Finding The Red Dragon

Brownies

Ella had just finished the dishes when the sound of voices out back caught her attention. She turned the corner just as they were all coming into the house. "Thank God." She exhaled as she literally hugged each one as they passed.

"Were you worried about us slugger?" Draven teased. "Very. You guys went after werewolves! I just learned about dragons, and now this, are you all trying to kill me?" "No, we kind of like you here." Ivan squeezed her tightly. "And what is that amazing smell?" He added as he kissed the top of her head.

"Lasagna, salad, garlic bread and brownies. Bo and I cooked." "Wow. Thanks Ella." Torsten started past her. "Wait. You, back here. Hug first, then I want to look at that arm." She took his arm and froze. It was almost completely healed.

"Your arm." Ella touched it and he laughed. "We heal quickly around here." Torsten grinned. "How?" "Dragon's blood. Heals everything." He winked at her and she suddenly jumped remembering the dragon.

"Ragnar! He is ok?" She looked out the back, holding her breath. Where was he? Her heart raced as she searched the darkness, until a hand laid on her shoulder.

"He's fine. He went home to rest. All that chasing made him tired." Torsten told her softly. "Good." Ella exhaled, letting go of the fear that gripped her. She found herself more concerned than she expected to be.

"Well, if I didn't know better, I would think you had a thing for him." Torsten teased her quietly. "No. I mean I do, but not like that. He is a dragon." "And?" "And, he is a dragon, who hates humans." Ella groaned. "Hmm, maybe not all humans." Torsten gave her a grin as he pushed her shoulder causing her to lean over.

"Stop that. He does not." She shook her head and looked back at the door. "Ella, I saw him burn with fury tonight. Something I haven't seen in more years than I can count. Something has him wound up, and it is not a bunch of mangy mutts." He touched her nose and then went into the kitchen, leaving her blushing and warm. Did he like her? That was crazy. She turned and followed Torsten into the kitchen, where she made them wash up and sent them all to the dining room to eat.

"Fighting off a werewolf aside, how was your fishing adventure?" Ivan sat next to her at the table as they ate. "It was fun. Ragnar made me a spear and I caught a ton of fish." "A spear?" Ivan coughed. "Yes. I uh, couldn't figure out the fly-fishing contraption that Leif was using." She blushed under everyone's gaze.

"He made you a spear?" Draven asked clearly surprised. "Yep. Taught me how to use it too. And I caught more fish than the rest of them combined. Well, he helped me recover the spear a few times since the river was too deep, but otherwise, I caught them all myself." Why did she feel so shy? Maybe because they were all staring at her.

"Looks like I might win this after all." Erik slapped the table. "Oh, yeah, by the way, I think I should get half, since it is my charm that you are all betting on." Ella grinned as the table fell silent and everyone looked around as she pointed her fork at Erik.

"Yeah, I know about it." Ella teased as she ate her lasagna. "Not a chance." Erik pointed back as the room laughed. "Then I will just drag it out. Who has the farthest date?" She asked. "Mel, with 2 weeks." Erik looked down the table as Mel gave him the finger.

"All other days were taken. I took the last one because there was no way you were convincing him to live." Mel looked right at Ella with a shit grin. "I want to see the list." She demanded and Draven left the table and came back with the paper. She looked it over and noticed every day was filled.

"Allan?" Ella looked up with a laugh. "Even you?" She questioned. "Hey, I have faith in you. You have four more days for me to win." Allan laughed as he took another piece of bread. "Well, that is all good and fine, but what happens if I cannot save him?" The table went silent again as everyone stared at her.