Page 115 of Scales ’N’ Spells: Volume One

In the first opening, Dieter pulled the sedan into a spot just off the main street and turned off the engine. They all jumped out of the car, and Cameron immediately found himself surrounded by dragons. It wasn’t just Alric with his arm tight around Cameron’s waist, but three other dragon guards who’d seen the car enter the town had hurried over and were now flanking Cameron on all sides.

Peering between the large, muscular bodies, Cameron spotted two other dragons around Lisette along with her mate. At least it wasn’t just him, though Cameron knew it was going to be a while before the clan gave him a little breathing room. Not that he blamed them. But it was clear they were taking the protection of their mages to a new level so long as the Jaeggi were out there.

“What the hell…” Alric breathed, tearing Cameron’s attention away from their guards and back to the town.

Alric directed them over to a line of shops on the main street with Jaeggi in the name. All of them were closed despite the hours on the window showing they should each be open for at least another couple of hours. Cameron turned and looked across the street to find two more shops with Jaeggi in the name also closed. One even had writing in bold white letters across the window. Unfortunately, it was beyond Cameron’s knowledge of German.

“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.”