by Ruby Dixon
Before he can suggest it, I grab the envelope and pull the paper out. There’s a note inside for me.
Sasha,
I’m out of deer urine. Could you be so kind as to leave me a few cans?
XOXO
Emma
Oh, right. I forgot about the deer urine. I laugh to myself. “I think it’s not Emma’s scent that you’re smelling, Dakh.” I wave the note. “She’s still using deer urine to disguise her scent.”
It makes my scales crawl.
I can’t help but smile at that. “I think that’s the point, Dakh. She doesn’t want dragon attention. Or any attention, I’m guessing, since she’s on her own.” The thought makes my guilty conscience rise. Even though Emma technically abandoned this fantastic store when we arrived, the truth is that we were trespassing. We scared her off. In a way, we’re kind of squatting on her territory. And I know how it feels to be alone in the world with no one to count on and no safety. I hate that we did that to her. I think for a minute and then decide I’m going to write her back.
I have to fix this.
Emma,
Hey there! I’m so glad to hear from you again. I’ve been checking daily for notes in the hopes that you’d return, and I’m glad you did. Dakh and I are still staying at the store, and I want to reassure you that you can come by any time you want and grab anything you need. You can even stay at the store with us. I know that sounds like an asshole sort of thing given that it was your store, but you know what I mean. It’s hard to tell a dragon no, even when it’s my dragon.
Long story short, come and get some deer urine. But please hang out for a while. We’ll have a barbecue the day after tomorrow. I’ll bring the (flat) soda and (stale) chips, and Dakh will bring the fresh barbecued meat! It’ll be great. I swear you’re safe with us. Please, please come by. I would love to chat, even just to say hello.
Your friend,
Sasha
It is a good note, Dakh reassures me. But you should tell her it is not a trap.
I frown at him. “Uh, so you want me to write at the bottom, ‘PS this isn’t a trap’? That won’t go over very well.”
Why not?
“Because then she’ll really think it’s a trap?”
But you would tell her it is not.
“Oh, you sweet innocent dragon,” I tell him with a shake of my head. “Just trust me on this one. She’s going to have to take a leap of faith.” I put the paper back into the envelope and flip it back around to show “EMMA” on the front. “I hope.”
You are excited about this female coming to visit.
“I am.” I smile up at him. “I guess it’s part atonement for stealing her house and part wanting to have another friend—a girlfriend. I miss Amy and Claudia. It’s funny, because back in Fort Dallas, we lived in the back of this old schoolbus. We’d taken the seats out and sold them, but the entire thing was still kind of cramped. I used to gripe that we were never alone for a moment and dreamed about having a place of my own, but then they disappeared and I realized that being lonely is probably the worst thing possible.”
And then I left you alone for many days to go and retrieve the arm-breaker human. Dakh’s eyes turn flat black again. I made you unhappy.
“You can’t be around me all day every day,” I tell him, reaching out and caressing his shoulder. “You have to hunt. I know this. And yeah, finding Tate probably wasn’t the best use of your time, but it came from a good place. I know I should learn to be more independent, but I like company. I can’t help it.”
There is nothing wrong with you. His eyes gleam a deep gold. You are perfect in every way.
I shiver at the wealth of emotion in his thoughts. It’s clear to me that he’s eager to have sex again. I am, too, but I’m also a little worried about it. Not for the same reasons, either—last night was so good there’s no way it can be that good again. Maybe it’s a fluke, and I’m worried I won’t be able to give him a repeat performance. I don’t want to get my hopes up only to have them dashed all over again.
So I’m stalling. But now, I have a really good reason why.
“I know you’re thinking about picnics right now,” I say, and his thoughts flare with lust. “But if Emma’s coming to visit, there’s so much we need to do.”
Do?
“Yes!” I beam at my dragon. “We’re having a barbecue, and we’ve got to get ready.”
