Total pages in book: 45
Estimated words: 42796 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 214(@200wpm)___ 171(@250wpm)___ 143(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 42796 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 214(@200wpm)___ 171(@250wpm)___ 143(@300wpm)
“Yeah. It was in an alley. Probably just something moved off the street to get it out of the way.”
Rogan didn’t like the dejection in his mate’s voice. “I guess we won’t be sure if we don’t go check it out. Got anything pressing to fill your schedule for today?”
“No. I was going to help move some livestock from one field to another. The cows move quickly when they smell dragon on me.”
“Of course, they do. Come on, Adventurer. Let’s check out what you spotted. I made a mental note of roughly where it was so we could find it again,” Rogan told him.
A few moments later, Rogan flew over that spot and glimpsed what Brooks had seen. You’re right, Brooks. That’s suspicious. He could see a white S on a red background.
Without hesitating over that spot, Rogan continued on his trajectory and alerted the horde. I think Brooks found the Snap-On tools truck. Anyone want to come investigate with me? Keres? Got that fancy suit?
“Daddy? Aren’t we going down there?”
I’m not putting you at risk, Adventurer. I’m going to take you to the next water station and drop you off. You’ll stay there until I come to get you.
“That’s totally unfair. I found the truck,” Brooks protested as Rogan landed.
You did. Do you want me to find Edwin or worry about you being hurt or taken?
“I could stay way back away from everything where I could see but not be in danger,” Brooks suggested.
If you’re close enough to see, you’re close enough to get hit with that powder. I’ll keep you updated with messages when I can. Will that be okay?
“Better than nothing,” Brooks grumbled before adding, “If I’m far away, I can’t help you.”
You won’t help me like that again, Mate. You are not to put yourself at risk again. I will promise to be extremely careful. I don’t want to experience that again.
“Promise?”
Promise. I love you, Brooks. Rogan wrapped a wing around Brooks and hugged him close.
“I love you, too, Daddy.”
Releasing Brooks, Rogan nudged him away with his snout. Reluctantly, Brooks backed away to give him room to explode into the sky. Rogan could feel his mate’s gaze on him until the buildings interrupted their visual connection.
Rogan? Where are you? Keres reached out.
Almost there. I had to safeguard my mate. Look for a truck almost completely covered by netting.
I’m here with Khadar, Argenis messaged. Check it out for us, Keres.
In a few minutes, both Keres and Rogan landed a block away from the disguised truck, where the others waited. Keres unrolled a package he’d carried in a leather duffle, revealing his hazmat suit. Soon, boots, pants, jacket, gloves, and protective hood covered him from head to toe.
The others followed him around the corner. Argenis shifted to flap his wings, driving the wind away from them, and prepared to flame any dust that emerged to threaten Keres. The area was quiet. At this time of day, all Wyverns were either embroiled in their chosen line of work to support the community or asleep, preparing for the next night shift.
Keres walked slowly up to the truck. He carefully lifted the edge of the netting and revealed the rest of the tool brand’s logo. When he knocked on the side of the truck, something scurried around inside. Thanks to their dragons’ keen hearing, everyone in the group heard that sound.
Subtle, Keres. Did you want to warn them? Rogan asked.
Only one person moved. Small stature. Keres scanned the truck, searching for any additional traps.
Rogan reconsidered. Maybe Keres wasn’t just crazy, but crazy smart.
“Edwin? Are you inside?” Keres spoke quietly again. “May sent us.”
The scrabbling sound repeated itself, but toward Keres this time. Small thumps landed on the metal sides. If it was Edwin, he was too young for a complicated discussion. They needed to get him out of there as quickly, but as carefully as possible.
“May. May!”
It has to be him. Keres reported. I’m taking a leap of faith. I think they’ve abandoned him in this truck to keep him out of sight and booby trapped it for spite alone. Let’s get him out of there.
Agreement resonating with anger came from each dragon.
Keres walked to the rear of the truck and put out a hand to lift the netting from the back entrance. A smudge of colorful dust made him ease the covering to its original place and back away. Powder at the rear door.
Crap! Check the front, Rogan suggested before sending a message to Brooks. We think we’ve found him. Keres is working on the best way to remove him.
Keres turned and walked to the front of the truck. Peeking under the netting, he checked the door and turned to shake his head. They’ve protected the two entrances to keep us out. Guess what that means, Argenis. You’re now officially a welder. Narrow your flame to a tiny beam and let’s make our own door in the side. I’ll get Edwin away.