Page 162 of Scales ’N’ Spells: Volume Two

“We have ALL said that, Gunter. So many times we’ve lost track.” Ravi gestured broadly at him. “I knew he wasn’t listening. Ladies, gentlemen, and gentlefolk, prime example right here. If Gunter grunts at you or gives you one-word answers, he’s not listening!”

Some voice in the crowd called out, “Tell us something we don’t know, Ravi!”

Alric walked toward the table, a mounded-over plate in hand, mischief dancing in his eyes and lurking in his smile.

“Gunter, tell me, to what do I owe this miraculous moment? I’ve now crossed paths with you four times in the dining hall this week. How do I make sure this continues?”

“Not you too.” Gunter sighed loudly.

Proving Alric was not slow on the uptake, he gave Nikki a solemn nod. “Good job. With Nikki keeping an eye on you, I might finally remove the reminder from my calendar to have Ravi drag you from your dungeon.”

Gunter gasped in what sounded like horror. “Do not encourage him! I don’t need Ravi down there heckling me.”

See? They got it. They completely saw that Gunter’s behaviors had changed because of Nikki. They all seemed to be aware, too, that Nikki lusted after Gunter’s sexy self. It wasn’t like Nikki was being subtle, here. Why Gunter seemed oblivious frustrated Nikki to no end. Were they just not giving the right signals? Was Gunter not interested and pretending to be ignorant to make things easier?

One look at Gunter’s face proved he really didn’t get it.

Nikki sighed, shoulders slumping. Maybe a cluebat was called for. Nikki was fairly sure, if asked, Ravi would be able to provide one instantly. He was the type to have cluebats around.

“In all seriousness”—Alric’s teasing look faded as he looked at Nikki—“I did stop by for a reason. Nikki, can you join me in my study in about half an hour?”

Nikki had no idea what this was about, but the man had opened his home to them and didn’t ask for a single thing in return except information. Nikki was happy to return the favor whenever they could. “Of course. Why?”

“I feel like I haven’t asked you enough questions.” Alric’s dark brows beetled together for a moment. “Or I should say, I feel like I didn’t ask you the right questions. What happened when you were out on the scouting mission disturbs me. Even with your precautions and paranoia, you almost got injured. We’ve examined what you brought back, and it’s only partially given us answers. We must go back and examine the area again, determine if there’s anything else to help us. I don’t want more injuries, but we must finish this before the Jaeggi vanish into the woodwork.”

Nikki nodded firmly. “I’m happy to help, you know that. I don’t want them to escape any more than you do.”

“I know. Thank you. I think it will be more than me at this meeting, as a few people mentioned wanting to talk to you.” Alric turned his eyes to Gunter. “Come with them, please. I think you’ll hold some of the answers as well. And you need to be part of the conversation anyway.”

“Of course, we’ll both be there,” Gunter agreed, all signs of his earlier outrage completely gone.

Nikki decided to voice a question they’d been harboring for some time. “When you do find the Jaeggi, what are you going to do? It’ll be hard to turn them in to the police.”

All three dragons looked at them as if Nikki had lost their god given mind.

“No, no, no,” Ravi protested with a wave of the hand. “I mean, the police are nice, but no way they can handle this. And this has been a long time coming. I mean, a loooong time coming. In times like these, the clan’s got a motto.”

The king of the Fire Dragons gave a regal nod. “When in doubt, burn it up.”

Nikki imagined in their mind’s eye burning the Jaeggi right to the ground in a rain of dragon fire. Wow, what an amazing image. Totally cool, they could get right behind that. “That is the best family motto ever.”

“We like it,” Gunter said with false modesty. “I’m sure there will be room for some explosions if you want to join in.”

Nikki beamed, almost giddy with the possibility. “Really big explosions?”

“I insist on it.”

Unable to resist, Nikki cuddled against his shoulder and sighed happily. “You say such sweet words. I think I’ll keep you.”

Gunter just chuckled. But he patted Nikki’s head in easy affection, which Nikki took happily. “So easy to please. We’ll see you shortly, Hoheit.”

As Alric requested, they went to his office after lunch for the meeting. Gunter walked at Nikki’s side, trying to gauge their mood. Ever since this morning, Nikki had seemed a little…put out with him? It wasn’t anything Nikki had said or done to give him the impression, just this vibe in the air. And Nikki was normally more present with him. More vivacious in getting Gunter’s attention. This morning, they hadn’t even tried to get his attention.

It was puzzling.

Mostly because Gunter could think of several things he had done to earn Nikki’s ire.

For instance, it was quite possible he snored. And with Nikki sneaking in nightly, there was no way the mage was getting enough sleep. And Gunter wasn’t always good company while awake, for that matter.