The limitations of ghosts and mice. The trouble with Kaixo. Palace slip. Dragon farts. The voices of self-hate. Betty’s warning.
Sal told Theo and his dragon to remain outside while the former Dark Lord went to check with Shivaun and Betty about a possible houseguest. He had the room, that wasn’t the problem, but he wondered about how Kaixo would react. And what was going on with the sorceress in the first place?
Theo was staying tight-lipped, which wasn’t helping Sal any.
In the end, Shivaun and Betty were fine with the kid staying in the barracks room. He’d have his privacy, and it shouldn’t be an issue, if his dragon didn’t burn down the place. And if Sparky didn’t think Betty Don’t-Bite was a snack.
Having Theo around would be helpful. Sal’s other workers—a ghost and a mouse—had severe limitations. Both had to be hidden, for one thing, and Betty couldn’t do much because of her size and temperament. She had proclaimed herself the diner’s official taste-tester, but since she’d spent a good deal of her existence eating garbage, her palate was questionable. As for the banshee, she was limited to remaining in or near the diner and her appearance was frightening, even when she was doing her best to appear human. They could throw a cloak over her, though it had a way of slipping through body and falling to the floor. Also, a single word from her would mean the murder of a customer.
Sal finally went outside, closing the doors behind him, to take a break from the stench. He put his hands on his hips. “Verily, Theo, you can stay, though I have to warn you, the café is still haunted. I would request you keep that piece of information to yourself. You should be safe enough. However, there is the matter of the smell.”
Sparky squawked, then licked his own eyeball with a long tongue. It was rather disconcerting.
“I understand, sir.” Theo paused. “Sparky has a really good nose. He might be able to help you find the source.”
“I believe it to be either a ghost or sabotage.” Sal shook his head. “But more than that, you and I need to discuss something. While you can reside here for the time-being, your stay cannot be indefinite, and I worry that Kaixo will take offense.”
Theo sighed. “Kaixo won’t even know I’m gone. She’s, um, burning naptha incense, and it makes me dizzy.”
“Would that be part of her magic?” Sal asked quietly.
Theo nodded. “She says it helps her focus. She doesn’t eat, doesn’t sleep, she just keeps her head in that book you gave her. The first couple of nights, it wasn’t so bad, but like I said, the naptha makes me so dizzy. And Sparky likes it dark at night. The candlelight makes him restless.”
Another squawk from Sparky.
The kid sighed. “After working here today, and seeing your place, the thought of going back to Kaixo’s just felt unbearable. Oh my goat, I can’t believe I’m asking you for this.”
Sal was worried about the sorceress, her legal troubles, the strange tattoo on the side of her shaven head. He wasn’t surprised about the naptha—that had been an old sorcerer’s trick back during his time. However, it was worrying that she hadn’t mentioned using it to him. Keeping such a thing a secret was a bad sign.
Sal had a thousand questions, not just about Kaixo and her possible naptha addiction, but also about the kid himself. “I suppose you will have to gather your things from Kaixo’s room, and I shall go with you.’
Theo grew pale. “No, she’d kill me if she knew I’d told you anything. Please, sir, let me go alone. I will explain that you needed help with our café, and that I would be working long hours for you. Besides, I do believe that Sparky can find the source of your stinkiness. Sir. If I may be so bold.”
Love this novel? Read it on Royal Road to ensure the author gets credit.
Sal held up a hand. “Wait. Are you at all concerned about the ghosts? I tell you the diner is haunted, and you don’t seem concerned.”
The kid shrugged. “Ghosts, sure, no problem. I grew up with ghosts. Our house was haunted by this dragon ghost that farted a lot. Talk about smelly.” The kid covered his mouth. “Oh, my goat, I shouldn’t be talking about farting dragon ghosts. It’s not polite! But yeah, ghosts are fine. Unless they’re banshees, but then you’d be dead already.”
Sal winced. “Verily, it is a banshee.”
