CHAPTER 24: POLITICAL CRISIS?

Spell political crisis?

"Kidnapped Dragon."

Which was exactly what they had with them.

Riley stood inside the Ministry lobby, surrounded by professionals in sharp black-and-white uniforms—wearing jeans, a faded sweatshirt, and shoes that squeaked with every step.

He stuck out like an unpaid intern at a funeral.

This should’ve been his day off.

But no. He had to go and play hero in a back alley, and now here he was. Filing a statement. Chaperoning a dragon while writing a report he hadn’t even emotionally recovered from yet.

He sighed. Really, if anyone was to blame, it was himself.

Did you really have to interfere, Hale?

...Yeah. He did.

Because if it had been Liam getting dragged into a dumpster by shady merfolk, he would’ve wanted someone to step in, too.

Besides, if that not-so-baby-dragon had any real fighting ability, he wouldn’t have taken that gut punch so cleanly. Riley had never met a dragon who willingly let someone hit them without vaporizing the room out of spite.

Young or old, dragons were not known for their patience when punched. Hell, they don’t even have the patience to exist next to other beings.

So now, because he’d done a little of this and that, here they were.

Back at the Ministry. On the way to Kael’s office. And the silence?

Awkward as hell.

Practically just as awkward and tense as when the dragon lord arrived at his usual cafe.

Riley knew bringing the kid straight to his house would’ve been faster and more comfortable.

But he also valued his furniture.

And his dignity.

So instead, they went back to the café.

It was a public space, neutral territory. Somewhere the kid couldn’t throw a tantrum large enough to start fires without gaining a crowd and possibly an arrest record. And more importantly, Riley didn’t want a repeat of what happened the last time someone with a flair for dramatics stepped into his apartment.

Mina had only just cleaned the place. The last thing he needed was a scorched sofa and an unpaid bill for claw marks on the tile.

Besides, the kid was still glaring at him like Riley had personally insulted his whole family line.

Every time Riley looked at him, the teen was sitting there—hooded eyes sharp, posture tense, nostrils practically flaring.

Like a cat. A very angry, magical cat whose hackles were permanently raised.

Riley sipped his coffee and debated whether it was worth investigating in advance. Though at best he needed a name. A file. A single sentence to explain why a small dragon had been found by the trash behind a corner store.

He tapped on the screen of his phone and looked over. "Let’s start simple. Name?"

Silence.

He tried again, voice even.

"Alright. If you’re under a spell or something, blink for yes. If your voice is hurt, nod. If you’re just pretending, congratulations, you’re doing a great job."

The dragonling stiffened.

Then, sharply— "Insolence!"

Riley didn’t react. He blinked once, slowly, and set his coffee down.

"Ah," he said dryly. "So he does speak."

The boy’s glare intensified.

Riley sighed, already reevaluating every life choice that led him here. "Listen, apologies, my lord. But right now, we have to be realistic."

He gestured around them, to the cafe, to the lack of guards, to the cold coffee in his hand.

"Between the two of us, you’re in the tighter spot. If we don’t clear up a few things, you’ll have more to worry about than just a grumpy aide with a phone."

The kid straightened immediately. Like someone pressed the Mini-Kael button.

"I don’t take kindly to threats."

"That’s great. I’m not threatening you," Riley said calmly. "I’m informing you. Ministry protocol. Also known as my actual job. Which I am still doing even after the Dragon Lord personally told me to take a vacation."

He smiled, thin and pointed. It wasn’t friendly.

"So unless you feel like explaining this all to a council without knowing your rights, I suggest you start remembering how you ended up beside a dumpster. After all, an escaped youngling isn’t something I could help you with."

The dragonling didn’t respond. He turned his head away instead, looking very offended for someone caught mid-kidnapping.

Riley sighed again and leaned back in his seat.

And that’s when it happened.

The air in the café shifted.

The clinking of mugs stopped. The music faded into background noise. Conversations dropped mid-sentence.

Riley looked up.

Other patrons were staring behind him. Pale-faced. Nervous.

"Huh?" he mumbled, turning.

Then he saw him.

Kael Dravaryn, walking toward them.

Poised. Sharp-eyed. Terrifying. A black coat trailing behind him like the shadow of judgment itself.

Oh. It’s just him, Riley thought, already moving to stand.

The kid beside him shot up like a soldier at a surprise inspection.

"Lord Dravaryn," the teen greeted stiffly.

Kael didn’t even glance at Riley.

"Explain yourself," he said, voice like low thunder.

The kid flinched.

Riley looked around the room. They’d tucked themselves into a side alcove, but Kael’s presence was like a broadcast signal. Half the café was frozen in place, unsure whether to run or bow.

"Sir," Riley said quietly, "maybe we move this somewhere more private?"

Kael didn’t answer. He simply turned and walked away.

Riley gestured toward the exit. "Come on, catboy," he muttered. "Time to go get judged."

Back at the Ministry, inside Kael’s office, Riley had officially resigned himself to his fate.

He’d tried. He really had.

But now that they were here? There was no way to save this kid.

Kael sat behind his desk, the air around him still charged.

The dragonling—finally identified as Orien Vathros—sat stiff as stone, clearly trying not to breathe too loudly.

"Now," Kael said slowly, eyes glowing faintly, "Orien Vathros. Explain yourself."

"U-uncle," the boy stammered. "I... I really have no idea how I got there..."

He glanced toward Riley, visibly unsure if a human should be listening to this.

Riley gave a short shrug as Kael said, "He’s under oath. So talk."

Orien looked down. "...I see..."

He hesitated, then said, "What I know is... after I woke up... I couldn’t transform anymore."

Kael’s eyes narrowed. The room pulsed.

"Excuse me?"