Chapter 33
W ounded or not, Cameron was damn sure Lisette was going to smack Alric if he complained one more time about her “needless fluttering.” After the smoke and dust settled, they piled the mages into cars while the dragons took to the air.
They counted bodies and took note of how many Jaeggi Clan members were left behind.
It still left the question of how many managed to escape.
Their only lead for tracking them down was the town the Jaeggi had claimed as their own.
The Jaeggi needed to be eliminated now before they went after another mage.
“Lisette—” Alric said sharply, but he didn’t get any further.
The mage sat up and narrowed her eyes at him. “Go ahead. I dare you, Eure Majest?t. Say ‘you’re fine’ one more time. I swear you won’t be by the time you finish getting the words out.”
Alric’s mouth fell open and laughter erupted from Cameron, but even that was quickly silenced when Lisette turned her glare on Cameron. She was not screwing around.
Cameron cleared his throat and gently placed his hand under Alric’s chin, closing his mouth.
He turned Alric’s face toward him while Lisette continued to work on healing Alric’s numerous wounds and aching muscles.
None of them were particularly serious, but they were taking no chances with their beloved king.
“Honey, let her take care of her king,” Cameron said softly. He let his fingers drift up Alric’s cheek and comb through his hair. “It makes her feel better to be able to care for you. Reassures all of your clan that you are safe and protected.”
Alric’s Prussian blue eyes fell shut and he leaned his face into Cameron’s touch, a look of peace smoothing out his features.
“Liebling,” he said on a sigh. “I am well so long as I have you in my arms.” As he spoke, he tightened his arm around Cameron’s shoulders, pulling him in closer.
He had a feeling that if the car comfortably allowed it—and if Lisette wasn’t on the other side of him, trying to heal various cuts across his frame—Cameron would have been in Alric’s lap.
Cameron nuzzled his face into Alric’s neck, kissing his jaw before murmuring, “I love you.” He couldn’t stop saying it. Didn’t want to stop saying it. Alric needed to know at all times how he felt, needed to be bathed in those words.
A low rumble came from deep in Alric’s chest, and Cameron’s head popped up. He took in Alric’s satisfied smile and relaxed form.
“Did your dragon just purr?” Cameron asked.
“I love you too, but dragons do not purr.”
Cameron smirked at him. “Yeah, and humans don’t purr either, but I swear it sounded like you purred.” Cameron looked around Alric at Lisette, who looked like she was fighting very hard to hold in a smile. “Lisette, do dragons purr? Or should we be more worried about Alric’s lungs and breathing?”
Alric pulled Cameron back down against him and growled. Definitely a growl. “There is nothing wrong with my lungs and dragons do not purr. That is a cat thing.”
“Yes, and we all know you’re a large lizard,” Cameron teased. “Or maybe dragons are related to crocodiles. You’ve both got that same toothy grin.”
A choking noise came from Lisette as she tried to hold in her laugh. Dieter didn’t even try as his low chuckle filled the front of the car.
“Don’t encourage him,” Alric muttered, but he was still smiling at Cameron.
“To answer your question,” Lisette started and then cleared her throat. “Dragons don’t purr, but a very happy dragon has been known to make this kind of happy rumbling sound sort of like a distant roll of thunder.”
Cameron snickered at Alric’s very pleased expression. “So you don’t purr, but you thunder?”
“Yes.” Alric leaned forward and pressed his forehead against Cameron’s. “And when our mate is in danger, we rage like a firestorm very well too.” Alric closed his eyes, and Cameron could feel the swell of pain and fear rise in Alric again. “I cannot lose you, my sweet Cameron. I—”
Cameron silenced his words with a short, tender kiss. He wanted a hell of a lot more, but he didn’t want it with the audience they already had. The truly fun part of their reunion would have to wait until they were home and alone.
“I am safe. They didn’t hurt me. And no one is ever going to come between us. I will always fight to get back to you, just like you will always fight to be with me.”
Alric sighed. “I know you’re right. It will just take time to shake this fear.”
“I have no problem reminding you every day of our lives that I’ll always be right here with you.”
The rumbling rose from Alric’s chest again, and Cameron’s heart swelled. He’d do anything to keep his dragon happy.
“Hoheit?” Dieter said from the driver’s seat.
They all turned their attention out the front window as they pulled into the town where they’d first found evidence of the Jaeggi living.
The streets and sidewalks were largely empty, and the few people Cameron did see walking around were actually Burkhard dragons.
This didn’t make any sense. It wasn’t a large town, but the cat drone had revealed a bustling village full of life and people when they’d last seen it.
