Dragon Guard
Chapter 4
Part 3
"I'm a dragon, and so is my
dad," Andi blurted out. "Don't hate me."
"If he hated you, or was
even frightened by you, he'd be long gone," Mr. Thomas said. "Not
sitting here sharing an afternoon snack. As meager as it is."
"Yes, Lee, I'm well aware
you want me to go to the grocery store," Mrs. Thomas said as she rolled
her eyes. "I'll do it tomorrow."
Ben and Andi's eyes met, and she
gave him a shy smile before concentrating on her soda can. What Mr. Thomas said
was true, though. Andi being a dragon, whatever that meant, didn't frighten him
one bit. And he certainly didn't hate her. Quite the opposite. But it did
confuse him to no end.
"Besides," Mr. Thomas
said, "he's your guard. He's programmed to not hate you, and you
him." He gave Ben a hard stare. "But just because I acknowledge it
doesn't mean I condone you putting your hands all over my daughter."
"Daddy!"
"Lee!"
Ben could only sit there and
wonder what was going on. He hadn't even been close to putting his hands all
over her. They'd almost kissed, sure, but she started that, not him. And what
did he mean that Ben was her guard? None of this made any sense.
"What?" Mr. Thomas
said to his wife. "I'm stating my feelings. I thought you liked it when I
displayed them."
"I also know you understand
the concept of tact, but you're choosing not to show any of that at the
moment."
"Excuse me," Ben said,
hoping he spoke loud enough to be heard. He had, as all three looked at him.
"Uh, well, I mean…" He took a deep breath, and though Mr. Thomas kept
his sour expression trained on him, smiles on the faces of both Mrs. Thomas,
and more importantly, Andi urged him on. "What do you mean I'm her
guard?"
"It's fate, dear,"
Mrs. Thomas said. "You're destined to be Alexandria's Dragon Guard."
