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Peri
As soon asI heard the water running, I exhaled. I’d listened to everything Mishal had to say and while I respected his opinion, I needed him to respect mine too. I’d do anything to protect him from the repercussions of being around me right now. After speaking to Spencer, I had begun feeling like I was a danger to everyone I cared about. Luckily, that circle wassmall.
While he showered, I crept downstairs and tiptoed to the front door. Before I could open the door, I heard the floor creak behind me and jumped. “Stephen, my word, you scared me.” I laid a hand across my chest and focused on controlling mybreathing.
He eyed me warily. “Know who should scareyou?”
I pursed my lips. “I’ll never fearMishal.”
“Well, maybe you should. That guy scares the crap out of me.” He shivered. Staring at my hand closed around the knob, he asked, “And where do you think you’regoing?”
“Just out to grab some food.” Ishrugged.
“We have cold pizza. We can reheat it in the oven or microwave.” Stephen jerked a thumb over hisshoulder.
“I’m more in the mood for breakfast.” I turned to exit thecottage.
“I can go run and get you anything you want, Miss Peri.” He moved closer and I knew he planned to prevent myescape.
I took a deep breath and smiled up at Stephen. “I really need to leave for a little while. Don’t worry. I’ll be back before you know it.” I started to turn the handle, but he pressed his hand against the door, forcing it to stay closed. His eyes were wide with fear and I knew it wasn’t because of me. I glanced up the stairs and listened carefully. The water was still running, but I felt confident I was almost out of time. Shaking my head, I pressed my hand against his temple. “Let me leave. Tell Mishal I took a walk. I’ll soon return. Then we’lltalk.”
The rhyme was terrible, but I wasn’t exactly known for my stellar spells when I was under pressure. Of course, I’d learned long ago, the words didn’t have to be pretty, they just had to work. I watched him hesitate, then slowly step aside. With a nod at Stephen, I quickly slipped out of the cottage and into the woods. Once I was out of sight, I realized how poorly I’d planned my escape. I had no purse, no identification. If it weren’t for the pocket in my jeans, I wouldn’t have even brought my cell. I sighed, knowing I couldn’t go back. Determined to get this over with and to save Mishal at the same time, I made my way toward the main house. There should be other cars there for the Draco guests. I shouldn’t have any trouble getting someone to drop me off near the police station. I’d checked Google maps earlier and discovered there was a little café around the corner, which would make the perfectdestination.
Winded as I was when I reached the drop-off by the front door, I vowed to lay off the chocolate and exercise more. Then I laughed because my life had never allowed for much exercise and chocolate had always been my secret guilty pleasure. I glanced around, saw no sign of Mishal or any other danger, and fluffed my still damp hair before crossing thedriveway.
A giant tour bus pulled away and I immediately realized my mistake. There had to be half a dozen patrol cars there, with officers milling around, talking to everyone as they left, no doubt looking for me. My shoulders drooped. I planned to talk to them, but I had really wanted this to happen on myterms.
One of our clients happened to be looking around and spotted me. I smiled and waved out of habit. A cop caught my eye and I froze.Running makes you look guilty, I reminded myself. Did I want to look innocent or be free? The question pained me. Next thing I knew, four uniformed men surrounded me with guns drawn. The confused look on my face was genuine. I gasped and held up my hands. There was no getting out of this. There were too many of them and no one was close enough for me to use my one wimpy power. Everything happened in a blur. My arms were yanked behind my back and cuffs soon cut into my wrists. I could feel hot tears burning my eyes even though I told myself I wasn’t going to cry, I had no reason to cry, I hadn’t done anythingwrong.
Soon, I was stuffed into the back of the car. “Miss Winkler?” A man in a suit studied me while I leaned forward in the backseat.
I frowned up at him. “And youare?”
“Detective Jeffries with the Asheville Police Department.” He whipped out a badge, flipped it for my examination and quickly pocketed itagain.
Already my mind wandered. Did they teach them that in police academy? I stared straight ahead, hoping we’d get out of here before Mishal or Stephen found me. Then my humiliation would be complete, but my troubles would only have begun. No way would my dragon take kindly to finding me handcuffed in the back of a cruiser. I closed my eyes, fearing he’d find me and completely lose hisshit.
“You’re Peri Winkler, right?” The detective frowned atme.
I remained silent, staring out the side window in the direction of the cottage. In my mind, I could picture Mishal coming downstairs all fresh and clean, looking around for me, and then losing his mind when he realized I’d disappeared. I worried about Stephen, alone with him in thisstate.
In my pocket, my phone began to ring and I regretted not silencing it before I left the cottage. The detective honed in on the sound. He opened the back door. “I need to frisk you,” he warned as he slid his hand under my shirt and over my hip as he searched for my pocket. “There,” he murmured as he pulled my cell out. “Mishal. I bet he knows who you are?” I watched as he slid his finger across myscreen.
“Peri, where are you?” Mishal sounded both pained and scared. I winced as a pain shot through my abdomen. I’d done this tohim.
The detective waited for me to speak, but when I merely turned away, he responded for me. “She’s indisposed at themoment.”
“Who are you?” Mishalfumed.
“Detective Jeffries. We’re bringing her in for questioning.” He rocked on his heels while he motioned for the officers to help me get in the car. They complied immediately and soon the car roared tolife.
“She’s innocent,” my dragon announced while barely hiding hisfury.
“Eh,” Jeffries began. “She may be, but we’ll still be speaking to her.” Then he ended thecall.
In the distance, I swear I heard a dragon’s roar. Lifting my head, I discovered the driver was staring at me in the rearview mirror. “Let’s go,” Isuggested.
He looked to the detective who nodded, then pocketed my phone. I knew better than to protest or argue. Instead, I settled in against the back seat and prepared for a roughride.
