Finding the Dragon (Dásreach Council Book 1) by Josette Reuel Read Free Book Online Page B

believe in hospitality. A man always stops if he sees a lady broken down on the side of the road.” Rogue responded petulantly. “I know New York is very different than the South, but you shouldn’t be so judgmental Nat.” Nat looked like someone had just stolen her signed copy of First Grave on the Right by Darynda Jones. They hadn’t meant to upset their friend.
    “I’m sorry Rogue. I think my adrenaline from the near death experience has me saying stuff I shouldn’t. Forgive me?”
    “I guess.” Rogue responded with a grin. “As for Ms. Giggles back there, are you goin’ to need to make another stop?”
    “Look, I for one am feeling like I need to get to my hotel room. Take a shower and relax. How about getting back on the road?” Al coaxed as she ignored Rogue’s ribbing.
    “Definitely.” Rogue and Nat said with a laugh. Rogue pulled back on I-55 and the women began discussing their plans for their time in New Orleans. Al knew she wanted to visit a certain tattoo shop, Nat wanted to walk the quarter, and Rogue voted for a night tour or maybe a walk through a cemetery.
    A little over five hours later, which included several rest stop breaks for Al and a long stop for breakfast, they pulled up to their hotel, the Melrose Mansion.

Chapter 4
    As Al finished drying her hair after her shower, she gazed in amazement at the beautiful room she and Rogue were sharing at the Melrose. The dramatic contrast of black and white everywhere and the beiges and taupes as accents, were all so dynamic yet soothing to her. She would never have thought she would like this color scheme, but it worked in the mansion. Not to mention, the marbled bathroom with the Jacuzzi tub she hoped she got the chance to use, which was well worth all they were spending on the room. She was so glad that they had splurged to spend their first week here. Only a block from the Quarter, she could pretend that their suite was an apartment and that they lived here. If only. She had always wanted to travel and eventually move somewhere other than Ohio, but being excessively shy made it hard to go on a trip alone, let along moving away from all she knew. Al was a creature of habit, her fears of the unknown keeping her where she had always been… in Delmar, Ohio. In the past, her panic attacks had kept her from doing so many things, but she hadn’t had one in a few years. Her last one had been right before meeting the Book Worms. She saw meeting the Book Worms as a sign that she was meant to see more than Main Street in Delmar, her apartment, and her job. She often dreamed of the places in her books, of living somewhere more… well, more exotic or maybe just different from where she was from. With her gals behind her, she knew she was going to see the world.
    Al walked out of the bathroom to find Rogue standing in front of the tall windows. She was looking down at the courtyard from their second story room with a coffee in her hand. They had arrived this morning, grateful for having already scheduled an early check-in, and it was now late afternoon. With her and Rogue settled and showered, they were to meet Nat below so they could discuss and finalize their plans for the next few days. Nat wasn’t comfortable sharing a room, so she had her own, which worked, because Al didn’t think any of them wanted to be sleeping on the floor for a week – at which point they would be switching to the host hotel of the convention they were attending, a hotel much cheaper than the Melrose.
    Al was stuffing her dirty clothes in a laundry bag when Rogue looked over her shoulder at her and smiled.
    “So Al, are you excited to finally be here?”
    “Absolutely! This place is amazing and I’m sure the city will be just as much so.” Al replied.
    “I’ve been down here a few times, and have always wanted to stay in the Melrose.” Rogue sighed. “I have to thank you and Nat for allowing me to live a dream. I owe you one, especially since you’re having to share