Purrfect Roast: A Dragon Cozy Mystery by Verena DeLuca (the giving tree read aloud TXT) 📗

ladies giggled. They lost interest in the table and instead focused on our conversation.

Were they playing dumb, or did she really think it was funny? Either way, I had news for them. It was not funny at all, just childish and extremely annoying. Some of us had better things to do with our Sunday afternoon.

"No," I said. "I was focused on the fact the trophies had just been stolen."

"I've been coming for three years, and I've known nothing like this to happen," Skylar said, coming over to stand next to us. "There's been a few cat fights, but that's the worst of it."

"They'll turn up," Isabel said. "Who's going to keep cat trophies?"

"Someone mad about not winning," I pointed out.

"It could really be them," Azure transmitted. "They're always coming in last. Probably jealous of the rest of us and wanted to 'teach' us a lesson."

"Oh yeah," I transmitted. "Steal a trophy, that'll show everyone who is better than the rest."

If it ended up that someone stole them just to make a point of cat shows being lame, I would be so tea-ing mad. They had better get more than a slap on the wrist for keeping us here with their ridiculous antics.

"If it involves a dragon, it won't go unnoticed with the council," Azure transmitted. "This weekend I have learned that the more coffee you have, the less likely you are to broadcast your thoughts."

"Har, har," I transmitted. "I could say the same for you regarding your mood and your salmon."

He went silent after that revelation. Thank the bean. Sometimes having a voice outside of my own in my head—while trying to hold a conversation—was taxing to say the least.

"We've got no paw in this competition," Isabel said, and Aubrey chuckled at the pun. "It's a cheap vacation for us, and we love to watch the show drama unfold. But with the theft of the trophies, this year takes the fish for being the best show yet."

"Better than the soap operas we watch during the week," one of the other ladies behind Isabel said. I could not make out her nametag.

"I'll buy that excuse. It would also explain why they've never won," Azure transmitted. "I've never seen them try. Always assumed it was because they knew they were so bad, but I guess it could be that they don't care. Their dragons are usually playing around throughout the competition and are often flagged with minor penalties like not being still. Disappointing that they don't even try."

"Is it really that surprising that someone wouldn't care about the cat show?" I transmitted.

Azure went silent again.

Honestly.

He was about to get on my last nerve with this mood of his.

"We all carpooled here together from Sonora." Isabel gave Aubrey a side look while talking directly to me.

At least I was not alone in finding it hard to hide our dragon protector activities from Aubrey.

"That's a long drive," Skylar said.

"Not too bad since we can take turns driving. It's an all-day trip to get here," Isabel said. "Are you coming back next year?"

"I think so. Azure is really into the show. Plus, it will be fun to keep my great aunt's legacy alive."

"I guess I'll see you again then," Isabel said.

I realized their tribe mate from the sales table had finished up her conversation and joined ours. They started filing out of the Pure Balance room and Isabel gave me one last smile before joining her tribe.

"Excuse me," Aubrey said. "But what breed is your cat?"

"Korat."

"Darn. I've already got that one," Aubrey said, tapping on her phone. "Guess I am not getting the characteristics down as well as I thought."

"She's trying to discover as many breeds as possible while she's here today," I explained as Isabel gave Aubrey a looked that said, "Get away from me crazy woman."

I turned to gather up Azure from the cat platform only to discover he learned that if he continued to look adorable, the salespeople would feed him as many treats as he could stomach. In the time it had taken to wrap up our goodbyes, he had snacked his way through an entire platter.

"He's got a real affinity for these," Kara said, showing me the bag that displayed Shrimp.

"Just what I need, my cat, to develop a more refined palate," I laughed. "He's obsessed with salmon. I can't imagine what it'll cost to fill his shrimp cravings."

Kara laughed, unaware of just how much Azure could eat, which caused me to laugh harder.

It surprised me that no dragon had invented their own brand of cat food yet.

"Or have we?" Azure transmitted as he nuzzled his head into my stomach while purring obnoxiously loud. No doubt in an effort to get me to order him a year's supply of shrimp treats.

CHAPTER SEVEN

Sunday, May 17th, 11:30 AM

"Please enter your name and address in the fields." Kara turned the tablet around for me.

"You are worse than William's mom with the kids," Aubrey laughed.

"Oh, he's going to earn this," I said. "Azure is going to be a good boy and not claw at the furniture. Otherwise, he is getting liver."

"Not funny in the slightest," Azure transmitted, while bumping his head against my leg and meowing. "As Rune's Leader, I think I deserve fresh salmon. You're lucky I will settle for canned."

Aubrey leaned down to pet behind his ear and said, "Aw, you are going to be a good fluff ball, aren't you?"

"You're making the right choice in subscribing," Skylar said. "Shadow goes through a box a month plus has to switch to other flavors, though he slows down his consumption when it's not salmon. Saves me having to stock up when I am in town."

Kara's eyes widened at the amount Shadow ate, but did not verbalize her shock. I was thankful she let it go. How would we explain the logistics of the amount eaten, versus his current weight, to a cat food expert?

"No kidding, not that going to the store is a hassle for