1303 The Dragonslayer (The 13th Floor)

by Christine Rains

  “You hacked into protected sites? Using my computer?”

  “You can call it that. I didn’t do any harm or steal anything.” She folded her arms and looked down.

  Xan sighed. “Did you cover your tracks? If you told me what you were doing, I could’ve let you use the software I have to do that.”

  Lois’ mouth fell open, and she promptly shut it. “You’re a hacker? Mr. Save The World From Monsters Even When I’m Shirtless is a hacker.”

  “I’m not shirtless.” Xan glanced down, even though he knew he was wearing a shirt.

  “Okay, we both know our way around a computer. Let’s focus!” Lois snapped her fingers twice. “Back to the girls. It could just be a matter of taste—if he is indeed a dragon that eats people—or it could be some weird psychosis like his mom had high blood pressure and that blood type and he had some perverted relationship with her. Yet, again, if he is a dragon and everything you’ve told me is true, I say he’s using the girls for a different reason.”

  Xan leaned forward an inch, curious as to what she’d theorized. He’d not given much thought as to what Whittaker did with the girls. It was better not to imagine how horrible it was for them, for in the end, he believed the dragon ate them.

  “I think he’s looking for high class breeders.”

  Xan straightened. “What?”

  “He’s mating with them. Those dragonkin. He sent two of them out to check on a reporter. He couldn’t have expected you to be there. If dragonkin are so rare, why would he send them out to do something like that? You said most women don’t survive a pregnancy. Maybe he’s found the key to making the inter-species breeding work.”

  His mind froze for about ten seconds. It was the last thing he expected her to say. And it made frightening sense.

  Lois put her hands on the table and leaned forward. “He could be creating his own dragonkin army and getting ready to take over the world.”

  Xan shifted to mirror her position across the table from him. “I think that’s a bit ridiculous.”

  “As ridiculous as believing dragons exist in the first place?” One of her eyebrows quirked up.

  “They do exist,” he said.

  “So dragons exist. They’re power hungry. Why wouldn’t he want to take over the world?” Lois tapped a finger on the table.

  “Power hungry, yes, but he wouldn’t want the world to know dragons exist. The only reason they still exist is because no one believes in them anymore.”

  “He could still do it and not let the world know he’s a dragon. He wouldn’t have to say the dragonkin are anything other than government super soldiers. Everyone would believe it.” Her finger picked up speed.

  Xan’s hand darted across the table and silenced the tapping. “It doesn’t matter why. It doesn’t matter if you or anyone believes me. It matters that he has that girl and only I can stop him.”

  Lois didn’t reply immediately. Her head tilted slightly to the side. She glanced at their hands and slowly turned hers over palm to palm. Her fingers then curled to hook his. She didn’t look up as she spoke. “Okay. Maybe you’re right or maybe I am … And I think I believe you. Dammit, I do.”

  He tightened his hold on her hand. His heart suddenly beat too fast. It was only their hands that touched and there was a table between them, but the contact felt incredibly intimate. Xan had held her against him in the cave, but she’d been scared.

  She believed him. Even though he had planned to convince her of the truth, he never truly thought she would believe him. Xan hadn’t anyone in his life who knew what he did except an old priest on the East Coast who would bless his weapons for him whenever he needed. His father had died ten years ago, and Xan had told himself that being alone was for the best. His life was a dangerous one after all. He never dreamed of taking a wife and carrying on the Ehrensvard bloodline, passing on the mantle of dragonslayer to a son. His line and the terrible duty they had taken on would end with his death.

  Lois’ hand was warm. So much more than his. A beautiful woman knew him for what he was and accepted it. Being alone didn’t seem like the best thing anymore.

  She squeezed his hand. “We’ll make a plan. We’ll save that girl.”

  He jerked his hand back. “You’re not going. I work alone.”

  “I’m not staying cooped up in this apartment while you ride off and slay the dragon. I can help. I will be helping.” Lois marched around the table and glared at him as if daring him to say otherwise.

  Xan didn’t budge. “You’re staying here, even if I have to tie you up to make sure of it.”

