Page 5 of Unhaunt Me

“Your scent is everywhere. Place is practically coated in it. This is for you.”

My heart skipped a beat. How did he know to bring something for me?

“Castor sent it. I think it’s more bits and bobs that he’s gathered up from dragons and other folks back on Earthside.”

My heart dropped into my belly. It was silly to be disappointed, but nothing made sense while I stood in the same room with him.

“Ummm… Tell him thanks? Look, I’m not sure what to say. As a guide, I’m supposed to know what to say or at least how to make up the right thing to say. Most dragons just need to hear that it’s all going to work out and honestly, most of the problems they bring to the Star Room actually do work themselves out. But this ---” I pointed to the same empty space he had, “I don’t know what to say about it. You’re too chill.”

“Too chill, huh?” he grunted, leaning one palm against the doorway. “I think you’re the first person to ever have called me that.”

“Really? Most people who talk about you say that.”

“That’s what they’re calling it these days, huh?”

“What?” I blinked at him. “Are we even talking about the same thing?”

“I’m not sure. What are you talking about?”

The Moonys were all on the flight link now. They’d all had star scales grow in on their chests after the Medwin 2 landed on Starscale 1. The newcomers were on the flight link, but they didn’t navigate it the way we did. My dragon sniffed the air again and my nose twitched before I could stop it. Casimir might not’ve understood how vast our flight link was but more than that, he was a closed book – a locked door – a padlock without a key.

“Is it that distressing that a stranger might want privacy?” he quirked a brow.

“So you do use the flight link?”

“Not exactly,” he shrugged. “I can feel when someone’s poking at my thoughts, though. Those are mine.”

“I was – We are – Tell me you feel it too. No dragon likes to think he’s lost his mind.”

He opened his mouth and shut it again. I almost asked him if he could smell me, but he could. It was written all over his face and etched into the way his gaze dragged up and down my body. The guide robes hide a lot and the sudden need to strip naked and show off came over me. Nudity wasn’t new on Starscale 1 but I kept my clothes on because he smelled like he smelled me too, but his eyes told a different story.

“Any news on the nameless vision lady?” Casimir asked, changing the subject as if we were actually perfect strangers.

“No. Nothing promising so far. I’m Tritus by the way,” I said and started to cross the room.

“I’ve heard of you,” he nodded at me. “Didn’t know this. Sorta surprised that I didn’t know this. Castor and Elio spend a lot of time here. Never smelled you on them.”

“Blocker spray,” I shrugged.

“Did you hear something about me you didn’t like?” I arched a brow.

“Not particularly.”

Confusion turned to rage under my skin and my dragon reared his head back, ready to let loose another blast of flame. He stopped short and swallowed down his fire.

“The egg! He has an egg! We’re morons!”he roared into my thoughts.“He has an egg with that lady! Melon! That’s her name!”

“I’m not mad about the egg,” I blurted out, feeling like an idiot as soon as the sentence escaped my tongue.

“Good because I don’t think she’d let me shove it back in,” he flashed me a strange look I couldn’t read.

“I’d never suggest---” I sighed. “Sarcasm does escape me at the moment.”

I wanted to roar at him and ask what the hell his problem was. It wasn’t a Moony thing. Castor met Axilin while he was in the middle of a stripping gig that had to be cut short for them to mate. The ship’s doctor ran off to live with his wild born mate in the middle of nowhere. They did not react with poise and dignity or whatever charade Casimir was fronting with now.

“Are you going to the ball?” he asked.

“Huh?” I blinked.

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