Sword of the King by Megan Derr Read Free Book Online Page A

smacked Rafael's cheek with faux congeniality. "I do not recall inviting you to this party."
    "I didn't know there was a party," Rafael said. "They called me because a dragon was having trouble with the changers. I thought it was just an allergy. This is something else." He glanced at Cam before looking away, afraid he would reveal that he was more than clinically interested. "Where'd you find him? He's something else again, Leo."
    Leo smirked, clearly satisfied with Rafael's reply, and settled in the seat at the desk. Rafael was impressed the tiny seat didn't give. He pulled out a cigar case and lit a cigar, then leaned back and looked from Rafael to Conway to Cam. "So you like my new dragon, then? Found him up north, by pure chance. What's your initial impression?"
    "He's powerful," Rafael replied. "Even Conway is leery of him. I don't recommend trying the drugs again; they're just a handicap to him."
    "He's getting drugged," Leo said flatly. "There won't be any other way to control him."
    Rafael's mouth tightened. "Leo, you don't treat a Maserati like a Civic. If you drug—" Rafael broke off with a cry of pain as Leo shot out of his chair and backhanded him. "Sorry," he said, eyes blurring. He wiped his bloodied mouth with the back of his hand. "I didn't mean any disrespect, Leo. I'm trying to help you with your dragon, that's all."
    Leo grunted and retreated, but only a couple of steps. Rafael felt sick, but pressed on. He had to stay close to Cam. He shuddered to think what would happen if he didn't—to Cam, to Leo, to everyone. Dragons were tricky enough to control as it was; there was no telling what would happen with an unknown type dragon that couldn't effectively be drugged.
    "I really am sorry," Rafael said, keeping his eyes downcast. "He's different, powerful; I just want to help. I can teach him to shift without the drugs, and maybe find someone to master him."
    "You don't need to do anything but babysit him until more suitable assistance arrives," Leo said, finally sitting down again. "I've called in a favor with the Rust Syndicate; they owe me. They're sending their best pit fighter to work with this one and get him trained. They say the bastard doesn't need drugs to control or change his dragon, and they've gone undefeated for the past three years."
    Rafael wiped away more blood. "You're talking about Blaze and Eros." Leo grunted an affirmative. "Is that a good idea, letting–" Rafael realized too late what he'd said, and didn't brace himself in time.
    Leo slammed a fist into his stomach, sending him stumbling to his knees. Rafael bit back a cry, but couldn't hold back a groan. He heard Conway growl softly, and pleaded, "Please don't."
    Conway reluctantly subsided, but Rafael knew that if he were in his true form Conway's tail would be furiously lashing back and forth.
    "I'm sorry, Leo," Rafael gasped out. "I wasn't questioning you, I was just worried. You know I worry about the dragons."
    Leo grabbed his hair and forced his head up. "You'd be a lot happier, Raf, if you did less worrying and just learned to obey. Rust's fighter is coming here; he's going to take care of the dragon. You just watch it until they get here. See if you can't get it to change. Don't do anything else unless you've cleared it with me. Understand?"
    "Y-yes, Leo," Rafael said.
    "Good boy," Leo said, and squeezed his shoulder hard enough to bruise. Turning away, he snapped his fingers. "Conway, come."
    Rafael grabbed the edge of the bed and used it as leverage to pull himself to his feet. "No, Leo, please. I need him. If you want me to take care of an unknown dragon and get him to shift, I'm going to need another dragon to help him. Conway is used to me, trusts me, so he'll listen to me better than another dragon would. He's also fathered kits before so he's used to new and young dragons. Please, Leo?" He kept his voice soft and submissive, and kept his eyes the ground.
    Leo smacked his cheek again and ruffled his hair. "See? Is that