Discarded (Shifter's Vault Book 1) by Maggie Alabaster

Author:Maggie Alabaster [Alabaster , Maggie]
Language: eng
Format: epub
Published: 2021-08-02T16:00:00+00:00

12

Bain

"Are you certain about this?" I asked.

"Aren't I always?" Dex replied. He straightened his sword belt and gave himself a nod in the mirror.

Usually," I agreed. "But hunting airborne dragons is dangerous." Not to mention leaving the residence for perhaps days.

Dex turned and grinned. "That's half the fun. The thrill of the chase."

"The potential to be eaten," I pointed out. "Or clawed to death."

"Would you prefer I curl up on a chaise in the shade and read a book?" Dex chuckled.

"Yes, I would prefer that," I agreed. "I can find you a good adventure book. Maybe one with pirates."

Dex laughed harder and shook his head. "You've missed your calling, my friend. You should have been a nursemaid." He snapped his fingers. "It's not too late to change jobs, but I'd have a Hades of a time replacing you. Maybe Kerina—"

"I don't want to be a nursemaid," I said firmly. "I also don't want to scrape your remains off a dragon's talon." Nor did I want to do anything which might put the Keeper at risk. That included leaving the residence. Staying might be dangerous as well, but here I was more confident I could ward off any threats until I decided what to do with Viva.

I glanced around at the servants who bustled around the Keeper's quarters. I had known all of them since I was a kid. Many I used to play with in the residence gardens, or the streets of the Vault. I liked to think I could trust all of them, but right now I could barely trust myself.

Kerina hadn't spoken to me the whole way back to the residence or when I saw her in the dining room off the kitchen that morning.

She made it clear she couldn't trust me either.

I sighed softly.

"All right, out with it." Dex planted his fists on his hips and looked at me with concern. "You've been stomping around like a headless elephant all morning."

"I'm reasonably certain elephants without heads don't stomp," I said dryly. "Or do much of anything."

"Possibly not, but you do. You're usually excited at the idea of a hunt." Dex cocked his head. "It's usually your idea."

"That's true," I conceded. "But after all the strange happenings and talk of unrest, do you really think it's a good idea to go?"

"Wise?" Dex rubbed his chin. He looked as though he hadn't shaved for a few days. "We need to know why a dragon attacked the city and flew off with a perfectly good horse. Thank Hades that was all he did." At least, we had received no reports of injuries, death or anything other than folks seeing the dragon pass overhead. Of those reports, there were plenty. The creature caused quite the spectacle.

"You could send Trevor and a contingent of soldiers out to look for it," I said. "A company of archers, maybe a cannon. There's no need for you to go yourself."

"I'm starting to wonder if it's you who doesn't want to go," Dex said lightly. "Would you prefer to stay here? I'm sure Kerina would welcome the chance to lead.

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