1303 The Dragonslayer (The 13th Floor)

by Christine Rains

  Lois frowned and turned her attention to the screen as Whittaker walked up to a podium. A thin red line ran along his cheek. Straight and perfect. Just like his suit and reassuring smile. And the American flag that was positioned behind him.

  Applause broke out. The Governor paused, taking a moment to bask in it, and then held up his hands. “Thank you, ladies and gentlemen. Thank you for all your support. As you can see, I’m unharmed. Merely a scratch.” He chuckled and everyone laughed with him as if on cue.

  It was easy for a dragon to mesmerize humans. He was disguised as a handsome man. Distinguished and well spoken. A little gray in his black hair to give the appearance of experience. Not that Xan could tell from seeing Whittaker on television, but he could see through the glamor in person. If only the world could see the monster they had elected to lead them.

  “I apologize the fundraiser was so rudely interrupted. I’ll be donating an additional $100,000 to Riley’s Children’s Hospital. Instead of making a big fuss about what happened tonight, I would love to see everyone using their resources to help raise money for the amazing research the hospital is doing. The children are our future.”

  More applause and a few questions shouted out. Whittaker held up a hand again and ignored the reporters.

  “As for the individual who tried to kill me tonight.” The Governor’s gaze drilled into the camera. If Xan didn’t know better, he would’ve sworn the monster was looking directly at him. “You have failed.” His mouth quirked up with smarmy pleasure. “Try again. God will protect me as he always does. The authorities will hunt you down and find you. You will be brought to justice. I have complete faith in our system. In fact, they might be at your door right now.”

  “That wasn’t subtle at all.” Lois slipped under the cord and jumped out to hide behind the chair. Xan gritted his teeth. His attention had been so focused on the television, he hadn’t seen she’d wiggled out from his restraints.

  He stood as there was a knock on the front door. Lois screamed for help, and the door exploded inward.

  * * *

  CHAPTER 3

  No thought was needed. Xan let years of training take over. Two men burst into the condo. Both with shaved heads, dressed in suits, and wearing sunglasses. No weapons. Just their inhuman hands.

  Dragonkin.

  It was the fluid way they moved and the fact one had smashed a door down with one hit without breaking a sweat.

  Kill the monsters. Protect the innocent.

  The innocent who just threw a shoe at the back of his head.

  “That’s him! He kidnapped me! He was going to kill me! He tried to kill the Governor!”

  They didn’t need her report. The dragonkin would know him for what he was as he knew them.

  Xan dodged a punch from the first one and ducked, driving his fist into his gut. The dragonkin slammed a fist down on Xan’s shoulder, knocking him to one knee, and kicked him back against the far wall. Not waiting to get his breath back, Xan pulled a dagger from his jacket. The edge glinted with the reflection from the TV.

  Silver lined the blade. Dragons gained immunity to it as they aged, but dragonkin lacked that advantage.

  The dragonkin charged as his brother rounded the chair toward Lois. Her babbling about how horribly she’d been treated was cut off as he grabbed her around the throat.

  These monsters were careless. Perhaps the Governor didn’t train them like he might’ve hundreds of years ago. But what modern mortal could beat a creature with supernatural strength and healing after all? The old dragon had gotten lazy.

  Xan rammed the knife into the dragonkin’s abdomen and jerked it upward. Just silver in his bloodstream would be enough to kill him, but Xan wanted him dead fast. Black blood gushed forth, steaming and hot against his flesh. He hissed as it reddened his flesh with burns.

  The body dropped with a wet thud to the floor. Xan ran at the second dragonkin who tossed Lois into the kitchen like a used tissue.

  The dragonkin twisted and backhanded Xan. Xan’s momentum sent him sideways into the chair. The beast was on him before Xan righted himself, taking hold of Xan’s head and squeezing. The pain was excruciating, but it wouldn’t hurt as much as the blade he drove into his enemy’s side.

  A monstrous scream threatened to pop his eardrums. The dragonkin flailed and fell to the floor in a shuddering heap. Blood soaked fast into the rug as if it were a creature feeding.