27
DAKH
For the rest of the day, my sweet human mate obsesses over the fact that the other human we drove out will be coming to eat with us. At least, that is what I gather from Sasha’s scattered thoughts as she scribbles on things to compose her thoughts and takes stock of her food supplies. She’s even more excited when the note she left disappears the next morning. That tells her that the human got her message.
Now the only thing to do is to wait and see if this human will show. Sasha’s mind is a flurry of excitement. She wants everything to be “perfect,” she tells me, so I push the strange metal contraption called a “shopping cart” while she gathers things.
Her thoughts are focused on the human Emma, but I know much of it is a diversion. She is distracted by me and the mating we had last night. She has many confusing thoughts over it, and she does not want me to know that she is anxious. So I pretend that I do not notice and let her have her privacy for now.
My Sasha worries far too much.
I thought that by mating with her I could remove all her fears, but she has new ones. It will take time, I think, for my mate to become comfortable with her bond. It is new to her, and it does not sound like it is something humans share. So she will need time to adjust.
I will give her time. And if she wishes for the foul-smelling human to come and visit? I will endure the stench.
Sasha holds up a small, brightly colored packet. “Look! Strawberry lemonade! We’re totally going to make this! Emma will love it.” She adds it to the cart and then drums her fingers over her mouth, thinking. “Now we need sugar. And a pitcher.”
I pick up the packet and sniff it, curious. It smells…fruity. Familiar. Is this what you put on your hair when you wash?
Her eyes go wide, and then she giggles. “No! That’s shampoo. This is just a drink.”
There is a difference? I let her take it from my grip and say nothing as she continues to fill her cart with many items. I want to tell her that it is one human she is expecting, not a dozen, but I will not spoil my Sasha’s plans. If she wishes to fling gifts at this human, I will not say a word. Perhaps it is a human custom.
“There is definitely a difference,” she tells me, and then adds another thing to the cart. “I’m going to need you to go hunting first thing in the morning while I set up for our barbecue.”
Hunting? I am curious now.
“Yes, and you can’t eat it.”
Then why would I hunt?
“You’re going to bring it back so we can cook it over a fire. It’s called a barbecue, just like I wrote to Emma.” Her smile is brilliant—she is so excited over this.
It seems cruel to carry a live animal in my mouth only to roast it to death in front of her, but if this is what my mate wishes…
She blanches, picking up my thoughts. “God, no. Not like that! You can bring it back dead.” She puts a hand to her forehead. “Perhaps this barbecue isn’t a good idea.”
You can come hunting with me, I suggest. So I know what to get and what to do to it. It seems she is particular about how I should handle this food, and I do not wish to disappoint her in her curious human ritual.
Sasha wrinkles her nose. “Maybe that’s best. Or maybe we should just give up on this.”
She looks so disappointed that I ache for her. If you wish to have me bring back dead animals without eating them, I shall do so, I vow. I will bring you back a dozen.
A lovely smile spreads across her face. “That’s the sweetest thing you’ve ever said, Dakh. I think.” She shrugs and studies the shelving near us. “And we only need one dead animal. We reall
y should eat some of this other stuff, too.” Sasha looks worried and then turns to me. “Do you think she’ll come, Dakh? What if she doesn’t want anything to do with us?”
The human female will come, I tell my mate. I will go and hunt her down if she does not.
SASHA
The next day, I sit nervously at a picnic table at the front of the store and wait. We’ve dragged a patio set from the much-overgrown garden center of the store out here into the parking lot, and a big green umbrella shades the table from the sunlight. I’ve made pink lemonade, though there’s no ice, and every bag of sugar I found was one hardened chunk. There are bags of chips and crackers, and I’ve even found a few bags of Oreo cookies that weren’t torn into. It wasn’t hard to figure out that Emma had a sweet tooth—the candy and cookie aisles of the store were nearly demolished. I’ve brought a few of the treats in the hopes of enticing her, along with the last canister of deer “spray” on the shelves.
Dakh waits in a nearby seat, scratching at the sweatpants I’m making him wear. I’ve got on a new dress, and my clean hair is braided into a little crown atop my head for this party. I feel fancy, ready to entertain and feed and just talk with another human being who knows the same situation I’ve been in.