  “When did you develop this kinky streak? You aren’t in charge of me, bub. I can do what I want when I want and there’s nothing— Hey!” Lois screeched when he hoisted her up and threw her over his shoulder. She kicked and pounded on his back. “Put me down!”

  He carried her into the bedroom and tossed her onto the bed. Xan stood in the entrance, more rigid and solid than any door. “If you try to take them on, they will eat you and spit out your bones. I will not allow you to foolishly risk your life.”

  Lois propped herself up on her hands. “So I should just let you go off and foolishly risk your life?”

  The way she looked with her hair mussed and legs sprawled called to life a desire he hadn’t felt since his teen years. No, this was something much more. It burned furious and hot, and it was only for one woman. He was suddenly not so comfortable in his jeans.

  “I’ve trained my whole life for this. I am a warrior. You aren’t.” Though he found the voice to respond, it was roughened by his arousal.

  But he was wrong.

  “I don’t care. I’m not going to sit around when I can do something.” She was a warrior. “I’m going to go with or without you. It’s your decision.”

  “I’ll lock you in here.”

  “No, you won’t.”

  “I will.” Xan took a step back, making room to shut the door.

  “No, you won’t.” Lois’ lips thinned with her smile. “You rescue princesses. You don’t lock them up. So stop pretending. You’re not a very good actor.” She slipped off the bed and boldly strolled out of the bedroom by ducking under his arm. A smirk on her face the whole time. “We need to work out a plan, but maybe you ought to have a cold shower first. You’re about to burst out of those pants.”

  * * *

  CHAPTER 9

  “We’ve been watching the gates for hours. Why don’t we just drive up? I’ll say I’m with the paper and you’re my photographer. They can check me out. It’ll be true, and they won’t know who you are anyway.” Lois was surrounded by five empty Grande coffee cups, a can of half-eaten Pringles, and a bag of untouched grapes. The fruit was the stake-out snack he’d brought.

  “I watched the Governor’s estate for months trying to figure out the best way to get in. Security is tight and they always check everyone coming in thoroughly. No one gets in without an invitation, and since you weren’t invited … .” Xan lifted his night vision binoculars and surveyed the grounds again. Nothing. Not even a squirrel.

  “It’s the middle of the night. The guard is probably sleeping in the booth.” Lois sighed, squirming in her seat.

  “He’s not sleeping. In four minutes, he’ll come out and check the front gate as he has a cigarette. They run on a rigid schedule.” Xan checked his watch again and nodded once. There was no easy way to do it. He’d have to break in one way or another, and the dragon would know he was coming.

  “Well, how about this? The guard comes out for his cigarette and a beautiful woman just happens by. She’s a little tipsy and lost. Someone stole her purse so she doesn’t have her cell. She flashes some leg and asks to use his phone. He opens the gate and POW! You come out of nowhere and you’re in.”

  “You’re not going in.” Xan stated in a hard tone. “I can do the same act. Without flashing some leg.”

  Lois snorted as she laughed. “Yeah, right. Your acting skills suck. And besides, who would believe a big guy like you g
ot his wallet stolen? Seriously, I’ve done stuff like this before. It’s a piece of cake.”

  She opened the door and was out before he could protest again. Xan growled and pushed his door, stepping out. He was ready to shove her back inside again, but peeked at his watch once more. Time was of the essence.

  He rounded the car and laid a hand on the roof as he whispered to her. “You wait in the car. If you see anything going on in the house, call 911.”

  “Isn’t something supposed to be going on in the house?” Lois folded her arms.

  “Yes, but if I’m able to do what I need to do, you won’t be able to tell something’s going on. If things start to go wrong, it’ll get noisy.” To say the least. “My main objective is to find the girl and get her out.”

  “And kill Whittaker.” She added with a hard look.

  “I will kill him, but when we meet, it’ll be messy. I want the girl out of there first.” Though that scenario would be ideal, Xan didn’t believe he’d get in without the dragon’s notice. It was the Governor’s territory after all. The modern security system would be enough to deter anyone, but a dragon didn’t need the technology. He would know when someone entered his lair.

