The Dragon Problem: The Paranormals of Ahl Book One by ML Conklin

Author:ML Conklin [Conklin, ML]
Language: eng
Format: epub
Publisher: ML Conklin
Published: 2024-07-02T00:00:00+00:00

Chapter 17

I felt Quin cross the wards and heard Tracy race down the stairs to meet him. I got my answer as to if Quin could cross the wards without permission. Padding down the stairs, I stopped short when I saw them. Tracy stood on one side of the kitchen island, and Quin sat on the other, his hand around a drink. They laughed carelessly. I’d never seen Quin so much as smile, let alone laugh. It was…weird.

I tiptoed past Quin and sat on his other side, trying not to disturb their conversation. He instantly sobered and turned to me. “The PISD Director ordered a meeting with us this morning. Do you know anything about this?”

My eyebrows drew together. “I have no idea. What do you think it’s about?”

“You, obviously. Until you came along, I never spoke so much as a word to him or the dragons. But lucky me, I get to interact with both in a day.”

“I think you mean to say you got a lucrative case working for a powerful coalition leader because you’re my mentor.”

“No, I mean to say that because I’m your mentor, I am forced to do the bidding of supernaturals best avoided.”

I shrugged. “I’ll work the case if it’s that much of a violation of your delicate sensibilities.”

Tracy snorted. “You two are hilarious.” She pointed at Quin. “You would have gotten that case even if you didn’t choose to mentor Jen.” She pointed at me. “And you are not experienced enough to work the dragon case.” When neither of us reacted, she waved a hand. “You should get to your meeting.”

“You’re not coming?” I asked.

She shook her head. “Nope. Quin is on guard duty today. I’m going to work on making potions to restock my store.”

“Your store is very successful. Why the heck are you guarding me again?”

“Because you needed someone you could get along with and couldn’t scare away. And I needed someone to shield me from the witches. Besides, Quin insisted I take it and would have a fit if I quit.”

I glanced at Quin, who stared at his drink. “So, to retaliate, you recommended him as my mentor.”

She didn’t answer, and my stomach sank at the realization that I was just a pawn in some friendly competition between two people I had come to like and respect. I’d had a lot of guards over the years, and I didn’t like any of them other than Bastien. Sort of. I appreciated that he didn’t put up with my crap. Tracy was different. I genuinely liked her. I never tried to push her buttons. The realization that she thought being my guard was a punishment stung. “I see.”

Tracy realized what she had said. “No, that’s not––”

I stood and headed to the door. “Let’s get to our meeting, Quin. The faster we get there, the less time you’re forced to spend with me. Have a great day off.”

I headed to the neighborhood flashing circle, trying to talk myself out of the hurt. Being in my position, I was bound to meet many people who saw me as a forced obligation.

Download

Copyright Disclaimer:
This site does not store any files on its server. We only index and link to content provided by other sites. Please contact the content providers to delete copyright contents if any and email us, we'll remove relevant links or contents immediately.