by Christy Shorey and you

ARCHIVE: NOV. 22 edited for spelling and grammar

1241 words

Margot arrived home late. Azfar had been insistent that she meet the board, and introduction of who would be overhauling the record keeping system. Once she finally managed to leave, she decided it would be quicker to walk home than to wait for the next bus. As she started home, she found a small gray and white kitten huddled near a wall of a convince store. The kitten had a collar that made it look ridiculously small, in comparison. The tag had the name "Precious" on it, and a phone number.

As Margot passed the kitten, it started to follow her. As much as she tried, Margot couldn't entice it to return to its spot. She even tried to use her power to try to frighten it, so instinct would kick in and send it skittering home. But it seemed this kitten wasn't frightened of her, or didn't know where "home" was. Margot scooped up the kitten and made her way back to the convenience store, who were, upon her persuasion, kind enough to let her use the phone.

The man on the other end of the line was very grateful that Margot had found Precious, and said he would meet her at the store in a few minutes. Margot took the kitten to wait outside, and shortly a black SUV pulled up. A tall, muscular man got out, his blonde hair in a carefully styled disarray. As he approached Margot she heard some woman leaving the store saying "Lucky girl," and took another look at the owner of the wayward kitten. He had good features, a strong jaw and gentle blue eyes.

"Thank you for finding Precious, I've been worried sick about her. I've only had her for a few days and she ran off."

"Probably trying to get back to where her mother is," Margot observed.

The man nodded, and held out his hands. Margot placed the kitten in them, and noted how much smaller Precious seemed in his large hands.

"I really owe you," the man said. "But I rushed out of the house so fast, I forgot my wallet. Perhaps I can buy you dinner to make it up to you?" He flashed a charming smile.

Margot held up a hand to him. "No need for that, however if you don't mind giving me a ride, I am running a bit late."

"Absolutely," the man said, and opened the passenger side door for her. "Where to?"

Margot gave directions to her house, and Precious curled up in her lap. "Looks like she likes you," the man said. When they reached her house, he tried again. "Maybe I can still get you dinner sometime? I mean, I'd really like to have dinner with you."

Margot sighed, and looked at him "I'm busy that night," she said, and was gratified to see him nod. "And I'm moving soon, so it won't do you any good to try to find me here again."

The kitten's owner looked disappointed, but nodded again, and as Margot slammed the SUV door shut, she was relieved that he had been so open to her suggestions. If not, there might have been more trouble. She really needed to find a cure. Her power seemed to be deteriorating more lately; this last suggestion seemed to take more effort than she remembered in the past. Perhaps it was just the object of the suggestion, she tried to consol herself, but knew it wasn't true.

When she got inside she expected to see Dresden hard at work on his research, or anxiously waiting to give her an update from the previous day. He was one, along with Kyle, that Margot was certain she still had some power over. But Dresden wasn't there. And Kyle wasn't making dinner, as he did at 6 pm every day she wasn't home to tell him otherwise.

Making her way cautiously through the house, she sent out a bit of her power in search of them. She quickly pinpointed them in her bedroom, and headed there. She found Kyle sitting on the floor, his back against her bed, next to a sleeping Dresden. From the state of her bathroom, they had gotten most of the way through replacing the sink, but had suddenly stopped.

Margot arched an eyebrow at Kyle, and he sank back from her a little. "I'm not mad, Kyle, I just want to know what happened."

Kyle looked up at her, straightening in spot. "He fainted."

"Okay, why?"

"Because I mentioned you are a dragon?" Kyle said, looking from her, back to the man lying next to him. "Why would that make him faint?" he wondered to himself, and Margot knew it was the first time the thought was occurring to her young servant.

"Most people in this world, Kyle, don't believe in dragons. We have forced Dresden to believe, and maybe he wasn't ready to believed just yet."

Kyle nodded, and stood up. "I should make dinner. It's late, isn't it?"

"Yes, it is."

Kyle nodded. "I'm sorry. I thought Dresden would be worried if he woke up here alone."

"You did the right thing, Kyle."

The boy smiled, and headed out. He came back briefly and put a jar of peanut butter on the floor next to Dresden, "Just in case," he said and walked back out.

Margot blinked at the jar, and shook her head. Sometimes Kyle just baffled her. She looked over Dresden, pondering the best way to wake him. Finally she sat down next to him, and put a hand on his shoulder. She focused her thoughts at him. *It's okay, Dresden. Everything will be okay. It's time to wake up now*

Dresden's eyes fluttered open, then grew wide as he saw her. He sat up, trying to scoot away from her, and Margot could read the emotions that flashed over his eyes. Confusion, panic, shock, and then her suggestion took hold, and he calmed down. He turned his eyes from her, taking in his surroundings. He picked up the jar of peanut butter, and opened it. "Hello, Margot," he said, and she could tell it was an effort for him to keep his voice casual. "How was your day?"

"Not as bad as yours, I gather," she said, watching him scoop some peanut butter out with a finger, then lick it off.

Dresden gave a shrug, and stuck his finger back into the peanut butter. "If you say so."

"Kyle is making dinner. Maybe we can wait until after we eat to go over what you learned yesterday?"

Dresden nodded, then his eyes got wide, and he looked up at Margot, hugging the jar close, as if it could protect him. "That's why you have so many books on dragons," he said.

Margot nodded. "Partially. But let's discuss that after dinner."

"Are there others? Other people who are really, who are like you?"

Margot gave a sigh, and stood. "Not on this world, not that I know of. But it's a long story, and I'm hungry. After dinner?"

Dresden squinted at her, and ignored the hand she offered to help him stand. "Will I remember after dinner?"

Margot nodded. "I promise I won't do that again, if you promise not to tell anyone what I am."

"No one would believe me," Dresden said, standing.

"Maybe, do you promise?"

There was an uncomfortable pause, then finally he nodded. "I promise."

"Fine, now let's go eat."