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Sunday, April 19, 2167

The Gray Ward

Dragon Heights, Wyoming

I had been trickedas I’d suspected when first given the bulging envelope. Five twenties on the top and bottom of the stack offered the illusion of a nice wad of cash, but in reality, nestled between the bills were more than a few checks, each one addressed to me. Every check bore a different amount, came from a different account, and had been signed by a different dragon or dragon-kin. The memos offered some clues for why I received the funding.

Phillip’s check gave me a thousand dollars due to the successful breeding of the little bastard toad with his new girlfriend. A sticky note adhered to the check informed me that the species counted as critically endangered, and that their slime held significance in certain medical treatments. Another note promised no animals were harmed during the gathering of said slime.

Several other checks also paid for the consequences of my work during their rains.

All in all, the dragons gave me fifteen thousand dollars in general compensation for my work.

I suspected they actually offered payment to look into their serial killer, although I wouldn’t tell them that to their faces. For a few moments, I questioned why they refused to make use of the police, but when I thought about it, I understood. Like the brothel workers, dragons held a certain reputation among law enforcement.

Pride also played a part.

My parents tried to squelch their pride often; they strived to maintain an illusion of normalcy. Normal people living normal lives had no reason to posture like some dragon ruling over a city. In my parents’ eyes, I held no doubt they believed such a thing. From my first breath, they’d called me their little princess, and they behaved as though there was reason I should stand proud when compared to mere humans. Somehow, I’d escaped their ego.

But again, when I thought of it, I realized they’d carefully choreographed parts of my life so I would shun those ways. While they likely hadn’t planned for me to become a detective, my choice had never surprised them. They’d expected me to do something similar. My father had wanted me to become a nurse in service to the ill. He’d taken me to nursing homes to play my little flute for the sick and elderly to learn the joy of doing good for others.

My mother had taken me to gardens and parks to volunteer so I might also learn those same traits.

And while they’d continued to call me their little princess, I had been raised to serve.

Had I only listened to their mouths, I would have become an annoyingly entitled child, expecting life to be served to me on a silver platter while those around me sang accolades about my non-existent virtues. Instead, I had witnessed their deeds—and those deeds had shaped me.

Instead of living a life of pride, I served with pride.

I wonder if I would have changed my decision to leave Miami if I’d realized that a little sooner. On second thought, no matter how I ran the scenario through my head, one thing remained the same.

Erik would have fallen with me, and his dreams would have been broken into irreparable pieces.

Still, why would dragons require any assistance from mere mortals? In Dragon Heights, enough dragon-kin worked on the force to make them allies, but I could also understand why the dragons would avoid bringing the police into it if at all possible.

Where the cops went, reporters followed—and I had found very little in terms of information on the murdered pilgrims during my initial investigation into the news.

While I debated what to do about the checks, Garnet played with one of my pens, batting it around the table and chasing after it. Every time she knocked it to the floor, I retrieved it, spent a few minutes waving it around for her, and giggled at her antics.

I’d never allowed myself to get a pet while in Miami, afraid my work would keep me away from the animal for too long every day. I’d thought about a cat a time or two, but the fear of neglecting it for the sake of my career had stopped me from ever bringing one home.

I’d never even gotten to the point of asking Erik if he liked dogs or cats and minded sharing space with one.

One thing was clear, however. Before I could fully concentrate on my work, I needed to buy supplies for Garnet and make sure my home became her home. While I was at it, I would see if the checks would clear. If they did, I would turn the apartment into a proper home when I needed time to think about the cases that had been dumped on my lap from two unlikely sources.

* * *

Sunday, April 19, 2167

The Emerald Ward

Dragon Heights, Wyoming

When seeking creature comforts,the wise went to the home of the green dragons within the Emerald Ward. While my parents had warned me I had more than my fair share of draconic genetics, they promised the greens and blues of our line were more benevolent. If I were to waken any powers, I would appreciate theirs with limited exception.

If I developed the powers of my cyan ancestors, I would be wise to keep from singing where men might hear me, else I might return home with a few lovesick attachments. Before everything had fallen apart, my mother had asked, repeatedly, if I’d lured Erik into my lair with music. Each time, I’d promised her music had not been involved in any luring, of him or anyone else.

We’d met at the gun range to keep our qualifications up, and my skill with my firearm had done the basic charming. It’d taken me six months of him showing up whenever I came to the range to realize he had any interest.

After I’d had several conversations with him, focused on improving our gun handling skills, he’d started following me around.

