Chapter 8 #2
An array of delectables covered it, and a simple sniff indicated most contained meat, seafood for the most part, but I detected red flesh as well.
I waddled close to the dish, but before I could grab, Iolana chided, “Don’t you dare put your grubby paws all over the food.
Sit your butt down and I’ll fill you a plate. ”
Couldn’t argue with her desire to serve me. I waited less than patiently—and drooled slightly—as she loaded my plate with one of every offering.
When she placed it in front of me, I faced a dilemma. What to start with? I glanced for a fork to prick a meaty lump on a cracker, only to frown. “Where are the utensils?”
“I didn’t realize you used any, so I told my chef to prepare things we could eat with our fingers,” Apollo explained.
I glanced at my clawed paw then the offering in front of me, larger than it by far.
The man’s lips twitched, most likely in remorse. “Shit, guess I should have told her to make the pieces smaller.”
Iolana snickered. “Size won’t be a problem, but I wouldn’t suggest watching while Tigger eats. It can be traumatizing for the uninitiated.”
Her warning didn’t stop Apollo from staring as I demolished the offerings. As I finished them one by one, I asked in between, “What was that?”
“Coconut shrimp.” Then, “Conch fritter with a mango dipping sauce.” “Marinated lamb on a slaw.”
All turned out to be delicious, with the scallop ceviche and the beef tartar being my favorites.
That said, my second plate contained all the offerings again, and when the humans leaned back from their plates, obviously done, I no longer waited for Iolana to serve me, but rather finished off the platter—and their plates. As if I’d waste any food.
Still, I might have overdone it. My belly strained, so full it might have burst had I been anything other than a dragon. With all those nutrients being digested, I’d wager my next molt would come on quick.
Groggy from the excellent repast, I chose to curl up on Iolana’s lap, and she stroked a finger down my back as I rested. Ah, this was the way it should be. Fed and coddled. I drowsily listened as she and Apollo spoke.
“What are you going to do with him?” the male asked.
“Honestly? I don’t know. I doubt I’ll have him for long, though.”
“Oh. Thinking of giving him away?”
“Good grief no. He might be a bossy dragon who eats too much, but he’s a cute bugger, even when he’s threatening to eat everyone who annoys him.
” She paused. “That said, he appears incapable of being discreet. If he speaks in front of the wrong person, it won’t be long before the government, or some unsavory sorts out for a quick buck, steal him from me. ”
As if I’d allow that to happen. I and no one else would choose where I lived and with whom.
“I did some poking around after meeting Tigger this morning to see if he’s the only one out there,” Apollo stated.
“Let me guess, you found nothing.”
“Actually, in the past year or so, there have been unconfirmed sightings of what might be other dragons.”
The news perked my interest.
“You’re kidding. How come it hasn’t been on the news?” Iolana paused her petting as she leaned forward with interest.
“Do you want to be the channel that posts dragons are real, only to find out it’s people carrying out an elaborate hoax?
” Apollo countered. “The videos I found weren’t clear enough to provide definitive proof.
Usually, I’d dismiss them as people screwing around on social media, but that was before I met Tigger. ”
“Where were the sightings?”
“All over the place. Alberta, Canada. Peru, South America, and more recently, the mountainous regions of Italy.”
“Are those places close to each other?” I asked, inserting myself into the conversation.
“Nope. They’re all different countries with oceans between them,” Iolana answered.
Meaning my possible competition would need to travel a great distance to come after me. I’d best keep eating copiously if I were to catch up to them growth-wise before that meeting happened.
“If they actually are dragons, could they be your siblings?” Apollo inquired.
I rolled to my back and yawned. “Possibly. My maternal progenitor would have scattered her clutch to ensure the greatest possible viability.”
“How does separating you help? And why would she dump ova around the world? Don’t mother’s usually care for their eggs until they hatch?” Iolana frowned down at me.
“To hatch, we require great heat, the most common source being the magma of an active volcano. Or in my case, a degrading kiln.” I made a moue of disgust. “Given we are very territorial, we are spread apart at great distance to avoid clashing too early in our development.”
“You’d fight your brothers and sisters over land?” Iolana’s tone and expression spoke of disapproval.
“As I keep telling you, our driving focus is to rule the world. Sharing would defeat that purpose. The only reason we might form an alliance would be to counter the human threat. But soon as we quelled any pesky rebellions, we’d begin our fight for ultimate supremacy.”
“There can be only one,” Apollo intoned.
For some reason, Iolana laughed. “You did not just quote Highlander.”
“I might have. In my defense, it’s a classic.
” Apollo drummed his fingers on the tabletop.
“If we’re interested in finding out if there are more dragons, then I might know someone who can help.
I met a guy years back at a science-focused fundraiser, a doctor who gave a lecture, more like presented a theory, that creatures of myth all existed at some point in time but went extinct due to humans and other perils. I could give him a shout.”
“To do what? Expose the fact I found a dragon?” Iolana’s lips pursed.
“I wouldn't out Tigger, more like ask this guy what he thinks about dragons in general.”
“Won’t he be suspicious about why you’re asking?”
“There is that chance, but you have to admit, we’re a little out of our depth here.”
“We? There is no we. Tigger is my responsibility.”
“I’m not trying to take him from you,” Apollo soothed. “However, as you said before, it only takes one wrong person realizing his rarity, and next thing you know—”
“Tigger will be gone.” Her lips turned down.
