Monsters Under Mistletoe

10. Looks Like an Epilogue

Chapter 10

Looks Like an Epilogue

“ D o you smell them up there?”

“No.”

“Are you sure?”

“Yes.”

“What if they’re hiding behind a nearby dune?”

“We won’t know until we emerge from the tomb, tesoro . Ready?”

Caitlin took a deep breath. Yet again, she was about to willingly follow a masked man into potential danger. This time around, however, she knew exactly who was behind the Anubis mask and what lay hidden under his black robe.

“Lead the way, Anubis,” she said confidently.

She was safe with Dillian. The question was, was it safe for them to climb out of the tomb in the pale morning light. Once outside, they would become the perfect targets for any raiders still lingering near the excavation site. There was no trace of the criminals in the burial chamber, and no one wanted to be here when the archaeologists arrived for work, but still.

Dillian got out first and stayed low. When nothing happened, he offered her a gloved hand through the square opening. Caitlin went up the ladder and accepted the offered help without hesitation. The orb in her pouch was heavier than it should be, as was typical of magic-laced artifacts.

She looked around. There were sand dunes in every direction with no one in sight. “Looks like we’re in the clear,” she whispered. “My car is behind that–”

A bullet whizzed right between her and Dillian.

He threw himself on top of her. They landed in the sand right as the bang of gunshots filled the morning air. Dillian rolled them toward the tomb’s entrance and made her go back inside first.

“Were you hit?” she asked as soon as he followed her down.

“I’m okay.”

“Let me see.” The moment they were both at the bottom of the ladder, she inspected his clothing for any sign of a tear and blood.

“Cait, I’m fine.” He caught her hands in his. “Those humans’ aim is as bad as a stormtrooper’s.”

“Come out, you thieving bitch!” sounded from outside in heavily accented English. “No one steals from us!”

“No one shoots at my mate and calls her names!” Dillian shouted up the shaft in Arabic, then removed his backpack and gloves and began tearing his robe off. “Your souls are mine!”

Caitlin stared as he remained in nothing but the mask, glamour off. A naked Anubis with scales and wings. “Dillian, what are you doing? You can’t kill them!”

“I know.” She could tell he was smiling. “Doesn’t mean I can’t scare them to death.” One of his tails got a hold of his backpack. “Come.” He curled his other tail around Caitlin’s waist and tucked her against him. “Hold on tight. I’ll get us out of here.”

She linked her arms around his neck but warned, “You better not use yourself to shield me from the bullets.”

“Don’t worry, my forever mate.” Dillian closed his arms around her. “The assholes won’t shoot.”

He pushed off the ground in an inhuman jump that had them out of the tomb and in the air. His wings unfolded just before gravity could pull them back down. They flew up amid the shocked shouts of the robbers.

“Anubis!” someone screamed. “Anubis!”

“Yes, you puny mortals!” Dillian spoke in Arabic with a booming voice. His wings flapped fast to keep him and Caitlin in the air. “I am the God who will weigh your souls in the afterlife. And I will find you, thieves, to be undeserving of what lies beyond!”

Terrified cries and fervent pleas filled the air. Caitlin couldn’t see the tomb raiders since Dillian kept himself between her and them, but it sounded like there were at least six of them.

“Your souls will forever be lost in the Duat,” Anubis declared. “I have spoken!”

Amid the ensuing cries for mercy, Dillian flew away with Caitlin. Without a single shot having been fired.

“That will teach them a lesson,” he muttered, amusement clear in his tone.

Once they were at a safe distance from the tomb, he switched to carrying Caitlin bridal style and took his mask off.

She could finally allow herself to laugh at their stylish escape. “I don’t think those guys will rob a tomb ever again. And if they tell their buddies about Anubis being real, those raiders will stay out of tombs as well. You’re a genius, Dillian.”

He smiled, one fang showing. “Why, thank you. I’m sorry about your car, though. We can’t go back for it. You didn’t leave any personal items there, did you?”

“Of course not.” She had rented that car under a fake name, in case something like this happened. “Where to now?”

“Are you staying in Cairo?”

“Yes?”

“I’ll take you to your hotel, then.”

Caitlin raised a brow at him. “In your birthday suit?”

“I have a blanket with smiley reindeer, remember? I’ll fly us to the edge of the city where I left my car. We will be safe from prying eyes there.”

Silence fell between them. Here they were, safe at last, all the obstacles to them having a talk about the future gone. And yet, Caitlin couldn’t find it in herself to announce her decision.

There were so many things they didn’t know about each other. What if it was a mistake? She didn’t want to play with Dillian’s feelings. She couldn’t keep him in limbo without an answer either.

Caitlin rested her head on his shoulder. Perhaps she should live in the moment just a bit longer. Enjoy the feel of his strong and reassuring arms under her. Of his powerful tail around her waist. Of the warm wind in her face as he flew them over the sea of dunes–

“This looks like an epilogue to me.”

“Hm?” Caitlin looked up. Dillian was smiling, as charming as ever.

“Think about it,” he said in that sexy rumble of his. “Us flying toward the sunrise together over the breathtakingly beautiful desert. The sand glittering like gold under the bright morning rays. You snuggled in my arms and ready to be ravished…”

“Dillian.” Caitlin cleared her throat. “Have you been reading romance novels?”

His smile turned roguish. “Maybe. There’s only one way for you to find out.”

“Really. How?”

“You must come to my cave.”

Caitlin went slack-jawed. “You live in a cave ?”

“Don’t sound so shocked. That’s the tradition. Besides, no normal home can fit all my treasures, books included. And I promise, this is a modern cave with all the luxuries you can think of. Including being gnome-proof.”

“Of course.” Damn, he was being serious. “And where is this bachelor cave of yours?”

“Malta. We can take a commercial flight from Cairo to Sardinia so you can drop the mistletoe at the secret MUW headquarters, and then I’ll fly you to my cave in just a few dragon flight hours–”

“How do you know about Sardinia–Never mind.” Caitlin shook her head. Why was she surprised at this point?

KISKIS had infiltrated the MUW and was always one step ahead. If the two organizations could openly work together, they would have all magic artifacts safe from bad hands, and the gnomes would stand no chance. Perhaps if she and Dillian arranged a meeting between their bosses…

But Cailtin didn’t want to think about work right now. Her mission in Egypt was a success. She was off duty until after the holidays. Time to think about herself.

“So, what do you say?” Dillian prompted when she went silent.

She looked into his eyes and felt herself brimming with happiness. “I say yes. I’ll come to your cave.”

Dillian’s lips stretched into a triumphant smile. His hold on her tightened possessively.

“As for being your forever mate–”

“You don’t need to decide now,” he said in a rush. “Spend the holidays with me and then tell me your decision.”

“Are you sure?”

His bright eyes shone with affection as he regarded her. “Yes, m ’ òr . And know that whatever you decide, every moment spent with you is worth more than my entire hoard.”

She scoffed. “Corny dragon.” Then she pressed her face to his chest to hide how his words had affected her, and said, “Deal.”

THE END