Page 136 of Scales ’N’ Spells: Volume Two

“Hi, hi,” she greeted, a bright smile on her face. “I’m Cassie Burkhard, and I’m kind of the person in charge of tech around here. How are you guys doing?”

Dominique answered, although an edge of caution tightened her expression. “Fine, I think.”

“Really? You guys aren’t overwhelmed by the size of the place? ’Cause I sure was when I first got here.” Cassie shook her head, the blue of her hair catching the light in interesting ways. “I must have called Sasha thirty times a day, asking where I was going and where something was. This place is a freaking labyrinth, and the dragons are so used to it, they don’t even think of it like that. My wife is still incredibly amused every time she has to come to my rescue. Although I have finally gotten a handle on the place. Anyway, I didn’t want to just let you guys wander around without some means of calling for help. So.”

Nikki had no idea what she would pull from that black bag until her hand popped back out with a cellphone.

Why…a cellphone? Really? They’d never been allowed to have one with the Jaeggi. Nikki had barely gotten access to a TV, really.

“I hope you’re both android people, as that’s all I’ve got.” Cassie handed Dominique one, then Nikki, chattering as she did so. “The phone number for it is written in Sharpie on the back. It’s got a few phone numbers already loaded. Mine, Alric’s, Cameron’s, Ravi’s—although don’t call him if you can help it, he’s in wedding prep mode—and Sora’s. Sora is our healer, and if anything is hurting, please call him ASAP. Ok? Oh, and I’ve got tablets for you, too.”

Nikki looked at the tech in their hands and felt like the world had been tilted. A phone was a means of contacting the outside world. The tablet was much the same. This woman was just handing them the means to call out, get help, or navigate their way out of the castle. And she did it with a smile on her face and instructions.

Was Nikki truly free here, then? Was the choice to go or stay completely up to them?

It must be. They’d never be given a phone like this otherwise.

“Downloaded onto the phone is a cash app, loaded with some money. We’ll get you a bank account and all of that once we’ve gotten everything else straightened out.” Cassie sighed, eyes rolling. “Just bear with us, we’re juggling a lot of balls right now. Between Ravi’s wedding, rescuing all of you, and trying to figure out where the Jaeggi disappeared to, there’s not enough hours in the day.”

Nikki’s eyes nearly popped right out of their head. They were given money too?!

“Oh, but don’t go out of the castle without an escort,” Cassie tacked on. “Ask a dragon to guard you. Our location here isn’t exactly a secret, and we don’t want the Jaeggi to snatch you guys again.”

Dominique’s face compressed with worry. “Has that happened?”

“Yeah, unfortunately. They got their hands on my brother once. I mean, we obviously got him back, but we’d rather not play that game. So take an escort out with you if you do go, okay? The dragons are super good about it; they’ll be happy to go wherever with you.”

The thought of being taken again was alarming. But Nikki should have expected that, too. The Jaeggi were nothing if not fanatical in their pursuits.

Oooh, did that mean Nikki could ask Gunter to go with them to all sorts of different places? Maybe they should think about that. And scheme.

“Okay, I think that’s it for now.” Cassie paused with both hands on her bag, her dark eyes thoughtful on them both. “You both are okay, right? I can escort you to Sora to get checked out if something is bothering you.”

Nikki waved this away. No way in hell were they willing to spend one-on-one time with a mage, especially a healer. Even this meeting with Cassie had them on edge, and if not for the lure of tech, Nikki would not have stayed this long. “I’m fine.”

“I’ve already been seen to,” Dominique informed her with a winsome smile. “But thank you.”

“Good, good. Just checking. Expect all the memes!” Cassie smiled, but there was mischief in that expression. “And I do mean all. Toodles, peeps!”

And with that, she bounced away again.

Nikki watched her go for a moment, then looked back down at their phone. That meeting had been unexpected in multiple ways. But in a good way? Certainly, this was a much better start than the last time they’d been pulled into a clan.

Dominique turned the phone on, smiling. “I’m not entirely sure how to use this, but I guess I have time to figure it out. It certainly is nice someone thought to give us all this. I feel very welcome here. I think I’ll stay. It’s safer here than out in the world, and I don’t have anywhere else I’d rather go. What about you, Nikki?”

“I think I’ll stay, too.” The words felt right in their mouth as they said them. Nikki nodded, agreeing with their own decision. “You’re right, there’s nowhere else I can really think to go or want to be. And I feel like there’s good possibilities here.”

Dominique’s grin was wicked. “And handsome dragons to flirt with.”

Nikki’s grin was equally wicked. “And that. Really, there’s too many perks to pass up.”

And perhaps, if Nikki stayed, they could figure out how to approach Gunter. Nikki really had to try because it would be a damn shame otherwise.

But first, Nikki had a few things to put to the test.

Nikki was not one to sit still. Even the Jaeggi hadn’t managed to cage them completely. After Cassie had given them the phone, it had been too much of a temptation. Where all could Nikki go? What were the restrictions before they hit a wall?

Could they leave, if so desired?