I gasped and choked as the collar dug into me.I could do nothing as Malone wrapped the loose end of my chain around his forearm.“Let’s go.”
“Where?”I didn’t want to follow.Alistair expected to return and find me here.
“Where I tell you to and shut your yapper.I don’t need you advertising our location.”
Me stay quiet?Not likely.As he dragged me through some tunnels, some strewn with bloodied and broken bodies that didn’t move—but smelled and oozed fluids—I spoke if only to keep my sanity.“How did you find Tiamat’s cave?”The reason this nightmare began.
“Quite by accident.I’d come across more than a few legends in that area about a dragon, but it was a painting found in an attic that showed the creature sitting on a recognizable mountain ledge that led to me mounting an expedition.”
“Seems kind of odd you were the first to find Tiamat’s cave.The Rockies are well-travelled, and surely others saw the picture and sought the cave too.”
“Those who went before me didn’t have the foresight to blow a hole to get inside.A good thing I found the bones, or I’d have really regretted all the bribes I had to hand out for officials to look the other way.”
“Did you know Tiamat’s spirit was in that thing you picked up?”
“No, but I should have suspected something because, the moment I touched it, I had a sudden urge to travel to Scotland.”
“But held off, obviously, because I remember you announcing your discovery to the world.”
“And still being soundly mocked despite the evidence,” he growled.“They accused me of faking the discovery.Ruined my attempts to have the remains carbon and DNA tested,” he growled, yanking me along in his agitation at the reminder.
“What happened to the stone heart after you brought it to the loch?”
“I tossed it in the waters, and Nessie found it.To this day still wears it.”
It hit me suddenly.“It’s in the pendant around her neck.”
“Yes.”
“What happens if it’s removed?”
Malone kept walking but glanced at me over his shoulder.“Don’t know.Don’t care.Once I’ve got what I came for, we can leave.”
“Won’t stealing some of her hoard make her mad?”
“Madder than she is?”he snorted.“That is assuming she lives past today.I’m thinking your dragon lover is going to make sure she doesn’t.”
“Exactly how are you going to escape with this treasure?”
“So many fucking questions.”He sighed.
“Well, it’s not like you can grab it and swim to the surface.And I doubt the kelpies will obey you.”
“As if I’d trust them,” he muttered.“One ride with them was enough.I use a submersible when I need to visit, which isn’t often.”
“Tiamat has a submarine?”
“More like a baby version of one for transporting goods.”
Suddenly my chances of escape looked a lot better—so long as Malone took me with him.
It turned out the treasure room lacked a fancy door or even a sign.One minute I was being dragged into a hall, and the next I’d been yanked into a massive chamber, almost as big as the one I’d been chained up in.The mini lake in the center wasn’t what caught the eye, though, but the mounds of gold, jewels, and more.
I gaped at the wealth spread out all over.
“Don’t just stare,” snapped Malone.“Fill this bag.”
He thrust a canvas tote into my hands before he dropped to his knees and began scooping.
