“What does it say?” Red asked.
“It wants us to visit Rainer,” said Tameka. “Who’s Rainer?”
Red’s face darkened. “Shit. That’s bad news.”
“Who is he?”
“He’s my brother.”
Tameka took her time to digest this latest bombshell. Red had more secrets than she could have possibly imagined. It hurt her a little. Even when they’d been working together previously he’d never mentioned a brother.
He never mentioned he was a dragon prince either.
“You’ve never mentioned a brother,” she said.
“There’s a lot of things you don’t know about me,” said Red. “And no, I’m not trying to be cryptic. I’m just private.”
“It all depends on whether the stuff you’re not telling me affects me.”
He sighed and drank the last of his Coke. “I thought we’d gone a long time without you bringing up the elephant in the room.”
“My mom and dad are not the elephant in the room.”
He stood up, angry. “This is pointless. We can’t work together like this.”
“But we were having so much fun.”
He stormed away. For a second Tameka considered letting him have his little temper tantrum, but she needed him. She could hardly let him go and interrogate his brother on his own.
For a while there he’d been beginning to imagine that Tameka had realized the truth, that he couldn’t have possible killed her parents. He’s just been deluding himself that they could work together like they used to. She’d just been biding her time. She still thought he was a cold-blooded killer and there was nothing he could do to change her mind.
Should I tell her the truth about what she really is?
He’d promised himself he wouldn’t. She couldn’t handle it. But what if she could? Didn’t she deserve to know who she really was?
“Wait!” Tameka called, grabbing his arm. “Tell my about your brother.”
He turned to her, pissed. “This isn’t going to work. You think I killed your parents, and I’m hurt because you think I could’ve killed your parents. There’s no going back from this until you learn to accept the truth.”
“I…I don’t know what the truth is.”
“You know the truth. You just can’t admit it.”
They stared at each other as shoppers, some human, some troll, some gnome, walked by, oblivious to the epic conversation going on in their midst. Red couldn’t do this. He couldn’t work with someone who thought he could be so evil. He couldn’t work with someone whom he loved who thought he could be so evil.
“Tell me about Reiner,” said Tameka, changing the subject. “It’s obvious you don’t like him. What happened between the two of you?”
“It’s hard to talk about,” he admitted.
“I’m going to start screaming really loud in the middle of this market if you don’t tell me the truth. I mean it.”
Red tugged at his beard, wishing he’d had time to shave.
“He betrayed our family at a time when we needed him,” Red admitted, not wanting to say any more. He looked away, feeling ashamed. “I can’t talk about. Just know that he’s a bad seed and he’s the last person we want to be talking to.”
“But we have to, right?” said Tameka.
“Yes, we have.”
Reiner lived in the penthouse of the Pacific Towers apartment tower, a tall skyscraper of a building in the center of town. Tameka knew Red’s brother must be loaded because only film stars and politicians lived in such a place. She couldn’t imagine how much the penthouse suite must’ve cost.
“What does your brother do for a living?” Tameka asked as they walked through the lobby, a glittering display of crystal, mirrors and steel flooring.
“He has wealth,” said Red. He sounded disgusted. “Wealth he brought with him when we fled our home dimension. He wasn’t supposed to, but I guess it was more important to him to grab his sacks of jewels than rescue his fellow dragons.”
“He sacrificed saving lives just for money?”
“That’s not even the worst thing he’s done.”
They talked to a doughy eyed receptionist, who called an elevator down to pick them up. When they got inside it started to ascend so slowly Tameka almost thought she might fall asleep.
“What did he do?” asked Tameka. “Please, you have to tell me.”
Red leaned against the elevator wall. “Our father couldn’t stand being in a world where nobody knew dragons existed. He was a conceited man, one who was used to being seen as great and powerful. One day he and Reiner decided to go to another realm and take it over completely, rule it. Father was the only one who got away that day. Reiner helped him, and ended up shafted by our dear, treacherous parent. Mother was devastated, and disowned Reiner.”
“That was a long time ago.”
“Dragons hold grudges. I blame him for helping father escape, and he blames me for letting mother disown him. We have a contentious relationship.” Red laughed. “Basically, we fucking hate each other with a passion.”
The elevator dinged and came to a stop. The doors slid open, revealing a long stretch of plush, golden carpeting. There was an extremely obese female troll waiting for them.
Why do all female trolls have boobs so big they could sink a whaling ship?
“Halt,” the troll commanded. She pointed a gun at them. “What do you want?”
“You know what I want, Raquel,” said Red, sounding bored. “I need to speak to Reiner.”
Raquel grinned. “It’s so good to see you! You’ve grown more handsome with age.”
“And you’re more beautiful than the rising son.”
“One of these days you’re going to have to take me out on that date you promised me.”
Red blew her a kiss. “I’ll be waiting.”
The troll giggled like a coquettish schoolgirl and stepped aside to allow them to pass. When they did Raquel pinched Red’s bottom. Tameka couldn’t help but be a little jealous, despite the fact she hated Red now and occasionally dreamed about killing him.