At least the thought of losing me made her sad. I’d have reassured her by saying it wouldn’t happen, but that would be acknowledging her lack of faith in me.
“What exactly do you think this doctor can do?” she asked.
“For one, see if he still believes dragons once existed and, if yes, what happened to make them go extinct. From there, I could ask him about those videos I unearthed, see what he says about them. Does he think they’re real?
Are those dragons still free, or have they been captured?
Killed? Accepted by and maybe even protected by the locals? ”
Iolana chewed her lip, a waste of time since it wouldn’t actually feed her. “You swear you wouldn’t tell him about Tigger?”
“No. But I think if we want to keep Tigger safe, we should try and be better informed.”
“There you go with that ‘we’ again,” Iolana muttered.
“I agree with my male servant,” I announced.
It would seem he would be taking on a protector role, with Iolana as my nurturer.
I still didn’t know where the old man fit in my retinue, although I did enjoy his dark wit.
He had even given me suggestions on who to eat first when I gained some size.
Perhaps he could maintain my list of enemies.
“Seems like I’m outnumbered. Contact this guy, but no mention of Tigger,” Iolana firmly repeated.
“Obviously. I’ll be very careful what I say. Now, since we’re on the subject of keeping Tigger a secret and safe, I didn’t notice much security around your place.”
“Because we don’t have any. What are thieves going to steal? Tutu’s vintage collection of topless hula dancer mugs? My incredible wardrobe?”
“Surely you lock the doors.” Apollo looked and sounded appalled.
“Why bother? We’re home or in the shop almost twenty-four-seven.”
“You might want to think about changing your habits now that you’ve got a dragon living with you.”
“No amount of security will stop anyone determined to kidnap him, and I won’t live like a prisoner in my home.”
“Which I can respect, but only moments ago you said something to the effect you expect him to be forcibly removed from your custody. You need to ready for when the secret gets out because, soon as people realize you have a dragon, they’re going to see dollar signs.”
“Do you?” she pointedly asked.
Apollo snorted. “I’m past the point of monetary motivation. I’ve got more than I can spend in this lifetime, and it keeps pouring in.”
“What about collecting rare things, though? Isn’t that what rich guys do?”
Apollo made a face. “Buying a cool piece of art or furniture is one thing. It wouldn’t feel right to own a living, thinking creature.”
“Humans and their weak natures,” I snorted. “Thankfully dragons don’t have such foibles.”
Iolana cleared her throat. “You don’t own me, Tigger. Or Jameson, I will add.”
“You say that as if you have a choice. I’m the one who decides who serves me.”
“You said that earlier but didn’t explain what it meant. Serve you how?” Apollo leaned forward.
“In whatever way benefits me. In your case, you seem to have some knowledge of security and how to access information, making you my protector. Iolana is my caretaker.”
“And what do we get out of it?” Apollo queried.
“The honor of serving me, of course. Oh, and the satisfaction of knowing your wealth will be the starting point of the mightiest hoard this world has ever seen.” The first thing I’d do with it was remove it from the banking institutions and invest it in items that would provide visible signs of my richness.
“Um, I never agreed to give you my money.”
“I didn’t ask. What’s yours is now mine.”
“It’s quite a large amount. What exactly would you do with it?”
“Probably buy a Cheetos factory,” Iolana muttered.
“A fine idea,” I agreed. “But not the reason I need a giant hoard. Wealth means power. Power is how you get respect. Very important when you’re planning to rule the world.”
Apollo arched a brow. “Pretty sure that’s impossible.”
“Such a pessimistic attitude. You’ll rue your words when I become supreme leader.” I yawned. “Enough questions. It’s time for me to sleep. I’m pretty sure my next molt is about to hit.” It seemed a tad quick, but then again, the feast I’d just imbibed had likely hastened my transition.
“And that’s the cue for us to hit the road. Thanks for dinner.” Iolana cradled me to her chest and practically jumped out of her seat.
“So soon? But we haven’t had dessert yet.”
Dessert? If I weren’t so groggy I would have demanded he fetch it, only I truly had no more room left in my belly. I’d have it for a snack when I woke. Wait, I wouldn’t be here. “Please have the dessert sent to my temporary shack. My caretaker is proving difficult about moving in here.”
“Moving in?” Apollo’s deep octave went up a few degrees.
“This domicile is much better suited to someone of my grandeur. I’ll expect a chamber to be specially prepared for me with accommodation for my servant once she ceases being stubborn.”
“For the last time, we’re not moving in,” Iolana hissed.
“Not tonight, since you’re obviously having an overwrought feminine moment.”
“Not ever,” Iolana growled as she flung open the door to the rumble of thunder. The air sizzled with ozone and hung heavy with moisture.
Before my servant could take a step toward her car, two things happened.
One, lightning streaked from the sky, a jagged branched thing that struck not only her car, but also the nicer one parked in front of it. Sparks flew, and the acrid stench of smoke rising from the hood of Iolana’s vehicle stung my nose.
“No!” Iolana yelled, staring in disbelief at her smoldering metal box on wheels.
While she processed her car’s demise, the second event occurred. A torrential rain descended, whipped by a wind so vigorous the droplets stung even my leathery skin.
“Doesn’t look like you’re going anywhere tonight,” Apollo announced with a slight hint of glee. See, he did want me living here.
Anyhow, the storm was how I ended up ensconced in a large and comfortable bed, with snacks and juice on the nightstand. Not that I needed them because the molt came upon me suddenly and I passed out.