Origin (Scales 'n' Spells 1)

But he had no proof Cameron belonged to him. He could so easily belong to any other dragon, and he would not stand in the way of any of his people finding their mate.

The dragon side of his nature did not agree.

Alric mentally growled back a warning. He had to be careful. This was no time to let instincts make decisions.

Walking side by side, they headed deeper into the crowd. Naturally, the stall serving coffee and pastries was the busiest. There wasn’t so much a line as a thick gathering of people at least three deep in front of the booth. Alric frowned at the gathering. There was no sense in both of them wading into that mess. He glanced around the area before his eyes lit on the perfect spot.

“If you’d like to sit, there’s an open bench over there,” Alric offered, motioning toward a quiet little niche away from the main gathering of people and booths. “I’m happy to get coffee and pastries for us both.”

“You sure? You know I was just joking about getting me coffee,” Cameron said.

“I find I could use something sweet. I didn’t eat enough breakfast.”

Cameron smiled at him, poking his arm. “Silly dragon.”

Alric didn’t need for him to know that he’d lost his appetite this morning because of this meeting. Too much was riding on him convincing Cameron that he was a mage and belonged with the Fire Clan.

“Black with two sugars,” Cameron said and then wandered in the direction of the bench Alric had pointed out. “I’ll save you a seat.”

He could feel the smile on his lips as he stepped up to the gathering of customers. Alric was not one to just randomly smile. At least not since he’d been a very young dragon, but he couldn’t help it when he was around Cameron. He probably looked a little ridiculous. Maybe even besotted.

The smell of coffee and sugar drifted to his nose, drawing his attention from his thoughts to the stall. He wasn’t nearly tall enough to see over the crowd, but a pair of chalkboard menus displayed an array of pastries for sale.

Verdammt! He’d forgotten to ask what Cameron would like to eat. He could clearly recall everything Cameron had ordered the first day of the festival, but it had been such a vast array of things he couldn’t even guess at what Cameron might be in the mood for now. It was safer to just ask.

Stepping out of the gathering, he turned toward the bench only to find it empty. Cameron wasn’t anywhere in the area. Alric’s heart skipped a beat as he jogged over to the shaded area to make sure Cameron wasn’t hidden behind another tree or other festival goers. But he wasn’t.

The skip of his heart turned into a full-fledged run as he turned in place, his eyes skimming over hundreds of smiling faces in search of Cameron’s. He wouldn’t have left. No. He hadn’t run. There was no reason. They’d been laughing and joking.

And Cameron wouldn’t run. When he’d been upset, he’d faced Alric down, shouting at him and making demands.

But if he hadn’t run, did that mean he’d been taken? Why? And by whom? Did someone else know he was a mage? Was it just random luck that he’d been grabbed by some horrible human thief?

Alric rushed back into the crowd and shouted Cameron’s name, hoping that maybe he’d just walked over to a nearby stall to see the vendor’s wares, not expecting Alric to return so quickly. But there was still no sign of him. Alric cursed himself. He knew Cameron had his number, Baldewin had reported that, but he’d failed to give him Cameron’s number in return. And Alric needed it right now.

Palming his phone, Alric immediately called Baldewin while he still searched the immediate area.

“Is he still grumpy over yesterday?” Baldewin said by way of greeting.

“Cameron’s gone,” Alric blurted. “Tell me you are here at the festival.”

“We are. We’re a few blocks away from you. Wanted to give you some space.” His tone was immediately serious, ready to jump into a battle for Alric.

“Get here. I can’t find him. And call him, I don’t have his number.” Alric hurried toward the bench he’d pointed out only minutes ago. It was the last direction he’d seen Cameron walking in.

“I will. Do you think he went back to his hotel?”

“No, but send someone there just in case if he doesn’t pick up. I—” Alric stopped. He thought he’d heard something out of place. An awkward scrape of shoe on pavement. He strained, listening, wishing he could stop his own pounding heart.

“No!” It was Cameron. He knew the man’s voice. He sounded desperate, fighting something. The muffled shout came from down the block in the direction of a narrow alleyway.

“He’s in trouble. I’m heading toward the back of the supermarket. Find me!” Alric commanded as he took off running. He ended the call and shoved his phone back into his pocket. His old friend always had his back, and he would do it because Alric needed him. Cameron needed him.