The Mysterious Badge

"Oh, I was just about to report that to you! When I heard the dragons had puncture wounds on their necks, I suspected a bloodsucking creature. Then I remembered the time Chels touched a pair of silver scissors and smoke sizzled from his palm. That made me suspect him, so I carried a silver sword for my own safety! I meant to tell you as soon as the ball ended, but I never expected... he'd make another move so soon!"

The explanation made sense, so Osa asked no further questions. He ordered Charlie to lead a search of Chels's home. In less than half an hour, they found thirty-six bottles of Dragon Blood, with blocks of ice stored beside them in the cellar.

Well, well. Who knew a vampire understood refrigeration?

"Mr. Osa Edward, according to our calculations, this should be all the Dragon Blood Chels stole!"

Every bottle was a reminder of the base's failure. Osa's face darkened with anger. "Bring it all back and test it for other substances!"

"Yes, sir!"

With the matter settled, no one felt like dancing anymore. Those assigned to guard the Dragon Garden returned to their posts, while those without duties went back to the Dormitory to rest.

"Robin Sear, I'm sorry. I shouldn't have hidden the truth about Tap Dance from you."

It was easy not to feel pain when someone else bore the wound. But the instant Edward had put his hand on his belt, he'd felt a humiliation unlike anything before—worse even than having his own father point at him and call him useless.

He thought that if Robin had been the one punished, he would have become the person he hated most: his own father.

"It's fine. I didn't take it that seriously!"

The Swelling Potion was about to