How to Date a Dragon

His face looked like a worn-out leather jacket, but if he was real, maybe he could help her!

He put his finger to his lips as if to say, “Shhh,” although he didn’t make a sound. Thank goodness he seemed to be aware of the danger on the other side of the door.

Bliss leaned forward, not only so she could be heard but also to protect her modesty—slightly. There’s nothing quite so embarrassing as being caught on the potty. “Who are you?” she whispered.

He smiled and whispered, “I’m your rescuer. Now get dressed.” He turned his back to give her a bit of privacy, so she quickly yanked up her panties and straightened her skirt.

“What’s going on in there?” Zina yelled.

Bliss started to panic when she heard heavy boots tromping in her direction. The man whirled around, grabbed her arms, and seconds later, she was blinking against a blinding light.

“What the…” She tried to shield her eyes with her hand but still couldn’t see past the gentleman who called himself her rescuer. He let go of her arms.

A female voice called out, “Who the hell is this? And why did you bring her here, Hephaestus?”

“I’m sorry. I just needed a moment to scan the area I’m returning her to, so we won’t be seen appearing out of thin air.”

“Well, that’s a moment too long. Get her out of here, now!”

The guy sighed and grasped Bliss’s arms again. Suddenly they were standing in a dark place. It took a moment for her eyes to adjust, as if she’d just had a flashbulb go off in her face.

“Wh—where are we?”

“In the alley behind the bar where you work. You’ve been gone for quite some time. You’ll need a reasonably believable story to explain your absence.”

Bliss focused on the man as soon as she could see again and set a hand on her hip. “You mean they won’t believe a dragon snatched me off the ground, flew me all over the city, and held me in a warehouse until some guy with magical powers got me out of there and took me to someplace brighter than the sun?”

“I think it would be a good idea to tweak the truth a bit, don’t you?”

“Well, yeah, of course, but damn… what do I say to my boss?”

“You could start by apologizing for running off and worrying everybody.”

Well, that’s a no-brainer. “I probably won’t need to explain where I was. I’ll just get my stuff and start looking for another job and place to live.”

“I don’t think you’ll lose your job.”

Something about the way he smiled made her realize he wasn’t as ugly as she’d originally thought. There was a goodness inside the man, and she felt ashamed for not realizing it before.

“I never thanked you. You probably saved my life.”

“Oh, there’s no ‘probably’ about it. I don’t usually like to interfere with mortals, but this was a special case. Now, I’m off to wrestle with a certain nasty dra—I mean, person.”

Mortals? “I have so many ques—” She stopped when she blinked and realized she was standing there alone, talking to herself. What the… How does he do that?

* * *

Bliss stepped through the back door and headed toward Anthony’s office, fully prepared to pick up her stuff and get out. If only Claudia was back there, but she’s home in bed by now.

Before she reached the door, she was spotted. Someone called out, “Bliss!” It may have been Tory. He was standing at the bar talking to Angie. Angie whipped her head around and gasped when she saw Bliss.

Drake burst into the bar through the front door.

Before Bliss could take another step, Angie lifted the bar top and rushed through it, almost tackling her.

“Bliss! Oh, God! Where have you been?”

“I don’t know, but you may have just guessed who I was with.”

Angie took a step back. “God? You were with God?” Her hands flew to cover her second gasp. “You saw God? Did you have a near-death experience?”

Hey, that’s as good an explanation as any… “Yeah, I think so. In all the confusion, I was—um… I got knocked down and I think I hit my head.”

“On the street? But didn’t anyone stop to help you?”

Drake battled his way through the crowd.

“Uh… no. You know how big cities are.”

Angie glanced around at the people that were watching as if to say, “Do you believe this shit?”

Drake reached her and pulled her into a giant hug. “Bliss, honey. We were all worried about you, but I think I speak for everyone when I say we’re just glad to have you back.” Raising his voice he announced, “Bliss needs time to rest and regroup. Let’s give her some breathing room.”

Everyone murmured their assent and stepped back. Most folks returned to their tables. Kurt and Tory stayed nearby, probably to make sure she was all right.

“Thanks, Drake. I need to tell Anthony I’m okay and get yelled at, or more likely fired.”

Drake smiled. “He’s not going to fire you.”

“Wanna bet?”

“How much?” He placed his hand on the small of her back, guiding her toward the office.

Tory laughed. “You’re seriously betting on whether or not she gets fired?”

Drake grinned at him. “Why not? I know I’m going to win. Maybe I can get something I want from her in the bargain.” He winked at Bliss.

His calm demeanor and good humor relaxed her somewhat, but she wondered how he could be so sure of himself.

As soon as they reached the office door, he opened it.

“Drake! We always knock first.”

Anthony strode right over to them and opened the door wider. “Come in, Bliss.”

“Can I join you?” Drake asked.

Anthony gave a slight bow and backed away enough to let both of them into his office.

“Anthony, I’m so sorry…” Bliss began.

He held up one hand. “I’m sure you had your reasons. There’s no need to go into them right now. Are you all right?”

“Yes. But I’m so sorry…”

“Are you able to finish your shift?”

Her mouth opened in surprise. She had been ready to defend her poppycock story, but it didn’t appear as if she had to. Not only that, but she wasn’t losing her job or even being warned about repeat behavior.

“Uh… yeah. I can get out there right after I wash my hands, if you want.”

“Then please go ahead. I’d like to talk to Drake for a moment.”

“Sure.” She fished in her pocket. Somewhere during all the sky travel and rough landings, she’d lost her order pad. “I, ah… I just need a new pad and pen.”

Anthony opened a side drawer of his desk and found the needed items. “Here you go,” he said with a smile.

This was all too weird. He didn’t even appear upset. But not wanting to look a gift boss in the mouth, she grabbed the pen and order pad and scurried out the door.

* * *

Drake strolled to the couch on the far wall of Anthony’s office and made himself comfortable. Anthony took the adjacent chair.

“You must be relieved.”

Drake blew out a deep breath and dropped back onto the cushions. “You can say that again. If it hadn’t been for Vulcan, we might never have found her.”

Anthony shook his head. “I don’t know if I like having the Supernatural Council here in Boston or not. Nick met them and seemed to feel uncomfortable about it. Of course, Mother Nature did threaten to drop him into an active volcano.”

“That would give anyone cause for alarm.”

“Yes. Well, I assume it’s only a matter of time before they call me in. The Balogs tried to discourage me