Page 17 of Feathers and Scales

Daxton walked closer, and curiosity getting the better of him, he peered over Simon’s shoulder. He was reading an article with more acronyms than words, like P53, LANA, and KSHV. The jargon made Daxton’s head spin, but he picked out a few understandable terms like phenotypes and genes.

Genetics. Fascinating topic.It seemed both of them liked research.

She had stated Simon was her butler, but the relationship Daxton read between them wasn’t just of a boss and employee. Even with Izzy’s impersonal attitude, a strong bond had to have been forged between them for her to share her secrets. A flare of something he didn’t want to name heated his spine.

“So, what is this work?” Daxton asked.

Simon swiveled around calmly, but protectiveness lined the squared and forward set of his shoulders. “What do you want with Izzy?”

Izzy might have acted indifferent, but this man cared about her deeply.

“I mean her no harm,” Daxton said. “We are just trying to learn more about each other.”

Simon leaned back in his chair, regarding Daxton with a glare. “We’ll share names first.Real names. I’m Simon Worthington.”

“Daxton Dyamur.” He held out his hand, wanting to build rapport.

Simon seemed to appreciate the formality and gave a slight grin before he stood. He shook Daxton’s offered hand. Simon’s clammy hand had a strong grip, and his eyes gleamed, showing a depth beyond book-smart, as if he was much older than he appeared.

Daxton turned toward the two flashing monitors to his left as something moved on the screen. A dialog box titled “mortality” had a bar filling up with purchase orders.

“What’s that?”

Simon looked at the monitor and stuck his chest out. “MNRVA—an AI program I put together to help Izzy and me.”

He stepped around Simon to look closer.

Simon said, “It goes through databases and compiles the found information into distinct categories or discards it based on its credentials, peer-reviewed, and what have you. Then it summarizes the information, so it’s easier for us to decide what we want to read or purchase.”

Daxton had to hand it to Simon for creating such a complex program. He wasn’t good with computers. Learning more than the basics was time-consuming, and he had employees for anything else needed. But Daxton understood business. He already had a value and market in mind for the software. His other side—the dragon in him—wanted the research for his people. The information could allow them to monitor human knowledge of dragons.

“Could I get my hands on it?” he asked.

Simon’s eyes crinkled as a smile took over his face. “It’ll cost you.”

“I’m sure we can work out a price.” Simon’s enthusiasm made it seem like it wasn’t often he sold his programs. “What kind of contract are you in with Izzy?”

“I’m not inclined to answer that question.”

Daxton scratched the stubble on his chin. “How old are you?”

“It’s not polite to ask someone’s age.”

“I skip politeness when I want answers.”

Simon chuckled. “All right. You can get the extra office chair from my closet, and I’ll show you what I have on Izzy.”

Daxton grabbed the chair and positioned it near Simon’s desk. “What are you to her?” Daxton hadn’t anticipated the possessiveness in his tone as he sat.

Simon’s smile mocked Daxton, in a way that said,good luck, chum.

“To be frank, she’s not my type,” Simon said. “I prefer blokes.”

His assertion didn’t make Daxton’s dragon any less territorial. Fire still burned at the back of his eyes. He fought back, knowing how silly it was for his dragon to want her all to himself.

“And how did you meet her?” Daxton asked.

“She saved me from the streets.” Simon scratched the back of his neck.