How to Lose Your Dragon (The Immortality Curse Book 1)

him or anything.
“Oil? On an old piece of cloth?” He shot me a knowing glare, his eyes trailing down to Grax’thor, which I’d placed down beside me.
I detected a tinge of fear in his eyes as he looked over the blade, his eyes snapping back to look at my face a moment later.
“Yeah, I think so. Like I said, I don’t really know.”
“Uh huh,” he replied. It didn’t sound very convincing.
Rick squinted again and took out a pair of reading glasses, slapping them on his face and pushing them toward his nose with his free hand. It was all done in one swift motion. It was kind of fun to watch.
“Well, it’s an old inscription, all right. These markings are definitely runes of some sort.”
I nodded. “Yeah, I’d figured as much.”
“Where did you say you came across this piece?” He kept staring at the fabric as he talked to me.
“Umm, I just happened upon it in an alley the other day,” I lied. I hadn’t been prepared for all the questions, and I really didn’t want to let him in on the whole thing. Not yet, at least. I had no idea if I could even trust this guy.
“An alley?” He balked. “You found a piece of old, tattered cloth with ancient runes on it just laying around in some back alley? I suppose it was just sitting on the top of an old trash heap, too?”
My throat tightened and I gulped down hard. “Uh yeah, I guess.” I bit my lip slightly and flashed him another grin, hoping he wouldn’t notice my nervousness. “Look, can you read the thing or not?” My eyes darted around the room a bit. I was suddenly feeling a little constricted in Rick’s plush office. “I’m on a tight timeline here.”
“A tight timeline, you say?” His tone held a hint of amusement. “But I thought you just found this in an alley somewhere. What could be the rush?”
Uh oh. My heart sank. I’d revealed too much. Curse these flapping lips of mine.
“About that. You see, maybe I wasn’t completely forthcoming about everything. But I really am in a hurry. Can you read the thing or not?” I was hoping by controlling the narrative I could keep his questions at bay.
Rick shook his head and sighed, then handed back the fabric. “What do you know about ancient cultures, Mr. Xiang?”
I shrugged. “Not much, really. Just what I’ve read in books and such.” That was a lie, too. I’d studied many histories, but mostly Chinese and Mongol, neither of which would help here.
“Uh huh. That’s what I figured.” He pulled on his face. “Look, it’s one thing to read letters on a page, but sometimes more than that is needed to determine the meaning behind a piece. A lot of words don’t translate one for one. In order to really read a piece, I need context. Where it was found. Who had it. Why their message was important enough to write it down. And most importantly, an idea of when it was written. Do you understand?”
I lowered my head a little. “Yes, I think I get it.” I took the fabric back as blood rushed to my cheeks. “I’m sorry for wasting your time.”
Rick let out another sigh. “Look, it’s fine. It’s been a long day for everyone.” He rapped his fingers on the table. “I’m not saying it’s impossible, mind you, just that I need more context. And a better cover story.”
My cheeks grew really hot at that last bit. “I understand.”
I bit my lip again, sizing up this guy once more. I still wasn’t sure I could trust him, but what choice did I have? How many ancient culture specialists could there be in Seattle, anyway? Probably not many.
A long sigh escaped my lips. “Okay, so here’s the real deal. My friend Mei Wong got kidnapped late last night by a tall, lanky guy and a half-naked guy sporting blue body paint. She’s a dragon, but she was in human form when she was taken, which is why she couldn’t fight them off. I fought with the half-naked guy in the alley and managed to beat him. In the aftermath, I found this scrap of paper on his body, and it’s the only clue I have to Mei’s disappearance. I think they might be Celts. And that spot isn’t oil, it’s dried blood.” I looked up at him and stared him straight in the eye. “Does that help at all?”
Rick looked even more flustered than when I’d originally met him. “A dragon, you say?”
I nodded.
“And ancient Celtic warriors roaming the streets of Seattle at night?”
Another nod. “Yes, that’s right. That’s the whole of it.”
He sneered. “And I suppose you’re some sort of ancient, immortal warrior, too, slinging that sword of yours around?”
I rolled my eyes. He wasn’t a believer. I hated non-believers. With all the weird things that happened in the world at large, how could someone not believe in magic anymore? And yet billions still denied its existence.
Still, I’d expected a decorated professor like Rick here to know better.
“Why yes, yes I am,” I said, lifting my chin in a snooty pose.
Rick snorted. “I’ve gotta admit, that’s one hell of a tale.” He folded his arms over his chest. “Now get the hell out of here before I call security on your ass.”
My jaw dropped open. “Look, I’m being serious here! Totally on the level.”
He pulled a phone out of his pocket. “I mean it, Mr. Xiang.”
My mind raced. I had spilled everything for this guy and he just wasn’t getting it. I had to act fast. “Look, I can prove it.” My hands reached for Grax’thor. “Here,” I said, pushing the blade, still in its scabbard, toward him.
Rick reared backward, putting his hands up in front of him, his phone suddenly forgotten. “Whoa, I don’t have anything of value. Let’s just pretend this didn’t happen, okay?”
I shook my head. “No, you’ve got the wrong idea. I’m not trying to rob you! Look