Battle Bond: An Urban Fantasy Dragon Series (Death Before Dragons #2) - Lindsay Buroker Page 0,60

assigned by other people, not summoned through charms.

You’ll find that, as you travel to different worlds and learn different languages, the definitions of words are nebulous and imprecise.

Are you sure? I think the definition of bullshit is universal.

That’s because you are unworldly and untraveled.

“Is he talking to you?” Dimitri looked from me to Sindari and back.

“Yeah. He says he wants you to scratch behind his ears.”

Sindari narrowed his eyes at me.

“Also that you should feel honored when you do it.”

“I always do. He’s soft.” Dimitri stepped to Sindari’s side and rubbed his ears.

Soft? Assure him that I am made from fang and sinew and akin to the hardest metal alloy your people have discovered.

“He likes belly rubs too,” I said.

I am thinking of chewing your arm off.

I need my arms to wield my weapons. Chew off something less vital, please.

A kneecap?

I’m partial to those too.

You are a difficult handler.

I know.

Sindari pretended aloof indifference to Dimitri’s behind-the-ear rub, but I caught him leaning in for better access. While this was going on, Nin came out, her face smeared with soot, her shirt torn. Her eyes were moist with tear tracks streaking her dirty cheeks. Her forlorn expression made me want to beat the crap out of the brothers’ minions again.

“Thank you for coming, Dimitri, and Val.” Nin hugged me and then hugged Dimitri. She paused and looked at Sindari. “Does your tiger like to be hugged?”

Sindari lifted his chin. She may embrace me.

“He says it’s okay.”

Nin hugged Sindari, who was looking quite pleased by all this attention.

“I’m sorry I didn’t get here in time to do anything,” Dimitri said. “I was way up in Woodinville.”

“Is the farmers market not over for the week?” Nin asked.

“Yeah, but I’m forging a new business relationship with Zoltan.”

“You will become an alchemist?”

“No. I’m assembling something for him, and he’s teaching me about building a following on social media.”

“I could teach you about these things. Your cactus shot one of my enemies in the scrotum.”

I blinked. “We usually just say balls, Nin.”

“That is imprecise. Also, it was the word yesterday on one of my word-of-the-day apps. Once I use it five times, it will be mine forever.” She nodded with the determination of one seeking to master the entire English language, including the anatomy part of it.

“What kind of word-of-the-day app pops up scrotum?” Dimitri asked.

“It is medical-themed.” Nin pulled out her phone. “Do you want the sample sentence and definition?”

“No,” Dimitri and I said together.

Outside the compound, police lights flashed, and I glimpsed a fire truck pulling up. With the spell cocooning this place lifted, the authorities must have finally learned about the incident.

“I’ll take a look at your truck while you talk to them, Nin,” Dimitri said. “I’m sure you have insurance, but I’ve done some bodywork. Maybe we can get things up and running again quickly.”

“That would be wonderful.” Nin touched her hand to her chest and smiled warmly at him. “Thank you.”

“I’m sorry I haven’t been able to find a way to keep the brothers from attacking you yet, Nin,” I apologized softly. “This is unacceptable. I’m going to do something tomorrow.”

“Thank you, Val. Please let me know if there is anything I can do to help you. Like paying you.” She raised her eyebrows.

I held out a hand. “No payment, but I could use some magical armor if you have time to work on it. There are officially more days in the week now where I’m being shot at than when I’m not.”

“Oh yes. I would be pleased to make you something. Lightweight, yes? That is important.”

“Very much so.”

“I have some prototypes, but I will design something new for you.”

“Thank you.” I would still insist on paying her for her time and the materials, but I didn’t mention it now, since she looked relieved to have something to trade.

Another vehicle rolled up outside the gate, and a car door slammed shut.

I patted Sindari. You better disappear before the police see you.

Your people need to learn to accept that there are many beings that exist beyond those native to your world.

Yes, they do. But not tonight.

As he faded into nothingness, I braced myself for the inevitable questions. I was tempted to disappear as well, but I wanted to make sure they didn’t give Nin a hard time about anything. She had a permit for the food truck, but my understanding was that one couldn’t get permitted for selling magical weapons since the government didn’t admit that magic existed. Everything in the back