I could understand why my mother suspected a cyan dragon’s seductive call. How else would I, an idiot when it came to all things men and romance, actually have a relationship with someone?

When I thought about it, I hated myself for giving up one of the best things in my life.

My reasons had been good.

In Miami, my ship would have sunk, and he’d finally gotten to catch the dream he’d been chasing from the day he’d joined the force. Maybe others would want to be treasured more than their partner’s lifelong dream, but I wasn’t like that.

I doubted any force in the United States would readily accept an officer of any rank with a significant other accused of being a necromancer.

It did make me wonder why Phillip had gone out of his way to expose other facets of necromancy, however.

Monster’s existence would leave me with more questions than answers for a long time.

To make sure I could buy some creature comforts, I went to the bank to discover if the checks would clear. The teller did not seem all that impressed with me until she began processing the checks. I had no idea which check did the trick, but one of the names changed her opinion of me in a hurry.

I would need to review my account later to figure out which individual had earned such respect in the banking world.

“These checks have been pre-processed,” the teller announced, and she handed me my debit card back. “I see you have not had checks made for your account. We have a check printer here. Would you like a book? It takes ten minutes.”

While I expected the ten minutes would cost me at least thirty bucks, having access to checks would simplify some things for me. “Yes, please, and thank you.”

“It’s no problem at all. If you take a seat, I will bring them to you as soon as they are ready.”

I thanked her again and made myself scarce, finding a seat in the lobby. Garnet hovered around my head in her ball of light form, which she’d shifted to as soon as she’d realized I meant to go out on errands.

After the bank, I would take some time to have lunch, aware the carbunclo kitten would need to eat sooner than later. I’d have to test her ability to use toilets, as I expected it would be several hours before I could get her set up at home.

The Emerald Ward would be able to supply everything I needed, and most stores would deliver for a fee, even to the Gray Ward.

As promised, the teller returned after ten minutes with a packet of checks, and she wore her best smile before handing it to me along with another envelope, which she explained contained a printout of all my benefits with the bank along with a contact number for my representative if I needed any assistance at all. We participated in an awkward verbal dance, where I promised her I was more than satisfied and thanked her several times before I made my escape.

Fifteen thousand dollars changed my life, but when it came to dragon-kin and the dragons who ruled them, the amount was pennies.

What was going on? More importantly, what did I have to do with it?

Several blocks away from the stores I meant to part ways with my newfound wealth, I found a restaurant with patio seating, informed the hostess I had a pet gifted from dragons that required a meal as well, and asked to be seated outdoors. Either the inclusion Garnet had been a gift from a dragon did the trick, other people brought the weird and weirder to the place often, or they had a policy about crazy women with animals, but she guided me to a patio seat meant for two and left me a menu.

I rearranged the table so Garnet could sit near me and patted the metal tabletop. The carbunclo transformed in a golden glow, sat, and went to work grooming her red stone paws, which gleamed in the sunlight. I smiled and petted her.

A waitress, an older woman with a proud bearing, the hint of wrinkles around her eyes that came from laughing early and often, and a bright smile approached. “What a lovely kitten. Very unusual. Marlee said a dragon gifted her to you?”

“She came home with me this morning, and I was told to give her the same sort of foods I eat, although I’ll see if she wants something specific. The dragon said she’s plenty smart, so I figure she can tell me what she wants to eat.”

“Right you are. We cater to our furred and feathered friends here, so we have an excellent selection of milks and other treats meant for the enjoyment of feline species.” The waitress pulled out a small menu and showed it to me. To my delight, I realized it was a menu specifically meant for pets.

I could pick one of six different milk types for Garnet to enjoy or I could indulge in a milk platter for her. Maybe the future would include hardships, but with money in my bank account and a route to earn more, I would take a moment to enjoy life. One last foray into investigations would open many doors, and I would be able to have the quiet life I’d wanted from the day I’d left Miami. I pointed at the milk platter. “Let’s get that for her. I’ll take an iced tea.”

“Sweetened?”

I shook my head. “With some lemon, please.”

“Of course, ma’am. I’ll return with your drinks shortly.”

I turned my attention to the menu, and I angled it so Garnet could have a look. At a minimum, I would be spending fifty on the two of us if we stuck to the appetizer section of the menu.

Before the checks, I wouldn’t have dared to dream about such excess. As it was, it would be a while before I indulged again. Without Garnet, I might not have indulged at all. After a brief check of the menu, I found my favorite food, blackened shrimp served with spiced rice along with some gumbo.

