Page 33 of Cats Never Fly

Nope,Ogdenwasn’t my mate.

Ineeded to shut down any thoughts like that.Iwas just trying to help.That’sall.Whateverconnection we had was artificial, a product of the whistle’s magic.Whydid that make me sad?

Ogden’smouth softened into a smile. “Don’tworry, kitty cat.I’mteasing the hellhound.Itmeans nothing, and he knows that.Youhave nothing to worry about.”Thenhe leaned forward until his lips brushed my ear.Ishivered at the intimacy.Okay.Maybethis thing between us really was something more than one guy helping another. “Youare the only oneI’mdreaming about getting naked with.Whenthis is all over and done,I’mcoming back here to find you and thank you properly for everything you’ve done today.”

Isucked in a sharp breath and choked on my own spit.Icoughed and coughed and coughed.Myeyes watered.Snotclogged my nose.

Ogdenpulled back a little but patted my back in what was likely meant to be a soothing gesture.Theamusement in his bright blue eyes didn’t ease my embarrassment, though.Atleast his fear had subsided.Maybemy dignity was an acceptable sacrifice if it took his mind off everything else.

Whenmy coughing subsided,Iran to the door to escape.ButIcouldn’t letOgdenthinkIwas leaving him.Iswung back around.

“I’llcome right back,”Isaid.Myvoice sounded croaky and rough.

Ogdenwinked at me and opened his mouth as if to say something.Ifled from the room before he could utter a word, knowing whatever he’d say would likely make me embarrass myself all over again.

Assoon asIwas free of the room and away from whereOgdencould see me,Istopped and closed my eyes.Whatwas it about this dragon that made me act like such an idiot?Or, worse, believeIcould be some kind of hero?Iwas the scaredy cat of my mama’s kittens.Literallyanyone else inWillowLakewould be better at protectingOgden.Ifit were up to me,Iwould have allowed the summoning magic to bind us and left the rescue plan to someone else.

Mostimportantly,Ogdenwould be safe.

WasIfeeling this way because of the whistle?

Besideme, someone cleared their throat.Myeyes snapped open again, andIfoundDillonstaring at me with an amused glint in his eye.Perfect.Everyonewas laughing at me and my obvious reaction to the sexy dragon.Harfreaking har.

“Comeon,” he said, beckoning me to follow him down the hallway.Isucked in a breath and did as he asked.

Onceagain,Ifound myself seated beside a desk in the main part of the station.Iglanced around forDotasDillonsettled in his chair.Ididn’t see her.

“I’mout here becauseVanwants to askOgdensome questions without me being there, aren’tI?”

Dillonshrugged. “I’mnot gonna lie, that’s probably part of it.Butwe also need to get some more information on that whistle.”

Whyhadn’tIgrabbed it off the table?Wasthis a ploy to get me away from it?WereVanand the others planning to steal it?Whatwould happen toOgdenif that happened?Hethought if anyone interfered, the magic might return him to that cage.Vanwouldn’t do that, would he?Ineeded to seeOgdenagain before that happened.

“Hey,”Dillonsaid. “It’sokay.Thewhole situation is sketchy as fuck, but we will not endanger the dragon any sooner than necessary.Andif there is a way to avoid that altogether, we will do that instead.”

“Promise?”Iswallowed hard.Myeyes burned.

“I’ma hellhound,” he said, like that meant something.WhenIdidn’t respond, he added, “Ican’t lie.”

Right.Iknew that…Didthat make him a good guy?Iwasn’t sure, butItrustedVan, andVantrustedDillon.Mygaze went back to the hallway that led to the room whereOgdenwas still sitting withVanand the others.Asmuch asIwasn’t loving being trapped in a room with all those people,IwishedIwas still in there with my dragon.

“Let’sfinish this quickly, then you can go back in there.Okay?”

“Okay.”

“So, tell me about the whistle.Wheredid you acquire it?”

“Ifound it.Ididn’t steal it,”Iblurted.

“And…?”

“Idon’t remember when exactlyIfoundit.”Yes,Iemphasized the word found again. “Canyou look it up in the reportImade?Itwas right around then.”

Dillonfrowned. “Youmade a report?”

“Yeah.”Iscratched my head. “Itwas right before the wolves in the hills tried to stage that big robbery.NowthatIthink about it,Imade my report the same nightAshfound you.That’swhyVanwas busy that night.Hewas in talking to you.”

Dillon’seyes widened and filled with flames for a moment before he cleared his throat and got control again. “Whotook your statement?”