Breath (Scales 'n' Spells 2)

He pulled back, trying not to feel awkward or blush. He largely failed at both. Shaking fingers fumbled with the key for a moment as a heady mix of adrenaline, fear, and excitement rushed through him. Then he carefully shut the door and walked around the car to slide into the driver’s seat, starting up the car.

The engine was running before he put his hand on the dash and cast another ward over the body of the car. This time, he parsed out the magical power he’d been given instead of using most of it in one go. “Tuella gev adi.”

The ward slid into place, a light golden glow that conformed to the outlines of the car’s body. It was as strong as the other ward, just as able to deflect attack. Tori marveled at it for a split second, unable to comprehend how much easier it was to work a spell when using an element from a dragon. Was it any wonder why his mage ancestors were so eager to partner up with dragons?

He shook the thought off, backing up and out of the space. He had no idea where to go, but he needed to get them out of there. The Jaeggi had a gun aimed at the windshield, and they were shouting something threatening at him, but it didn’t faze Tori.

With a whispered word, the protective dome came down in a wash of magic. A feral grin stretched from ear to ear as he hit the gas, and the car leapt forward, forcing them to jump or become road pancake. Unfortunately, all of them had good enough reflexes to get out of the way. Tori wouldn’t have minded breaking a few limbs after that kidnapping attempt.

He exited the parking lot with a touch more speed than was advisable, merging into the light morning traffic and heading away without any real destination. Driving was all fine and well, but he couldn’t just drive. And with two heavily drugged dragons down for the count, it was up to him to protect everyone. At least for a while. They were both groaning and shifting, so obviously the tranquilizer was wearing off quickly, but still. They weren’t fighting fit and likely wouldn’t be for a while.

Shit. Tori really hated this morning already.

For the next few minutes, at least, he’d focus on getting some distance between them and the Jaeggi.

Baldewin groaned softly as he tried to get into a more comfortable position in the car. Things hurt. Many, many things hurt. Of course, his dragon was making it all worse, starting with his headache, as the creature raged inside of him, demanding to be set free so it could destroy any and all Jaeggi who dared to come near Tori.

Not that Tori had needed his help or his dragon’s. The mage had done just fine taking care of the trap and the Jaeggi. He should have been thrilled about their kisses, but they didn’t count. Baldewin had felt only the faintest brush of Tori’s lips, just enough to leave behind the sweetest tingle.

And then the mage had saved their lives when it should have been him and Warin keeping him safe.

“Baldewin? Baldewin, are you alright?” Tori demanded, pulling him out of his dark, angry thoughts.

“Yes, I’m fine. Muscles are a little sore, and my head is pounding, but I’m fine,” Baldewin murmured. “Warin?”

The other dragon swore loudly in German from the backseat for a moment before finally giving a grumbled, “Okay.”

They did not like being caught unaware. How could they have missed the damn booby trap on the car? It wasn’t as if they were inexperienced children. They’d protected Cameron and Alric on numerous occasions. They’d protected all the mages of the castle with little trouble. This…this was sloppy. He knew better. He was letting himself get distracted by Tori, and it was going to be the mage who paid for his lack of dedication to his job.

“Stop it!” Tori snapped.

Baldewin blinked and looked up to find Tori glancing sternly over at him before directing his gaze back at the road. “I can hear your brooding over there. This wasn’t your fault.”

“We should have sensed the spell or at least smelled it,” Warin countered, proving that the dragon’s thoughts were running parallel to Baldewin’s.

Tori’s fingers clenched the wheel a little tighter. His whole body appeared to be one tense muscle. “Maybe not. It was a trap, and pretty well camouflaged from what I saw of it.”

“It’s our job to keep you safe,” Baldewin added.

“Yeah, and shit happens. That’s an American saying, right? Shit happens? I always liked that one because in my life, a lot of shit happens. You’ve got to keep moving forward. You know why?”

“Why?” Baldewin asked, suddenly entranced by the mage’s energetic speech.

“If you don’t, you’re just left sitting there in a pile of shit. Who wants that?”