Page 30 of Spooks & Specters

“Oh, come on already.” Hands on his hips, Connie glared back at the little male.

Oh yes, definitely trouble.

Before Hudson could answer, he heard hurried footsteps running through the woods toward them. A few moments later, a young female dragon burst out of the woods, looking around frantically.

She spotted them, and her hands flew to her mouth. “Oh thank the Flames!”

Hudson recognized the young female member of his court. Her name was Elizabeth, but she went by Liz.

The youngling looked up, saw Liz, launched himself out of the basket, and then tried to bury himself in Kit’s lap.

“You! You are in such big trouble, mister.” Liz stomped toward them as the youngling let out a distressed yip.

Connie smirked.

Hudson also didn’t know who he should reprimand first—Connie, for acting like a youngling, or the youngling for acting like a youngling.

Kit wrapped his arms around the baby dragon protectively.

Hudson sighed as he added Kit to that list.

Liz stopped in front of Kit and the youngling, glaring down at them. “Miles, your mother is going to kill you and me both.”

As soon as Hudson heard the name, he knew immediately who the youngling was and who he belonged to. And even though the male was very young, Hudson had already heard about his many adventures. The little guy had a twin sister, if he remembered correctly.

He stared at Kit while Liz scolded Miles. There was a slight smile on Kit’s face as the youngling clung to him. Suddenly, more than anything, Hudson wanted to see Kit with a baby dragon of his own.

The feeling came out of nowhere and completely leveled Hudson. Having eggs had never really been anything he’d thought about before, but seeing the youngling in Kit’s lap definitely had him thinking about it now.

Connie discreetly nudged Hudson. “You know, egg fever is a real thing.”

Hudson snorted. “That’s a female thing.”

“Are you sure about that?”

The thing was, Hudson wasn’t. He wasn’t at all. Oh Gaura.

~Thanks to Danielle L. for the name of the youngling.

Dancing with the Demon: A San Delain Masquerade Ball story

Chapter One

NERVES DANCED up his spine as he stepped into the crowded ballroom. The air was thick with anticipation and the soft murmur of voices.

The room was awash in gold tones and crystal, with guests adorned in elaborate costumes and masks, their identities hidden, adding to the mysterious setting. People. Soooo many people. Why was he at this masquerade ball again? Oh. Right. This was where the movers and shakers of San DeLain had gathered for the evening, and since he was part of that set, he felt obligated to come. But it was for a good cause.

They were raising funds for an LGBTQIA+ charity, and at ten thousand dollars a plate, their donation should be substantial. That didn’t mean, of course, he didn’t dread the evening. Silly, vapid women with cunning eyes draped themselves over him. Being an old pro at this, he carefully extracted himself from their clutches. Contrary to popular belief, he wasnoton the menu.

Unfortunately for the ladies, they lacked the equipment necessary to capture his interest. Unfortunate forhim, the men were also frivolous and superficial, ready to betray a person without a second thought.

Such was the nature of high society.

He longed for a strong man, someone who would prioritizehim. Someone who would offer him the world and treat him as he deserved. Someone who wasn’t afraid to do what was needed to be done, no matter the cost.

Forget the hero. Give him the ruthless and dangerous monster.

TIME MARCHED slowly on as he chatted up the other guests. As he spoke to a wealthy banker, a chill ran up his spine and nailed him in the back of the head. The murmur of the crowd faded away as the feeling of danger rose around him.

---