Battle Bond: An Urban Fantasy Dragon Series (Death Before Dragons #2) - Lindsay Buroker Page 0,48
heard about the orc I’d killed in Seattle? Or had word of the Northern Pride’s bounty made its way down here? If so, I would have to watch my back even more than usual. I refused to hide behind Zav’s robe.
Before I could slide off his back—a dwarf with a rifle changed his grip on the weapon, making me pause—Zav shifted into his human form. I let out a startled squawk as I dropped more than a dozen feet and landed, my hands now gripping his shoulders.
“A warning would have been nice,” I grumbled, letting go and backing up.
“It is a great honor for a lesser being to fly with a dragon. It is typical for them to be grateful and effusive afterward.”
I caught myself before I could make another comment about ass-kissing—he would probably think I was obsessed with his butt—and limited myself to saying, “I’m atypical.”
“Yes.”
Grumbling further, I straightened my duster, checked to make sure Fezzik was still secured in my thigh holster, and touched Chopper’s hilt to reassure myself of the weapon’s presence on my back. The orcs were trading whispers. So were the dwarves. A dragon had landed in their midst, and everyone was glaring at me. How was this fair?
Zav strode off without acknowledging anybody, heading toward the alcove at the back of the valley where I’d spoken to Greemaw before. Not trusting a dragon’s presence to keep me safe, I gripped the cat figurine and summoned Sindari.
Only after he materialized did I walk in the direction Zav had gone, my hand resting on Fezzik’s grip. I didn’t want to pick a fight here, but I would defend myself.
We’ve returned to the sanctuary valley, Sindari observed, striding at my side. To do battle?
I hope not. I replied silently since there were so many ears and eyes pointed this way.
Lord Zavryd is here.
Yeah, we came together. We made a deal this morning. I’m helping him with his problem, and afterward, he’s agreed to help me with mine.
Sindari gazed up at me with his green eyes, as if he wasn’t quite sure I was his regular handler. Maybe he thought a lookalike had replaced me. How long has it been since you last summoned me?
We fought the panther shifters and visited Zoltan yesterday. It seemed like it had been much longer ago than that. This weekend had been eventful. If I’d had the opportunity, I would have summoned you to help me with some angry orcs a couple of hours ago, but there wasn’t time.
How long does it take you to touch my charm and call my name?
More time than I had. Keep an eye on those orcs, will you? And everyone with a weapon who’s glaring at me.
So everyone except for those three small children over there. Sindari’s gaze shifted toward a trio of green-skinned goblins with white hair.
One of them has a slingshot.
Ah, yes. So only the toddlers fighting over that orange foam tube are safe.
It’s a pool noodle, and yes. The last time I’d been here, I’d seen a few pool toys and an inner tube in a pond in the tunnel leading in. They weren’t the only things here that looked to have been salvaged after floating away from their owners on the Deschutes River.
Imagine my embarrassment at not knowing the correct terminology.
Do tigers actually get embarrassed?
I do if I fail to perform adequately or fall and don’t land on my feet.
We followed a bend in the only real road through the valley, leaving the last of the dwellings and market stalls lining it, and Greemaw’s alcove came into view. The moss-haired, gray-skinned lava golem sat on her conference-table-sized bench and towered over Zav, who stood in front of her, already speaking. He seemed almost puny next to her mass, but I sensed their auras, the potential for power that each carried, and it was easy to tell that Zav was far stronger than anyone here.
That was why these detours were worth it; he could probably walk into the Pardus brothers’ house, tell them to knock it off, and they would. Whereas I’d have trouble achieving that without starting a war. That made me bitter, but if Zav was willing to help, I would bury my resentment. Whatever it took to keep Nin safe was what I would do.
An elf approaches, Sindari informed me.
I turned, hand tightening on Fezzik’s grip as I followed his gaze. Sindari’s tone hadn’t warned me if he was only making an observation or if the elf represented trouble.