Page 24 of Fated by Fire (Dragonblood Dynasty #1)

Chapter 24

C aleb

Being back in my office doesn’t bring my normal sense of balance. Too much has happened. I turn away from the window, the weight of the upcoming clan meeting pressing heavily on my mind.

Summoning everyone on such short notice is bound to raise suspicions, and the news I have to share will undoubtedly stir up a hornet’s nest. Malakai’s recent actions have crossed a line, and admitting that he’s gone rogue will not sit well with his supporters within the clan.

“Sloane,” I call out.

She appears in the doorway almost instantly, her eyes reflecting concern she doesn’t voice. “Yes, Caleb?”

“Is everything prepared for the meeting?”

She nods. “Everyone has been notified. They’ll assemble in the boardroom within the hour.”

“Good.” I rub my temples, the lingering sensation from the Heartstone still humming at the edge of my consciousness. “Any word on Malakai’s whereabouts?”

“Not since the last report. He’s keeping a low profile, but our sources are still tracking him.”

“Keep me updated. And make sure security is tight tonight. I don’t want any surprises.”

“Understood.” She hesitates for a moment. “Caleb, you know this isn’t going to be easy.”

I offer a faint smile. “When is anything ever easy with Craven?”

Sloane leaves, and I pick up my phone, scrolling through my contacts until I find Lydia’s number. She answers on the second ring.

“Caleb, I believe you’ve called a clan meeting. Good idea. There are some interesting rumors doing the rounds.” Lydia’s voice is warm, but I can sense the curiosity behind it.

“Glad you approve.” I pinch my lips together before I continue. “But I need to talk to you about something important. Something else.”

“Go on.”

I brace myself for what I’m about to say. What I did is unprecedented. “I showed the Heartstone to Elena Ross. A human.”

There’s a sharp intake of breath on the other end. “You did what?”

“It was necessary,” I insist.

“Necessary? Caleb, the Heartstone isn’t something to be taken lightly, let alone shown to outsiders.”

“She’s not just anyone. When she touched it… there was a reaction. I’ve felt a connection ever since. To be honest, it was there before. Now it’s stronger. Almost overwhelming.” I pause, searching for the right words. “It’s like a hum at the edge of my mind, an echo of her heartbeat aligning with mine.”

Fuck. I wish that didn’t sound so ridiculous.

Lydia is silent for a moment before speaking. “You know the old stories, don’t you? The legends of the ancient mate bond?”

I stiffen, already knowing where this is heading. “Sure, but I thought they were mere myths. Something from our past.”

“They’re more than myths. The Heartstone is said to resonate with those who are destined for the bond. If what you’re feeling is true, this could be significant.”

I exhale slowly. “I don’t know what to make of it. It’s… compromising my judgment.”

“I can imagine,” she says softly. “But you need to be careful. The clan may not be ready for this, especially not now.”

“Fuck. I don't know if I’m ready for it.” I rub the back of my neck.

“It won’t be up to you if this is your destiny.” There's a smile in her voice despite the serious nature of the conversation.

“Dammit, Lydia, I don't have time for this,” I snap. “Destiny doesn’t factor into it.”

“You’re a dragon, boy.” Her tone has shifted, hardened. Reminding me of the centuries between us. “Your entire world is about destiny. Fate. It’s how we’re wired.”

I pull in a breath. “You’re right. Of course. I suppose I’m just feeling the pressure of the meeting today. I’m wondering how to inform the clan about Malakai.”

She hesitates before answering. “It’s a dangerous move. His supporters won’t be pleased.”

“I don’t have a choice. He’s become a threat to us all.”

“Then tread carefully, Caleb. And keep me informed about Elena.” She clears her throat. “This may not sit well with everyone. We don’t take easily to outsiders. And until she’s proven herself, that’s what she’ll be.”

I give a half-laugh. “Now, there’s an understatement.”

“Just be careful,” she repeats.

“I will. Thank you, Lydia.” I end the call and set the phone down, turning back to face the window once more. The office feels stifling, the walls closing in as the responsibility of everything presses down on me.

I can’t focus. Reports lay scattered across my desk—financial projections, security assessments, merger proposals—all ignored. My thoughts keep drifting back to her. The way her eyes widened when she touched the Heartstone, the spark between us that felt both exhilarating and terrifying. It’s irrational. This pull towards her, it’s affecting my judgment.

A knock on the door drags me from my thoughts. “Come in.”

Sloane steps inside. “The clan members are starting to arrive.”

“Thank you. I’ll be there shortly.”

She studies me for a moment. “Are you sure about this?”

“No,” I admit. “But it’s necessary.”

She offers a brief nod before leaving me alone again.

“Damn it,” I mutter, shoving papers aside. If that old bastard Malakai was around, he’d be telling me that my father would have handled things differently. But Dad never faced anything like this before. I don’t think anyone in my line has since before the last century. And the irony is that Malakai himself is the problem.

Just then, the door bursts open without so much as a knock. Dorian strides in, agitation evident in the tight set of his jaw and the way he clutches his phone.

“You need to see this,” he says, thrusting the device towards me.

“What is it now?” I ask, irritation coloring my tone. But the moment I see the screen, my blood runs cold.