  “Okay. Alyssa first. And yes,” Lois groaned. “Once you bring the girl out, I’ll take her to the police. Don’t stop for anything. Alert the media too just in case the police are in Whittaker’s pocket.”

  Xan breathed out, forcing his overly tense muscles to relax. This just might work. The odds were stacked against him, but if he could manage to get in without sounding an alarm, he might be able to save the girl.

  “Thank you.” He wanted to stuff Lois back in the car. Every bit of him screamed to keep her safe. This was no place to make a scene, though.

  Lois grabbed him by the collar of his fireproof black jacket and yanked him to her. Her mouth mashed against his. Supple and hard, hot and desperate. There was a hint of caramel from her coffee on her lips to add a bit of sweetness to a kiss that was anything but. An electric tingling raced from his ears to his toes, and a rush of adrenaline that had nothing to do with the mission ahead.

  He didn’t realize he was kissing her back until she pulled away. Lois made a small sound, something between pleasure and frustration.

  “Good. Now I’m flushed. I look much more drunk. It’s been four minutes.” She ran her hands through her hair, but it only looked more tussled. She hitched up her skirt a few inches. Her long legs pale and gorgeous in the moonlight. “Good luck.”

  Lois winked at him and wobbled down the sidewalk before he could gain enough sense to grab her. She crossed the road to pass the gate of Whittaker’s estate and stumbled once. Not in front of the gate, but near it. Enough to make some noise so the guard came to the gate. He watched her as she walked toward him.

  Damn tricky woman. There was no way he could stop her now without ruining everything. Fury coursed through him, but also a frustrating sense of admiration.

  Xan silently admitted Lois was right. No one would believe he got robbed. This was the one way he could get in without setting off an alarm.

  “You all right, miss?” The guard’s voice was gravelly from the cigarette.

  Hearing him speak set Xan in motion. He’d been too busy staring at Lois to get himself in position. He snagged a pack and a rifle from the car and quietly shut the door. Keeping in the dark shadows, he hurried along the street.

  Lois spoke to the guard, and she laughed. A gurgling drunk laugh that turned to a sob. She apologized, wiping at her eyes, and asked if she could use his phone. His eyes roamed over her body as he flicked his cigarette away. From the way he moved, Xan could tell he was human.

  “Sure. Anything to help. Just let me open the gate.” The guard went into his little booth and punched the password into the computer. The gate’s bolts slid back with a click and it swung open toward the manor on the opposite side of the booth.

  Waiting until the gate was fully open, Lois walked forward and stumbled again, catching hold of the side of the gate. She slid to her knees, letting out another little cry. She apologized again as the guard rushed out to help her. The perfect position with his back to Xan.

  It took three seconds for Xan to dart out and hit the man on the back of the head. He caught the unconscious guard before he struck the ground and dragged him into the booth.

  “The damsel in distress act works every time.” Lois smiled as she fixed her clothes and hair in the reflection of the booth’s window.

  “You played it well.” Very well. Xan wanted to kiss her again and lecture her on how dangerous the mission was, but there was no time. The clock was ticking. “You need to get back to the car. I’m going to close the gate, but not activate the locks. Hopefully no one will notice. Remember what I said. If anything goes wrong, you’re to get out of here as quickly as possible.”

  “Yes, I know.” Lois turned to him. Her expression no longer smug. He couldn’t tell what flickered across her eyes. Fear, anticipation, sorrow. “Go save Alyssa.”

  Xan nodded once and ran up over the dark lawn, circling around to the left side of the house. He couldn’t stop himself from thinking he should’ve seen Lois off before he went in. Made sure she was gone and safe. It would be devastating to not be able to rescue the kidnapped girl, but to lose Lois, he couldn’t even begin to describe how the thought of it made him feel.

  Focus. Get Alyssa out and then both she and Lois would be safe.

