Destiny of Dragons Read Online Free Page A

stand out like a beacon for dragon kind.”
    “Another reason to go live with Carey,” Gallen said. “The mansion is reinforced and it might tamp down the power you project.”
    “I’ll not cower behind magical walls. If the emperor wants me he can come and try to take me.” Aden wouldn’t back down from a battle, but he would move to keep his mate safe.
    “He won’t fight fair. He will take your child, he will take your mate then he will kill them and send you back their parts.” Liang said with the hollow tone of someone who’d experienced the horror.
    “Did he do that to you?”
    Liang nodded. “My parents and my little brother tried to resist. He cut off their fingers and toes and sent them to me. When I came to rescue them it was already too late. If it’s the last thing I do, I will see that man dead.”
    “You might have to stand in line,” Aden warned.
    Liang explained about his encounter. “I woke up in a cage in the Coral Sea, my captor was a water dragon named Bingwen. He was certain he could exchange me for favors from the emperor. The emperor has offered a bounty for us.”
    “That’s information Zhou should know. I’m afraid we have to drive. So far none of the other dragons have appreciated a car trip,” Aden said.
    “I haven’t ridden in one of these cars before. I am eager for the experience,” Liang announced.
    Aden shook his head remembering the stench of fear that had filled the vehicle each time he’d driven a dragon anywhere. “You’ve been warned. If you knew where my son lived I’d let you fly there. You couldn’t get in, but at least you wouldn’t have to ride in a car.”
    Liang shrugged. “I’ll have to get used to it some time. Flying takes a lot of energy, which is why we rode horses.”
    “Didn’t the horses get upset?” Gallen asked.
    “Why?” Liang asked, a bewildered expression on his face.
    “Well, don’t you eat them?” Gallen winced after he asked the question.
    Aden had to laugh at his diplomatic mate. It probably hurt Gallen’s sense of manners to discuss horse chomping with a stranger. His sweet sorcerer didn’t like to make other people uncomfortable.
    “No. Horses were too valuable to eat. In my time a good horse was worth its weight in gold.”
    “The only horse I have is a Mustang and it’s made out of metal. We’ll have to take that.” Aden motioned for the dragon to follow him to the garage.
    Liang made little fuss on the way to Carey’s house and if his claws pierced the upholstery more than once, Aden didn’t find it worth mentioning. They pulled up in front of the mansion and Aden pressed the intercom button by the gate.
    After verifying who they were, the gates opened.
    Liang’s dark eyes swept the area, his gaze bright and curious. “This is a lot of security for one person’s house, both magical and physical.”
    “Other than my mate, the people most important to me live here. I need to know they’re safe.” Aden wouldn’t apologize for his security measures. Even before he’d become the king of all dragons he’d been possessive of his child and Carey’s friends.
    People were already spilling out of the front door when they pulled up.
    “What’s up, Dad? I wasn’t expecting you today.” Carey walked over to greet Aden.
    “I would’ve called, but I didn’t know if it was a trap or not.” He had no idea if Liang’s story was true. The only way to verify it was to bring him to the other dragons. They could get rid of him if it turned out he was lying.
    Zhou, the leader of the water dragons, stepped out of a house. “Liang!” he exclaimed.
    The joy on the dragon shifter’s face told Aden he’d made the right decision to bring Liang to the mansion.
    “I’m going to go talk with Eaton.” Gallen kissed Aden lightly on the lips then trailed after the eagle shifter.
    “I need to talk to you,” Aden told Carey.
    “Let’s go talk in the library,” Carey headed back inside the house.
    Aden followed his son