  Xan shook his head, focusing on his thoughts and forcing down the pain. Breathe in and out. The dragonkin were dead, but once they didn’t return or report in, there would be others.

  He needed to leave the condo. Leave town. Go home and plan what he was going to do next. Xan couldn’t let it go. The Governor had to die and only Xan could kill him. Would the dragon expect him to attack again sooner rather than later?

  “The blood. They weren’t human. Oh my God.” Lois rasped, voice catching with the last exclamation. She remained on her knees in the kitchen, staring out into her ruined living room. Her hands clenched her skirt.

  He needed to go, but he couldn’t leave her behind. His brows furrowed. Taking in another deep breath and letting go with a slow exhale, he wiped his knife on the body of the dragonkin beside him before sheathing it. He didn’t worry about the bodies. The Governor would hide the evidence of his bastard blood.

  “Miss King.” His body filled the frame of the kitchen entrance way. “I need you to collect a few of your things in a bag. Quickly. We need to be gone before any more arrive.”

  “There are more of them? Who are they? What are they?” Lois didn’t move from her spot on the tiled floor.

  “They work for the Governor. That’s all you need to know right now.” Xan stepped forward and offered her a hand. His clean hand.

  “What? No way. I’m not going anywhere with you.” She scooted back into the corner by the cupboards. Her arms wrapped around herself. “I’m staying here. The cops will offer me protection. They’ll see whatever is lying in there and I’ll have the whole goddamn army protecting me.”

  “No. What you’ll get are men paid by the Governor, and if you’re lucky, they’ll make your death quick.” He thrust his hand toward her again.

  “Why should I believe you?” Lois pushed herself up and tossed back her hair. She stood awkwardly for a few seconds with only one shoe before kicking it off. “You’re going to kill me, remember?”

  Xan didn’t need a reminder. He’d hoped the dragonkin would be enough evidence for her. Her death wasn’t one he wanted on his hands, but he didn’t have anything on him that could prove to her the truth of things.

  He didn’t have anything, but perhaps his slain enemies might.

  Turning, he left the kitchen and carefully went through the pockets of the dragonkin nearest to him. Finding his wallet, he withdrew it and flipped it open. The beast’s ID was no surprise. Xan tossed it into the kitchen to Lois.

  “Indiana State Police.”

  Xan moved to the other body and found a wallet containing similar identification. State Governors were protected by that state’s Highway Patrol, and in Indiana, it was the state police. Who else would the dragon want to protect him? If he became president, he’d have his dragonkin made Secret Service members.

  The second dragonkin also had a cell. It was on and unlocked. Tapping the screen, a list came up. Nine names and addresses. Most related to some television station or newspaper. Members of the media like Lois.

  “They can’t be the real police.” Lois shook her head as he brought her the second wallet. He held out the iPhone to her, and she snatched it from him. “That’s my name. They had my name. I didn’t do anything. I don’t even have a parking ticket.”

  “Do you recognize the other names on the list?” Xan folded his arms.

  “Yes, all of them. They were all there tonight. Suzie Susman left early, claiming she didn’t want to stand around all night in her six-inch heels. With the way her cameraman ran after her, they were really going to screw in the van.
She always has some boy toy she’s stringing along.” Lois’ finger flicked the screen to scroll down the list. “Buster Collins met early with the Governor. Old fart had to get home. He was already up past his bedtime.”

  “So, could you say everyone on that list left the charity event early?”

  “Yeah, sure. It’s not unlikely. I don’t keep track of everyone.” She glanced up at him and sighed. “Okay. Yes, they all left early and so did I. But why do these freaks have a list of people who left the party early? It doesn’t make sense.”

  Of course it did. The Governor was covering all his bases. It was logical to suspect that a dragonslayer had been at the charity before the assassination attempt. Or that he would have someone on the inside.

  The list could also be those in the media not there covering the chaos after his attempt. No journalist should be able to resist such a story, but those people weren’t there. Lois King wasn’t there. But she was on the story.

