10. Xander
Chapter 10
Xander
Enter Sandman — Metallica
A fter that complete farce of a scientific research study that lasted all day, I’m in a foul mood. Made fouler still by the fact that I had to watch Ghoul fondle Spawn the entire time.
It was the most disgusting thing I’d ever seen. Now, it’s thankfully quiet as I tug it along behind me and up to the ground floor, probably moping over the miniature fluffballs trapped in Damien’s cage.
Nimpins are utterly useless creatures. Barely a mouthful of bones that would probably come up as a hairball anyway. I don’t know why Lyle even bothered with them to start with. The animas just treated them like Tamagotchis, and the animuses were undeterred by them. Complete idiocy, if you ask me.
Drakos Estate is expecting guests this evening. It’s the biggest event of the season and my much-anticipated debut back into dragon society. Dragons are flying in from other states, even some from overseas, for the sole reason of greeting me, and I’m not going to have any of these worms screw it up for my family. I’ve ordered them to stay underground until sunrise and threatened them with a crispy hanging. The scientists are all keen to study the samples and data they’ve gathered just now anyway, so I’m certain they’ll stay put. Mace Naga has also, unsurprisingly, made himself scarce. No doubt he’s worried about some retaliation from Savage and Lyle and is securing his closest family members. Savage enjoys taking hostages on a good day, and he no doubt has his eye on Charlotte Naga and her remaining mate as his first victims. I don’t think the Spawn knows about her Uncle Ben’s death and I’m not going to be the one to tell her.
I rub the back of my neck in irritation as I check in with my dragon. Still. He’s completely still except for the slow and steady breathing inflating his ribs. He looks exactly the same, and no matter how much I prod him, he doesn’t make so much as a snort.
Further irritation claws at my gut. I can’t even fly to release any pent-up rage.
The chain linked to the bangle on my wrist tugs violently. I throw a glance over my shoulder in time to see Spawn stumble and right itself.
“Too fast,” it mutters.
I continue walking as if it hadn’t spoken, exhaling through my nose. I need to focus on this afternoon. My family’s reputation relies on everything going perfectly.
We reach my father’s study high on the topmost floor, inside one of the turrets overlooking the front lawn. Just by turning his head, he can see who enters via the main gates. It’s why I’d always entered from the north whenever I’d paid secret visits to my sister and the hatchlings.
He sits at his desk of mountain ash, facing the door, his head bowed over the moleskin folder of anima biodata. Though he no doubt heard me approach from the base of the stairwell, I respectfully rap my knuckles on the open door.
“My heir,” he says, eyes flicking up. “Come and sit.”
I stride in, quickly taking the gold and red velvet chair opposite the desk. Spawn stands awkwardly beside me. It’s a wonder no one ever taught it manners.
Without taking my eyes off my father, I tug on the chain and snap, “Kneel.”
From the side of my eye, Spawn huffs and gets onto its knees next to my chair with as much fuss as possible.
“It will learn,” Father says, eyeing it with interest.
“We should use the obsidian shackles for tonight’s event.”
He waves a dismissive, bejewelled hand, the afternoon light making the many gold rings flash. “Our guests will want to see what we can do. I want them to enjoy it.”
“There will be other entertainment,” I say carefully. “Surely we do not need to parade it about.”
He cuts me a sharp look, telling me I’ve overstepped. “That is entirely the point. They are all very interested. Particularly, Lord and Lady Hellfire from Melbourne.” He removes one of the pages from the folder, sliding it across the fine wood. “I want you to consider Miss Francesca carefully. She’s a good candidate.”
I take the page, glancing at the tiny headshot stapled to the top right corner. “I thought so too,” I murmur. She’s a very attractive young lady. Blonde, tall at six feet, with dark eyes and a straight, fine nose. Her lips are curved into a coy smile, as if she’s trying to seduce me through the camera lens. “And there was another candidate who caught my eye. Miss Nadine Chen.”
“That would be my next preference,” Father says, leaning back in his chair and steepling his fingers. “Both of good breeding. Both fertile. Both sound of mind.”
“And well educated,” I say slowly, ignoring that last. “The Chens are well connected.”
“And her parents will return to Shanghai, convenient for us. There will be less…issues after the marriage.”
Issues. Like the ones we had with Sissy.
Father closes the folder. “Your new clothes have been delivered. Wear the family crest tonight.”
“Yes, Father.” It amazes me how quickly I’ve assumed the old rules and manners. Then again, they’d been drilled into me fiercely from the cradle.
Father folds his hands in his lap as he studies me. I meet him eye for eye, keeping my heart rate steady by controlling my breathing. I do not move except to blink at the normal rate. I do not swallow, clench my fists, nor scratch that itch on my temple. My back is rod straight. My protections are sound.
My father is a beast in his prime, though there are fine lines under his eyes now, and at the corners of his mouth. It had been, after all, his own age in mind when he offered me to return to the family Estate. Emmerson was a hatchling still and there was no one else to inherit. Worse still, there were fewer dragons being born than ever before.
Finally, he nods, ending the challenge between us. “I will see you in two hours hence.”
And with that, I am dismissed.
I tug on the chain, signalling Spawn to get off the carpet where it had no doubt been listening to every word. I incline my head to my father and head out the door, running through the stats of the ladies in the biodata folder. They’ll all be present tonight with their parents, some of them secretly wishing we make a mess of things. Many of them will be curious about who I’ve become. I’ve barely been in the public eye since I left the estate, and whatever they’ve heard of me is likely from gossip. These, and a million other things, run through my mind as I head back to my room.
When we get there, Olly and Heather are already bustling about, readying all my things for tonight. I unhook the gold chain from Spawn.
“Bathe it,” I order Heather. “Make sure it looks presentable for our guests. Don’t spray anything. They’ll want to scent her.”
Spawn makes a disgruntled noise before allowing Heather to tug her into the bathroom.