Guest Character Interview: Cale Anders

A few weeks ago, I featured YA author Teshelle Combs and her novel The System. Today, I have an interview with Teshelle's character Cale Anders, from her novel Core (free at Amazon on June 3 and 4!):

1. What is your full name? Is there anything significant about your name?
Cale Anders.

Anders is an Irish name, which makes sense since at some point, every member of the red dragon race originated from Great Nest in Ireland. My first name was given to me by my father at my birth. It means “faithful.” And my middle name…I’m not telling. My rider doesn’t even know, and I’d like to keep it that way.

2. How old are you?
I’m eighteen years old. I’ll be nineteen this spring and to be honest (funny, because I’m always honest…seriously, I can’t lie), I’m not looking forward to getting any older. It just means less time I’ll be alive to spend with Ava.

3. Tell us about your family. What do you like and not like about them?
Whoa. My family? I don’t even know where to start.

There are five dragon races in the world: red, green, blue, grey, and black. My father, Mac, is the reddest red dragon you could ever meet. He’s loud and fun, filled with energy and mischief. He’s one of the best people I know. My mom, Karma…she’s one of the most intelligent blue dragons alive. And that’s saying something since the only thing blues value is intelligence. The two of them got paired together somehow for one of my mom’s research experiments and…my family was created.

My older brother, Rory, was born red. I couldn’t ask for a more loyal, crazy, real brother than Rory. Yes, he’s hot-headed and gets me into way too much trouble, but at least we have fun. My younger brother, Cameron, is fifteen. He’s actually a blue dragon. So compared to the rest of my family, he’s quiet, reclusive, and contemplative. Oh, and he’s wicked brilliant.

And then there’s me. In the middle as always. I’m born red, but I sort of understand blue tendencies better than Rory and my dad. If it wasn’t for me, my family would have fallen to pieces a long time ago.

4. Who was your first kiss, and what did you think of it?
Oh boy.

My first kiss…

How do I describe Onna so you understand? She’s scary beautiful, scary talented, scary fierce…there we go. Onna’s scary. But she’s always been there for me. Always. She sort of tackled me one day when we were kids and smacked one on me and said, “There. Now you love me.” And now that we’re older…she’s gorgeous.  I know that. But…

5. What is your occupation?
I hunt and kill sirens for a living. At least that’s what it would say on my dragon resume. The evil bastards tend to pick off humans, and as a red, it’s my job to protect them. But unofficially–and please don’t tell my dad–my brother, Rory and I fight at the Cave. It’s an underground fight club for red dragons only. The stakes are pretty high, and we get a great payout if we sign up for the more deadly events, like Pit night. Plus, it seriously improves our ranking. But seriously, you can’t tell my dad. It’s not exactly allowed.

6. What are your best and worst qualities?
My best quailites? I don’t know. Does Ava count? I guess my rider isn’t technically a ‘quality,’ so I should pick something else. My best quality is that I know what I want. And I get it.

My worst quality is this blasted Immaculate Honesty. I hate it.  I. Hate. It. Since I was born with it as a gift, I haven’t been able to physically tell a lie in my entire eighteen years of life. I can’t even fudge the truth a little. So if someone says, “Hey Cale, did you just fart?” I have three options. I can say yes. I can say nothing (which means yes), or…well, I guess that’s it. No third option.

7. What quality do you value most in a romantic partner?
Courage.

8. What is your favorite thing to do?
Going to bed with Ava beside me. There’s nothing like being able to feel her heartbeat, hear her breathe, feel her beneath my arms and know she’s mine. There’s a peace there that can’t be matched.

9. What is your greatest fear?
Ava dying before me. I feel everything she does. Every wince, every growl of her stomach, every shiver. The idea of her leaving this world, leaving me behind, is unbearable.

10. What is your most treasured possession?
Our dragonstone. It was forged the day we pacted together. Without it, I wouldn’t have my rider. And without my rider, I wouldn’t have anything at all.

Core is available at Amazon (free on June 3 and 4!)

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