  “What are you thinking? I can literally hear your brain chugging along there.”

  Xan blinked and stared at her. He didn’t understand her. She should be screaming and crying, hysterical with just the fact of knowing there were things that weren’t human with badges. No tears. Her hands were barely shaking.

  The list didn’t matter. The dragon would know he was with her once the dragonkins’ bodies were discovered. No one would be able to protect her except for him.

  “Gather your things. We need to go.”

  “All right.” Lois still held the iPhone and badges. She walked a circle around him to the kitchen door.

  He breathed out a silent sigh of relief. Maybe she would listen to him now.

  “Just so you know, I still don’t trust you. But something’s going on. Something big, and I’m going to find out what it is.” She turned to walk into the living room and cringed at the sight of the dragonkin’s body so close. She grabbed the door frame, back sliding against it.

  “If you’re going to faint, I’ll catch you.” Xan was fast by her side. His arms tensed ready to catch her.

  She glared at him. “I’m not going to faint. Who faints these days? Jesus Christ.”

  Lois marched past the bodies and down the hall to the single bedroom. Xan peered out the nearest window and then checked the front door. No police or even any sirens yet. He took his free moment to wash himself in the kitchen sink.

  Three minutes later, she whistled at him from down the hall. Xan hurried to her bedroom door, and she threw a full duffel bag at him. “Carry that. I need to get Huff.”

  Xan caught the bag and frowned “What? We don’t have time for you to call—”

  “I’m not calling anyone. I’m not stupid. Huff’s my best friend.” Lois slipped by him, avoiding all contact. She entered her office and opened the cage.

  “The rat?”

  “She’s not a rat. She’s a ferret.” Lois shook her head and stuck her hand inside. Immediately the critter was there, hopping up and grasping her. Lois cooed at her and lifted the ferret out.

  “No. We’re not bringing it with us. Absolutely not.” Xan’s nose crinkled. He could smell that thing from the hall. A musk that couldn’t be hidden beneath the scent of cedar woodchips.

  “Then I’ll go someplace on my own. Probably better that way. Drop the bag. Leave.”

  He considered it as he stared at the ferret. Unsanitary. And Lois kissed the thing on top of its head!

  No. She’d seen his face. And Lois was still in danger. Even if he wasn’t worried about her telling the world about him, he couldn’t leave her to the mercy of the dragon. Xan sometimes had to be a hard man, but he wasn’t a cruel one.

  “No. If you must bring it, then do so. Does it have a … traveling cage?”

  “Huff is a she, not an it. And yes, she has a carrier.” Lois retrieved it from under a stack of newspapers. The ferret was none too pleased seeing it and tried to make a break for it. Obviously anticipating the escape attempt, Lois nabbed her and deposited the critter into the carrier. “Sorry, sweet. It’s just for a little bit. I bet Mr. Clean here has a big backseat for you to play in.”

  Xan’s jaw twitched. If Lady Luck granted him anything this night, they’d sleep through the drive out of the city.

  * * *

  CHAPTER 4

  Nothing chased them out of Indianapolis except a growing dread. Xan drove the three hours to Carmine without stopping. It was what he’d originally intended when he’d made his plan to assassinate the Governor.

  Lois tried to question him and made snide comments about his hit man-issue black sedan. A car that still held the soft leather scent of one newly bought. An aroma that was being drowned out by the ferret. When Xan didn’t reply to her jabs, Lois eventually grew silent. Though he wasn’t certain he liked her silence any more than her nattering.

  Silence meant she was thinking. His hands tightened on the steering wheel.

  “So you live in Carmine. Not surprising.” Lois’ fingers tapped relentlessly on the seat’s arm.

  “Why isn’t it surprising?” Damn. He’d jumped at that one.

  “Oh, you know, gangsters and serial killers. Everyone always seems to end up in Carmine. I think the city has more crime per capita than Indy now.”

  “Not as much as some other cities.” Xan couldn’t deny it. Carmine wasn’t one of the cities people were eager to move to, but he’d always felt a kinship to the place. He’d never called any other place home.

