Lord of Destiny (The Dragon Demigods #6) - Charlene Hartnady Page 0,9
“Don’t answer that.” We don’t know Stephan. He seems like a nice guy, but who is he really? Who are his friends?
What are they?
I’m reminded of our run-in with that group of centaurs a year ago when we first left our weyr. The five of us made it out alive. I feel pity well in me for West. I know that day was the tipping point for him. I understand why he has these anger issues. I still can’t condone his behavior. I won’t!
“No one here is the leader, West,” Maddox says, slowly and carefully. “We agreed on that when we left. We don’t have much of a choice in this situation.” My brother turns to Stephan. “Would you mind telling us what you are before we take this any further? That might put our minds at rest. Not all non-humans are to be trusted.”
Stephan’s whole stance softens. His eyes, as well. They go from molten, dark chocolate to the sweeter variety. He even pushes his hands into his jeans pockets. “This is definitely a conversation for behind closed doors.”
“I think we’ll be okay,” I say. “It’s five to one.” I didn’t get a bad vibe from Stephan. In fact, it’s safe to say that the opposite is true. I felt a connection. I felt…an affection for him. I wouldn’t have gotten that from him if he was evil. I’m sure of it. Still, we have to be cautious. I didn’t get the best vibes from Rage…I certainly can’t say the same of him. “I agree with Stephan…we can talk about it when we get to wherever it is that we’re going.”
“I know a great diner down the road; brunch will be on me.” He looks over at West, who visibly bristles. His jaw tightens, and his muscles bunch. “One of these days…very soon…when you find someone in need of help…” He shrugs his massive shoulders. “You can pay it forward, how’s that?” He looks my way as he says the last but quickly turns towards Maddox.
My brother nods. “Brunch sounds good.”
Thankfully, no one else says anything one way or another.
“Let me call Jarrod, then,” Stephan says.
He walks away, not going too far. We wait while he has a heated conversation with his brother, who seems less than thrilled that Stephan is getting involved in anything to do with us. “They need our help. What if it was the other way around?” he says, pacing.
“Let me guess, you want to help because of that sexy piece of tits and ass? Am I right?” we all hear his brother say, even though we’re not trying to listen in. I feel my cheeks heat. Did they talk about me? Did Stephan say something?
West seems to grow in stature. I think I even hear him growl. I narrow my eyes on him in warning. He has no say in anything. It isn’t even like that. Not even close. This is a snag in the road. We’ll be on our way to the next town in no time.
“No! Fuck!” Stephan says. “Of course not. I want to help because they’re…they’re like us, and they need a break. That’s it!”
“It has nothing to do with us. We don’t know them! Don’t owe them anything. We don’t need the trouble.”
“Don’t be a dick about this,” Stephan responds, still pacing. “Let’s just help them so that they can be on their way.” It seems like we are on the same page there.
There is silence on the other end of the line for a few long seconds. Then he breathes out. “Fine. I’ll be there in ten minutes.”
Stephan swipes his screen and pushes his phone into his pocket. He walks back to us. We get our bags out of the trunk. West has a duffel. The rest of us each have one small bag. Then we stand around until Jarrod pulls up in his tow truck a couple of minutes later. It’s shiny and new. Painted in bright yellow, with red trim.
I’m shocked all over again at how much alike he and Stephan are. They’re the same height and build. The same hairstyles. Jarrod is wearing a yellow and red shirt, with a ‘Cross Roads Towing’ logo on the pocket. If they were in the same outfit, I’d be hard-pressed to tell them apart.
As Jarrod gets up close, I realize that isn’t exactly true. Their eyes are different. I think Jarrod’s are harder, somehow. More world-wise, maybe. There is something else in Stephan’s molten stare that I can’t