The first time Erik had lured me out for a real dinner, he’d taken me to a Cajun restaurant, teaching me the wonders of blackened shrimp and other seafoods.

Prior, we’d only eaten fast food together.

I would either heal or continue to torment myself. I pointed at the entry on the menu. “This is what I’m getting. It’s spicy, so if you haven’t had something spicy before, I recommend you get something a little gentler on your stomach. I’ll share a bite of mine with you so you can try it.”

As I doubted the kitten could read, I took the time to explain the entire menu to her. When I got to the poultry section, a Cornish game hen bathed in a lemon cream sauce excited her so much she squeaked. Laughing, I promised she could have it. It took a few minutes to calm her down enough to discover she didn’t understand the sides, resulting in me promising I’d get her a selection to try.

The extras would go home with us, and we’d feast on leftovers later.

As Garnet couldn’t sit on the chair and eat, I adjusted the table so she had enough space to enjoy her meal without feeling cramped. The waitress returned with my drink and a platter of saucers filled with servings of milk for the carbunclo kitten.

Garnet trembled from her excitement, but she contained herself, waiting until the waitress had all the little dishes lined up before sniffing at them all. Making squeaking sounds, she tasted one.

Judging from her haste to drink as much as possible so it wouldn’t escape her, I would be spending a great deal of money providing the kitten with milks safe for her consumption.

Ah, well. Easy come, easy go.

I kept an eye on which of the milks she liked best, and when the waitress returned, I ordered her a larger bowl of that one. Between sessions of drinking her milk, Garnet purred and washed her face.

I hoped she’d have enough room for her real meal when it arrived.

While Garnet drank and I waited for my meal, I sipped my tea and began the process of reviewing my plans for handling the investigation. I would need to adjust for Garnet.

I only trusted the titanium dragons to a certain degree. Excluding the kitten from some elements of the investigation protected us both. She couldn’t betray what she didn’t know, and if nobody thought she knew anything, she might escape from being targeted.

I would do my best to protect her, even if it meant having to play a little less at being an ordinary human and begin pursuing some of the dangerous elements of my heritage.

Both my parents believed waking the destructive side of my pedigree would take a little work and effort on my part.

But only a little.

I had taken every precaution to avoid taking any risk that might result in conjuring fire or controlling heat. My mother had warned me that my heritage might wake something more dangerous than her flames or my father’s shadows.

I considered calling my father to ask what other abilities I might acquire should my ancestry haunt me. With my intent to seek out those behind the attacks on both pilgrims and brothel workers, I expected I’d find out how much of a weapon my parents had brought to life.

When I stopped and thought about it, I marveled over how good of a job my parents had done making certain I didn’t become anything other than what I wanted to become.

I’d never aspired to become a dragon, and so they had focused me on my dreams rather than theirs.

I had become a cop.

But then life had gone sideways on me, as it tended to do, and the dream had changed.

Erik had swept into my life, and I’d thrown away everything I’d worked on for so long to protect him and his successes. Peering through the lenses of the past, I worried I’d made the wrong choice. What might we have built together?

The waitress returned with our food, and I requested more of Garnet’s preferred milk before I settled in to eat, keeping an eye on the kitten and taking the time to cut up her pieces the few times she appeared to struggle with conquering her chicken. The sides came in individual dishes, and I spooned a sampling of everything onto the edge of her plate, telling her what it was before she tried it.

She turned her nose up at the spinach, which suited me just fine, attacked the asparagus with amusing ferocity, and gobbled down every speck of mashed potatoes, leaving me with none. I thought about ordering more, but I accepted that I owned a potato-thieving kitten, and if I wanted to have any for myself, I would order us our own shares.

I couldn’t even blame her. The next time I spoke to my mother, I would ask her if I had been a potato-thieving fiend when she’d fed it to me for the first time.

No, I wouldn’t wait. After I paid the bill, I would go to a phone store, pick up a cell, get a plan with some form of internet, and rejoin the real world. Once I gathered sufficient nerve to call, I would tell her I’d gotten the phone in Dragon Heights while passing through, leaving her to wonder where I lurked in the world.

It wasn’t much, but I would reclaim one part of my life.

With that decision made, I finished my meal, waited for the carbunclo to stuff herself silly, and waved for the waitress to pay the bill and get a bag for everything the kitten hadn’t managed to shovel into her bottomless pit of a stomach.

