Page 18 of Scales ’N’ Spells: Volume One

Cameron rubbed at the bridge of his nose. “I could have reacted more maturely, though. It’s just…I’m really not magical, and I don’t appreciate you guys insisting that I am. I’m tired of people telling me what I should do and who I should be.”

Baldewin very carefully didn’t say anything in response to that.

Yeah, the dragon was obviously not willing to argue the point right now and piss Cameron off further. But Baldewin was pretty sure he was right. Cameron interpreted his silence for what it was.

Cameron was sure on this point, though. Growing up, he’d read many a book with a magical protagonist, wishing sometimes he’d wake up one morning with magical powers of his own. It’d never happened. It was part of why he didn’t like the stories Halmeoni told them as kids. All it did was feed false hopes.

His phone dinged and he checked it. The hell, why was Cassie messaging him when she’d likely only gotten two hours of sleep?

Are you getting nookie or do you need cops?

He responded, Why are you awake?

Too curious. So, nookie or cops?

He typed back. No nookie. No cops. He hesitated for a moment, finger hovered over the keypad on the screen before he continued: Turns out he’s a dragon.

Come again?

You read that right. He’s a dragon. There’s a clan of living fire dragons up here in the castle

DUDE IF YOU’RE PULLING MY LEG I WILL END YOU

No joke, not kidding, I will swear on Halmeoni’s purple hair, legit dragon clan

OMG

Yeah

OMG!!!

Yeah, I know I’m freaking out a little too. I will email you everything that happened so you can read it at work. Go back to sleep

No, wait, tell me one thing first. Why would they tell you? That they’re dragons?

Cameron sighed, closed his eyes, and struggled with answering. That was a whole other can of worms he didn’t feel emotionally up to opening right now. But she’d just call and pester him until he answered. Unlike himself, Cassie had never given up on magic being alive and well in the world. She was freaking out right now in a good sense.

Baldewin cast his phone a glance. “I see the word dragon on that screen; who are you telling about us?”

“Oh.” Shit, he likely shouldn’t be careless about who he told. Cameron mentally kicked himself for being an idiot. “Uh, I promise you won’t be mad about it. I only intend to tell family. I’m texting my sister Cassie right now.”

The big man’s expression cleared. “Ah, yes. The sister and grandmother you mentioned. We’d dearly love to talk to them.”

“Yeah, them. And the feeling will be mutual, trust me. Hang on, if I don’t text back in a minute she’ll fry my nuts.” Cameron tried to craft the most succinct reply he’d ever managed in his life. Turns out Halmeoni was right. We’re a magical family. Dragons mucho excited about meeting someone from Noh Clan.

Does that mean I get to meet them too? Cassie asked and the phone practically pulsed with her excitement.

They want to

I really want to. Let me figure stuff out.

In other words, Cassie would join him in Germany as soon as she could manage it. That figured. Cameron heartily wished that somehow, he could switch places with his twin right now. If Cassie were in his shoes, she’d already have jumped right in, no hesitation.

His mind circled back around, and Cameron questioned something he hadn’t had time to think of before. “Baldewin. Ravi found me first.”

“Yes?”

“But how did he find me? I mean, did you guys use a spell or something? You picked me out of the crowd somehow.”