Paxton's answer at least gave the dragon pause. It saved him from being immediately turned into charred ash, a fire that would no doubt catch the dry and dusty library ablaze with it. The demon pointed out a glaringly obvious fact that Ashton hadn't considered in his gold-lust addled mind. A thief would be more sneaky. A real thief would deceive. Was Paxton deceiving even now? Ashton narrowed his eyes.
The growl that rose from his throat was stopped by the next thing Paxton pointed out. He had won. Changing the subject from gold to the contest, the game they'd been playing, caused the dragon's anger to be diverted as well. While still angry, he was not completely out of his senses with the addiction that had a firm grip on his mind.
The raging dragon in the library had been heard by Ms. Stheno and the gorgon was on her way with fast angry steps, snakes writhing on her head, and her lyrical voice lifting as she approached. "Ashton Hartley, you will return to a boy this instant, or so help me, we will have a new dragon stone statue collecting moss in the courtyard for the birds to nest on!"
Diverted yet again, Ashton's large wedged head swiveled around on his long neck to hiss at the approaching librarian. His wings came up, spines rising in threat as he hovered over his trapped prey, sharp fangs bared.
In answer, Ms. Stheno tore the dark sunglasses off her eyes and with a mastery of command, squared off with the dragon in a direct look.
Immediately, Ashton retreated, ducking his head and shaking it with a half step backwards, talons releasing Paxton and table getting crushed beneath the dragon's rear leg. He growled and snarled, but didn't look up, and when Ms. Stheno stepped closer, her snakes all hissing in unison, Ashton's wings folded down - and down and down, shrinking until he was once again returned to human form.
Ms. Stheno replaced her glasses, standing tall and straight above the crouched dragon boy. "Clean up this mess."