Drakul

Chapter Two

Standing in front of the Crooked Broom, I find myself stuck with a stranger , going on a journey to save another stranger. Why am I such a kind-hearted person?

"Well, this sure isn't what I expected when I came here," Ladon says turning towards me.

I snort. "Like I expected to get stuck with a Dragon." I meet his eyes. "How well do you control your anger, Ladon?"

He blinks at me. "I very rarely lose my temper." He pulls a phone from his pocket, hits a button then holds it to his ear.

"Pick me up where you dropped me off. A woman will be accompanying me. What? No. It's not like that at all. Don't tell Zerah though, we both know she'll over react." He sighs. "I know. Just pick me up." He hands up and sticks the phone back into his inside pocket.

"Whose Zerah?" I ask he takes my backpack from me.

"My wife."

I freeze. He has a wife? Figures. It's just my luck to get stuck with a gorgeous married man. Well, Dragon.

"Oh. Is she a Dragon too?" I ask to be polite. I really don't want to know any more about her.

"Nope," he pops the 'p'. "She's a Tiger. Give me your hand."

I hold my hand out, ignoring the spark when his skin touches mine.

"It's still the Russett Horse." He interlaces his fingers with mine and starts walking. "My driver will pick us up down the street." I pull my hand away and attempt to walk beside him. I'm doing a weird half run/half jog to keep up with him. A limo pulls up to the curb a little ways up the road and Ladon walks comfortably up to it. He opens the door, sets my bag inside, then motions me to proceed him. I climb in, nervous about being in a limo for the first time. He takes the seat across from me, stretching his legs out so that I have to adjust my own to keep them from touching. I don't want to play footsies with a married man.

"For the record, I don't make it a habit to get into cars with strangers," I say, showing my nerves.

"I would hope not."

Well, that was my attempt at making a conversation.

"We're going directly to the bar. The ride will be a little over an hour, as it's in the next town over."

Great. I'm stuck in the confines of this vehicle with a gorgeous, married, full-blooded Dragon for over an hour.

He can either read my mind, or he's empathetic and sense my feelings because his gaze meets mine.

"Thank you for doing this, Night Angel. My brother is important to me."

"I'm not really doing anything but accompanying you. There's nothing to thank me for."

"You're giving me a way to save my brother, Leilah. I'll pay you back for this."

"We can talk payment after we get your brother back."

"When we get to the bar, and are in the company of others, I ask you call me either Drakul or Lord Ladon."

"Why?"

"Only close friends can call me by my first name. It would seem.. odd, for a strange woman to be seen addressing me so informally."

Great. He's also worried about his image. This trip is going to be so much fun. I lean back and close my eyes. I'm starting to get a headache.

The air starts to heat up, so I open my eyes to look at Ladon. What could have possibly angered him now?

"Leilah, relax with the negative thinking. It won't be as terrible as you seem to think."

So he can read my mind!

It's not nice to listen in on my thoughts, Drakul. He actually flinches. I guess he doesn't like hearing me call him Drakul either. His fists clench and his breathing starts to pick up.

"I thought you said you could control your anger?" I demand, not shrinking away like I probably should.

"I normally do," He grinds out through clenched teeth. Oh great, I guess I have that effect on him.

"Stop Leilah. Stop projecting your thoughts, you're only making it worse."

I'm projecting? I frown. I'm not doing it on purpose. He lets out a growl and his hands move to grip the edge of the seat. I'm confused to why he is suddenly so angry.

"I'm not angry, Leilah. Something is wrong with Nikos. He's in pain."

Why didn't he just say so? Instead of making feel like I did something wrong? I move next to him a lay my hand on his arm.

"Anything I can do to help?'" His skin is hot to the touch and now that I'm closer I can see sweat beading on his forehead. I snatch a tissue from a nearby box and dab his forehead. He lets out a breath and leans into me. "Can you not block it out?" I push him so that he's leaning against the seat.

"It went away when you touched me."

That's odd. I take his hand and settle down next to him.

"I normally wouldn't let a stranger see me weak like this," he says squeezing my hand. I ignore the tingle that travels through my body. It must be a result of the Tracer Spell. He glances down at me, frowning.

"I don't understand why that happens."

I shrug. "Maybe it's the spell?"

With Ladon now relaxed, the temperature in the car has receded to a comfortable level.