Embers (Scales 'N' Spells 4)

“Dominique?”

Her head tilted and she greeted them with the slight French accent she was known for. “Ah, Nikki! How are you? Isn’t this place just a fantasy?”

“It’s amazing,” Nikki agreed, coming to sit with her. The two of them had always gotten along, and it was nice to see Dominique relaxed instead of wary and afraid. Also surprising, considering she was in new territory like they were. “I’ve been mapping the place out most of the day and still haven’t seen it all.”

“Oui, un problème. I’ve gotten lost three times now.” She laughed, not bothered by this. “But handsome dragons always stop to help, so no hardship.”

“There are many, many attractive dragons in this place.” Nikki had seen that, too. Not that their eyes had lingered anywhere in particular. Gunter had rather cemented their attention.

“I enjoy eye candy very much.” She tilted her head, looking them over. “You helped Ravi escape, I heard. I’m so glad. It got us all out.”

“I’m glad we did. I don’t think any of us would have lasted much longer.”

“Non, you are right.” Her dark brown eyes turned sad. “They are too desperate to defeat the dragons. They drained us too much. But we are in better place now, and already the dragons here are gearing up for battle.”

“Oh, they are?” Nikki hadn’t heard anything about this.

“Oui, the kings here come and speak with me. King Alric is kind, you’ll see for yourself, I think. They ask many, many questions, for information. And assure me that if I want a proper place in this clan, I have one.” Dominique tilted her hand to indicate the world beyond the castle walls. “Or if I want to return home, I may. I have no real home to return to. I told them so, and asked for time to think about staying.”

Nikki would not have been so nonchalant about that offer. “You really think it’s safe to stay?”

“Oh, oui.” She nodded firmly, her brown, bobbed hair swinging gently around her chin. “Pas de question. These people are kind. And they do not need us like the Jaeggi did. I’ve seen great magics performed without any draining happening. The spell work done on me alone to restore my magical core was enlightening. Dragons would not work with mages like the Jaeggi, anyway.”

That…was a good point. Nikki hadn’t really thought of it in those terms.

“Ah, two of you!”

Nikki turned to see who had spoken and felt a wave of uneasiness crash over them when the petite mage beelined straight for them. She was a powerhouse, this one, practically glowing with magical energy. Nikki wasn’t at all comfortable with her being this close, but she seemed oblivious as she came straight to the table and plopped a heavy bag down.

“Hi, hi,” she greeted, a bright smile on her face. “I’m Cassie Burkhard, and I’m kind of the person in charge of tech around here. How are you guys doing?”

Dominique answered, although an edge of caution tightened her expression. “Fine, I think.”

“Really? You guys aren’t overwhelmed by the size of the place? ’Cause I sure was when I first got here.” Cassie shook her head, the blue of her hair catching the light in interesting ways. “I must have called Sasha thirty times a day, asking where I was going and where something was. This place is a freaking labyrinth, and the dragons are so used to it, they don’t even think of it like that. My wife is still incredibly amused every time she has to come to my rescue. Although I have finally gotten a handle on the place. Anyway, I didn’t want to just let you guys wander around without some means of calling for help. So.”

Nikki had no idea what she would pull from that black bag until her hand popped back out with a cellphone.

Why…a cellphone? Really? They’d never been allowed to have one with the Jaeggi. Nikki had barely gotten access to a TV, really.

“I hope you’re both android people, as that’s all I’ve got.” Cassie handed Dominique one, then Nikki, chattering as she did so. “The phone number for it is written in Sharpie on the back. It’s got a few phone numbers already loaded. Mine, Alric’s, Cameron’s, Ravi’s—although don’t call him if you can help it, he’s in wedding prep mode—and Sora’s. Sora is our healer, and if anything is hurting, please call him ASAP. Ok? Oh, and I’ve got tablets for you, too.”

Nikki looked at the tech in their hands and felt like the world had been tilted. A phone was a means of contacting the outside world. The tablet was much the same. This woman was just handing them the means to call out, get help, or navigate their way out of the castle. And she did it with a smile on her face and instructions.