Page 13 of So I Dared a Dragon (The Mating Game #6)

thirteen

. . .

Calista

Fire rolled out of Aarix’s nostrils, and I was surprised the heat didn’t melt the design off my arm.

“Why didn’t you tell me?” he demanded. “Here we sit like fools, playing with paint, while our enemies laugh at us.”

My heart sank. “I’m sorry. I wanted to have a fun night. I didn’t want to let them win.”

“Our security team is working on finding the culprit as we speak,” Bibi added. “They haven’t provided me with any updates yet, which was why I was reluctant to let you go off on your own. Until we have answers, it’s best that we stick together.”

Aarix’s green gaze was squarely on Bibi. His body was still too warm to even think about touching. I wanted to comfort him. I was tired of letting the people I cared most about down when I was trying to protect them.

“Did it not occur to you that the dragons and I could be part of the solution?”

Bibi startled. It wasn’t often the fairy dragmother got challenged.

“You’re not here to solve problems,” she said smoothly. Even though she was flustered, she managed to keep her cool. “Your job is to fall in love with your mate and start a new life. We’re not asking you to fight these battles.”

Aarix rose from the chair, gaining Magnus and Luca’s attention.

“It’s my duty to keep my mate safe,” Aarix said. “That means we’re part of your security team now. I’d like to see this note.”

The other two dragons approached the table.

“Everything okay?” Magnus asked. His gaze slid to me. His disapproval—and more than that, dismissal—was painted on his face more plainly than the gorgeous scales Aarix had just gifted me with.

It had been such a beautiful moment. Once I’d given Aarix direction on how to add dimension, he’d made breathtaking art. Before Bibi had come over, I hadn’t been able to take my eyes off it.

What I would give to be a dragon right now and fly away from my problems…

“She received another threat,” Aarix growled. “Just before the date.”

“We’re working on it,” Bibi repeated.

Luca furrowed a brow. “How? By painting mountain vistas? By filming a dating reality show?”

“By not letting those bastards win.” I stomped my foot. I was tiny in comparison to the three dragons and even Bibi, but I wouldn’t let them underestimate me. “They wanted us to cancel the date and cower in fear.”

“We’ll find them and make sure they never threaten you again.” Aarix crossed his arms.

“Calista has a point.” I was so thankful Bibi had my back. These dragons were ready to burn the world down to save me, and while it was endearing and, I had to admit, sexy as hell, it was also completely over the top. Unless I was so used to trouble I didn’t know how much I was in. “So far, whoever’s leaving the notes hasn’t done anything more threatening than that.”

“Yet,” Magnus added.

“We’d like to see the note,” Luca said, looking to Aarix for confirmation, and he nodded. “And any other evidence that you have. We requested to see them earlier, but so far, we haven’t had access to them.”

“All evidence has been turned in to our security team.” Bibi pursed her lips. Even she had to admit, this was a bad look for the show. My heart hurt for her. And I silently cursed Hugo for…whatever he thought was more important than standing by his mate when she needed him most.

If he even knew or cared shit had totally hit the fan at HQ.

Maybe he’s working on something even bigger and keeping those thugs from putting their threats into action. Surprisingly, my she-wolf had Hugo’s back.

“What if I brought the dragons to my trailer so they could see how we found things?” With the exception of the note, I’d mostly left things as we’d found them. All I did once I realized the space had been violated was change into my date outfit.

“That sounds like a splendid idea,” Bibi said, but there was no hiding the fact she was totally defeated. Once the dragons finished their investigation, we’d talk. I didn’t know how I’d fix this, but I promised myself I would. Everything felt like we were walking on impossibly thin ice, and I wouldn’t let Bibi’s success with the show and everything else she’d built fall into jeopardy because of my dumb ass.

“Follow me.” I waved the dragons in the direction of the trailers.

“Wait.” Magnus furrowed his already heavy brow. “What’s that on your arm?”

“Aarix painted scales on me.” I stepped closer to give him a chance to admire Aarix’s work. “Aren’t they gorgeous? They look real.”

Both dragons stared at my arm, but not in awe. The vibe was…incredulous.

“You know what that means, sire,” Luca said softly.

“She’s my mate.” Smoke billowed from Aarix’s nostrils. His tone didn’t leave any room for negotiation. “Let’s go investigate the trailers.”

The dragons didn’t wait for me to lead the way. Bibi fell into step beside me. Bjorn began to follow, but she waved him off.

