“What the…” She tried to shield her eyes with her hand but still couldn’t see past the gentleman who called himself her rescuer. He let go of her arms.
A female voice called out, “Who the hell is this? And why did you bring her here, Hephaestus?”
“I’m sorry. I just needed a moment to scan the area I’m returning her to, so we won’t be seen appearing out of thin air.”
“Well, that’s a moment too long. Get her out of here, now!”
The guy sighed and grasped Bliss’s arms again. Suddenly they were standing in a dark place. It took a moment for her eyes to adjust, as if she’d just had a flashbulb go off in her face.
“Wh—where are we?”
“In the alley behind the bar where you work. You’ve been gone for quite some time. You’ll need a reasonably believable story to explain your absence.”
Bliss focused on the man as soon as she could see again and set a hand on her hip. “You mean they won’t believe a dragon snatched me off the ground, flew me all over the city, and held me in a warehouse until some guy with magical powers got me out of there and took me to someplace brighter than the sun?”
“I think it would be a good idea to tweak the truth a bit, don’t you?”
“Well, yeah, of course, but damn… what do I say to my boss?”
“You could start by apologizing for running off and worrying everybody.”
Well, that’s a no-brainer. “I probably won’t need to explain where I was. I’ll just get my stuff and start looking for another job and place to live.”
“I don’t think you’ll lose your job.”
Something about the way he smiled made her realize he wasn’t as ugly as she’d originally thought. There was a goodness inside the man, and she felt ashamed for not realizing it before.
“I never thanked you. You probably saved my life.”
“Oh, there’s no ‘probably’ about it. I don’t usually like to interfere with mortals, but this was a special case. Now, I’m off to wrestle with a certain nasty dra—I mean, person.”
Mortals? “I have so many ques—” She stopped when she blinked and realized she was standing there alone, talking to herself. What the… How does he do that?
***
Bliss stepped through the back door and headed toward Anthony’s office, fully prepared to pick up her stuff and get out. If only Claudia was back there, but she’s home in bed by now.
Before she reached the door, she was spotted. Someone called out, “Bliss!” It may have been Tory. He was standing at the bar talking to Angie. Angie whipped her head around and gasped when she saw Bliss.
Drake burst into the bar through the front door.
Before Bliss could take another step, Angie lifted the bar top and rushed through it, almost tackling her.
“Bliss! Oh, God! Where have you been?”
“I don’t know, but you may have just guessed who I was with.”
Angie took a step back. “God? You were with God?” Her hands flew to cover her second gasp. “You saw God? Did you have a near-death experience?”
Hey, that’s as good an explanation as any… “Yeah, I think so. In all the confusion, I was—um… I got knocked down and I think I hit my head.”
“On the street? But didn’t anyone stop to help you?”
Drake battled his way through the crowd.
“Uh… no. You know how big cities are.”
Angie glanced around at the people that were watching as if to say, “Do you believe this shit?”
Drake reached her and pulled her into a giant hug. “Bliss, honey. We were all worried about you, but I think I speak for everyone when I say we’re just glad to have you back.” Raising his voice he announced, “Bliss needs time to rest and regroup. Let’s give her some breathing room.”
Everyone murmured their assent and stepped back. Most folks returned to their tables. Kurt and Tory stayed nearby, probably to make sure she was all right.
“Thanks, Drake. I need to tell Anthony I’m okay and get yelled at, or more likely fired.”
Drake smiled. “He’s not going to fire you.”
“Wanna bet?”
“How much?” He placed his hand on the small of her back, guiding her toward the office.
Tory laughed. “You’re seriously betting on whether or not she gets fired?”
Drake grinned at him. “Why not? I know I’m going to win. Maybe I can get something I want from her in the bargain.” He winked at Bliss.
His calm demeanor and good humor relaxed her somewhat, but she wondered how he could be so sure of himself.
As soon as they reached the office door, he opened it.