And I’m anxious my guest won’t even show.
It’s been over a day, and I know Emma got the message. It just depends on if she trusts me—no, correction, trusts us—enough to come by. I’ll understand if she doesn’t, but I’ll still be disappointed.
Dakh shifts in his chair next to me. I know he’s frustrated by the clothing and can feel my nervousness. I have him waiting to get the “meat” part of the meal until our guest shows. I don’t like the thought of sitting by a dead animal for hours, waiting to cook it.
She will be here, Dakh tells me. Be patient.
I shoot him a twitchy smile. How are you so sure?
Because I can smell her stench on the breeze.
“Oh!” I smooth a hand over my hair nervously. “That’s wonderful.”
It takes everything I have not to jump to my feet and run for Emma the moment she appears on the far edge of the parking lot. Flinging myself at her will probably scare her, so I force myself to sit and make it seem as if it’s a casual sort of thing. No big deal, just your everyday afternoon barbecue in the apocalypse.
Shall I leave to go get the meat?
I reach across the table and grab his hand. “Not just yet. If you change into dragon form right now, you might scare her. Wait until she sits down with us.”
I’m pretty sure I hold my breath as Emma slowly makes her way forward in the parking lot. She’s got a baseball bat over one shoulder and wears a few weapons at her hips. Her jeans are torn, and her shirt is dirty, but she looks good. She doesn’t look like she’s starving, which is a relief. I cling tightly to Dakh’s hand. What if she hates me? What if she resents that we’re here in her store? I know how territorial people are in the After. All your stuff matters, especially when you don’t have much.
But she’s here, and I’m going to feed her and be friendly. It’s the least I can do.
She approaches, glancing around nervously the entire time. As she gets closer, I see she’s wearing something that looks like a bright yellow fireman’s vest under her zippered hoodie. Smart. They’re fire resistant. I’ve seen lots of people wear them during dragon attacks. That—and the baseball bat—tell me that she’s worried she’s walking into a trap.
Her smell makes my eyes water, Dakh tells me in a grumpy voice. She does not need to worry that another will snatch her as a mate. He would have to have no nose in order for that to happen.
Hush, I tell him, suppressing my laughter. You stole me and I smelled bad.
No, you smelled strong. Not bad. There is a difference. She smells foul.
I’m still smothering my giggles when Emma walks up, and then I can smell her, too. He’s right—she does smell awful. It’s that strange, musky, skunky smell that the store reeked of when we first moved into it and that I’ve practically drowned out at this point with some sprays and scented candles.
“Hi,” I tell her enthusiastically, jumping to my feet. “I’m so glad you’re here!” I gesture at my bad arm. “I’d offer you a hand to shake, but I’m still recovering.”
She nods slowly, the look on her face suspicious as she gives me an up-and-down look, then peers at the front of the store behind us. “Is there anyone else here?”
“Just us.”
“Mind if I go look inside?” The look on her face is wary.
“I don’t mind,” I tell her. I turn and gesture at Dakh. “This is my, um, boyfriend, Dakh. I think you met him before.”
Emma just stares at him. “The dragon. I remember.”
“Dakh’s going to go get us some fresh meat, aren’t you, sweetie pie?” I give him a bright smile.
Sweetie pie? His tone is disgusted.
If I wasn’t so nervous how Emma would take it, I’d laugh. I’m trying to make her comfortable. Just roll with it.
Very well. I shall endure this sweetie pie. He gets to his feet.
Emma jerks backward, clutching at her bat.
“It’s okay,” I tell her. “He’s just leaving. You’ll be back soon, right, dumpling?”
That is worse than sweetie pie. Why are you calling me by strange food names?
It’s a human thing. Come give me a kiss and be on your way.
Dakh’s eyes flare bright gold. He stalks over to my side and puts an arm around my waist, hauling me against him before he claims my mouth in a fierce, tongue-slicking kiss that isn’t quite the sweet little peck I had in mind to demonstrate to Emma.
