Before Ian could figure out where to try attacking the creature next, it swung its wing, aiming those same hooks at his chest. Ian leaped from Goat’s back as the gelding skittered sideways. His shoulder hit the ground and he rolled several paces.
Roark appeared, his cloak gone, and crouched over him, but he wasn’t looking at Ian. Instead, he glared up at the dragon, his lips curled in a feral snarl.
“Guess I’ll have to make you,” Roark sneered.
The dragon reared its head back, smoke curling from its nostrils. Its jaws gaped open and from within, Ian saw the flicker of red and yellow flames. He just knew that in seconds, they’d both be burned to a crisp.
As the dragon blew out a stream of fire, Roark hovered over him. “Don’t run,” the man stated. “I will keep you safe.”
Ian didn’t know how he’d be safe if he were dead, but miraculously, the flames seemed to hit a wall, which stopped them and caused them to veer around them. Ian thought Roark’s body appeared even larger than before, then he spotted the odd dark green formations flowing down Roark’s arms.
Not believing his eyes, Ian blinked in shock. The sight grew even stranger. Roark’s clothing seemed to melt into his skin and the odd green splotches thickened and formed scales. Roark’s body expanded.
After what was probably only a few seconds, but felt like several moments frozen in time, Roark was gone. In his place crouched a massive dragon, even larger than the other one. To Ian’s shock, the creature rocked back on its hind legs, stretched its wings, and launched at the smaller beast.
A mighty crash vibrated the ground as the second dragon slammed the first into the ground. The second dragon—this one with vibrant green scales that varied in shade from nearly white on its belly to hunter dark on its back—swung a long tail ending in a spiked club at the brown dragon’s wing.
Ian peddled backward across the ground, moving away from them both.
About the Author
Charlie started writing fantasy when she was eight, and after stumbling onto her first erotic romance at age nineteen, she realized her true calling. She now focuses on writing gay erotic romance, normally of the paranormal variety, with heroes of all kinds. With the help and support of her husband, Charlie finally fulfilled one of her life-long goals... move to acreage with her horses. You can often find her curled up with her laptop and a cup of tea or glass of wine, creating her next adventure. Charlie enjoys exploring the mountains of her new Oregon home on horseback, 4-wheeler, or motorcycle.
She can be reached at [email protected]
Or visit her at www.charlie-richards.com
Wading with an Octopus Page 8
