by Zoe Chant
Virginia's hand suddenly flew to her coat pocket, gripping something through the fabric. "No. I want to go home. I feel fine. Can I just go home?"
Hugh sighed. "One day, one of my patients will actually want to go to the marvelous temple of modern medicine. Yes, you can go home, if," he raised one long finger forbiddingly, "you can call someone to both take you there and take care of you tonight."
Virginia's face fell. "Oh." She rubbed her forehead. "I'll...think of someone."
*Can you give us a minute?* Dai sent to Hugh.
The paramedic's pale eyebrows rose, but he got to his feet. "I'll go report to Commander Ash. Let me know when you decide what to do." Flashing Dai a curious glance, he left.
"Please, allow me to watch over you tonight," Dai said to Virginia, as casually as he could with his inner dragon roaring in eagerness. "It's not safe for you to be alone, and not just for medical reasons. The dragon threatened to return."
That bothered him. If she'd never seen a dragon before—and clearly she hadn't—how could she have taken something from one's hoard? Had the other dragon been lying? He pushed the thought away; there were much more important matters to deal with now.
Virginia's eyes widened. "It—what?"
"Shh, shh!" Dai grabbed her shoulders as her breathing started to go shallow and panicky. "It's all right. I'm here to protect you."
"From dragons?"
"Yes. It's, ah, sort of my specialty."
She stared at him, apparently taking in his uniform. "But you're a firefighter," she said blankly.
"Yes. But I'm also a dragon..."
That monster, she had said.
"...hunter," Dai finished.
It was true. Just not...the whole truth.
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