When my talons are inches from the ice, I shift and roll forward. I’ve never been as graceful as Evander when he does it, but then I’m lighter on my feet than Roark. There’s twenty feet of icy trail and a set of stairs down to them.
“Kieren!” Raine waves. And I’m thrilled that she’s not horrified by seeing me in scales.
The heat from my feet melts the glacier below me. I turn away from them, unlatching thecentiofrom my leg. I pull out my boxers and hoist them up both legs at the same time. Large steps have me next to them. The blustering wind off the glacier doesn’t make me cold, but a shiver runs through me as I gaze at Raine.
Where the table is positioned, they’re protected from the brunt of the wind. Wine glasses are half full, and I’m staring at the partially eaten steak on Evander’s plate while holding on to thecentiowith the rest of my clothes.
“If you can put on some pants, we can get you something to eat. Not this, though. It’s mine,” Evander says, moving his plate closer to himself.
“You can have mine. It’s really good, but I’m full.” Raine gestures to her plate of pasta.
“I’m sure I’ll survive.” I fish around in thecentio. Shirt, pants, socks, shoes. Coat. I leave my tie, wallet, and cellphone in the bottom of the bag and fold it. When it’s completely closed up and buckled, it looks like a leather steampunk suitcase.
Two of the handful of staff watching from inside the lobby hustle out. One has a chair, the other a place setting. “Mr. Alder. Thank you for joining us,” the older of the two says as he slides the chair in and swiftly makes room for my plate. I wasn’t hungry when I came through the portal, but I could definitely eat now.
The other younger staffer places silverware and glasses in front of me. “Whoa, Mr. Alder. That was cool!”
Evander laughs, and Roark’s scowling, but that’s because the young male is too close to Raine.
The older male glares at the younger server. “Well, itwas. My boss is a dragon shifter. And his friends are dragon shifters too. Come on, that’s cool. What color is your dragon?” the kid asks Raine.
“I’m human. But if I had one... it would be cool to be multiple colors, don’t you think?”
“Yeah, like a rainbow. That would be sick,” the kid says. The older male pinches his elbow between his fingers.
“Where we’re from, there used to be multi-color dragons. But not anymore,” Roark says. There’s pain in his voice, and I understand it.
“Did they die out or something?” the kid says as the older man yanks him away. He points him in the direction of the building and gives him a shove.
“Something like that,” Evander answers.
“I apologize for my colleague. It’s been an exciting week around here. I’m Geir and I’ll be serving you this evening.”
Roark nods. But Raine makes a face.
I slide into my chair—well, not my chair; I didn’t buy a gondola-ski resort. It looks like a good investment, but this is Roark’s place, not mine. Our hoard is one, but we contribute to it individually. The art over the years? That’s mostly mine.
“The last coffee shop I worked at was bought. And yeah, it scared the crap out of me. What are they coming in to change? Will they buy the new grinder that all the employees know we need? Will I still have a job next week? It made me nervous,” Raine says.
The older male’s face drops. “Oh, that’s...” His face snaps back into composure. “Forgive me, Mr. Alder. Would you like to order?”
Raine stares at Roark.
“Those are all reasonable questions,” I say.
“Whose? Geir’s or Raine’s?” Evander asks.
“Both, I suppose. Yes, Jan, I would like the same thing as Evander ordered.”
“You do have good taste.” Evander laughs.
“Right away.” Geir inclines his head and pivots back inside.
“Roark, they think they’re going to lose their jobs,” Raine says, a quake in her voice.
“I can’t tell them they’re not. My team will run a full diagnostic of their practices.”
“Are you sure you don’t want my dinner? I’m not hungry anymore,” Raine says.