“Pull over, Dieter. Pull over,” Alric ordered sharply.
In the first opening, Dieter pulled the sedan into a spot just off the main street and turned off the engine.
They all jumped out of the car, and Cameron immediately found himself surrounded by dragons.
It wasn’t just Alric with his arm tight around Cameron’s waist, but three other dragon guards who’d seen the car enter the town had hurried over and were now flanking Cameron on all sides.
Peering between the large, muscular bodies, Cameron spotted two other dragons around Lisette along with her mate.
At least it wasn’t just him, though Cameron knew it was going to be a while before the clan gave him a little breathing room.
Not that he blamed them. But it was clear they were taking the protection of their mages to a new level so long as the Jaeggi were out there.
“What the hell…” Alric breathed, tearing Cameron’s attention away from their guards and back to the town.
Alric directed them over to a line of shops on the main street with Jaeggi in the name.
All of them were closed despite the hours on the window showing they should each be open for at least another couple of hours.
Cameron turned and looked across the street to find two more shops with Jaeggi in the name also closed.
One even had writing in bold white letters across the window.
Unfortunately, it was beyond Cameron’s knowledge of German.
“That one,” Cameron pointed toward the store, nudging Alric. “What does that one say?”
“Out of business,” his mate read.
“How is this possible?” Dieter breathed in horrified tones.
“Ravi,” Alric called, and the short dragon appeared in front of them. “That woman across the street. She’s not one of the clan. Ask her about the stores.”
Ravi nodded and jogged off toward the woman carrying a canvas bag that appeared to be filled with produce. Ravi’s friendly face and slight stature made him the least intimidating of the clan. They wouldn’t get any information out of the locals if the dragons went around scaring everyone.
“Lisette, could this be a spell? An illusion maybe to make us think they are abandoned?” Cameron asked.
The older mage was already shaking her head. “I thought that as well, but it’s no spell. There’s just the slightest tingle of magic in the air, but it feels old. Probably from the Jaeggi Clan’s presence in the town for so long. There’s no new magic.”
Silence fell over the group as they waited for Ravi’s return. How could they have left so quickly? Where would they have gone?
Cameron continued down the sidewalk with Alric at his side and their tight grouping of bodyguards.
They were getting looks from the few people who were out.
Thank god they weren’t trying to be inconspicuous.
Some of the shops were open, but most of those looked to be chain stores.
A handful more Jaeggi stores turned up empty.
Stopping in front of a closed clothing shop, Cameron peered in the front window.
This wasn’t just about being closed extra hours.
A number of the shelves and racks had been cleared out, as if someone had packed up as much of their stock as they could.
A few things had been knocked over in their obvious haste, but otherwise there was nothing else they could discern from the place.
Quick footsteps drew Cameron from the storefront. He turned as Ravi reached their side, a frown drawing lines across his brow.
“The lady said that half the stores closed down early three days ago and never reopened,” Ravi explained. “No one seems to know what happened to the store owners or where they went. Said the Jaeggi family was a large, tight-knit group who kept to themselves. Friendly, but standoffish.”
“The store closings likely started when the cat was discovered,” Cameron murmured.
“So, they learn that their cover is officially blown and the entire clan picks up as quickly as possible and relocates,” Ravi continued.
“Considering the speed and coordination, I’m willing to bet they had a back-up location already set up regardless of the outcome with Cameron,” Baldewin added.
Alric grunted, rubbing his chin thoughtfully as he glared at the empty store window.
“What are you thinking?” Cameron nudged.
“I’m thinking they’ve gone to ground, and it will be that much harder to find them a second time,” Alric said a bit absently.
He blinked and turned his full attention on Lisette.
“Gather the mages. I would have you to start working on tracing spells. I want each of the shops covered as well as the building we infiltrated.”
“And where Cameron was held?”
“If the town yields nothing, yes.”
Lisette took a deep breath and released it slowly. “That…that will take time to prepare and set into motion. It’s a very involved spell.” She paused and gave Cameron a small smile. “I’ll definitely need to borrow your mate.”
Alric grunted, tightening his arm around Cameron’s waist. “You may borrow him, eventually.”
Cameron turned his head to smirk at the dragon holding him. “Eventually?”
“I have plans for you.”
Cameron slid his arms around Alric’s shoulders and laughed. He didn’t care that everyone around them was closely watching their conversation. “Plans? What sort of plans?”
Alric’s voice came out in a playful growl. “Private plans that mean I will be keeping you away from others for a while.”
“Sounds like I’m going to enjoy these plans.” Cameron brushed his lips across Alric’s, loving the sound of his breath catching. “Take me home, my mate.”