  Speaking of which, what was he going to do with Lois? He didn’t like the thought of bringing her to his apartment even though it would be the safest place for her. Yet he needed to go home. He couldn’t leave her in a hotel room by herself. She’d never stay put. Perhaps if he tied her up …

  “Hello! Oh, Mr. Clean. Have you suddenly gone deaf?” Lois snapped her fingers near his face.

  Xan shot her a glare. “No, I have not. Stop calling me that.”

  “Well, give me a name then. I’m not idiotic enough to think you’ll give me your real one. So think of something good. What sort of names do hit men have these days? Johnny Two-Fingers. No, that’s not you. Razor. Hm, nope. The body screams Fabio, but the hair is more Jude Law. Fade. Oh, now there’s a name.”

  “Xan. Just call me Xan.” He snapped and immediately chided himself. Lois was pushing his buttons and he was letting her get under his skin. The whole night was wearing him down.

  “So, Xan, is that short for Alexander? Alexandros? Or were your parents minimalists?”

  “No.” Okay, he couldn’t justify tying her up and leaving her. He’d have to take her to his apartment. And then what? Have Marc or Stephanie watch Lois when he needed to go out? Xan was the type who liked to plan ahead. He didn’t relish having to wait and see what might happen. The only other alternative of ridding himself of her permanently was something he liked less.

  He turned and drove south of downtown.

  “Where are we going? If we’re staying at a hotel, it better be nice. I won’t step foot in anything less than a four star.” Her fingers finally stopped their tapping, but the ferret had climbed up onto her lap to demand attention.

  “I don’t think it should matter where we’re going as long as it’s safe.”

  “Safe places can be cockroach free and have a fully stocked mini fridge.” Lois scratched Huff’s belly as the ferret tried to steal one of her rings. “Besides, hit men make mucho dollars, right? Maybe you have a swanky hideout. Please tell me you have a penthouse with a jacuzzi.”

  “No one pays me to do what I do.” Proper investing had made his family wealthy, and now he was the only one left.

  Xan pulled into the parking lot behind his building. A glorious apartment complex that deserved a historical marker, but the owner was too cheap to properly maintain it if it gained that status.

  “Well that’s not good business. I think you need a manager.” Lois eyed the building. “We going in there? Might be interesting. What do you think, Huff?” She held the critter up, and Huff sniffed as
if making a statement.

  Xan parked the car, ignoring the conversation Lois was having with the ferret. A woman and a rodent inside his apartment. His heart beat faster. This wasn’t how his night was supposed to end.

  Xan fetched Lois’ bag and his briefcase. Closing the trunk and setting the alarm once she was out of the car, he swallowed hard. He didn’t blink when he pulled the trigger to kill the Governor. Now he was sweating. What would his father make of the situation? The only time his father ever missed was the time he turned up dead.

  “Lead the way, big man. I need to get my beauty sleep.” Lois didn’t wait for him to reply or even to lead. She walked ahead of him to the building.

  He marched after her and opened the rear door, holding it open for her. He then automatically went for the stairs and held that door open too.

  “You live on the second floor? Keeping healthy and walking up?” Her face scrunched up at the sight of the ill lit stairway, but didn’t hesitate as she followed.

  “I live on the thirteenth floor.” Xan started up without looking back.

  “What?” She stopped her ascent. “I’m not walking up thirteen floors. Not even on a good day, and I’m not having a good day.” Lois turned and went back down to the ground floor. “We’re taking the elevator.”

  Sighing, Xan turned around. “The elevator doesn’t go to my floor.”

  “Why? Is it broken? Please don’t tell me the elevator is broken.” Lois groaned.

  “No, it’s not. It just doesn’t go to my floor.” He wasn’t going to explain it further. “Do you always ask so many questions?”

  “Yes.” Her eyes flashed with her answer. “So it doesn’t go to your floor. Malfunction in the unit, I suppose. We’ll go to twelve. Better yet, we’ll go to fourteen and walk down a floor.”