You said a kiss. You did not specify more than that. I prefer kissing you this way.
So I didn’t. When he releases me, I’m weak in the knees and lean against the patio table to stand. I watch as Dakh stalks a short distance away and then rips off his sweatpants, revealing taut bronzed buns.
“Oh dear,” I murmur. “I guess I should have been more specific with him about the clothing stuff.” I watch as he transforms and takes to the air, massive wings beating. I glance over at Emma and see that she’s gone pale, her grip on her bat white-knuckled.
She looks over at me, and her expression is slightly incredulous. “You’re not scared at all, are you?”
“Nope. Dakh’s a good guy. I promise.”
She eyes me. “He the one that bruised you up and broke your arm?” Her tone is openly skeptical.
Oh, of course. No wonder she’s so wary. “No, actually. Dakh saved me from the guy responsible for this.” I pat my arm in its sling, now fresh and clean and made from a pillowcase. “I know that Dakh looks scary as hell, but I swear he would never harm me. His customs are a little different than ours, but now that I understand him, I’m not afraid anymore.” Even as I say it, I realize it’s true. There’s a lot of things to be afraid of in this world, but Dakh’s not one of them. I feel secure and safe with him. It’s wonderful to realize.
Of course you are safe with me. Dakh’s thoughts drift through mine, and he sounds a little insulted.
It takes time for these things to filter through my mind, I tell him. You’ll have to be patient with me if I still get surprised by it now and then.
And you’re sure I cannot kill the one that broke your arm? His thoughts are grouchy.
I’m sure. I refocus on Emma, who’s watching me with a curious look. “You said the dragon wouldn’t hurt you, but what about me?”
“As long as we’re friends, I can assure you that Dakh would never hurt you.”
She rolls the bat on her shoulder and gives me an exasperated look. “Do you know what a loaded statement that is?”
I grimace. “I know. I didn’t mean it like that. But you have to understand that Dakh’s a pretty singular sort of guy. Er, dragon. His focus is on his mate and that’s it. Nothing else matters. So as long as I’m happy, he’s happy.”
Emma brightens. “But that means I can give up on
the deer urine if he’s happy, right?”
“I don’t know,” I admit. “He’s got a very keen sense of smell. I think most dragons do. And they can smell things from a long distance away. If another dragon decides that he likes your scent…”
She raises a hand in the air. “Say no more. I get the picture. I’ll continue to stink myself up with deer urine. Speaking of, did you bring me some?”
I gesture at the can on the ground, since I didn’t have the heart to put it next to the food I’ve laid out. “This was the only one I could find.”
“Beggars can’t be choosers.” Emma snags it and jogs away from the table a good distance, then lifts one arm and sprays the deer urine under it, then repeats for the other arm. Then, she pulls out the waistband of her pants and sprays her panties as I watch in horrified fascination.
I’m repelled by her actions, but at the same time, I understand them. You do what you have to do to survive.
Emma wrinkles her nose as she finishes, tugging at the collar of her shirt as if to air out. “Sorry. You get used to it after a while.” She thinks for a moment and then adds, “Actually, no, you don’t. You just tolerate it because it beats dying.”
“Now that, I understand,” I tell her. “But there’s only one can left. What are you going to do when it runs out?”
A flash of worry crosses her face. “I don’t know.”
I drum my fingers on my lips, thinking. “What about perfume? We could have Dakh tell us which ones work and which ones don’t.”
Her eyes widen. “You’d do that for me?”
“Of course. I still feel bad we more or less ran you out of here.”
“Well, don’t feel too bad.” She starts to reach for one of the bags of potato chips, then sniffs her hand and grimaces. “I ran the last person out of here, and I’m sure someone will run you out after a time.” She shoots me a skeptical glance. “Though maybe not with a dragon. I’m thinking dragon trumps all.”
I laugh. “It’s a pretty good defense system, I have to admit.”