Sinister Magic: An Urban Fantasy Dragon Series (Death Before Dragons #1) - Lindsay Buroker Page 0,57
led the way around to the back, where the mowed grass stretched halfway back to a pond, with much taller, unkempt grass beyond it. Once we were back there, two structures were visible behind the vacant house. A horse barn and arena setup that alone had to have cost a million dollars and an out-of-place, dilapidated carriage house on the back corner of the lot. There were no lights there, but I could tell the wood siding was falling off and one door hung halfway off its rusty hinges.
I sensed the vampire’s aura in that direction.
Are the hidden people heading there? I pointed at the old carriage house.
No. They’re lurking behind what I perceive is a children’s playhouse there beside the patio.
The playhouse was bigger than my apartment in Ballard.
And looking in this direction, Sindari added. You may wish to activate your cloaking charm.
The security guard walked into view, shining his flashlight around the side and back of the property.
I don’t suppose you’d like to lead everyone away? I didn’t want to see the guard get jumped by the vampire or the mystery pack of magical people.
That didn’t go well with the dragon.
He’s not here. The vampire is the most dangerous thing we should encounter tonight.
Very well, but if something flies out of the sky and tries to light me on fire again, I’ll have cross words to share with you.
Thank you, Sindari.
Before heading off, Sindari paused, his tail swishing as he looked at Dimitri. He had shifted closer and had a hand out toward the tiger’s back.
“Uhm, can I pet him now?”
Pet him? Sindari asked. What is petting? A thing you do to a pet, yes? Should I be insulted?
No. Out loud, I said, “You forgot to point out how regal he is.”
“He’s magnificent,” Dimitri breathed.
He just wants to feel your fur. Maybe it’ll give him good luck.
If a tiger could sigh, Sindari did. Very well. I shall permit it.
“Go ahead,” I said.
Dimitri slid his hand down Sindari’s back several times with appreciative enthusiasm. “He’s so soft.”
“But regal, don’t forget.” I checked on the vampire. My senses told me he hadn’t moved.
“Regal and soft and magnificent.” There was no sarcasm in Dimitri’s voice. Sindari had a new admirer.
His tail swished, and he let out a few chuffs.
“What does that noise mean?” Dimitri asked.
“Tigers can’t purr, but it means he’s pleased.”
This man has good hands.
Of course. He makes that yard art.
You should claim him for a mate.
He’s a little young for me. Maybe I’ll try to set him up with Nin.
Sindari crouched and faced the playhouse. I should go before the security officer stumbles across them and gets himself killed.
Good idea.
Sindari sprang over the fence and roared. He sailed around the back yard, running right past the playhouse. Unfortunately, my nose wasn’t as good as his, so I couldn’t tell if the stealthed group moved. The security guard issued a high-pitched shriek and ran back toward the front of the house.
As Sindari raced around the big yard again, automatic sprinkler heads popped up.
“Uh oh,” I muttered.
They came on with a hiss and water sprayed everywhere, including at Sindari. His roar turned into the tiger equivalent of a curse, and he sprang over the far fence and into the next yard to escape.
The stealthed strangers are chasing me, Sindari informed me. And I shall ruthlessly chew off your arm later for that trick.
I didn’t know about the sprinklers.
Lies.
I promise. Thank you for leading them away. Keep them busy for twenty minutes if you can, and then come by to see if I need to be rescued from the vampire.
May I slay them if they pester me overmuch?
Not unless they’ve slain innocent humans and are on one of the lists that came out of Willard’s office.
I’m chewing someone’s arm off tonight. I’m soaked.
How is this different from when you jumped in the river to bathe? I jogged to the wooden rail fence, hopped over, and ran to the carriage house.
It’s extremely different. The sun was out then, and I jumped in by choice. I wasn’t attacked by spring-loaded waterspouts.
Waterspouts? Really, Sindari. I had no idea you were so melodramatic.
Rivulets of water are assailing my ear canals.
Dimitri stopped beside me in front of the broken door of the carriage house. “I don’t see a doorbell.”
“I think this thing predates electricity.”
Now that we were closer, I could tell the vampire was down below somewhere. But I assumed he could come up quickly if he wished.