Origin (Scales 'n' Spells 1)

“That one,” Cameron pointed toward the store, nudging Alric. “What does that one say?”

“Out of business,” his mate read.

“How is this possible?” Dieter breathed in horrified tones.

“Ravi,” Alric called, and the short dragon appeared in front of them. “That woman across the street. She’s not one of the clan. Ask her about the stores.”

Ravi nodded and jogged off toward the woman carrying a canvas bag that appeared to be filled with produce. Ravi’s friendly face and slight stature made him the least intimidating of the clan. They wouldn’t get any information out of the locals if the dragons went around scaring everyone.

“Lisette, could this be a spell? An illusion maybe to make us think they are abandoned?” Cameron asked.

The older mage was already shaking her head. “I thought that as well, but it’s no spell. There’s just the slightest tingle of magic in the air, but it feels old. Probably from the Jaeggi Clan’s presence in the town for so long. There’s no new magic.”

Silence fell over the group as they waited for Ravi’s return. How could they have left so quickly? Where would they have gone?

Cameron continued down the sidewalk with Alric at his side and their tight grouping of bodyguards. They were getting looks from the few people who were out. Thank god they weren’t trying to be inconspicuous. Some of the shops were open, but most of those looked to be chain stores. A handful more Jaeggi stores turned up empty.

Stopping in front of a closed clothing shop, Cameron peered in the front window. This wasn’t just about being closed extra hours. A number of the shelves and racks had been cleared out, as if someone had packed up as much of their stock as they could. A few things had been knocked over in their obvious haste, but otherwise there was nothing else they could discern from the place.

Quick footsteps drew Cameron from the storefront. He turned as Ravi reached their side, a frown drawing lines across his brow.

“The lady said that half the stores closed down early three days ago and never reopened,” Ravi explained. “No one seems to know what happened to the store owners or where they went. Said the Jaeggi family was a large, tight-knit group who kept to themselves. Friendly, but standoffish.”

“The store closings likely started when the cat was discovered,” Cameron murmured.

“So, they learn that their cover is officially blown and the entire clan picks up as quickly as possible and relocates,” Ravi continued.

“Considering the speed and coordination, I’m willing to bet they had a back-up location already set up regardless of the outcome with Cameron,” Baldewin added.

Alric grunted, rubbing his chin thoughtfully as he glared at the empty store window.

“What are you thinking?” Cameron nudged.

“I’m thinking they’ve gone to ground, and it will be that much harder to find them a second time,” Alric said a bit absently. He blinked and turned his full attention on Lisette. “Gather the mages. I would have you to start working on tracing spells. I want each of the shops covered as well as the building we infiltrated.”

“And where Cameron was held?”

“If the town yields nothing, yes.”

Lisette took a deep breath and released it slowly. “That…that will take time to prepare and set into motion. It’s a very involved spell.” She paused and gave Cameron a small smile. “I’ll definitely need to borrow your mate.”

Alric grunted, tightening his arm around Cameron’s waist. “You may borrow him, eventually.”

Cameron turned his head to smirk at the dragon holding him. “Eventually?”

“I have plans for you.”

Cameron slid his arms around Alric’s shoulders and laughed. He didn’t care that everyone around them was closely watching their conversation. “Plans? What sort of plans?”

Alric’s voice came out in a playful growl. “Private plans that mean I will be keeping you away from others for a while.”

“Sounds like I’m going to enjoy these plans.” Cameron brushed his lips across Alric’s, loving the sound of his breath catching. “Take me home, my mate.”

Alric hung onto control of his dragon by the tips of his talons. Between losing Cameron, falling into a stupid trap, getting Cameron back, and his mate’s declaration of love, Alric was sure if he still had use of both his wings, he would have carried Cameron off to some high peak where no one could find him. Where he could coil his large body around his precious mate and protect him from all the world.

But Alric wasn’t some fledgling dragon sneaking off to build his first hoard. He was King of the Fire Dragons, leader of the Burkhard clan. That meant he had to shove down his instincts when it came to his mate and see to the welfare and happiness of his people first.

Luckily, Cameron had a deep well of compassion. Alric didn’t doubt Cameron wanted to sneak off alone, but he had been right there at the close of the battle, checking on dragons. He’d not balked at the idea of going directly to the Jaeggi’s town to see if they could locate any of the clan.