Origin (Scales 'n' Spells 1)

“Hoheit, he’s alright. You know that.”

“I do. I can feel him still.” And likely pissed off, if he knew Cameron. His lover was not the fainting damsel in distress.

Ravi huffed out a breath of relief. “Oh good. Alright, I think basically everyone is formed up here. Uh, how worried are we about people seeing us?”

“Fuck that noise,” Alric bit off succinctly.

Ravi cackled. Outright cackled. “I’m so going to tell people you said that later. Hey guys, he said fuck it, just go!”

An instantaneous roar rang outside, loud enough it shook the castle. Alric’s own dragon shook in response. Yes, the time for laying low had passed. Dragons had always fought for what they wanted and burned their enemies without remorse. Right now, a little burning sounded good for the soul.

Alric stalked through the nearest courtyard door. The dragons were indeed ready to go, most of them already having shifted forms. He took in the sight of them as he moved. They were perched along the roofs, stretched out over the gables, their wings half unfurled, ready to take into the air at the first notice. It was like the roof was carpeted in a sea of red. Others milled about the courtyard, unable to stand still as they waited for orders. All eyes were on him as he stepped outside, and Alric raised his voice to reach every corner of the courtyard.

“They’re doing a seeking spell now. As soon as we have a direction, we’ll fly!”

Sasha stepped in closer to him and ducked her head. “Hoheit, I’ll be honored to fly you in.”

Before he could get his mouth open, Ravi’s hand landed on her shoulder. “Thanks, Sasha. I’ve got him. Be my wingwoman?”

“Sure.” Sasha checked with her eyes that this was alright with Alric, and he gave her a nod. That was fine by him.

Alric very rarely had anyone fly him anywhere. It was too painful and a little humiliating. But right now, his feelings didn’t matter. Getting to Cameron as swiftly as possible, that was the priority. And there was nothing faster than Ravi. A car could never keep up with his speed.

His phone rang, and Alric answered it before it could finish the first ring. Baldewin. “Where?”

“He’s in Sonthofen, in the Ordensburg. They’re not precisely sure what building.”

The choice made sense. The Ordensburg had been built back in the Third Reich, a military barracks meant for training. It was a highly defensible compound, as it had five buildings formed up around a very large courtyard—a kill box, in other words. It was a good defensive position for the Jaeggi to take, and smart of them to use something readily at hand. They had to have known they couldn’t get far before Alric would be on top of them.

But Alric had already fought through a war, and he was not stupid about tactics. A kill box only worked if one went into it.

And Alric had no intention of doing so. He turned his head and called out, “The Ordensburg! But do not land in the center courtyard, it is sure to be filled with traps.”

A roar of acknowledgement, and then the dragons were off, their wings beating hard against the air, sending currents swirling in all directions. Ravi shifted quickly, almost roughly, he pushed his dragon so hard. He was barely settled when Alric went directly to his chest, situating there against Ravi’s hand. His jokester bodyguard for once had no wisecrack on his lips. He held Alric carefully, and close, as he launched hard into the sky. Alric found himself praying as Ravi’s wings lifted them.

Be alright, Cameron. Be alright and hang on. With that thought, he sent every emotion toward Cameron, wanting him to feel loved. To feel secure with the knowledge Alric was coming for him. With their magical connection, he prayed those feelings came across strongly enough that Cameron felt them.

It must have worked, as he felt Cameron in return. And the draw as Cameron pulled on his life force, working magic. A feral smile graced Alric’s mouth. His mage wasn’t going down without a fight. Who knew what that clever mind had come up with. Alric fed him more power and hoped it was enough for whatever Cameron was doing.

Despite everyone else having a head start on Ravi, the wind dragon caught up to the lead quickly and then pulled ahead. Alric was always amazed at his speed but right now he blessed it. Every second away from Cameron in this dangerous, volatile situation was a second too long. It tore at Alric that he couldn’t immediately lay hands on Cameron. He just knew he’d have nightmares of this day for years to come.

The people of Sonthofen no doubt spied a thunder of dragons soaring overhead, but Alric wouldn’t worry about it. He wouldn’t think of how the fallout of this would work. He couldn’t find the headspace for that worry just now. A mantra beat through his head like a living thing. Cameron, Cameron, Cameron.