Ashton wasn't in his own room very often. There were few personal items that the dragon held dear, and those that he did were the hoard of gold he stored in his lair. But there were still some things, like the miniature black dragon doll that Barclay had given him, made by the expert hands of Leon Drumm. His windows and table surfaces were covered by curtains made by Xanthippe, a gorgon friend of his who had long ago left the school.
When he was not out flying at night and not in classes, the library, or under the castle being fed or working with Kana, Ashton normally spent his time with Barclay. But still, sometimes he came to his own room to study, especially when his fellow students were being too loud elsewhere. Such was the case when Ashton had received James' message about a promised gift of gold. He'd been unable to stop the rush of adrenaline he'd gotten from the prospect of getting his hands on new gold.
He'd taken a particular dislike to vampires since Ben had bitten the other witch. His vampire, Andrei, was the exception because his vampire wouldn't dare touch his witch. Ben, however, was untrustworthy even before biting Leon, and James was just an unknown to the dragon. Gold talked, however. Ashton had been working at his addiction, but it was slow going to try and ignore eons of instinct that took hold of him whenever the yellow matter was involved.
Ashton had at least made some progress in not thinking all gold was his until it had been given to him. He did still lust after gold necklaces people wore, rings, earrings, things of that nature, but he didn't become violent anymore when they refused to let him touch it. Even the skin contact of gold fed his addiction and was like a high, releasing endorphins and triggering his greed. It was a thin line to walk and Ashton had to be constantly vigilant. He did not want to risk repeating what had happened to Trent.
He opened the door when James knocked, eyes pouring over the vampire and half expecting him to be already presenting the gift in plain sight. He grew irritated when he wasn't. "Where is it?" Ashton demanded in a level voice, blocking the doorway with his tall frame.