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“Girl, make sure Matron Cecilia has the number of your new phone. Pick a good time for you, Cecilia. We will be ready when you are. I’d rather not make a mess of your reservations for the night.”
Cecilia checked her phone and said, “We have openings at nine.”
“Nine it is, then.” My mother grabbed the canvas bag and tossed it onto my father’s back, snapping her fingers and conjuring a fiery rope to lash it into place. While I’d seen the trick before, I made a point of widening my eyes, picking up Garnet, and acting like there was a fire-wielding dragon who might eat me nearby.
Cecilia fled.
My mother’s grin widened. “So skittish yet brave. Well done for cultivating such a friend, girl.”
“Thanks, I think.” I crouched, put Garnet’s birds in a separate bag, and triple knotted it so I would remember it was hers before putting the kitten on my shoulder and praising her.
The hummingbird on the top of my head made more clicking sounds along with some chirps and the buzz of its wings as it took flight for a moment before landing again. Garnet made one of her inquisitive mews, stretching her head towards the bird.
“Be gentle with the bird,” I instructed. “They’re very fragile and it could be hurt.”
Garnet mewed, which I assumed was an acknowledgment of my request.
Aware I could dislodge either, I moved with caution, hauling the collection of bags to my father and let my mother deal with strapping them to his back.
“And I suppose you expect to walk,” my father complained.
“It’s not far,” I replied, pointing in the direction of the bounty pickup point. “Some exercise could do you both some good, I’m sure.”
Both gasped at my audacity.
I ignored them and headed for the building the titanium dragons used to collect their bounties, carrying Garnet’s contribution. My father made a show of bitterly protesting his status as a pack mule. My mother swatted his snout, and when that didn’t quell his whining, she fashioned a whip of fire and gave him something to complain about.
The pair squabbled the entire way to the titanium dragon’s place. To my relief, Cedrick was inside, and I took Garnet’s bag to him first. “This is Garnet’s collection. I cleaned up my street, and I regret to inform you that I am launching a potent attack on your clan’s coffers. There are two dragons following me around to confirm I’m caring for my carbunclo properly, and since they’re imposing, they offered to carry my bounty—without charge.”
Cedrick’s eyes widened when he glanced at the door, where my parents snapped at each other.
“Please don’t mind them.” I lowered my voice and added, “By offered, I mean the woman made that poor dragon act like a mule, and she keeps whipping him. Is there a protection agency for dragons? I think that poor navy dragon might need some help.”
Cedrick leaned close to whisper in my ear, “In truth, I’d be more worried about the navy dragon deciding he has grown tired of being whipped.”
Interesting. Did Cedrick know my parents? If so, what did he know that I didn’t? “In good news for me, I think they believe Garnet likes me.”
Cedrick pulled back, and his gaze focused on the top of my head. “Are you aware you have a bird riding on you?”
“I’m aware. It’s from the rain. Please thank your father for telling me about the nature of the conjurations. It made today much easier to cope with than normal. There are birds fighting everywhere, though.”
“Hummingbirds do that. In good news, you won’t have to chase down many of the birds. They will fly back to their roosts on their own or take up residence in the city.” The titanium dragon-kin stared at the bird perching on the top of my head. “How long has that bird been there?”
“Longer than I appreciate,” I admitted. “Is it still alive?”
“Yes. It’s preening.”
“You’re the one who works here. I’m sure you can handle getting it off.” My attempt to stare the titanium dragon-kin into submission failed, but he did grin at me. “Can you tell if this is a summoned bird, a created bird that was somehow granted life, or whatever the other options might be?”
Cedrick’s attention returned to the hummingbird. “I believe it is a conjuration given life—you are aware of the concept of familiars, are you not?”
Familiars? I tilted my head to the side, trying to decide which bit of folklore Cedrick referred to. “Like witches with the black hats? The black cat familiars?”
Heaving a sigh, the titanium dragon-kin regarded me with a pained expression. “You must be from a prejudiced city.”
Damn it. “Good guess. I’ll even give that to you as a freebie for correctly guessing on the first try. It’s a living bird, then?”
“Mostly.” Picking up a bucket from behind his desk, he set it nearby, opened Garnet’s bag, and began counting her haul.