“Well, keep looking. The world is screwed if they ever band together. Thankfully they can’t stand one another as much as we can’t stand them.” She sighed and set her laptop on the table. “Two months. It’s it’s like the world has never seen a dragon. I still don’t get how they managed to cover it up with all the video and pictures and witnesses. How is that even possible? Didn’t I write those articles warning everyone? Now it’s like they were never published.”
He rested a hand on her leg, giving it a light squeeze. “It’s the nature of humans. Anything they can’t explain is swept away. Magic, werewolves, vampires, dragons.”
“Yeah, yeah. None of those things are real, except dragons.” Lois ran her hands through her newly bobbed hair. He hid his smirk, admiring her creamy skin and the ear he liked to nibble. “I think it’s someone, or some ones, higher up in the government. Dragons in the CIA or Homeland Security. They’ve fogged everyone’s memories, created some action overseas so people would focus on something else. It’s a cover-up, and I’m going to find out who’s responsible.”
“That’s a big task.” Xan couldn’t resist any longer. He leaned in and brushed his lips over her neck.
“It is, but I’ll find the dragon and you’ll slay it. We’ll mow right through those ugly lizards.” She tilted her head to the side to give him more access.
“First, dinner. Can’t work on an empty stomach.” Xan left a trail of kisses up to her ear and nipped at the lobe. “Chez Brandon’s?”
Lois made a sexy little sound, a bit like a whimpering growl. “You know you don’t have to take me out to all the fancy places. Pizza or Chinese take-out works just as good for me.”
“Too greasy.” He kissed her once more and sat back with a grin. “Besides, I want to see you in that new black dress you bought. Didn’t Meira give you some shoes for it too?”
“Yes, with compliments on my toes. So weird.” Lois chuckled and gazed at him through long dark lashes. “Chez Brandon’s, hm? Too bad they have a shirt and tie policy. Maybe I can find a dragon down in the Caribbean or Mexico, and I can get you on a beach.”
“You don’t have to go to those lengths to get me shirtless. You need merely ask.” Xan leaned back and teasingly tugged up the bottom of his shirt.
“Yeah, but where’s the fun in that? I like a challenge.”
Xan slid across the couch and kissed her until she went limp under him. “So do I.”
THE END
ACKNOWLEDGMENTS
A big round of applause to my magnificent critique partners, Cherie Reich and TF Walsh. Thank you so much for everything you do for me.
Thank you to my beta readers, Clare Dugmore and M Pepper Langlinais. Your insights are spectacular.
Hugs and kisses to my husband and son. I know I put myself on a tight schedule with this series, but I promise it’s half done!
Finally, thank you so very much to my readers. This wouldn’t be happening without you.
ABOUT THE AUTHOR
Christine Rains is a writer, blogger, and geek mom. She lives in Southern Indiana with her husband and son. Their cozy little house is stuffed full of books and games. Christine has four degrees which help nothing with motherhood but make her a great Jeopardy player. When she’s not writing or reading, she’s having adventures with her son or watching cheesy movies on the Syfy Channel. She’s a member of Untethered Realms and S.C.I.F.I. She has twenty short stories and five novellas published.
The Dragonslayer is the third book in the 13th Floor series. The fourth installment, 1304 - The Harbinger, will be available on March 13, 2013.
Website: http://christinerains.net/
Blog: http://christinerains-writer.blogspot.com/
Twitter: https://twitter.com/CRainsWriter
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Email: [email protected]
1303 The Dragonslayer (The 13th Floor) Page 8
