Read Online Dragon's Touch (Book 1 Linty Dragon Series) by J.M Griffin, Kristina Paglio - Free Book Online Page B

don’t you? I would like to acquire him. As a dragon keeper, you must know you have the power of the dragons behind you. All of them are rare, the last of their collective, and have mystical abilities that you could make a fortune from. Why not allow those of us who would like to do so, acquire them?”
    Irritation settled on me like a mantle as I considered his game. Memories flooded back, ones I’d been trying to remember since I’d arrived at Gran’s estate but couldn’t quite get a handle on. There’d once been a thick, heavy book of dragon lore stored at the house. As a child, I remembered sneaking into the room where the tome sat alongside the dragons, and carefully reading its ancient pages. I’d fallen in love with rare and old books in school and had a deep appreciation for that particular book. From a young age, I’d made it my goal to become a book restoration expert. Early on in my career, so many of the books I’d encountered were in such sad shape they had to be carefully scanned and stored on computer drives for fear the original would fall completely apart and be gone forever.
    As memories swamped me, Perkell’s eyes grew wide. I dipped my head and pretended to take a sip from the glass that slightly shook in my hand. Not only had I read the pages, I’d eventually been caught out by Gran and reprimanded for touching the ancient volume. I had no idea at the time why she was so angered by my attempt to read about the dragons, but even then I knew  there was more to the book than she’d ever let on. I’d become more adroit at finding ways to read it, when she caught me a second time, and removed it from the room. Was that why the door at the end of the upstairs corridor was locked?
    I drew a deep breath and answered Perkell sweetly, “The dragons are not for sale, for gift, or to be shared with anyone. As dragon keeper, it is my responsibility to keep them safe and protect their magic.” I’d shocked Perkell and myself with that remark. I suddenly realized that I knew each dragon had magical capabilities as well as I knew my own name. The memory had asserted itself in my mind the moment I remembered the book and its contents. Dragons were more than folklore, they’d been owned by families all over the world, but had somehow become encased in the shells we took as carved statues. My head reeled with this latent knowledge. Where their power had come from was still a mystery, but if the dragons were unleashed, I was certain there would be hell on this earth.
    “I’m sorry you feel that way, Ms. Dragon. There are many people here who would relish owning one of the dragons in your keeping. My family has a history of owning dragons, much as George’s does, where one or more of your dragons had played a part in their ancestors’ lives. Our ancestors went to war with dragons at their sides, the beasts are ferocious and fiercely attached to the original families they fought for. We are one with our dragons, no matter if they are owned by you or not. This goes back to the fifth century or maybe even before that,” Perkell said with a flick of his bony hand.
    “You might wish to reconsider your decision to keep all the dragons that might have been illegally gained, when you are approached,” Perkell said in a flinty voice. “Life could become dangerous for you and your dragons, if you don’t take care.” With that, he excused himself and left me standing alone in a crowded room where people gave me furtive looks and then whispered to one another.
    I’d set the champagne glass on a tray as a waiter slowly moved past, when my elbow was cupped by a strong hand. Cullen whispered in my ear before he kissed my brow. Surprised, I smiled, and once again pretended all was well.
    My smile widened as I turned to him and accused, “You threw me under the bus, thanks a lot.”
    His eyes flashed a bit and then he said, “Is that an American term for leaving you hanging in the wind?”
    “Yes, and don’t do