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Rather than scold me over my language, he snickered. “What will you give me to not tell Erik where you live?”
I sucked in a breath. “That is ruthless.”
“Well, I am a most magnificent dragon, and my daughter deserves only the best. I could have Erik deliver your camera. Then you could be dressed up and be prepared to charm him using your kitten. I would feel a great deal better if he was present to assist your investigation. He could be a good resource for you.”
“Maybe he has competition,” I announced, deciding I would make use of Cecilia’s yellow dragon-kin cop. “There are dragons and dragon-kin on the force, and some of them are even kind to the brothel workers. They’re quite charmed with a young yellow gentleman.”
“And as your landlady is one of the brothel matrons, you have a vested interest in kind cops.” My father huffed and puffed, and had he been in Dragon Heights, he might have knocked my poor little apartment down with his fussing. “A yellow, you say?”
“That’s what they said. Honestly, they were mostly just making recommendations on how I might best remove him from his clothes. He charms them into cuddling with them. Let’s be realistic, Dad. They’re brothel workers, and while they’re sweet, they’re perverts. Cecilia doesn’t accept women or men who do not genuinely wish to be working that scene. I am not interested in working a brothel—or hiring a gentleman from a brothel. Yellows have a good reputation among women, but that specific yellow is cuddling with brothel workers. I don’t share. You know that, I know that, and Erik knows that. This yellow dragon-kin clearly does not know that, else he would not be cuddling with brothel workers.”
“Well, your mother would not object to you seducing and keeping a yellow. The whole lot of them are romantics, and they get ill at the idea of abusing their partner.” My father heaved a sigh. “I will allow this yellow to continue existing. He doesn’t have a chance with you anyway, especially if you say he’s been cuddling with the brothel workers. You said he’s a cop?”
“That’s what I was told.”
“Dragon or dragon-kin?”
“I’m not sure if Cecilia knows, honestly. But he could be a dragon-kin or may be presenting as one.”
“Oversensitive,” my father declared. “Unless he opts to become a dragon, he’s absolutely no good for you. But I won’t eliminate him from existence. I’ll just use his existence to motivate Erik.” My father would, and I saw no realistic way to stop him. After making a few thoughtful sounds, he asked, “Do you have any other dragon-kin friends, preferably of the male variety, I might use to motivate Erik?”
“Dad, you’re being ridiculous. I’m friends with Cedrick, a titanium dragon-kin, but I would not want to date him.”
“You don’t have to want to date him. You just have to be friendly with him. I’m motivating Erik, not matching you with someone else. Your mother will be quite pleased with me for meddling a little. I think we’re ready to have another hatchling. You’re almost out of the roost.”
If I hadn’t already been facing my regrets and coming to terms with my choices, I would have disregarded my father’s interference. No, I would have protested his behavior. However, our previous talk had planted certain seeds, and I wondered if we might be able to pick up the pieces and put everything back together. “You really don’t think he’s mad at me?”
“Kinsley, he was never mad at you. He respects your consideration. I make no promises you two won’t have a glorious argument over the situation, but you’ll be fine. Just knowing, for certain, where you’re at would probably be sufficient motivation. But I’ll ruthlessly use this titanium dragon-kin against you.”
My father would drive me insane. “Well, at least you’re not yelling at me about this, I guess.”
“I could if you’d like. Would it make you feel better?”
“It would probably just make me feel guiltier.”
“A little guilt is permissible. A lot of guilt is not. I will have your attitude adjusted as needed, my little girl. Choose wisely.”
Ouch. When my father threatened an attitude adjustment, I would be wise to listen. “I will do my best to keep my guilt limited to tolerable levels. And we’re going to have a spectacular argument over him quitting the force right after he reached his goal.”
“I’m sure he can handle your temper. Cyan, orange, and copper should be your first three shrines. Before, I said purple next, but I’ve changed my mind. I would target gold, silver, green, lead, and then purple. That should allow your purple heritage abilities to come out in full force, and depending on your inclinations, you might be able to learn proper healing arts. If not, your sight should be refined and help in your investigations. After that, things become more about your personal preference. It’s important to understand that a human visiting the shrines without beginning a pilgrimage will carry some essence with them for a few hours before it fades. You will absorb power from each shrine through them—and a little more power from each shrine you visit. By the time you work through all the colors, you’ll be a living ball of draconic energy. The essences from the shrines will seep into your skin and become a part of you.”
“Don’t dragon-kin have to perform a sacrifice to continue the process?”
“Well, most do, yes. You won’t need to. Just going to the shrines will be sufficient. You have already sacrificed.”
I blinked. “I’ve already sacrificed?”
Hearing my father echo my thoughts on the pilgrimage process startled me enough I put some serious thought into finding a liquor store and buying myself a stiff drink.
“Leaving Erik so he could have his dreams at the price of your happiness is one of the ultimate sacrifices a person can make. That’s the sort of sacrifice the magic pays attention to. Your choice to serve as a cop is another such sacrifice. Sure, people will sacrifice their lives for another, but that’s just a consequence of a mere moment. It does not have the weight nor value of a living sacrifice. You’ve already met the conditions for a pilgrimage. And unlike the regular pilgrims, you will not be doing dangerous things to claim your draconic form and magic. Honestly, most dragon-kins could do your method if they had the right temperament and parentage. Two dragons as parents being the parentage required.” My father huffed again, and after a moment, he laughed. “Save the black shrine for last. Pick the rest by how your heart feels.”
“Why should I save the black shrine for last?”
“If there is a black dragon poking around your turf, you can be certain of one thing: they are after your secrets… and the strong black dragons will learn them. Such powers would serve your quest for justice well.”
NINE
“I happen to like the slums."