Origin (Scales 'n' Spells 1)

Alric leaned forward. “I like to believe we’ve only found the first three of many more to be discovered.” He narrowed his eyes and allowed the excitement he felt to finally creep into his voice. “Think of it, Rodrigo. We’ve been searching for entire conclaves of mages, believing they would stick together for their own protection. We never considered they’d be so scattered that they’d lose their own heritage, that they’d never know how important they were. It means they could be living right under our noses, and we just didn’t know it. We merely have to learn how to search for them better—smarter.”

Rodrigo chuckled softly, ending in a sigh. “You’re right. I’m happy for the Burkhard clan and grateful you have shared this news. I will be cutting our surfing season short so we can redirect our efforts. You’ve given us new hope.”

“It’s not the only reason I’ve called. There is dark news as well. The newly discovered mages are being hunted.”

“What?” Rodrigo shouted, sitting up in his seat. It was one of the few displays of extreme emotion Alric had seen in the dragon since he’d known him.

“Cameron was nearly kidnapped off the street with me standing no more than a few dozen feet away. His sister Cassie was also nearly kidnapped, and she was in her home in America.” Alric had to fight to keep his voice calm and even as he spoke of the two events. There was no question in his mind a mage had been watching them on their date, looking for an opportunity to make another grab at Cameron. Just the thought of someone touching Cameron again made Alric want to tear the person apart with his claws.

Rodrigo swore, straightening in his seat, a flush painting his cheeks. “Who? Who would dare?”

“We’re still trying to figure it out, but we believe this group might also be mages. There is something off or tainted with their magic. We don’t know why they are attempting to kidnap the mages or what they intend to do with them. It’s critical that if you find a mage that your people are vigilant. The mage might not be willing right away to believe our tales of magic and dark threats.”

A low groan rumbled up Rodrigo’s throat and he rolled his eyes. “I have enough headstrong dragons to deal with. I have plenty experience, I’m sure, to handle a headstrong mage.”

“Probably so.”

“Thank you for this valuable information, King Alric. I am excited to share it with my clan and begin our search anew.”

Alric regally bowed his head to the other ruler. “I am happy to share this information with you. With both our clans working to find the mages, we will at last be able to bring them safely home. Anything we discover, I will have Dieter, my advisor, reach out to your advisor immediately.”

“Yes, and we shall do the same.”

“I also ask that you share contact information for your head researcher and head mage so that they can speak directly with their counterparts in my clan.”

“Of course, I will leave it to Thiago to arrange everything,” Rodrigo said, waving to the man behind his shoulder.

“As you wish. Happy hunting, King Rodrigo.”

“And to you, my friend.”

Rodrigo ended the call and Alric turned to look over at Dieter, one eyebrow raised.

Dieter chuckled. “Yes, I would say that went rather well, and Rodrigo is happy to call you ‘friend’ since you very likely saved his clan.”

Alric made a scoffing noise as he slouched a little in his chair. “Saved only if he and his dragons can locate some mages. And it has not escaped me that finding Cameron was pure chance. Ravi was lost in a sea of people at that festival, and he just happened to smell a mage. What are the odds of that?”

Dieter scratched the salt-and-pepper stubble on his chin. “Chance or not, we are all grateful that it happened. It has given us a new starting point and a new hope after so very long.”

“True,” Alric was forced to concede. “And with the Ice Clan watching for these rogue mages as well, we all have a better chance of uncovering the truth and saving the mages who have yet to find their way home.”

“Speaking of home,” Dieter drawled as he pulled his vibrating phone out of his pocket. “Lisette reports that the car bearing our two newest mages home has just pulled into the courtyard, and Ravi is at the head of the welcoming committee.”

Alric groaned and rubbed his eyes. That dragon was exhausting. But considering what he knew of Cassie after meeting her on the phone and the stories Baldewin had already sent him about Cameron’s grandmother, it was likely they would not be disturbed by the sight of a dragon acting like an overly excited puppy.