After paying, the waitress returned with a bag, and she presented a glass jar of milk. “On the house for your little one,” she announced. “The bottle is charmed to always stay a good temperature for milk, so you can leave that on the counter for her as needed. It’s rare we have such behaved feline guests, so this is her prize.”

I smiled at the kitten. “You hear that, Garnet? You’re the best little kitten, so you get this milk all to yourself.”

Garnet mewed, purred, and wobbled across the table in her effort to snuggle with the chilled bottle. To prevent a disaster, I tucked the bottle away with our leftovers, captured the beast, and thanked the waitress for the wonderful meal and her generosity.

It amused me I left the restaurant feeling richer than before I’d paid the ridiculously expensive bill.

* * *

Sunday, April 19, 2167

The Gray Ward

Dragon Heights, Wyoming

After a rather heatedargument with myself, I decided to buy a fancy cell, one I would be able to use for several years if the going got tough. Even if I couldn’t maintain service due to my misfortunes, I’d still be able to access the internet from the local libraries. While not an ideal situation, it would work for me—and give me a good tool for the next few years of my life.

In the worst-case scenario, I would prepay minutes to make calls and pretend I had a plan. With Garnet’s leftovers and her bottle of milk hanging off my wrist and the kitten sound asleep in my arms, I hunted for a cell company who’d sell me a phone and a plan without needing the excess documentation too many liked having in Dragon Heights.

After some consideration, I decided to try the largest of the companies run by one of the red dragon families in the area. They might consider my work with the titaniums as valid and accept my money despite keeping my birth identity secret. Bracing for embarrassment or at least some inconvenience, I stepped into the store.

While I’d expected dragon-kin, the store boasted enough floor space for two or three dragons, when compacted into their smallest forms, to enter the store. Two reds lounged on cushions larger than my bed, which reminded me I needed to take care of that task before heading home.

Right. There were actual dragons in the store, and they were old enough to have full control over their size and weight. From my understanding, a dragon needed to be at least a hundred years old to control their transformations to such a level. My mother promised I might one day pursue such an art, and thanks to my mixed ancestry, I’d have an easier time of it than most—including even them.

It had been then I’d learned my parents were far older than they appeared and that I shouldn’t ask questions I wasn’t prepared to have answered. As such, I had no idea how old they were, although I understood they’d had ample opportunity to learn how to control their size and weight.

According to my father, once I had the knack of it, transforming into a massive dragon with the weight of a human would be the easiest to master. While we broke many laws of science, maintaining weight made the rest of the process faster and easier. We didn’t need to shed or create additional mass, just organize everything a little.

Then, I’d questioned his use of a little.

Now, I no longer questioned, but I worried what might happen should my heritage come calling, like it or not. As the dragons lounged and there were people in the store wearing shirts with the store’s logo, I opted to avoid the obvious sources of trouble in favor of a quicker rejection and being put out of my misery.

I picked an older teen as the one least likely to be a jerk about my situation. “Do you serve anonymous residents?”

To my dismay, he pointed at the dragons. “All you have to do is verify your chosen identity with them and prove you can pay the bill. We ask for six months of service as a deposit in case of failure to pay, but you’ll start on a monthly plan. You can opt to use your deposit for payment. We offer plans with phones if you don’t have one, but you have to also pay the first six months of the contract in advance. It’s a two-year contract.”

I thanked him, and as I could make the deal work, assuming they didn’t charge an arm and a leg for service, I headed for the dragons dominating the center of the store.

In some way, red dragons reminded me a little of scaled horses, if I switched the direction their forelegs bent, added a longer neck and a thinner, longer body and a muscular, serpentine tail capable of knocking humans over—and killing them from the force of the blow.

Orange dragons could pull the same trick. Most could, although they had to work a little harder at it than the reds and oranges.

Rather than hire a tree removal service, my parents had opted to transform when nobody else had been around and turn the entire thing to mulch in a matter of ten minutes.

With two dragons openly present, only a fool would consider robbing the store.

“Excuse me,” I said, careful to keep my volume low without whispering. “The nice employee I just spoke to said I needed to talk with you about getting a phone and a plan. I’m anonymous.”

The nearer of the dragons cracked open an eye and replied, “I see you, Miss Kinsley. I’ve heard much about you as of late. It is good you carry your little one with you.”

