Outrage dropped his jaw for a split second before he snatched the meat and shoved it as far into his mouth as possible, biting off a good half of the rasher. His cheeks bulged with the impossibly large bite, but his eyes lit up at the flavor.
“Delicious, is it not?” I asked.
He nodded, and I handed him another.
“Where shall we send you, boy?” Tyrin asked from the terminal.
“I…” Sorrow flashed in the boy’s eyes. Chewing, he looked away and swallowed his bite. “I dunno.”
“What about Australia?” Tyrin suggested. “Is that not where you hail from?”
“Yeah. I’m from Brisbane, but there’s nuthin’ left for me there.”
“What about your parents?” Tyrin asked.
“They’re dead. I’m an orphan.” He stuffed half of the second rasher into his mouth.
Something stuttered in my chest, and I responded automatically. “Then you are welcome to join us.”
Both of their gazes snapped to me.
Tyrin would never openly question my decisions, but his expression implored me to heed caution. I could tell him I was as surprised as he was at my cavalier words, but it would change nothing. Looking at this malnourished and badly beaten child, with claims to no family and no home, I would not rescind the offer.
“Okay,” the boy said around a mouthful.
His response came too easily.
“We will continue after my stolen artifact. Our path will likely be perilous,” I explained, somewhat wary. “There must be somewhere safer that we can send you. Perhaps a relative’s or a friend’s.”
“The more I think about it, the more I like my chances best with you. You guys are scary and dangerous, but you’ve got some kind of hang-up about hurting teens. Hey, are you some sort of snake-man?”
I bristled. “I most certainly am not.”
“I don’t mean any offense. It’s just your eyes…. They’re fine now, but when you attacked the guards, they looked like a snake’s.”
“Lord Arioch is a dragon,” Tyrin said, his tone chiding. “You would be wise to show him the appropriate respect.”
“A dragon?” The boy’s eyes grew comically wide. “With wings and everything?”
Alarmed, I asked, “Have you ever seen a dragon without wings?”
“No. But I’ve never seen a dragonwithwings, either.”
Tyrin smirked at that, but then he sobered. “Dragons have always been rare. Even before the war.”
“How do I know you won’t eat me?” the boy asked.
I snorted. “I prefer my meat expertly seasoned and cooked, but my chefs would never prepare a human for me.”
“You have chefs?”
“My manor is fully staffed.”
“You talk weird.”
I fought a smile. “As do you.”
His gaze snapped to Tyrin, and then back to me. “If I agree to come with you, what happens if I change my mind and want to leave?”
