

destination.”
    Pebbles crunched under his boots as he crossed the open space. “Not a chance, polýtimos . Now that I’ve found you, there is no way in hell I’m letting you out of my sight until I know you’re safe. Then I will find Drago and have a long talk with him as I beat the shit out of him.”
    “Tell me how you really feel, and stop calling me that.” She reared back. “What are you calling me anyway?”
    A few keys of classical music filled the area. Jax released her and set her on her feet. He reached into his jeans pocket and pulled out a cell phone. With a groan, he lifted the phone to his ear. The look on his face spoke volumes. His jaw tensed and he rolled his eyes heavenward. He kept his tone calm. Curious, she stayed close. Whoever Jax spoke to commanded his respect, maybe her dragon had connections that would aid her quest. He’d mentioned that he was special and in his sleep he kept referring to some kind of treasure. She knew nothing about the damn reptile’s laws. River ground her teeth. She still had no clue what the hell happened to Assan. So many variables. She watched the lizard pace. Could Jax be the ally she so sorely needed? There was only one way to find out. For the time being, she would stay close to the dragon.
    * * * *
    Kirill’s number flashed on the screen. The black dragon didn’t call unless he had something to say, and there was only one reason he would make the effort. It had to be about the Y Ddraig Goch. Over the last month as they worked on the addition to the cabin claimed by the Dragon Kings daughter, Synda. Kirill and Timur plotted their next move. Every decision was based on the clues Manx left them after his death. Kirill would be a fair and compassionate Dragonrex, and with Synda at his side, he truly believed this would be the start of a new era for the clans. Which was why they had his unwavering support, he just wished the damn dragon had better timing.
    “Evening, Kirill, I was about to head that way.”
    “Change your plans, Jax. I need you to head toward Sumatra.” Kirill’s heavy Russian accent thickened.
    “I’ve had a few things come up. Send Timur.” Jax ran through his list of safe lairs in his head if he wasn’t able to return to his current place on Fire Island.
    “No time. Timur has taken Ember and Elspeth to one of his homes. With the days growing longer, he will settle someplace else for the time being. Have you ever dealt with a pissed off gargoyle that wasn’t able to shift for a few weeks?”
    “Uh, no.” Jax clutched the phone and brought it closer to his mouth. “You go. I think I’ve found my mate.”
    Kirill’s burst of laughter annoyed him. He spoke several words in Russian.
    “I speak Greek, assassin, not Russian,” Jax grumbled.
    “I said if you found your mate, you wouldn’t think it, you would know it. You should learn my native tongue, it works wonders with the ladies.” Kirill enunciated each word.
    “I will tell Synda you said that. Regardless, you go to Sumatra.”
    “I can’t. Ember thought she saw a few of Drago’s men in town before she left. I don’t want to lead the bastards to the treasure.”
    “If that is where the Y Ddraig Goch is hidden,” Jax turned, following Rivers movements as he spoke.
    “If it isn’t, we are still one step closer.”
    “Why Sumatra?”
    “Synda found a coin with distinctive markings in a pyramid deep in the rainforest. Timur did some digging and found coins with same die cuts in a museum, only those were from Sumatra. Had you hung around until I got to the house, I could have told you. The minute you get there, call me.” Kirill hung up.
    Jax dropped his head. Why did everyone assume he had no life? He could hide River at his place in Seattle. He stared at the cell screen. Mags was only a phone call away. She’d be pissed, but assigning her to watch his mermaid was an option. If the myths were true, River needed to stay close to water. He really should have paid