“Surprise!” I joke, though I don’t know why. “I hope you drove here. That burning container will only buy us a minute or two.”
“Yeah, I drove, but my car is parked in the opposite direction.”
“Why didn’t we run that way, then?”
“Because the Red Guard was there.”
I skid to a halt, forcing him to stop. “You called the Red Guard on me?”
“I didn’t call them,” he grits out. “Although, I really should question my sanity over why I didn’t, and why I’m helping you run away from them, SophieTellier.”
I yank my hand free. “You know who I am.”
“Yes.” He glances around. “We’ve crossed into dragon shifter territory. I have an idea.” He offers me his hand instead of taking mine. “Do you trust me?”
If the Red Guard came after me, then Igor is presently occupied with them. I’m not worried about his safety—he can handle himself. This is my chance to figure out who Vaughn really is and why I can’t stop thinking about him.
I take his hand and say words I never thought I could utter to a member of the usurper king’s court. “I trust you.”
Nineteen
VAUGHN
I’ve gone and done it. I can’t believe I whisked Sophie away before the Red Guard got to her. If they saw us together, I’m done for. I’ll be branded a traitor and executed for sure. Let’s hope they didn’t see me. In any case, Sophie and I need to get off the street, and my brilliant idea is to hide inside Ember Emporium.
I haven’t been here since we rescued Rikkon from Larsson, which is another example that I’ve lost my damn mind. Just because there’s a truce between the dragon kingpin and King Raphael doesn’t mean I’m safe. The clientele that frequents Larsson’s establishment is of the “stab first, ask questions later” variety.
The parking lot in front of Ember Emporium is full—mostly motorcycles—which means the place is packed tonight. There are a couple of dragon shapeshifters hanging out at the front, smoking cigarettes. They give us a cursory glance, and one of them sneers, but other than that, they don’t mind us too much. Maybe it will be the same inside. One can hope.
I sense Sophie’s hesitation at the door, so I say, “It’s okay. We’ll be safe here.”
“My whole life, I was taught to stay away from dragon shifters.”
“Well… it’s a bit different now.” I push the door open before she changes her mind and decides to bolt.
It’s loud inside—the cacophony of conversation mixing with the background music. There aren’t any tables available, and it’s impossible to move without bumping into someone. It’d be perfect to get lost in the crowd, if only the crowd wasn’t looking at us as if we were bugs to be squashed.
“They look friendly,” Sophie whispers, getting closer to me.
My pulse accelerates with her proximity, which is all kinds of stupid to be feeling anything for the daughter of the enemy.
I keep walking toward the back of the place, where Larsson’s office is. But before I can get to the hallway leading to it, Jagger, Larsson’s younger brother and Cheryl’s former squeeze, blocks my path.
“What the hell are you doing here?”
“Uh… I was in the neighborhood?”
He glances at Sophie, his nostrils flaring. “Who’s your friend? She reeks of magic.”
“My date,” I say quickly. “Is your brother around?”
Before Jagger can reply, a commotion by the entrance gets his attention. He curses, then tells us to stay put before walking away.
Sophie glances over her shoulder. “Do you think your friends from the Red Guard followed us here?”
“I hope not. Come on. Let’s see if Larsson is in his office.” I steer her down the hallway until we reach a closed door.
I take a deep breath, then press my ear against it. “I don’t sense his presence or hear?—”