Damned gossiping dragons. With my luck, the entire city knew about Garnet. “She’s sleeping off lunch.” Careful not to wake the carbunclo, I showed her off to the dragon, a female if I judged by the pitch of her voice, significantly higher than any of the males I’d heard. “I’m going to need a phone to look things up online for her and make sure I track her meals and so on.” It wasn’t a lie; I would use the phone for those things. To make it clear what I thought about the phone’s original purpose, I wrinkled my nose. “And make some calls.”

Both dragons laughed, and I felt as much as heard their amusement. The second rose and said, “I will have her verified while you meet the little one, my darling.”

I determined the cell phone store counted as one of the safest places in the Emerald Ward and quite possibly the entirety of Dragon Heights. Anyone foolish enough to challenge a pair of red dragons deserved their fate, especially a bonded pair. “Thank you, sir.”

“Such a polite little one,” the male cooed. “You are in safe claws with us, Miss Kinsley, so do not worry yourself. I will make the arrangements for your plan. What is your budget for each month?”

While I counted as a luddite even to dragons, I’d paid attention to how much a decent plan cost. I would have to work harder to earn the extra hundred a month after my newfound fortune ran dry, but I could make it happen. Working a little harder on the bounties wouldn’t kill me.

Well, I hoped. “A hundred,” I said, struggling to keep from wincing at the commitment I made. “I figured I would get a better model of phone so it will last longer.”

“I will make certain you have the best we have for your needs,” the dragon promised before sauntering off the cushions. He transformed into a tall, blond-haired man wearing the kind of suit I expected from a Wall Street banker rather than someone working in a cell store.

As my mother and father would give me something to cry about if I were rude to a dragon without provocation, I thanked him again before settling into the important work of introducing the sleeping Garnet to the other dragon. “I haven’t had her long enough to know how long she’ll sleep after meals yet, but I expect for a while. She’s still a kitten, and she enjoyed a feast at a nearby restaurant. She’s had a rough week, so she deserved a treat.”

“You will have her spoiled rotten and unaware of the evils of the world within a week,” the dragon informed me. Like her husband, she shifted to human, wearing a dress fit for a gala. “Our attire confuses you. I will explain to spare you from embarrassment. These things are expensive, and expensive things should be used and enjoyed. We wear this because we like it, and it would be a shame to let beautiful things rot away in a closet.”

I grinned at her explanation, so sensible I could see myself doing the same. “Like ridiculously expensive phones you’re afraid to use for fear of breaking them?”

“Precisely so.” The woman turned to face her husband. “My darling, do put a replacement policy on the phone. She does have the little one to care for, and no sane being can blame a kitten for playing.”

No kidding, and when the kitten had stone paws, the sane expected things to be broken.

Like brand new, expensive phones.

Her husband lifted a hand in acknowledgment and returned to his work.

“With that out of the way, what brings you to the Emerald Ward today? This isn’t your usual turf.”

“I’m taking advantage of an opportunity to get new bedroom furniture,” I admitted. At least I wouldn’t be shamed for not having a dresser, as I had the equivalent of dresser shelves in my closet, which did a good job of keeping my clothes stored and out of the way. “Then I decided if I was going to get that, I may as well join the modern world and get a new phone.”

“I see. I would be happy to accompany you and help smooth the process for you. You know how those grumpy green and blue dragons get.”

I did? Puzzled, I regarded her with interest. “But I’ve always found dragons to be dignified, honorable beings. I’ve yet to meet a truly grumpy dragon here.”

Well, compared to my parents. When pushed, my parents took grumpy to extremes, and it amazed me that the residents of Miami remained ignorant over dragons living in their neighborhood.

I blamed my father’s magic, which did a good job of keeping things hidden, including their status as old dragons, not that I would call my parents old where they might hear me.

“What a delightful answer. You’re probably the type to work at your kitchen table, too, and I’m afraid to ask if you have a proper table or one of those makeshift ones. I’ve met other women like you. You’re frighteningly resourceful. With your schooling aptitude and your desire to test into the system, you need a proper desk. I can help you negotiate a good price for both.”

“I’m going to need an armchair, too. My chair isn’t going to be good for Garnet.” I’d take advantage of discounts and hope the dragon didn’t bleed me dry. “But no televisions. I don’t want them.”

“That is because you’re the kind to read books at the library.”

In a way, I appreciated that the dragon informed me they’d been watching me closer than I liked. But why? Was it due to my involvement with the titanium dragons or the brothel? I received the general message she sent; if I wanted to go under the radar, I would need to do a much better job.

“I do like books.”

“Perhaps a bookcase to go with your desk and some knowledge to begin your journey. You wish to make this your home, yes?”