“Are you sure?” Tina asked. “I’d rather film everything and cut than have missing pieces we can’t get back.”

Bibi nodded, but the damage was done. She was shook.

“That’s why we’re a team. It means we always have someone thinking clearly.” She put her arm around me, pulling me in closer. She lowered her voice to a whisper. “What was that all about? You’re much more well-versed in dragon than I am.”

“I have no idea.” I glanced down at my arm. “I thought it was sweet.”

“It is.” She sighed. “I’m unsure about giving them more access to our security team. I understand they have a unique perspective, but also, we have protocol.”

We reached the trailer before she could say there wasn’t a chance in hell Aarix or his friends would follow that protocol.

I didn’t know it was possible to be even more furious with Hugo, but here we were.

My knees were jelly as I climbed the stairs to my trailer. It was impossibly full of dragons. With the exception of the clothes I wore to set, nothing inside belonged to me, so it didn’t feel like a violation to have them pick up and examine everything.

“The wire on the camera was cut.” I pointed to the surveillance equipment in the corner, considering they might not be looking for technology simply because they weren’t familiar with it. “But nothing else seemed unusual.”

Bibi came up the stairs with her phone to her ear.

“Thank you,” she said, before ending the call with a swipe. “The security team will be more than happy to share the evidence we have with you.”

“Do they have any leads?” Aarix asked.

“Their review of the surveillance footage hasn’t shown anyone unauthorized entering Calista’s trailer. Yet.” She emphasized the last word. “They’re checking all local delivery companies and are tracing the origin of the roses and chocolates.”

“Where’s this security office?” Magnus asked.

“In the main building,” Bibi said. “Near where we filmed the interviews after you unexpectedly arrived on stage.”

Magnus and Luca focused on Aarix, who nodded. One by one, they put down whatever they had been examining and headed for the door.

Aarix kissed the top of my head before he left. “I’ll make sure no one ever dares to threaten you again.”

“We should’ve stayed,” I protested as Bibi drove us home in her vintage Firebird. I was so happy she’d been able to live the life of her wildest dreams, and it gave me hope that maybe someday I could classify my life as something more promising than a dumpster fire.

The headlights from an oncoming car sliced across her face, illuminating her heavy lashes and dramatic liner. “We could have, but the way Luca saddled up at that computer and started asking questions made me think those dragons will be there all night long. They need this, Calista. Give them the time and the space to do what they need to do. Let them find their power in the new world.”

“We could help and answer questions.” I stifled a yawn, but exhaustion would get the last laugh.

“The security team is more than capable of doing that. In fact, it’s their job.” It was a defensive statement, and I wondered what else was said on that phone call.

“But they let that threat through.”

“We were fooled too. You thought it was a gift from Aarix,” she reminded me as she pulled into the driveway in front of her bungalow. “Admittedly, we’ll need to do a better job going forward making sure all deliveries are inspected before distribution. But trust me, I’ve learned the absolute hardest way possible that it’s impossible to do all this yourself. There will come a time when the dragons and the security team need us. We’ll be there for them. But let Aarix have this.”

“So am I the worst contestant you’ve ever had?” I grinned at her before I got out of the car.

The timing gave her a moment to think about it. Bibi might be fabulous and have a perfectly planned look for every occasion, but her poker face could still use some work.

“I wouldn’t have invited you on if I wasn’t up to the challenge,” she said, grabbing my arm and pulling me closer to her as we approached the door. Her body stiffened. “Stay with me.”

She kept a firm grip on my arm as we moved across the lawn, into the backyard. The motion light blinked on, revealing that we were alone.

After a check of the back door to make sure it was locked, she let go of me and opened the door. She entered the house and took off her stilettos at the door like it had been just another day at the office.

My heart was about to jump out of my throat. “What was that all about?”

“Just a check,” she said, fluffing out her hair. “The security team is busy, but I won’t let that make us an easy target. I’m going to get into my pajamas and put on the kettle. Would you like a cup of tea?”

“Sure.” I could barely manage the word through my astonishment. Moments ago I thought she was about to go full wolf mode, and now she was talking about getting cozy. I watched her for a minute before heading to the spare boudoir. Bibi was nothing if not fascinating, and her rituals were giving me peace after that scare. She filled the kettle and gave a little water to the potted herbs on her windowsill, humming to herself softly before heading into her bedroom.

