Aspen (The Dragon Kings #2)(31)

“Come in,” called Sid.

Theo poked his head in. “I checked the security cameras.”

“What’d you find?”

“You’ll want to see this.”

Aspen handed him his shirt. “Shame, but I don’t think Theo likes looking at that as much as I do. I’m going to see what Skye and Rowan are up to.”

She slipped out of the room past Theo, and Sid put his shirt back on.

“Where’s your dad? I thought he was coming back with you.”

“He wanted to take my mom home. She’s still pretty upset with him going out into the field. He’ll be back in a couple of hours.”

They entered a small room full of monitors that Sid had only been in a couple of times. He had no idea how it all worked. Theo sat down in front of the screens.

“Our system is pretty complex, so I wasn’t prepared for this. Watch.”

Theo hit a button. “I’m going back in time. Here is where you and Skye gave the eagles a requiem.” Sid watched the scene unfold backwards, from the requiem to him and Aspen finding the dead eagles. Then the screen went black. Seconds later everything was back, but there were no eagles.

“What happened?”

“I’m not sure, but we literally lost an hour of footage. I checked all the cameras. Every single one goes black and comes back on an hour later.”

“He’d have to have a pretty good knowledge of computers and security systems. That narrows the field a little bit.”

“Yeah, it would have to be a dragon that’s been human in the last thirty years. Before that the technology was quite different.”

“True. We also have to look at the area. They probably live near Yellowstone because that is where all the deaths are occurring.”

Sid crossed his arms. “That still leaves thirty or forty suspects. Who knew this would turn into such a big deal. We have to find him.”

“He knows what he’s doing. He’s good at this. He knows we are looking for him, and he doesn’t want to be found.”

“My dad can find him.”

“Let’s hope so. We’re dealing with a dangerous dragon. Are you sure you want to send your dad after him?”

Sid wiped his hand across his face. “I don’t have any other choice.”

He left Theo in the room with all the security cameras and went in search of Aspen. He figured she was in the kitchen, since that was where Skye spent most of her time.

Skye and Rowan were arguing about whether Skye should add walnuts to her brownies. Rowan held the bag of walnuts out of her reach. Aspen was across the room, watching them with a cute grin on her face.

“Brownies aren’t meant to have anything in them.” Rowan smiled down at Skye.

She stretched for the bag but wasn’t even close. “But the recipe calls for them. I’ve never had brownies with walnuts. I might love them. Give them back.” She jumped up, but Rowan backed up.

Aspen approached Rowan. “Come here, Skye, let me show you how this is done.”

She tickled Rowan’s ribs, and he brought his arms down and retreated from both girls. Aspen made a grab for the walnuts, but he raised them above his head again and glared at them.

“No walnuts.”

Aspen turned to Skye. “He’s all yours. Ribs and feet are his most ticklish, just so you know.”

Footsteps pounded in the hall outside the kitchen, and Sid turned to see who it was. He could hear Rowan laughing and Skye squealing behind him. Inwardly, he was glad she was happy, but he worried about Rowan. Eventually Skye would have to leave.

Apollo entered the room, his face twisted in anger.

“What’s up?” Sid asked.

“Your mother.”

“She’ll be fine. She’s just worried about you.”

Apollo snorted and motioned toward Aspen. “Oh, we argued about me going back out into the field, but mostly we fought about that one.”

“Why?”

“She blames her for all of our problems. Whined about her all the way home. When I told her that I thought she was perfect for you, she stopped talking to me. Wouldn’t even say goodbye when I left.” Apollo crossed his arms and watched Rowan and Skye wrestling with the walnuts.

“Perfect for me, huh?”

Apollo smiled. “I’m not sure Pearl could’ve found you a better queen.”

Sid scowled. “She will be my companion forever, but she won’t be my queen.”

“Why not?” Apollo asked.

The front door slammed, and Pearl came gliding into the room.

“Hi, Daddy,” she said and pecked her father on the cheek.

“Hey, princess. Looks like you’ve been keeping a good eye on your brother.”

“Bad eye you mean. Look at the mess he got himself into.”

“Sid knows what he’s doing. I have faith he’ll live to his next birthday and several hundred after that.”

“Let’s hope so. But none of us are going to live until our next birthdays if this idiot dragon doesn’t stop eating people.”

“That’s why I’m here. Let’s get this show on the road.”

“You be careful. Sid shouldn’t have pulled you into this.”

“I’ll do whatever I need to serve my king.”