The Dragon God

Chapter Five

The longer they went without hearing any signs of life, the more frightened Ina became. She was unable to look out from her place on Ivan's back. His wings were too broad, and the space between them was wide enough for her to lay, but not really large enough to move around on in her position. Ina kept her hands firmly against either one of his axillar, fingers curling just over the joint where the appendage met the muscle of his shoulders.

Ina shut her eyes tightly. The silence was too much, despite the ambient sound of the air moving around them. She put her face against the large, thick scales of Ivan's back. Each of the scales, though they differed in size, was thick, white in colour, and nearly rectangular at the tip. She couldn't hear them moving against one another over the sound of his leathery wings adjusting, the wind beneath them causing a strange snap on occasion. The rain made her hair stick to her neck and face. It froze against her skin as the wind cut over Ivan's body. Her fingers were numb.

Ina needed to focus on something that was not the smell of the smoke they were using for cover, or the chill of the rain. With Jack overhead, Ina wasn't getting half as wet as she might have if it had been just Ivan flying alone, but she was still wet, and the current of air that passed between Ivan and Jack was making her shiver. She'd stink like smoke, blood and god-only-knew what else forever.

If Ivan knew she was shivering on his back, he made no mention of it.

By the time they stopped flying, Ina had lost all track of time. She had no idea how long they'd been going, and without any sort of familiar scenery to look out for while she'd been on Ivan's back, there was no way of knowing how far they'd traveled, either. When Ivan headed down into the trees below them, Ina gripped him tighter than she had before, bracing herself for a rough impact. The enormous dragon was a lot more graceful than she gave him credit for, though. He landed on his rear legs first, and then dropped to his front ones with a soft thump.

Prying her fingers from his wings, Ina heard him breathe heavily before Jack landed beside them in equal grace.

"Are you alright, Ina?"

Hell no, she wasn't alright. That was a stupid question!

"Cold." Her teeth were chattering. Sitting up, she looked around, reaching up to rub her arms. The friction did little to lessen the chill that had settled in during the flight. Ina wished very much that she'd worn a pantsuit that day, rather than a skirt and stockings. Never mind the fact that she didn't even have a sweater to keep her partially shielded. Ina had to grab onto Ivan's back again when he shifted to look back at her.

The slits of his blue eyes were wide enough that he didn't look entirely feral, but it was hard to process that these belonged to her boss. There was a grunt, and then a nod, before he looked back at his cousin.

Ina watched as the two exchanged silent glances before Jack snorted. He sniffed and turned his eyes on Ina. She shrank against Ivan again, instantly remembering the way that Arthur had looked at her when she'd been hiding. There was nothing about the way Jack looked at her that felt as malevolent as it did with Arthur. Maybe it was because she was still feeling the residual fear and horror over what had just happened in the city.

Ina didn't move a second time. She shivered, and then gasped when Jack inhaled sharply and opened his mouth. Fearing for her life, Ina put her face against Ivan.

"Jack?" A voice echoed through the trees. "Jack?"

Ina didn't lift her head, despite her confusion. She heard a grunt and several footsteps, but nothing else for several seconds, before she heard the familiar voice of the male that had come barging into the office to let Ivan know he needed to get out. She opened her eyes again, and lifted her head.

Jack had changed back into his human form, and was hugging an unfamiliar male, despite his nudity. The red-haired man kissed Jack on the lips. He smiled at something Jack uttered under his breath. Whatever it was, Ina couldn't hear, but Ivan must have. He grunted in irritation, making his back jump enough to bounce Ina in place.

"We're still here, you two."

The redhead grinned sheepishly. He released Jack, and then tipping his head as though seeing Ina for the first time, he lifted a hand and waved. "Hey."

Ina finally found the resolve to release Ivan's back, sliding down to the ground. Her shoeless feet sank into the muddy grass. The moisture wicked up into her torn stockings, making her grimace at the sensation and wrap her arms around herself. Was this man also a dragon? Another disguised monster, just waiting for her to drop her guard? He was clothed, but that didn't mean much, it seemed. After all, Ivan had been clothed at the start of the day, too.

"Hi." Ina's voice had become surprisingly dry.

"Ryan." The other man didn't extend his hand. "Ryan McNealy." He eyed her. "I'm not one of them, if you're wondering." She was. Ina had to wonder about everyone, now. "My mate..." He paused, and shook his head. "Husband. My husband, Jack. Well. You already saw him." He flipped his hand back to motion to the naked man behind him. "Human, though. Me, I mean." He cleared his throat. "Sorry. Let me try that aga—"

"It's fine." Ina didn't have the patience at the moment. She realized that Ivan was changing back into his human form. His body shrank just behind her, and Ina did her best to focus on looking forward. Looking forward without looking at Jack. "I'm Ina."

Ryan nodded his head, seemingly understanding that the woman had no interest in trying to give further information.

"I'm sorry, Jack brought us here," Ivan apologized.

"Everyone's in an uproar." Ryan nodded his head. "Arna's been nested all day, but she sent me a text earlier telling me that I should get out here to the cabin." He turned his eyes to Ivan, staring right over Ina's head. "Your father's gone and put the word out about the humans in the community. Nobody's safe."

Jack nodded his head, putting his hands on Ryan's shoulders. Ina knew the gesture. She'd seen her brother do it to Andreanna a few times before.

"I imagine that's why Jack brought us out here." Ivan spoke lowly and with intent. His voice was just above her. Ina fought the urge to look back at him. "My own nest isn't far from here." There was clear hesitation. Ina couldn't help but tip her head towards Ivan. "But I haven't used it in probably six months."

"Molting?" Jack asked. "Did you have anyone go in and clean it up after?"

Ivan didn't say anything to the affirmative, but he grunted instead.

Ina wished she could turn around to look up at him. That simple grunt had been undeniably sheepish, and she wanted to know what it looked like on his face. Then she realized what Jack had asked. Oh.

Oh, gross.

Not that it should have grossed Ina out at this point. She had seen far worse.

She wished she could shake the mental image of Ivan rubbing himself against rocks to get rid of dead skin, though. There was nothing alright about that. Nothing.