Lord of Chaos (The Dragon Demigods #7) - Charlene Hartnady Page 0,1

ready.

It doesn’t take very long, and he comes at me with a right hook. I can see he wants me to block and give him an opening. From the way he is standing, I think he will try a kick to my midsection, or maybe he’ll use his forked tail. It has a barb on the end.

I’ll bet I’m quicker than he is. I can block and retaliate at the same time. I love how they underestimate me. It’s saved me more than a few times.

I lift my arm to block…and unexpectedly, the shackle slips open. The chain falls to my feet. I am thrown back as the demon kicks me in the middle of my chest. I was caught off-guard. It won’t happen again.

I turn in the air, landing on all fours. I’m on my feet in less than a second, which is good since he is on me.

I’m free!

Change of plan. I need him alive. That makes it a little more challenging. I don’t wait for him to come at me this time. I run at him. I duck for his tail and punch him in the groin. It doesn’t matter what the species, there are always a couple of weak spots that remain the same. The eyes, the throat, and the groin are the top three. I block a right and punch his throat. Then I start in on his face while he’s struggling to breathe. I keep a half-eye cocked on his tail, which I have to deflect numerous times. I go at his face, aiming for his eyes, nose, and mouth. There’s blood…and some teeth. Sharp little buggers.

He shouts something at me in his demon tongue, blood dripping down his chin. I don’t have to understand to know he’s being a rude bastard.

“Cythraul llysnafedd!” I shout back in Celtic. Loosely translated, it means demon scum, which I think is appropriate. I feel a pang. I miss home. I miss my mam and my tad. I miss my brothers. I never thought I would ever miss those stinky, loudmouthed brutes, but I do. I didn’t think I’d miss my boring little village, lamb cawl or crempogs, but I do.

I knee the demon hard in the crotch, and he goes down. I see his eyes roll back in his head. The yell he gives is also pretty universal and means something along the lines of, “I wish I was dead right now.”

I snap the shackle closed on his arm with a click. When this bastard comes back around, he’s going to wish he was dead rather than compelled to guard this gateway. I’m hoping no one will notice my absence for a while. Maybe I’ll get a few days’ grace…maybe longer. I hope it will be enough.

I open the gate and make my way topside. Before long, I am running. Pushing myself as fast as my legs will carry me. I have to find him. I have to convince him to help me. I have a plan and a backup plan. I will do what it takes to win back my freedom. Make no mistake, it doesn’t matter that the wind is blowing through my hair or that the open sky is above me, I am just as tightly shackled as ever. Even now, I can feel the pull.

2

Rage

One week later…

“Don’t look at me like that!” I grumble, keeping my eyes on the road as I indicate to turn into the parking lot.

I know she’s looking at me. I can feel her eyes on me. It’s as if she knows where I’m taking her. “You should have gone back to wherever it is you came from,” I add as I park the car.

I turn off the engine and sit there for a few seconds. When I turn to face her, there’s no malice in her gaze. No hate. No judgment. None of that.

I’ll be fucked if the damned dog isn’t trying to guilt-trip the hell out of me. “Not happening,” I say, pulling my keys from the ignition.

I get out of the car. The dog jumps out beside me, waiting for me.

I sigh as I shut the door. I walk to the main building. The door is open, so I go on in. An older woman looks up from an ancient-looking desktop computer. Short-cropped steel gray hair frames a face that is deeply wrinkled. Her lips are a bright red. She breaks out a smile as soon as she sees us. “Morning. Lovely day, isn’t it?” Her