Chapter 39

Standing majestically in the center of the yard was a large dragon, his green scales shimmering in the late afternoon sunlight.

“I hope it realizes we’re not the enemy,” Bay murmured.

“One way to find out,” Dirk replied, starting across the patio. He froze when the dragon arched its neck, its head swinging from side to side. A stream of flame left the beast’s mouth. The target, however, was neither Dirk nor Bay, but one of several blood slaves who were rapidly dropping to the ground from the top of the wrought iron fence surrounding the yard.

“And so it begins.” Bay immediately went into action, decapitating the first one he came to. Dirk took advantage of the dragon’s fire to weave the spell he needed to send fireballs at the two slaves closest to him.

Then a giant creature appeared—and Dirk knew it wasn’t one Lex had summoned. “An undead orc like the one Constantine sent after Nina?” he called to Bay. “How do we kill it?”