“How do I manage it?”
“I would have to do more research, but I know that there is testing available to help identify the needs of kids with dyslexia and then there are tutors and teaching methods to improve reading skills. I’m sure it can apply to you.”
“Would you do that for me? Research and help with the teaching methods?”
“Of course. It would have to be in English because I don’t know your language—Drakonian.”
“I would love to read the written word in any language.”
“Then when we get back and the rogues are taken care of, I’ll start researching everything I can on it.”
“Thank you.”
“I owe you. You came after me when you didn’t have to.”
“I would always come for you,” he told her, and he meant it.
Chapter 24
Several hours later
Callie couldn’t help but keep looking in the side mirror for any cops after them. She knew it wouldn’t take long for the RV to be reported missing, then all the cops would be notified. The sun was setting.
“When do you plan to pull over?”
“As soon as it is dark. Help me look for a truck stop. Hopefully, there will be cars there that we can borrow.”
“A motel or hotel could be a good place to get a car, and most of those people won’t be coming out until daylight.”
“You’re right. Look for one of those, not one that’s fancy, they may have too much security.”
“Two exits up. There was a sign showing a motel.”
He was just about to take the exit she pointed to, but something hit the side of the RV, making him swerve to the right.
Callie screamed when she looked out the driver’s window to see an enormous dragon’s head and beady eyes staring back at her. “Oh my God! It’s Spider!”
“Hold on to something, this will get bumpy!”
She didn’t have to be told twice. Callie gripped one hand on the dashboard and the other on the handle on the bottom of her chair. It still didn’t brace her enough for the hit from on top of their RV. Both dragons were coordinating their attack. One hit the side of the RV, then a few seconds later the one above them hit the roof. The older RV shook and wobbled. There was a pop, pop, pop sound from the direction of the front wheel. Then everything seemed to lean toward the right.
“We’ve got no choice but pull into the field. Stay inside the RV, lock the door, and look for something the owners may have left behind to call for help.”
“You can’t be serious! There’s no way you can take both of them on by yourself.”
He stood and headed toward the door. “I can handle them, but just in case, look for something to use as a weapon.”
Callie rushed to him and stopped him before he opened the door. He turned to her and took her in his arms, kissing her as if it were the last time. She was determined that it would not be.
“You come back to me alive, Viper. I mean it. I’ve lost everyone I have loved. I won’t lose you too.”
“You love me?”
“You must stay alive to find out.”
He growled before kissing her again. “I love you too, my mate. Stay safe.”
She didn’t question his use of the word “mate.” That would be a conversation they could have at a later date. But it did make her feel special to hear it. Callie watched as he dove out of the RV and quickly shifted into his dragon form. One of the other dragons shot out a spray of fire, making the area foggy. Holy shit! She was in the middle of a dragon war. Would she live through it? God only knew.
Quickly closing the door, she locked it. She knew there was no way it would keep a dragon shifter out, but hopefully, it would slow them down long enough for her to escape.
She had to find a phone and a weapon. She found a large knife in the kitchen then she opened every drawer and cabinet looking for something.
In the bedroom, she lucked out and found a cell phone on the floor. It was at fifteen percent. Picking it up, she froze, trying to think who to call. All the numbers of her friends were programmed into her lost phone. She couldn’t call 911 because they wouldn’t believe her situation at all. If she called 411, they could assist her.
Ten percent of battery life left. She dialed 411.
“State the city and state, please.”
“Dragoon, Arizona.”
“State business or name of the individual.”
“King R Ranch.”
“Connecting.”
She listened as the percentage went down to seven percent.
“King R Ranch,” a woman with a slight Hispanic accent said.
“Gemma?
“Yes.”
“Oh God, Gemma. This is Callie.”
“Callie? It’s Callie on the phone!”
A few seconds later she heard her friend Valorie. “Where are you, Callie?”
“We need help. The rogue dragon shifters found us and ran our RV off the road. Viper is trying to fight them off, but he’s all by himself. He needs help! We need help!”
“Are you still in New Mexico?”
“Yes, we were heading down Route 47 and missed exit 177.”
Five percent of power left on her phone. “The phone I’m using will die!”
“Easy, Callie. We have a caller ID. I know a shifter who likes tech and can track that phone even if it’s dead.”
“I don’t care if the phone dies. I just want to keep Viper alive! I love him.”
“Glad to hear that, my friend. Is there a charger you can plug it up to?”
She