“That’s the idea.”

“Excellent.” The woman smiled and clasped her hands in front of her. “I am Wanda, and my husband is Hughie. You have more fortitude than I expected, truth be told. Usually those who run are filled with fear, although we do not know why you run or from whom you run.”

Interesting. Cedrick hadn’t spouted all my secrets then, and he hadn’t told anyone of my past occupation. “Bad decisions, good intentions, and an unbending society,” I replied. When I’d first come to Dragon Heights, I’d practiced that precise answer for months until confident I could convince myself of my words. “I’m almost ready to take the test so I can afford a better home, although there’s nothing wrong with mine.”

I’d done a good job keeping the place maintained. Wear and tear happened, but I’d learned how to do most basic upkeep out of necessity. I suspected Cecilia kept my rent low because I took care of my rickety apartment, upgrading it in some cases as I repurposed discarded materials. There were safer and fancier wards in the city, but I made life work in the Gray Ward.

“The practicality of it is beyond painful. My darling, you must do something about this travesty!”

Her husband glanced our way, shook his head, and resumed his work.

“I’m not sure he agrees with you.” Careful to keep a good hold on Garnet, I set the bag of leftovers and her milk down on the floor. “I’m not sure if you have the answer, but I figure it can’t hurt to ask, but at lunch, the restaurant gave Garnet a bottle of milk, and the bottle will keep the milk cool even on the counter. Do you know where I can buy some more of these bottles?”

“I do. They’re sold at the kitchen supply stores and most cooking stores. There is one near a nice furniture store I think you’ll appreciate. There is also a pet shop right down the street, so you can pick up anything you need for Garnet. My presence will make sure you aren’t given any problems due to your status.”

“I would have thought cash was more important than status. It’s not like I’m going into the store paying in credit.” I sighed. Taking the test would make me eligible to have credit cards, but I’d liked not having to worry about making payments. I’d ultimately get one to prevent someone from stealing my bank account details through using my debit card for everything.

For years, I’d gotten by using cash and using my bank account as a way to turn checks into cash.

“This will simplify things for you, and you have created much entertainment for all dragons as of late. We will take great care to not to summon kittens, puppies, or horses. I can’t promise we won’t summon something objectionable, but we’ll do our best to summon things other than house pets.”

“Garnet’s a house pet so you can’t summon more like her.”

“Carbunclo like her are not a species we can summon during a petition, so your peace of mind is safe,” Wanda promised, and she gestured in the direction of her husband. Then, to my astonishment, she crouched and picked up my bag. “You’ve had a long enough day, I’m sure, so I’ll just carry this over for you. It wouldn’t do to wake little Garnet.”

I needed to research why dragons seemed to have a lot of respect for the kitten. “Is there something I don’t know about Garnet that I should? I thought she was a gift because the titanium dragons thought I was deserving of her and would make a better person for her to live with.”

Wanda smiled and herded me towards her husband. “Don’t be alarmed, Kinsley. Garnet’s arrival last month became news among all the dragons here. She is a rare beauty, and the titaniums did earn her, but it was not a good fit. But they have tried their best for her. No fault of theirs, I assure you. I will spread a photo of you holding her while she sleeps, and none will doubt the word of the titaniums who gifted her to you.”

I read between the lines; there were dragons in the city who believed I wouldn’t be able to take care of the kitten. I’d survived and preserved what I cared most about running away before, but I would stand my ground and prove the entire lot of them wrong.

If they wanted to take Garnet from me, they’d have a fight on their hands.

Wanda smiled. “I see your determination in your eyes. Good, good. But don’t be too alarmed by us dragons. We do care about the creatures our magic summons, and you have always done your best for them. Any dragon with honor respects your efforts. Our city has not been kind to you, but you have done our city a great service. And so, you will find our thanks appearing in mysterious ways. Garnet is only a small fraction of what you are owed.”

I frowned, trying to think about how I could have made such a difference. All I’d done was collect bounties recovering petitioner-spawned animals. Once I had my new phone, handled my furniture problem, and settled Garnet, I would look into the truth behind the dragons and their apparent generosity.

I could see paying back a debt, but their behavior did not match my expectations.

What didn’t I know about the petitioners of Dragon Heights and the animals they summoned?

Great. Another mystery. Just what I needed.

Rather than express my uncertainty, I thanked her and went with their flow. Later, I would have time to think about Wanda, her strange behavior, and my adventure into the Emerald Ward.