How to Date a Dragon(27)
Sadie waved her over. Bliss had almost forgotten about the tarot reading.
Crap. She strolled over to Sadie’s booth. “Did you want another White Russian?” Or did you want to say, “I told you so”?
“Yes, dear. That would be nice, but I also wanted to give you a little more information.”
Bliss was almost afraid to ask. “Another prediction?”
“No. Just a little psychic insight. When I told you to be careful of Drake, I think it had something to do with that woman. And it’s not about protecting your heart. I think you need to protect yourself physically.”
“Shi—I mean, shoot,” Bliss stammered. “Wow. Do you really think she’d hurt me?”
“I was getting some very dark vibes from her. I’d say she’s capable of it. Do you know martial arts?”
Bliss laughed, then she sobered quickly. “Do you think I need to take some classes?”
Sadie nodded. “It wouldn’t hurt.”
“It might. I don’t have time for that right now.”
“Why? What’s so important that it comes before protecting yourself?”
“Only my whole future. Put it this way, if I survive because I learned self-defense, swell, but my quality of life won’t be that great. If I don’t survive but win the brass ring…” Bliss heard her own bizarre rationale and couldn’t finish her thought. “I’m sorry, Sadie. Thank you for your concern. I guess I’ll have to weigh the pros and cons.”
Sadie smiled. “I understand. Exercising your free will is important.”
Bliss had to put this new information on the back burner if she was going to do her job with any kind of competence. “Well, let me go get you your drink.”
“Thank you, dear. Don’t worry about that contest so much. I have a good feeling about your part in it.”
“You know about the contest?”
Sadie shrugged. “Like I tell everyone, I know a lot of things.”
Bliss thought about what else Sadie said she knew or had a feeling about, and her skin started to prickle.
***
Drake followed Zina onto the sidewalk. Charles Street was fairly quiet for a change.
“So, Drake, why are you two-timing me?”
“I just met you! And I met Bliss a couple weeks ago. I’m not committed to anyone yet.”
“I thought we had a good thing going.”
“We had one drink together, and to be honest, I wasn’t planning to call you again.”
“You what?” she shrieked. “Why the hell did you take my number if you weren’t going to use it?”
Her eyes glowed and wings pushed at the fabric on her shoulders. He had thought she was wearing leather, but apparently it was something else. Something that stretched.
“I didn’t want to insult you. Besides, I didn’t take it. You practically forced it on me.”
“Well, how do you think I feel now?”
He stared at what must have been her wings, pushing at the fabric again. “Probably lousy, but it would be worse to mislead you anymore than I already have.”
“You bet I feel lousy. And you should know better than to piss off a dragon.”
He focused on her rapidly reddening cheeks. This is what he was afraid of. If he’d refused her number, chances are he’d have seen the same reaction. Who knew what she’d do in a crowded restaurant. She could begin hurling chairs or get so “steamed” she’d shift.
“Look, I’m sorry I upset you, but—”
“But nothing.” She aimed right for a male dragon’s vulnerable spot. His throat. And with two fingers she jabbed him in his Adam’s apple, hard.
Drake collapsed to the ground, choking. While he was down, she gave him a swift kick in the ribs with her steel-toed boot. He heard a crack, and pain shot through his chest. She stepped over him and sauntered off as if she didn’t have a care in the world.
Unable to get enough air in his lungs, Drake felt the world spin and go black.
***
Bliss didn’t think she’d see Drake again so soon, especially in the arms of a large, blond man who was carrying Drake’s unconscious body into the bar.
“What happened?” Bliss wasn’t the only one who shouted and hurried over to them.
The guy shoved one of the booths out of his way with his foot and laid Drake on the padded bench.
A moment later, Angie appeared beside Bliss and asked, “Nick, what happened?”
“Don’t know. I just found him like this.”
Drake groaned and started to writhe. The man Angie had called Nick held him in place and said, “Don’t move, Drake. You’re hurt.”
Drake’s eyes opened slowly. “Nick? Where am I?”