When my fingers met Hex’s slippery surface, they softened and slipped aside.
I slapped a hand over my mouth to trap the scream that threatened to escape.
There, in the hay, sleeping peacefully under Hex, was the baby dragon.
My heart thundered in my chest. I worried that it was so loud, it would wake the slumbering beast.
For a few moments, I allowed myself to panic. Fear and relief warred for control over my mind.
The dragon was here. The dragon washere.
And I didn’t know what the fuck to do with it now.
Could I just… scoop it up? Carry it like a cat? Casper didn’t like it when I carried her. Actually, none of the cats in town really let folk scoop them up if they could help it.
I couldn’t leave it here, that was certain. The stables were warmer than the open forest, with the bodies of the horses radiating heat, but it was still uncomfortably chilly.
And the dragon was just a baby!
I leaned in to get a closer look while I formulated my plan.
They were tiny—somewhere between a squirrel and a cat in size. Their skin was a rich red color that shimmered beautifully under the glow of my lantern. Four thin legs with knobby knees were curled beneath a small oval body that rose and fell with smooth breaths. I couldn’t see the feet to be able to see if there were any claws, but I assumed there were.
A ridge of spines traveled from the dragon's brow, over their neck, and down their back, thickening directly between theirears. Small, stumpy horns dotted the top of the creature’s head. A spindly tail flicked lazily in dreamy motion.
I glanced at Hex for help. “Okay, familiar. I know we don’t usually work in a dynamic like this, but right now, I’m laying down the law. Do what familiars do and help me. Please.”
Hex stubbornly ignored me. I forced down the urge to curse at them.
I cleared my throat, trying a different approach—bribery. Bribery worked on everyone, even magical slime creatures. “Fine. I’ll let you sleep at the foot of my bed for one whole night. And I won’t even complain about it.”
They perked up. I was close.
“Two nights.”
Closer. They inched away from the dragon.
Tandor was going to kill me.
“One week. Final offer.”
With a bolt of joy, Hex wrapped themself around my ankle for a moment before they returned to the dragon, slipping beneath them and creating a strange sort of slime cradle.
It was only a little horrifying, the way they were able to pick the critter up.
Hex’s power was still a mystery that I chose not to examine too closely.
“Oh, yes, that’s great! Easy, now. Don’t wake them.”
We inched toward my apothecary, Hex slipping over the ground like a ghost and me following, lantern clutched in white-knuckled fingers.
I prayed that nobody would witness this spectacle.
The town was still getting used to Hex. I didn’t want to terrify everyone with this display.
I resorted to flattery.
“Hey, Hex, you’re doing a great job. Keep going, sweetie!”
