Page 70 of Escaping my Dragon

“More like cooling down after you pissed him off. I thought for sure he was gonna eat you,” Vernon exclaimed.

“He did show remarkable restraint,” Alistair agreed. “May I ask your purpose?”

“Just getting to know him.” Since he likely listened, I didn’t mention stalling for time.

“I thought that was interesting when you pressed him about friendships,” Joslyn stated. “He truly didn’t seem to grasp the concept.”

“Because it’s not something he thinks he needs.”

The voice, new, and unexpected had too many of us whirling to see a woman calmly walking in our direction. Petite, wearing a monosuit, but the kind more suitable for looking fashionable on ski slopes rather than staying warm. Black with hot pink striping and a matching set of earmuffs and mitts.

Noah predictably bristled and moved himself in front of me. “Who are you? Where did you come from?”

“I am Lilith. As to how I got here, I flew, just not via traditional methods.” Her lips curved into a smile, and recognition hit me.

“I met you. In that store, when I was buying this.” I patted my winter jacket.

“Yes, you did. What a coincidence we meet again, or is it?” Lilith winked and then pointed her finger at Joslyn. “No more of that now.” A bolt of lightning shot from her fingertip and hit Joslyn’s pointed camera. She yelped before dropping the smoking remains on the ground.

“What are you?” I whispered.

“Probably the only thing that might keep you and billions alive. By the way, you may want to relocate. This area is about to become wetly turbulent. Hatchlings, if you don’t mind. Could you bring them higher ground?” Lilith ordered, indicating the promontory flanking the station.

“She smells interesting,” Tigger declared.

“She does, indeed,” Alistair murmured. “But we can discuss that momentarily. She is correct that the humans require rapid aid.”

Before I, or any of my friends could agree, or not, we found ourselves gripped and lifted, me by Persephone, Joslyn by Pollita, and Vernon in the claws of Abaddon, who groused about being a mere pack animal.

What about Noah and Alistair? Would there be time to…

I blinked as a massive dragon lifted into the air, holding Noah in one paw, Lilith with the other. A glance below showed Alistair had disappeared. Guess I should have clued in he was a dragon. Actually, no, I shouldn’t. People didn’t suddenly turn into gigantic flying lizards!

We got deposited on high ground and I could help notice we humans found ourselves ringed by the dragons and Lilith.

She clapped her gloves. “Goodness, your faces. So much confusion, and I’d love to explain, however, it will have to wait a moment. We have company” Her gaze turned upward and I followed to see what caught her attention.

Specks in the sky.

Jets.

The military had arrived! Maybe I wouldn’t be an egg donor after all.

The planes crossed over Leviathan, who, of course, noticed. He went from imitating a floating island mound to somehow being upright in the water.

And then he launched himself into the air and flew. Kind of impressive. I mean, yes, I saw the wings, but honestly, despite seeing the smaller dragons using them, I didn’t figure Leviathan’s could actually keep him aloft.

Nor did I expect him to breathe fire. Boy was my debunking research on dragons wrong.

Noah murmured, “This isn’t good. He took out two fighter jets. The military is gonna be pissed.”

Tigger defended Leviathan’s actions. “Because they were shooting at him. I’d be peeved too.”

“Oh, dear. Excuse me a moment. I should rein him in before countries start firing nukes.” With that cryptic statement, Lilith walked to the edge of the cliff and leapt, transforming into⁠—

Another enormous dragon, the scales glinting gold as she winged her way upward to intercept the approaching Leviathan.

“Geezus fucking Christ, there’s two of them!” Vernon exclaimed.