Once I was in the spare boudoir, I leaned against the door for a moment to collect my thoughts. Bibi had made this a sanctuary. It was cozy and purple, and she’d truly created a glam fantasy. From the marbled wall mural to the purple bedding, the silver velvet quilted headboard, the chandelier, and the fuzzy throw blankets and pillows, Bibi’s touch was on every detail. There was a diffuser with lavender essential oil and an alarm clock that could mimic the sunrise.

The room matched Aarix like she knew he was coming for me. I pictured him in here, caging me against the door with his big, warm body, running a knuckle softly over my check before whispering filthy suggestions in my ear.

The way my lady parts pulsed like they were applauding that little fantasy was no surprise. It was their usual response to any thoughts of the dragon. But what I didn’t expect was the way the artwork on my arm warmed, like he’d been here to breathe fire and bring it to life.

I pushed up my sleeve to admire it one last time. The scales had surprisingly remained perfect. It was such a shame to have to wash it off. I would’ve tried to keep it, but it would never survive the night. Not only was I a sweaty middle-aged lady, I slept with that arm curled under the pillow.

So I peeled off my clothes and got into my jammies. Pulled my hair up into a bun and headed into the bathroom. Since I’d been here, I’d started a ritual, using the thick, creamy makeup removers, the indulgent masks and moisturizers that required a mini fridge for storage, the face rollers that I wasn’t sure made a difference but were so, so satisfying to use, and the finishing mist.

Moments later, I was just plain old Calista again. With a dragon tattoo.

With a sigh that was far too dramatic considering my lack of audience, I dropped a dollop of makeup remover onto the design. Reluctantly, I pulled a fresh black facecloth from the top of the pile and started to scrub.

It didn’t budge.

Weird. I gave it a little more effort, and my skin warmed—not from the friction, but like actual flames had licked it. I pulled the cloth away.

Nothing. Not even the glitter had transferred onto it.

I remembered Bibi telling me that I had to use specific removers for certain types of makeups. She’d given me a whole education on how to use the myriad of products in here. It was possible that the one I chose wasn’t compatible with the watercolors and the glitter.

What had she said? Like removed like. That had been easy enough to remember. Turning on the faucet, I positioned my forearm under the spray. It should’ve dissolved the watercolor parts of it.

I opened the cabinet and pulled out every makeup remover—oil-free, waterproof, wipes…none of them made a difference. There was a bottle of pure acetone for nail polish, and I dabbed some of that onto a wad of toilet paper. Surely that would do the trick.

The scales looked just as perfect as they had when Aarix freshly completed it. Raising my arm, I could hardly believe my eyes. It was like they had become part of my skin—no, more like scales had blossomed up and down my forearm. I ran my finger over the design and stifled a scream.

I went out to the living room to find Bibi in her leopard-print satin jammies with a mud mask on her face. She was in front of her laptop—she might have told me to let the security team and dragons do their work, but she was right back in it. A mug of tea steamed beside her.

“I made you a cup. I know how much you like the mint chocolate chip flavor,” she said, and her eyes widened when she looked up. “You look like you saw a ghost. Is everything okay?”

“I…don’t know how to answer that.” I sank into the chair next to her with an awkward thud and held up my arm. “Does this feel weird to you?”

The mud cracked as she furrowed her brow, giving my arm a closer examination. She tapped her finger against it and jumped back like she’d gotten too close to a hot stove.

“Is that the paint?” she asked. “It feels like they’re really scales.”

I shook my head. “I don’t know. I just tried every single makeup remover I had to wash it off, plain soap and water, and it didn’t budge. And it’s warm.”

“Yes, it is.” She couldn’t take her eyes off my arm.

“Let’s call Aarix,” I suggested.

“Maybe we should wait until morning?” Bibi sounded uncharacteristically unsure of herself. “Just in case it’s a fluke and you wake up to a bare arm. And Aarix is probably scale-deep in security footage.”

“That was a lot of reasons.” I chuckled nervously.

“What can I say? The possibility of you having actual scales freaks me out. I’ve never seen anything like this before.”

“Neither have I.” There was a lot of magic around the dragons in the Smoky Mountains, but all he’d done was use the watercolors and a little glitter. I’d packed them, but… “Do you think whoever left that note could’ve had the opportunity to tamper with the paint?”

“The ones I used seemed okay. But we should keep a close eye for any other changes, just in case.” Bibi touched my arm again, and this time, smoke rose from it. “How does your wolf feel?”

I closed my eyes, channeling my beast. She was usually easy to find, providing me with a running commentary. Moon knew I provided her with enough material to have opinions about. “I don’t feel her at all.”