Dragon Guard: Book 1: Prophecy of the Dragons by E. J. Krause

normal teenagers and sneak around to do that so you don't get caught."
    Ben muttered an apology, but Andi rolled her eyes and gave an exaggerated sigh. "Aren't we basically engaged now? Why shouldn't we kiss?"
    "You're too young to be worried about anything like that. Both of you. I don't care if you make out, but I don't want to see. And you better do all you can not to get caught by your father. Am I clear?"
    "Yes, Mom."
    "Yeah."
    "Remember, all of this stands if I manage to change his mind about the binding." She motioned them down the stairs. "You two will be fully bound, but you'll still be high school students in our eyes. Your father won't allow any shenanigans until you're 18. Am I still clear?"
    Andi scoffed and said, "I'm way over 18, if you want to get technical."
    "Don't be stubborn, Andi. You know darn well how age works. You're a long way from being 18 in our world, and Ben is 15 no matter which way you cut it. Regardless of my thoughts on this matter, realize how hard this is on your father. I hope this third time is crystal clear."
    Ben nodded. That made him feel better. They wouldn't have to be married until they were ready. Andi, however, wasn't quite done. "Why is it so hard on him? I get that he doesn't want me to grow up, but so what? Stuff happens."
    Sadness spread over her face. "We don't have time right now to talk about it. Besides, I can't tell you without his blessing, and I doubt we're going to get that anytime soon. Not under these circumstances." She leaned in and hugged them both, and then quickly retreated downstairs. Ben wasn't positive, but he thought he saw tears in her eyes. He turned to Andi, who looked back at him with a bewildered look on her face. They gripped hands one last time, and then followed Mrs. Thomas down the stairs.
    *****
    Less than fifteen minutes later, they arrived at his house, and Ben called both of his parents' workplaces. The two calls went smoothly, with no follow up questions about the food poisoning he'd claimed they had. As soon as he hung up, he dashed back to the SUV, and they were off to the beach, though Ben needed to remember he and Andi weren't supposed to know that yet.
    Once they hit the 55 freeway south, Mr. Thomas let them know they were on their way to the Newport pier. "We need a spell to get to Derian's realm. In order to do that, we must discover where Rico is."
    "Rico?" Andi asked.
    "He deals in magical goods and services," Mrs. Thomas said. "Think demon pawn shop."
    "And his name is Rico?" Ben asked. That sounded too normal for a demon.
    "His real name is much more complicated," Mr. Thomas said. "Rico is about as close as the mortal tongue can get, so that's what he goes by."
    "And Rico has the spell?" Andi asked.
    "Yes. He'll want a favor in return, but we're hoping it won't be too difficult. We've completed tasks to his satisfaction before. That'll help him look on us more favorably."
    "Are we going to have to do the favor before he gives us the spell?" Ben asked.
    "No," Mr. Thomas said. "Unless he has an urgent task. More likely he'll bring us in sometime in the not-too-distant future."
    "What did you guys need from a demon pawn shop?" Andi asked. Ben perked up at the question. What sort of stuff was even at a demon pawn shop? Besides spells to other realms like they needed, of course.
    "That's a tale for another time," Mrs. Thomas said. "Let's focus on the here and now so we can save Ben's parents."
    As much as he wanted to hear the stories, she was right. He didn't want to imagine what Mom and Dad were going through in that horrible place. They needed to get them out of there on the double.
    Andi took his hand and smiled before turning back to her parents. "So you think this Rico is at the beach?" Ben was glad she asked because he almost blurted out the question of who Max was. That would have proved they'd been listening last night.
    Mr. Thomas shook his head. "It's doubtful, though that would make things easier. We're going to meet a record