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Charlie’s face dropped. “Oh God. Turn it up.”
A serious-looking male newscaster spoke in a tone that was controlled with a hint of panic under the surface. “Currently flying around Stockholm is what can only be described as … a dragon. Many are assuming it to be a robot carried by drones. However, the fire-breathing destruction it is causing to buildings all around the city makes it clear this is much more than a prank or a test gone wrong.
Investigations have been launched into this event and who might be behind it. As planes are being grounded due to the seemingly random flightpath of this thing, and the army is being mobilized to stop it before it can do more damage. The government is urging people not to panic and to listen to local authorities. We will update you with more on this story as it unfolds.”
The screen then turned to another person, who began theorizing what the dragon was, who had made it, and their intention.
Charlie slammed his hand on the table as his anger overwhelmed him. “Shit! Fuck! Bloody witches. I knew this was going to bite us on the arse, but I thought they’d fix it before it made the national news. What are we going to do?”
"Why do we need to do anything?" Daithi asked, his arms crossed against his chest.
"What?" Clawdia asked, her head spinning to glare at him. "A magic-eating dragon is a problem for everyone in this room."
"It's the witches' problem. Let them take care of it. I'm sure they have protocols for accidental revelations of magic. Our interference might hinder that plan," Daithi replied with maddening logic.
Clawdia bit her lip. “Baelen made me promise to stay away from the dragon. He said if it were to take our power, all the realms would be in danger.”
"Exactly. There are people better equipped to deal with this. In fact, I was going to suggest that we all go home," Daithi continued in his expressionless way.
"Home?" Charlie and Clawdia asked simultaneously.
"Yes. Home to a remote Island in Álfheimr."
"Where?"
"My home realm."
"The portals are closed," Clawdia added, crossing her arms.
"A protector of feeble witches is not going to prevent me from opening a portal myself."
We waited in silence as Daithi closed his eyes and held out his hands, attempting to create a portal. We continued waiting as nothing happened, as his eyes opened and closed, as his fists clenched and unclenched before they fell to his side.
"It seems I was mistaken,” Daithi said, grinding his teeth.
Charlie smirked. “In that case, we’ll be traveling back to my house instead and waiting for this to all blow over.”
Clawdia’s face fell. “What are we going to do about my house? Winnie …”
“We’ll sort something out, Clawdicat. I know it’ll be hard to go back without her, but she’d have wanted you protected from all this.”
Her lip wobbled, and her eyes filled with tears. I squeezed her hand, acknowledging her grief for the person who brought her into this life, guided her and loved her.
“Are we all in agreement?” Savida asked. “Alcor?”
“I wish to find Arabella, but I don’t wish to fall prey to a dragon before I do that, so I’d like to stay with you until then.”
“Right.” Charlie slapped his legs. “I’ve got to get Alcor a passport, so I’ll be on the phone. We won’t get a flight yet since the planes are grounded, but as soon as we can, we’ll get back home.” He closed the door to his room with a quiet snick.
“I’ll start on the dishes,” Clawdia said and began gathering plates, a quietness to her demeanor that indicated she was still thinking about Winnie.
“I’ll assist you,” Alcor announced and moved from the sofa to the table with a grace I didn’t know demons possessed.
“Don’t be silly. You cooked.”
“But I insist. Two pairs of hands are better than one.”
When it was just Daithi, Savida, and me, I stood from the chair and joined them on the sofa.
