Origin (Scales 'n' Spells 1)

“Well, I say they celebrate me with food. I’m starving,” Dieter announced. “Why don’t we try that Italian restaurant just down the block?”

“Dieter! Cameron is visiting Germany for the first time. He did not come here for Italian,” Lisette snapped.

“Yes, but I like pasta noodles,” Dieter replied as if in a pout.

Cameron’s shoulders shook with silent laughter, and when he looked over at Alric he swore the man was struggling not to laugh as well.

“I like Italian,” Cameron offered.

“But is it what you’re in the mood for? You are our guest,” Alric said.

“I—”

“Don’t stop moving, but we’re being watched,” Lisette interrupted. She and Dieter had been walking in front of Cameron and Alric. The dragon king immediately tightened his hold on Cameron, who couldn’t help shifting just a tiny bit closer to his companion.

This was unbelievable. He’d finally gotten Alric on a date and fate had to throw a monkey wrench into the system. Had Cameron done something to offend the dating gods? Was a virgin sacrifice in order?

“Where?” Alric asked, keeping his smile in place even if it looked a little stiff and forced now.

“Across the street in front of the candy shop,” Lisette said with a carefree chuckle.

“I don’t see anything,” Dieter grumbled.

“They’re cloaked. I can’t see them either, but I can smell the spell,” Lisette murmured as she leaned close to her mate but still spoke loud enough for them to hear her.

Cameron watched the spot Lisette had pointed out from the corner of his eye as they continued to stroll down the street, getting closer to the store. “I see a slight shimmer. Should we head back to the castle?”

Chaperone or no, Cameron had no desire for this evening to end already, but he also didn’t want to put their lives in danger because of him. He also wasn’t sure if Lisette was a target as well since she was a mage.

“No,” Alric announced in a hard voice. “I will not be run out of my town. I can summon more dragons for protection.”

Date night was getting decidedly more crowded, but maybe Cameron had been silly to think dating while his life was being threatened was a smart idea. He was about to suggest they head back to the castle and raid Alric’s kitchen when his phone started ringing. He stopped and grabbed for it, smiling up at Alric.

“Cassie’s ringtone,” he said by way of explanation. He was a little surprised to be hearing from her since she was supposed to be on her date. Something about a picnic at the zoo, he thought she’d said. “Hey, Cass. Can I call you—”

“They found me!” she shouted, and Cameron’s heart stopped.

“What?” he gasped. He stood in the middle of the sidewalk, no longer able to take another step. He certainly didn’t give a shit about the fact they were being watched. His sister was in trouble.

“Asshole met me at the park before I could get to Dana. Had these weird glowing eyes. Chased me home.”

“Cassie! Call the police!” He turned his eyes up at Alric, and the dragon looked just as helpless as Cameron felt. His sister was on the other side of the world being chased by these people, and there was nothing he could do about it.

Under Cassie’s frantic pants, he could hear the pounding of footsteps and then the slam of a door.

“Cameron?” Alric prodded, and Cameron suddenly realized they couldn’t hear what he was hearing.

“Cassie said someone is chasing her. Someone with glowing eyes. Like the people who grabbed me.”

Alric released Cameron’s hand only to grab his arm, turning them back toward the car. “We’re leaving now.”

“Lisette, in front, please,” Dieter ordered. “I’ll cover the rear.”

The mage, in a bright summer dress with her neatly styled white bob, hurried to the front of their little quartet and set a brisk pace back to the car. Cameron couldn’t think about where they were or if they were still being watched. He clung to the phone, listening to his sister.

“How many are after her, Cameron?” Alric demanded. Cameron repeated the question to his sister.

“Just one. I think I lost—Oh no he didn’t! He did not just break my window!” Cassie snarled. “I’m putting you on speaker while I grab Cheryl.”

“Damn it! Cassie, don’t get Cheryl! Call the freaking police!” He caught small glimpses of people staring at him in shock and confusion, but he didn’t care.

“What’s going on? Who’s Cheryl?” Alric asked.

“Cheryl is what she calls her baseball bat,” Cameron snarled. “She named it after a girl she dated. It’s actually a compliment.”

As he and Alric climbed into the backseat of the sedan again and Dieter peeled out of the city, racing back toward the castle, Cameron lowered his phone and pushed the button to switch over to speaker phone. Sounds of Cassie shouting curses and threats accompanied by a series of dull thuds filled the silence of the car.