Free city of dragons 03 - fire magic by val st crowe Page B

enough not to have much of his facial features mutated. His hair was totally gone, swallowed up in black and red scales. He had spikes that started on top of his head and ran down his back into his clothes. But his face still looked human. It was a handsome face, the kind of face that seems trustworthy. Even as a drake, he was still handsome.
    “I’m the owner of this hotel,” I said. “I know you’re looking for Brian, but I don’t think he wants to see you right now.”
    Just then, the back door to Connor’s suite opened, and Brian came out, with Connor trailing behind him.
    Darrell stiffened, looking at both of them. “What the hell is this, Brian?”
    “Hey,” said Brian.
    “You need to leave,” said Connor.
    Great. Connor was antagonizing him. This was going to go well.
    “Leave?” said Darrell. “And who the hell are you? You fucking my boyfriend?”
    “No,” said Brian. “He’s just a friend. I didn’t have anywhere to go after what you did to me.”
    Darrell shifted on his feet. “Look, I never meant it to go so far. You just made me so fucking mad when you wouldn’t lend me that cash.”
    “I don’t have any cash to lend you,” Brian said. “I have our rent money, and that’s it.”
    “So, we’re late with the rent,” said Darrell. “What’s the big deal?”
    Brian shook his head at him. “That’s what this is about, isn’t it? You’re not here to apologize. You’re just looking for money for dice.”
    “Come on, Brian, of course I’m trying to apologize.” Darrell started for the other man. “I love you, baby. You know that.”
    Connor stepped in between the two of them. “You need to leave.”
    Darrell’s nostrils flared. “Hey, how about you keep your nose out of things that aren’t your business?”
    “You’re outside my home,” said Connor, “so it’s my business.”
    “Then we’ll leave.” Darrell held out his hand to Brian. “Come on, let’s go. We’ll talk this out. I really am sorry.”
    Brian didn’t respond. His face was bruised and swollen, and it looked worse than it had earlier. “I don’t have any money for you,” he said in a low voice.
    “Just come with me,” said Darrell. “We’ll talk about that at home.”
    Brian shook his head. “No, not tonight. Not yet.”
    “No?” said Darrell, shaking his head in disbelief.
    “You heard him,” said Connor. “Now get the hell out of here.”
    “What are you going to do without me, Brian?” said Darrell. “How are you going to make it without me? No one else on earth is going to put up with you. No one else is going to love you. You know that I’m the only person—”
    “Stop talking to him,” said Connor.
    Darrell reached out with one hand.
    Suddenly Connor was pinned to the wall of the hotel, held there by magic.
    Crap. If Darrell had magic, that wasn’t a good thing. Drakes who ate dragon flesh were crazy strong. Their magic didn’t last that long, but it was intense and powerful.
    Connor reached up and clutched his magical talisman, which hung around his neck. He concentrated, but he couldn’t do anything. He was stuck.
    “Let him go,” I said in a warning voice.
    Darrell looked over his shoulder at me. “What are you going to do about it?”
    I sucked air into my lungs and when I expelled it, I let out a few puffs of smoke. “I’m going to stop you.”
    “She’s a dragon,” said Connor. “And I bet she’s pissed you’re eating her people for kicks.”
    I saw fear flash in Darrell’s eyes. But instead of complying, he picked Connor up and used magic to throw him into the pool. Then he made a wide gesture with one hand and all the lights around the pool shattered, bathing us in darkness.
    It was pitch black for a moment, and then my eyes adjusted.
    I could see the shadow of Darrell, and he was heading for Brian. I blew out a bright tongue of flame—a warning. I didn’t let it touch anyone. I just wanted Darrell to know that I could and would burn him if I had to.