Evan didn’t take the higher ground approach. Instead, he’d subscribed to the “run like hell” method. Thankfully he appeared to be faster than the cow that raced after him with its head down and long pointy horns aimed straight at the dragonrider’s backside.
Also fortunately for Evan, he was able to stay ahead of the charging cow by zipping back and forth, making the less-nimble animal struggle to keep up. They raced to the far side of the hill, which was good because it kept the bovine away from Tiffannee, who was stuck on the ground with her back pressed against the boulder. She appeared to be hyperventilating.
“What the hell is wrong with that thing?” the doctor asked between fast breaths.
Sophia looked out at the racing cow and studied it. “I’m not sure, but it can’t be random.”
“Random!” Tiffannee exclaimed. “How can a deranged bull not be random?”
Sophia ignored the upset therapist and kept her eyes on the animal as it followed Evan running back in their direction. His arms swiftly whipped back and forth beside his body, his chin was up, and his feet barely tapped the ground as he sprinted by.
“Little help here!” he yelled to Sophia as he passed, going in the direction that the cow had come from.
As they ran past, Sophia spied something around the Highland cow’s neck. It was only a shimmer of metal, but enough that she thought she knew what it could be.
“Lead the cow back this way!” she yelled to Evan.
“Are you serious?” Evan questioned over his shoulder. “I’m trying to protect my butt, and you want me to bring the monster over to you?”
“I need to get a closer look!”
“Take a picture!” Evan screamed. “It will last longer! Especially since I’m about to cut this thing!”
“No!” Sophia hollered. “I don’t think we should hurt it!”
From her experience, it was best to avoid harming the creature put in place to pass the obstacles when in the middle of these riddle-like situations. Her suspicions told her that this deranged Highland cow was an important part of the equation.
“It’s trying to hurt me!” Evan complained from the far side of the hill. “I’m gonna cut it.”
“Bring it over here!” Sophia yelled at him.
“No!” Tiffannee argued, her voice shrill.
“Stay where you are,” Sophia offered over her shoulder. “Evan will lead it by so I can get a closer look. It won’t come over there.”
“How do you know?” Tiffannee whined.
That was the thing. Sophia didn’t know. But she needed to get a closer look at the animal to resolve her suspicions. Then she could formulate a plan.
She offered the mortal a reassuring expression. “Don’t worry. Evan is good. He’ll keep the cow away from you.”
Tiffannee didn’t appear convinced but nodded as Sophia turned her attention back to the cow racing after Evan, headed in their direction.
“Here’s your cow!” Evan yelled as he passed. “Get your milkshake now because I’m running out of steam!”
Sophia’s eyes homed in on the object tied around the bovine’s neck. It was what she’d suspected. And it was exactly what they needed! Now she had to figure out how to get it.
It was the key to the door she stood on.
Chapter Thirty-Three
“Bring the cow back this way!” Sophia yelled as Evan whipped past.
“Are you insane?” Evan called over his shoulder. “I’m not doing this for your amusement.”
“Do it!” Sophia ordered. “Bring Angus as close to this boulder as possible!”
“No!” Tiffannee complained again.
Sophia roughly shook her head. “We have to. Stay back there, and you’ll be okay. Evan will bring the cow to the front side of the stone.”
“Evan is doing everything!” he called and made a wide U-turn to avoid running into the Highland cow. “When are you planning to help out, Pink Princess?”
“As soon as you get Angus over here.” Sophia squatted and mentally prepared herself for what she was going to do next. It was something that only someone who had lost their mind would do. Or was desperate. Or in her case, both. But Sophia didn’t see another option.
She’d tried using magic to get the key off Angus’ neck with a telekinesis spell, but it hadn’t worked. It was obviously protected and had to be taken off manually.
The cow thundered in her direction, gaining on Evan. The dragonrider was losing speed after running flat out all that time. Thankfully Angus appeared to be slowing too, but it could cover a lot more ground fast.
How’s it going? Lunis asked in Sophia’s head, his timing perfect as usual.
Sophia sighed while thinking that she should have expected the well-timed interruption.
I’m busy.
Me too, Lunis stated. I’m filling out a dating profile on an app I downloaded on your device.
Oh good, Sophia grumbled. You have to explain that to Wilder if he asks.
Sophia’s eyes widened as Evan approached. “You’re not close enough!”
He shook his head. “Sorry, your highness. Trying to stay alive and this cow doesn’t follow directions so well.”
“Stop weaving back and forth,” Sophia ordered as Evan passed, headed the opposite direction. She watched as he zipped one way, then the other, which made Angus go back and forth. That’s why the Highland cow had been too far from the pillar where she stood.
“Your feedback is valuable to me!” Evan yelled, starting to sound breathless.
“Bring Angus back this way and this time get it close to this boulder,” Sophia demanded.
“No!” Tiffannee yelled.
That was apparently the only thing she could say as she clutched the side of the stone for dear life.
“You…owe…me….so…badly…” Evan called between breaths.
“Noted!” Sophia replied, then crouched while counting to ensure the timing was perfect. She would only have one chance, and a mistake would be fatal for her.
How does this sound? Lunis began in her head after clearing his throat.
Not a good time, she informed her dragon in irritation.
Well, it has to be now because this dumb app has already timed me out once, Lunis explained, then cleared his throat again as if about to make a speech. Remember, this is for a dating app.
When did you decide to start dating? Sophia watched as Evan and Angus retreated, buying her time to prepare for her next move.
It’s not for me. I’m attempting to get the female dragonettes out of the Nest to have peace and quiet back. They’re always shedding their scales all over the place and gabbing about girl drama.
Sophia nodded. And the best way to do that is to get them dates? There’s obviously no flaws in this plan.
None at all. Lunis cleared his throat again. Okay, here we go. Here’s a bio for one of the girls. Hi. Female dragonette looking for a boyfriend. I’m a self-starter seeking a smoking hot hunk. Reptilian blood is a must. Some call me cold-blooded, but I say it like it is. I love gerbils. They’re delicious. Looking for my Jim Halpert. Swipe right and let’s Netflix and chill ASAP.
I don’t even know where to start, Sophia said dryly. How are the dragonettes going to get these dates if they aren’t on the app?