He’s only supposed to flirt with me like that.
“What’s up with you and Raquel?” Tameka asked, stifling a grin.
“She’s in love with me,” Red gushed. “What can I say? I’m hot.”
“You keep telling yourself that.”
“You thought the same when you wanted me to spend the night with you.”
“Well, that was before.”
She was about to sprinkle him a few more choice insults when the double doors to Reiner’s suite exploded. Tameka fell back as a wall of fire flowed her way, consuming everything in its path.
24
Red leaped on Tameka, covering her with his body, as the searing wall of fire surged down the corridor like a living, breathing thing. The clothes he was wearing burnt away to nothing as the fire continued towards the elevator.
“Raquel!” he shouted.
The troll jumped into the elevator and the doors closed just as the fire hit. He closed his eyes as the surge of flames curled around the end of the corridor, dissipating until finally there was nothing left.
The fire’s taken everything from the wallpaper to the carpet. It even hurt me a little. It must have been dragon fire!
He stood up, dusting himself off. Dragon fire didn’t create as much smoke as normal fire, though the air was still a little choking. He offered to help Tameka to her feet but she pulled her hand away from him like he was diseased. Her revulsion hurt him more than the fire.
“Are you unhurt?” he asked her, looking her up and down. Some of her perfect, springy hair was singed, and parts of her clothes, but she was fine. He’d shielded her. “Tell me.”
“Stop fussing,” she groaned. “I’m fine.” She smirked at him and said, “But you’re completely naked.”
Red felt suddenly vulnerable. He used his hands to cover his modesty, not wanting Tameka to see him like this.
“I already saw it,�
� said Tameka. “But I’m not impressed.”
He felt downcast. “What’s that supposed to mean?”
“What the hell happened?”
He let it rest for now. Trust Tameka to make him feel worse than being caught in an explosion of dragon fire.
My back feels really sore.
Red turned to the doorway to Reiner’s suite. The doors had been completely obliterated in the fire. He walked through, slowly, realizing both his gun belt and his weapon had been turned to ash too. He’d have to change if he wanted to protect Tameka, though she probably didn’t need protecting. She could probably insult his brother into submission.
“Reiner?” he called, stepping into the suite. He stepped back in shock, almost knocking over Tameka.
The entire penthouse suite was gone, burnt out of the top of the building. There was only a smoking, gaping hole where it used to be.
Tameka looked into the sky, feeling the ash from the blast tickling her face. She’d never seen anything like it before. It was like something huge had scooped out the apartment.
“Did your brother do this?” Tameka asked.
There was literally nothing left, just scorch marks. All traces of furniture, personal items, carpeting, was gone, scorched away to nothing.
Red ignored her, his eyes taking in the scene before them with horror.
Is Reiner dead?
She walked over to the edge of the apartment, staring down to the ground far below. There was panic, the people running around, cars stopping. The wind was whipping her face and she was beginning to feel the cold at such a height. She started to hear the sounds of fire trucks and police cars in the distance. The emergency services were on their way.
Was this a terrorist attack?
She looked up into the sky, searching for signs of dragons. She saw nothing but clouds, pregnant with what she assumed was snowfall.
“Reiner couldn’t have done this,” she heard Red whisper behind her. She turned to find him kneeling on the floor, his nakedness forgotten in his grief. “He’d never do this, especially if he was inside at the time.”
“Why not?” she asked.
His eyes locked with hers. He was weeping. “Enough concentrated dragon fire can kill even a dragon. Look at the skin on my back. It’s already peeling from the injuries it sustained in the blast. No, if Reiner did this he would’ve killed himself in the process.”
“Is any dragon powerful enough to do this?”
Red shook his head. “No. I don’t understand it.”
She searched what was left of the apartment, finding literally nothing but ash. There were no clues, no evidence, nothing. The only thing they did know was that dragon fire had done this, which was impossible, as dragons didn’t have this much power.
But I only have Red’s word of that. What if he’s lying?
Tameka turned back to Red, who was still kneeling on the floor, staring into space. She sighed, knowing he’d never lie at a time like this. He thought his brother was dead and it was killing him.
“The fire services are here,” she said, taking Red’s hand. She pulled him to his feet. “We have to get out of here.”
“He’s dead,” Red stated. “I can feel it.”
“You don’t know that. Not until we see the body will we be sure. Have faith.”
“I’ve lost too many people I love to ever have faith in anything.”
She put her hands on the side of his face and forced him to look at her. His tears were making streaks down his soot blackened face.
“Have faith in me,” she urged him. “Okay? Have faith in me.”
“You accused me of killing your parents,” he reminded her coldly.
She could still feel the heat of the explosion, and hear the wail of a million sirens, and smell what she hoped wasn’t burnt flesh, but she knew she had to convince him. She had to be blunt. She had to tell him what she felt in her heart, even if it conflicted with what her head was screaming at her.
