Battle Bond: An Urban Fantasy Dragon Series (Death Before Dragons #2) - Lindsay Buroker Page 0,41
came to America, but nobody could understand me. It was strange.”
“I’m sure.” My phone buzzed. “Hey, Willard.”
“Some people address me as Colonel Willard.”
“I could do some research, learn your first name, and call you by that.”
“Willard is fine.”
“I thought so. Did you get my message?”
“Yes, and even though it’s Sunday and I’m relaxing and recuperating, I went to the office to do some research for you.”
“You were at the gym again, weren’t you?”
“I was doing a leisurely bike ride along the Burke Gilman Trail.”
“If it’s more than twenty miles, you can’t count it as leisurely.”
“You’re a nag, Thorvald.”
“I know. Watch out for dragons while you’re on that trail.” I eyed the phone. “You weren’t looking for the new one, were you?”
“No. I only found out about the missing joggers when I came in. You think this silver dragon took them?”
“He’s into kidnapping. I’m trying to pinpoint the location of his lair, especially if those joggers may still be alive in it.”
“Good. Your next assignment may get preempted if there’s a hostile dragon to deal with.”
I grimaced. “I don’t have a weapon capable of dealing with a hostile dragon.”
“Point the other one at it, open the chute door, and slap him on the ass.”
“The chute? Zav isn’t a bull. Also, your countriness is creeping me out.”
“I can’t help it. I was stationed in Texas for six years. Just be ready. If we have to find a way to deal with him, you’re going to be our best bet. Especially if he’s lurking around the city. We can’t send bombers to drop nukes in the suburbs.”
“I’ll try to get him out of the woods. Did you get my request on the Northern Pride?”
“Yes. I’m putting together a file for you with everything I have on them, and I’ll email it over. But tread carefully around them, all right? Or avoid them altogether. There are a lot of those cat shifters in the North End. They’re well financed, and it’s going to be a legal hassle if we irk them.”
Nin had been reading on her phone, not trying to listen, but she must have heard enough, for she looked up and frowned.
“In other words,” I said, “don’t get caught if I blow up the Pardus house?”
Willard sighed. “You can’t blow up a house in the middle of a mobile-home park.”
“I can if there are ten crabby shifters inside.”
“Don’t do anything unwise, Val. I appreciate that you helped me out, and you do good work, but there are only so many times I can get your ass out of legal trouble.”
“I know, I know.” The file came through. “Maybe I’ll point Zav at their house and try that open-the-chute thing.”
“Don’t forget the ass slapping.”
“I’m sure that’ll excite him.”
“I’ll expect the wedding invitations by next spring.”
“Ha ha. Later.” I pocketed my phone, grabbed my little box of fries, and waved to the door. “I’ve got some files to study. Let me give you a ride back down the hill.”
Nin nodded and headed for the door. Out of habit, I trotted past her so I could go out first.
A dirty white van squealed around the corner at Broadway and Pike, almost mowed over two pedestrians in the crosswalk, and sped toward us. The side door flew open, and two masked figures with guns leaned out.
13
“Get down!” I yelled, aware of people dining at sidewalk tables to either side of the door.
As I shoved Nin back into the restaurant and dove behind a parallel-parked car, the two gunmen hanging out of the van fired. Those gunmen had the auras of magical beings.
Glass shattered and wood splintered as bullets hammered into the building and parked cars. But from the way the masked men twisted and leaned out the door to track me, I knew I was the target.
I reached for Fezzik as the van sped past, but there was no way I could open fire on the busy street. Instead, I sprang out from behind the car and yanked out Chopper as I sprinted after the van. They would have to switch from the side door to the back door to target me—which could happen. But I planned to catch up with them first.
The van did its best to peel away at breakneck speed, but traffic didn’t move fast on Pike at the best of times. They made it to the next block and roared up on the sidewalk to go around a car and make a right turn. They knocked one of their mirrors off on a