Off the Map: The Lost Girls by Jane Tara

Author:Jane Tara [Tara, Jane]
Language: eng
Format: epub
Publisher: Roadmance Books

19

Mae, Dina, Ada and Frankie all faced Bor, a wall of unified disbelief.

Mae was the first to speak. “Where we come from, that type of talk will get you arrested.”

“Or slapped,” Frankie added.

“Was something lost in translation?” asked Dina.

Drago was clearly embarrassed and tried to retrieve the situation. He gave Bor a slap across the back of his head and chastised him in Slovenian first, and then said, “Man, I’ve told you to have more English lessons. You are so embarrassing.” He turned to the girls and tried to explain. “I think we’re having a cultural difference here, and Bor’s bad English doesn’t help. See the bridge up ahead?”

Hana decided to help him out a bit. “With the dragons at each end? I’ve already read about it.” She pulled the pamphlet from her bag and opened to the section that described the Dragon Bridge.

Drago nodded. “It’s called the Dragon Bridge. Very original. You may have noticed that there are a lot of dragons here in Ljubljana?”

“Hard to miss,” Dina said.

“It is believed that the founder of this city slayed a dragon. Anyway, we have a weird thing for dragons. In fact, there aren’t just four dragons on the bridge. If you want to come and have a look, there are sixteen more. But according to local legend, and this is what Bor was talking about, when a virgin crosses the bridge, the dragons will wag their tails.”

Hana passed the pamphlet to Mae. “It’s true. I read it earlier today.”

“Bor was not making a suggestion, but rather making a joke.” Drago shot his friend a look. “But he’s not very funny.”

Bor looked suitably chastened. “I’m not funny. I’m famous for not being funny.”He smiled at the girls, genuinely sorry. “Sorry. I didn’t mean to make you uncomfortable.”

Frankie was the first one to step forward. “Don’t worry about it. Apology accepted. I know a genuine apology when I hear one.”

Hana felt the dig at her.

Mae was scanning the pamphlet. “Okay, Bor, you’re forgiven, but I still can’t help but think this legend of yours is a little misogynistic. Do the dragons wave their tails for males as well as females?”

Bor looked somewhat embarrassed. “Only female. In fact, I’ve never considered how inappropriate this is until today. I should start a petition.”

Mae turned to her friends. “How do we address misogyny while still respecting cultural differences?” She threw her hands up in the air. “There are so many confusing layers to being a feminist.”

Dina looped her arm around Mae’s neck and pulled her in for a hug. “You’re sixteen. You’re doing okay.”

“Let’s go see the bridge.” Frankie walked ahead of them.

Drago looked at Hana, gauging her mood. “Is that okay?”

“Of course. I’d love to see the dragons close up.” She gave him a sexy side-glance. “Just don’t expect me to cross the bridge, because what those dragons might know about me is none of your business.”

Now it was Drago’s turn to blush, Hana noticed, thanks to a street lamp above him.

They caught up to the others as the group all made their way to the bridge.

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