“Used how?”Abaddon asked, even as the answer hit him a moment before the male spoke.
“I am your father.”
Having recently watchedStar Wars, Abaddon almost screamed “No!”Only this wasn’t some dark lord trying to kill him.Yet…
“Why are you here?”Abaddon asked.
“To speak with you.Get a measure of your character.Assess if you’re a threat.”
“Going to murder me,Father?”Abaddon’s belly churned again.
“Only if you’re going to cause problems.You see, contrary to what your egg might have programmed into your brain, this world will never be ruled by dragons.The humans will purge us from the planet before they allow that to happen.”
“And if I say I won’t start a war against the humans?”
“Then I’d like for us to get to know one another.I realize the concept of family might sound odd to you, but perhaps we could be friends?”
Abaddon blinked.“Friends?”
“You know that thing where people get to know each other, share stories, experiences, provide comfort in times of need, defense if there’s danger.”
“I’m aware of the definition,” Abaddon snapped.
“Good.Because I’d really like for us to get along.You, me, the other hatchlings.”
“You’ve met them?”
Shamash shook his head.“Given you’re the de facto leader, I came to you first.”
At least he recognized Abaddon’s greatness.
“Which of the females are you planning to take for yourself?”Abaddon asked with sudden jealousy rearing its head.Incest wasn’t a thing with dragons.While humans couldn’t interbreed family members without birthing children with birth defects, dragons were built differently, likely because their eggs were so hard to hatch.And just because he’d not decided between Persephone and Pollita didn’t mean Abaddon wanted to share.
“None.I have a mate.If matters progress well between us, you’ll meet.”
“A stepmother?”Abaddon mocked.
Alistair shook his head.“No, but she is important to me, which means, harm her and I will end you.”Said without rancor, yet Abaddon understood the threat.
“I, too, have some servants to which I’m closely attached.”
“Ah, yes, Philippa, Maddox, and Leo, if I recall correctly.”
Abaddon nodded.
“And what of Malone?”
“What do you know of him?”Abaddon barked.
“That he’s dangerous.”
“You’ve seen him.”
“Weeks ago, in Scotland.”
“Trying to hatch an egg?”
“Not exactly.He’s dead now.Drowned, although we’ve yet to recover his body.I don’t suppose this Malone ever made mention of an ancient sleeping dragon?”