  The staff entrance was located at this side of the manor. Xan wasn’t going to use the door, though. There was a short overhang, and he was tall enough to grab the ledge. He shouldered the duffel bag, lifted himself and silently crouched on the small rooftop section as he listened.

  Sounds from Indianapolis were distant. Traffic zipping along the highway and the hum of nightlife. The neighborhood was a rich and thus quiet one. Not a peep from the house at all. Not even a creak. Even abandoned houses made noises.

  Xan ignored the window nearest to the overhang. He clung to the wall and stretched a leg over to step on the sill of another window. He balanced on the edge and peered inside. The sheer curtains were closed, but he could easily see through them into the empty room. A guest room by the look of it.

  Checking first for any sign of an alarm, he was pleased to find none. Rarely did people have them on second story windows. Xan removed a small glasscutter out of his sleeve and carefully cut a hole near the lock. Once done, he poked in a finger and opened it. He slid the window up and open, stopping when he was in the room. He closed the window and listened again.

  Nothing.

  Where were the other guards? The staff? Perhaps many of them went to their own homes at night, but there should at least be two other guards.

  There would be two likely places the girl was being held: in the highest point of the house or the lowest. Having memorized the floor plan of the manor, Xan would try the small third floor first where the master bedroom was at the top of the manor.

  The house was dark. No lights were on. The floor gave a few groans as he crept out of the room and into the hall, but again, no other sounds. It wasn’t right. It was as if the house was trying too hard to make itself feel empty.

  Up the stairs to the third floor, Xan found nothing. The bed in the master bedroom looked as if no one had slept in it for days. It could have been a museum piece with its great canopy and ornate posts and headboard.

  Back down the stairs, he felt his dread growing. The basement was the last place he wanted to get caught. No windows. No exits but the one door. He’d have to make sure there was another in case he needed it.

  Before approaching the basement door, Xan visited the sitting room at the opposite end of the manor. He set two gray blocks of explosives behind the furniture and stuck the detonator in his belt.

  Xan gave his eyes a moment to adjust as he crept to the to the cellar door and stood just at the top of the stairs. He had excellent night vision, but he couldn’t see in the dark. Not as well as a dragon could; even dragon
kin could see better in the dark than Xan.

  With his weapon at the ready, he slunk down the stairs. It was cooler below. The floor wasn’t finished, but the earth was hard packed. The scent of soil and wood tickled his nose.

  Crates with stored items sat in neat rows by the stairs. Farther back, he could make out the shadowed outlines of wine racks. A gas water heater clicked on to his right. Its pale orange light cast eerie shadows. His breaths came faster, and his heartbeat seemed too loud.

  Sweeping the area to his left first, he found only more wine bottles and storage freezers. Xan traced his path back to the stairs, double-checking to make sure there were no hidden doors he’d missed. Coming around the rack nearest to the water heater, a huge fist hit him on the left side of his jaw.

  Xan flew back, crashing against another rack. Bottles tumbled and shattered. The pungent odor of wine immediately swam up to smother him as he gasped for a breath.

  The dragonkin that had punched him marched forward, grinning like he’d just received the best birthday gift ever. He booted Xan in the side as Xan was trying to rise, lifting him off the floor with the force of it.

  Landing hard on his knees, Xan kicked him in the knee and heard a satisfying crunch. The dragonkin cried out and fell to one side. Xan rolled and brought his heel down on the bastard’s head. Once, twice. It took three times to get another crack and drive his opponent unconscious.

  The thumps of someone else ran toward them as he rolled and drove a dagger into the dragonkin’s throat just as a second one jumped on his back. Using the momentum of the attack, Xan threw him against one of the freezers. The dragonkin roared and leapt again. This time, Xan had his long arm at the ready.

  Xan fired a half dozen shots, and the second dragonkin fell hard on Xan’s legs. The blood scalded him, even through his pants. He pushed the body off and worked his jaw from side to side. It wasn’t broken, but it was going to hurt once his adrenaline rush wore off.

  The dragonkin were in the basement. This had to be the right place. They had to have come from the other end, and if there was anyone over there, they’d know something was going on. They’d be ready.