Origin (Scales 'n' Spells 1)

Cameron winced again. About as he expected. He typed back, I totally do. Sorry, man.

He apparently needed to know what Baldewin liked to do as a hobby. He had a feeling he was about to add to the man’s collection.

Guilt sat heavily on Alric. Knowing Cameron was being hunted, he really should have taken more precautions safeguarding the rest of his family. He’d assumed that with them in an entirely different country, they were safe enough for the time being.

Well. You know what they say about assumptions.

Cameron had to be worried about them, even with Baldewin and Sasha there. Their flight wasn’t due to leave for another hour, and having them on US soil away from the rest of the clan frankly unnerved even Alric. Cameron probably felt the same, considering all that had happened. Alric strongly felt the need to reassure him that they would be alright. Nothing could get past those two. It’s why he had sent them. But Cameron didn’t know them that well, didn’t know how strong they were. He was still learning much about the clan.

After a late lunch, he stole enough time to go and see Cameron. Lisette had postponed their magic lesson, and he’d been reliably informed Cameron was still in his room. They’d stashed him near Alric, for security reasons, but that was very likely to change when Cameron’s family arrived. There weren’t many open rooms left on this floor, for one. Putting all of his family on the same floor would be a kindness.

And Cameron was far, far too temptingly close, for another. Alric wasn’t sure how much longer he could survive knowing that Cameron was a two-minute walk from his own bedroom. Not monopolizing Cameron’s every moment was proving difficult as it was. Their date (interrupted date, no less) notwithstanding, they didn’t have an understanding between them yet, after all.

Shoving that thought firmly out of his mind, he gave the door a solid rap. “Cameron?”

There came a muted thump and then the door swung open. Cameron’s smile instantly lightened Alric’s mood. The mage couldn’t be that worried if he was smiling like that.

“Hey,” Cameron greeted. “Come in, come in. Wait, tell me this isn’t another emergency.”

“Not an emergency,” Alric assured him as he walked in. This room suited Cameron, now that he was paying proper attention. It was originally meant for the clan’s head family and was decorated accordingly. A very masculine room with its wood tones and the hunter green rug, thick and plush, on the floor. While there was a sitting area off to one side, near a fireplace, it didn’t have a separating wall between it and bedroom. Alric carefully put his back to the four-poster bed dominating that area of the room, pretending he was in a proper sitting room and nowhere else.

“Hallelujah. I’m not sure if I can take any more emergencies. So what’s up?”

Alric gave him a faint smile, taking him in. “I wanted to reassure you that they’re in capable hands. Baldewin and Sasha are the strongest fighters I have. Nothing will get past them.”

Cameron gave him that blinding smile that robbed Alric of all breath. “Aww, that’s sweet of you. This is going to sound wrong, but I’m not all that worried now. I mean, I was, but I just got off the phone with my sister and the whole family is over the moon right now. Well, my parents are torn between concern for us and fascination, but Cassie and Halmeoni are over the moon. And my sister is so not worried about being attacked. All she could talk about was magic and somehow jumping Sasha on the ride over here.”

Surprised, Alric blinked at him several times. “She—she is?”

“According to her, Sasha is the hottest woman in the universe, and how dare I not tell her about this beforehand. I’m only slightly paraphrasing. Pretty sure Sasha’s going to get a lapful of Cassie. Hopefully she’ll be okay with that.”

“Knowing Sasha as I do, she’ll be thrilled.”

“Good, good.” Cameron let out a breath of relief. “Otherwise that was going to get really awkward. And I hate awkward. Speaking of…I’ve got two questions for you that I really want answered. Before this gets more awkward.”

Alric had no idea what he meant to ask but nodded encouragement. “Of course. Ask so that I may answer.”

“You’ve introduced me to the entire clan, and hinted, and other people have hinted, and all of that. But I’d feel better making this clear.” Cameron sucked in a breath, let it out. “Alric. Formally, I’m asking, do you want me to be a member of this clan?”

“Yes.” Alric had no hesitation on his part, no question. Conversely, he felt uneasy that he hadn’t made this clear to Cameron—but then he’d been trying to be cautious and considerate of the man. “Yes, of course I do. I wanted to give you time here, let you become comfortable, before formally asking you. I…” Alric stopped, trying to find the right words to convey his thoughts without scaring Cameron or putting more pressure on him.