Theo blinked. “Wow. And you’re still alive, sir. She must really like you, then. Did you figure out her big tragedy? Banshees have like this big tragic past.”
“Not yet. And she has not been very forthcoming. I believe she would rather keep her past to herself. She works for me, if you must know, but again, Theo, I am risking my business being honest. Please, be discrete.”
The kid nodded. “Discrete! Yes, sir, I shall. Oh my goat, this is great. I get my own room. Sharing a room is something I don’t think I’ll ever get used to. I always had my own room growing up in the palace.” He then got a horrified look on his face, as if he’d said too much. He turned away and lifted an arm. His pigeon-sized dragon landed on his wrist. “Be back in a few, sir. Should I buy dinner while I’m away?”
“No, I’ll feed you. We have leftover dough rings, if nothing else.”
“Yum!”
Sparky let out a spout of flame. Then the pair hurried down Champion Street to Tower Road.
Sal was immediately rewarded.
<<<>>>
Kudos for housing that nice dragon boy and his boy dragon! Karmic Gauge increased by 10%.
Current Karmic Gauge: 92% (What a lovely shade of purple)
<<<>>>
Sal felt the warmth in his heart, and he couldn’t wait to see what happened when he reached 100%. With any luck, his Diagraff would be unlocked, and he’d be well on his way to gaining magical powers.
Well, with a dragon around, lighting fires would be far easier. And that dragon might not breathe normal fire, but dragonfire, which might melt his stove, maybe even his brick oven, if he wasn’t careful. They’d have to be careful.
Sal didn’t want to go back inside his stinky café, and his feet were hurting, so he sat down on one of the sturdy chairs and put his feet up. He found himself staring at the scorched umbrella, and he had to smile. It had been quite a day. He’d had to work to get customers, and that would be his life, for a while, but he had hope.
He really might bring some life back to Champion Plaza. His eyes went to the fountain. There was Kenny, standing heroic. The old pain of betrayal seemed distant. He’d been given a new life, and with that new life, he wanted a working fountain. The sound of merry water splashing would bring some more life to the plaza. He might have to ask Ziggy about it.
Sal saw the words appear on the stones on the outside of his building. Naptha is a terrible, terrible mistress. Your friend is on a dangerous path.
“I understand, Shivaun, but I am not her father. I am barely her friend. Perhaps I should not have given her the grimoire. I do not know if I am responsible or not for her decline. What do you think of Theovanni Balanacci?”
He is very young, and he is royalty. Only royalty have dragons, however small. His presence might drive the Yanir away. There is little love between the two peoples.
Sal nodded. “Yes, I believe he is royalty. His manners are very good, and I think he left his wealth behind for some reason. While he is a mystery, we could use his help. Do I need to ask if you will hurt him?”
There was several long moments where nothing happened. Had Sal insulted the banshee? He couldn’t see her face. He couldn’t see her at all. They were talking through the wall.
Finally, ice cracked and popped across the bricks, forming words.
He means nothing to me. I only tried to kill you because I hated you, what you were, what you did.
“Do you still hate me?” Sal wasn’t sure he wanted to know the answer.
I hate myself far more than I could ever hate you. Let us not talk about this. Bring your dragon child into our home. He will be safe. And perhaps his little dragon might be able to sniff out the source of our current trouble.
Betty came scurrying out of the café and raced up to his feet. “Hey, chief, heard that we’re going to have a new housemate. A dragon guy? Those Scallia Caprans are weird. And hey, if that dragon tries to eat me, he’s out on his ear. You get me, big guy?”
Sal reached down and lifted Betty into his hand. “I understand, Mrs. Don’t-Bite.”
Betty rolled her eyes. “Don’t call me that, ace. Gotta say, friend-o, I’m impressed you got the diner open. Your first day went pretty well, and hungry dragon or not, it’s because Theovanni helped out a bunch.”
That was the truth. And the kid and his dragon would be critical that night, in dealing with the smell that was making their Grand Opening far less grand.