“I…I know you didn’t kill them,” she admitted. “Okay? I know that. I know you. You’re many things, Prince Redley, but you didn’t kill my parents.” She smiled, wanting to cry herself. She felt raw and honest. “My head tells me you did it. My own memories tell me you did it. But I know in my heart you’re innocent, and it’s tearing me apart.”
“The red dragon…”
“The red dragon did it. I looked for it, but I never found it.” She looked around the room again, at the sky, at the falling ash. “And it could explain what happened here. You said yourself dimensional travel was easy. What if a really powerful red dragon came here from a world you couldn’t even comprehend? What if he or she is responsible for this?”
Now that she thought about it a bit more it made sense.
“Now come on,” she said. “Change and fly us out of here.”
He was about to agree when she saw Raquel staggering out of the corridor. The troll fell, weeping, as she surveyed the destruction before her.
“And we have to take her as well,” Tameka added.
The moment the dragon leapt into the sky Tameka felt her stomach leap from her body. She’d been expecting something life changing and awe inspiring. What she felt was the reason she never went on rollercoasters.
I think I’m going to be sick.
She clung to the thick, bony ridges on Red’s neck as he swooped through the clouds. She shivered, feeling so cold she was surprised she didn’t freeze. Red’s scaly, dragon skin was warm though, so she supposed that helped.
“As if today hasn’t been traumatic enough,” said Red.
Tameka patted him gently. “It’s okay. I know riding dragons is taboo, but you saved us. Remember that.”
She peered over the side, hoping Raquel was safe clutched in Red’s claws. The poor troll had been too heavy to ride on his back.
“You okay down there?” Tameka shouted.
Raquel answered with a terrified shriek.
Tameka grinned. “She says she’s loving this.”
“If you ever tell anyone you rode me I might have to kill you,” Red joked.
Red couldn’t contemplate the fact that his brother might be dead. It was unconceivable. Dragons were ancient, virtually immortal. They didn’t die so easily.
He must not have been there, or he escaped.
They may have had a contentious relationship, but Red never wanted his brother dead. He imagined that one day they might make up and put the past behind them. It was secretly what their mother wanted, even though she’d been the one to banish Reiner in the first place. She’d never admit it though. She could be stubborn.
He’s not dead.
He’s not dead.
“He’s not dead!” he screamed, swerving to the side as another huge dragon almost collided with them the air.
“Red!” Tameka screamed, clinging to him for dear life.
The purple dragon’s eyes met with his as they passed, and Red immediately recognized Reiner. Their minds met.
“What the hell happened?” Red exclaimed. “I thought you were dead.”
“Was that you?” Reiner shouted, almost deafening him. “Did you do that?”
“Of course not!”
Reiner ignored him, launching himself towards Red with ferocity. Red tried to dodge but the two colossal dragons collided. He heard Tameka scream as she lost her grip on his bone ridges.
“Tameka!” he shouted.
He dived down after her, but felt a pair of claws rake across his back. Red screamed in pain as his brother continued his assault. All he could see of Tameka was a small figure, plummeting towards the ground.
25
“Are you okay?” the old man asked.
Tameka looked up. It was the man she’d met several times at the marina. He was holding his hand out to her, smiling.
“I’m not sure,” she admitted. “What happened?”
She felt dizzy again. When she looked up all she saw was an ugly looking troll.
“Where’s the old
man?” she asked.
“Since when did a sexy, confident young pretty look like an old man?” Raquel demanded.
Tameka pulled herself to her feet, wondering what had happened. The last thing she remembered was being thrown off Red as they were flying home. Had they collided with a plane? Had they caused some kind of horrific air disaster?
She was in her apartment. She looked around, panicking, trying to find Red, but he wasn’t anywhere to be seen. Yenay was in the kitchen, pouring her a cup of tea. Raquel was giving her a death stare.
“Where’s Red?” she demanded.
“He’s on the roof,” said Raquel.
She made for the door, but Raquel grabbed her arm. Hard.
“He’s talking with Reiner,” the troll stated. “Leave them.”
“Reiner’s alive?” Tameka exclaimed.
Raquel nodded. “Master Reiner lives; and he saved your life.”
Reiner hadn’t said a word for five minutes. After they’d changed back to their human forms, and Raquel had taken Tameka to her apartment, he’d expected answers. His brother just seemed to descend into a creepy silence.
“Talk to me,” Red begged.
Reiner turned to him. The two brothers looked alike, though Reiner was a few inches taller and sported a trim beard. He looked thin, like he hadn’t been eating, and the purple tint to his eyes looked weak, sad even.
“I tried to kill you,” said Reiner. “I’m sorry.”
“You thought I tried to kill you,” said Red. “I forgive you.”
Reiner glared at him. “Now that that’s over we can go back to hating each other again. It’s much simpler that way.”
“First you can tell me what your connection is to Galina Trade.”
Reiner laughed. Sometimes Red hated that laugh. It implied that whomever he was laughing at was an idiot. He’d always been like this, even back when they were small dragonets.
“Galina and I were lovers,” Reiner revealed, smirking. “We broke up.”
“Did you know what she was?” Red asked. “Did you know she was the last kraken?”
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