Breath (Scales 'n' Spells 2)

And now Cassie wanted to tag along to find a new mage.

If Alric didn’t kill him, Cameron would.

“It’ll be fine, Big B. You’ll see. We need a mage in the field searching for other mages and keeping an eye on those damn Jaeggi.” Baldewin could only grunt at her reassurances. “Oh, and your cute little runaway mage is still in Helsinki.”

“What?” Baldewin demanded, his head popping up.

“Yeah, I’ve been working the seeking spell while we talk. Tori Taavi is still in Helsinki. Looks to be about five-ish blocks away from where you are now. Nowhere near the train station or the ferry.”

“You’ve been tracking him this whole time?”

Cassie made a dismissive noise, and he could picture her waving dismissively at him. “Of course. What kind of a Burkhard would I be if I didn’t jump to give you a hand? A pretty shitty one, and I am not a shitty clanmate.”

“No, you are not,” Baldewin easily agreed. “You are just—”

“Exhausting. I know,” she finished with a giggle. “Cameron calls me that all the time.”

“Your twin is very correct.”

“Look, B. Five hundred euros is a nice chunk of change, but it’s not going to get him far. Helsinki is a big town; he’s got job applications in everywhere, and he’s established at least a temporary base of operations. Leaving now means starting from scratch, and unless he feels like he’s in danger, he won’t rabbit on you.”

“Rabbit?”

“Run. He won’t run.”

Baldewin found himself nodding, even though she couldn’t see it. “I don’t think he feels threatened by us. Just annoyed.”

Cassie made a humming noise.

“What are you thinking?” he prodded.

“It’s a big city, and we can’t give you too many definites on his location, but you have run into each other a few times now,” she started slowly.

“Yes, usually in or around Esplanadi Park.”

“That means if he wanted to avoid you, he would just have to avoid that park. You might not run into him again if he did that. I think you keep seeing him because he’s curious about you. And I think it’s going to be easier to see him again. You’ve given him information that his own clan lied about, plus you’ve proven to be a source of funds if he runs low again. He might actually have less reason to run now.”

His tension eased, reassured by her words. It did make more sense for him to stay if Baldewin was tossing money at him. He didn’t think Tori felt threatened by him, but then he’d never suspected an entire clan of mages could actually believe that dragons would hurt them or betray them. It was so very illogical and counter to everything he believed. Why would dragons ever hurt the very source of their joy?

“Thank you, Cassie. Your words have eased my mind. I think you’re right.”

“No problem, Big B. I’ll keep an eye on him, call if he starts getting too close to the train, bus, or ferry stations. I got your back.”

Baldewin ended the call and nodded to Warin, who released a relieved sigh. Now that his panic had subsided, there was little doubt in his mind that Cassie would have helped him even if he hadn’t agreed to her extortion attempt. She was of the same mindset as the rest of the clan—they helped each other no matter what. They all believed in and supported each other. Every new mage made them all stronger, not just the dragon who was lucky enough to find a mate.

It was also clear to Baldewin that Tori had not been lucky enough to grow up in a supportive clan like that. The mage needed a true home where he would be loved, supported, and cherished by his clanmates. He needed to be brought to Burkhard.

But how the hell was Baldewin supposed to get him there when he believed the very worst about dragons?

This was the strangest cat and mouse game he’d ever played in his life. Every time Tori looked around, he’d catch sight of either Baldewin or the other dragon apparently called Warin. He’d go into a building, submit an application, and they would be lurking outside every time. They never engaged, never tried to speak with him, but they always seemed to be right on the fringe of his peripheral vision.

It was sort of like stalking. Or maybe just an unwanted protective detail. Baldewin was adamant about the whole mages-being-kidnapped thing. He didn’t mistake this as anything other than protection.

It might have been sweet under different circumstances. As it stood, it was just annoying. They had no cause to protect Tori. He wasn’t one of them and never would be.

First off, he still didn’t entirely trust the dragons thanks to thirty-five years of having it pounded in his head that dragons were evil.

Yes, thirty minutes in the library had proven everything Baldewin had said was the truth. Stacks and stacks of books had said the same thing—the Jaeggi started the Dragon War over jealousy and a need for revenge. He still didn’t know if his own clan leaders had known the truth or had been fooled as well, but that was the least of his concerns.