A video plays—a montage of shaky footage, shadows that could be wings flickering against night skies, snippets of conversations taken out of context, and lingering shots of Craven Industries’ headquarters. Overlaid is a voice, distorted to conceal the speaker’s identity.

“The dragons are among us,” it declares ominously. “And they’re hiding in plain sight. Our source has not only seen them but been carried by one to its mountain lair.”

Jesus. For fuck’s sake!

At the bottom corner, the username flashes: @MaraLives, accompanied by the hashtag #DragonConspiracy.

“Tell me this isn’t what I think it is,” I say, my eyes snapping up to meet Dorian’s.

“It’s gone viral, Caleb,” he replies grimly. “Millions of views in the past few hours. #DragonConspiracy is trending worldwide.”

I watch the video again, this time picking up on the clever editing—the way she hints at our existence without outright proof, enough to sow seeds of doubt and curiosity. It’s designed to draw people in, to make them question. To expose us.

“Elena must have told her,” I say, anger simmering beneath the surface.

Dorian nods. “Our confidentiality protocols are shot. And that’s not all.” He swipes to another screen showing a flurry of security alerts. “We’ve picked up increased chatter about Craven Industries on various forums and social media platforms. People are digging, Caleb.”

I clench my fists, trying to rein in my temper. “Is that all?”

As if that’s not enough.

“No.” He hesitates. “There have been sightings of suspicious figures near the building. Our surveillance caught them loitering around, but we haven’t been able to identify them yet.”

I take the phone from him, scrolling through the grainy images of men in dark clothing, faces obscured, hovering near our entrances.

“And to make matters worse,” Dorian adds. “Malakai’s access codes were used again, despite being revoked.”

I slam the phone down on the desk. “That’s impossible.”

“Apparently not,” he replies tightly. “He’s bypassing our security somehow. We have a mole, or he’s got inside help.”

Fuck!

Between the Syndicate’s moves, Malakai’s betrayal, and now this public exposure, we’re under siege from all sides.

“This is getting out of hand,” Dorian says. There’s a smear of pink lipstick on his collar that distracts me for a moment. Asshole can’t keep his dick in his pants, even at a time like this. “We need to control the narrative before it spirals.”

I nod, but my mind is elsewhere, torn between duty and emotion. Elena. Did she really tell Mara everything? After all my warnings, after everything we’ve been through?

“Hey,” Dorian’s voice cuts through my thoughts. “You with me?”

“Yeah,” I say, though it’s a lie. My thoughts are a tangled mess. The mate bond—if that’s what it is—is making it hard to think clearly, clouding my judgment. I can feel her emotions—confusion, fear, even a hint of betrayal. Or maybe that’s just my projection.

“There’s something else,” he says cautiously. “We received a message. Anonymous, but it’s got the Syndicate’s fingerprints all over it.”

He pulls up an email on his phone and hands it to me.

“‘Enjoying your newfound fame?’” I read aloud. “‘It’d be a shame if more secrets came to light. The Heartstone isn’t safe, and neither is she. You can’t protect her forever.’”

My grip tightens on the phone. The threat is clear. They know about Elena, about her connection to the Heartstone.

“They’re taunting us,” Dorian says.

“Someone’s feeding them information,” I say, the implication hanging heavy between us. Not all of our people are loyal.

“Caleb, we need to act. Now.”

I push away from the desk. “I’ll handle Elena,” I say finally.

“Are you sure that’s wise?” Dorian asks carefully. “You’re too close to this. To her.”

I shoot him a warning glance. “She’s compromised our security. Exposed us. Do you have a better idea?”

He sighs. “Just… be careful. Don’t let your emotions dictate your actions.”

I scoff. “You sound like Dad.”

“Maybe he had a point,” Dorian counters. “Emotions make us vulnerable.”

I turn away, memories of our father flooding back. His stern gaze, his constant warnings about the dangers of forming attachments. “A leader must remain detached,” he used to say. “Emotions cloud judgment, and judgment is the key to survival.”

But it’s too late for that. If Lydia is right, the bond is there, undeniable. Pushing her away might be the hardest thing I’ve ever done, but I have to protect the clan.

“Dorian, I need you to manage things here,” I say, grabbing my coat. “There’s a clan meeting set within the hour. I want you to take it.”

“Me?” He looks surprised.

“You not up to it?” I cock my head, the challenge unmistakable.

He snorts. “Of course I am. Just wondering if you’re ready to have your baby brother step into your shoes.”

“Have fun with that,” I scoff. “While you’re at it, tighten security protocols, monitor any further leaks, and see if you can track down how Malakai’s gaining access.”

“That all?” He tilts his head. “What about this video?”

“Keep that on hold until I get back. I think it’s going to take some careful handling.”

“You don’t say,” he scoffs. “Where are you going?”

“To the cabin.”

He raises an eyebrow. “And what are you going to do?”

“I’m going to fix this.” The words feel hollow, even to me.

“If that’s possible, at this point,” he says.

I give a curt nod and exit the office. As I make my way to the elevator, my mind races. That strange connection tugs at me. The lingering warmth of the Heartstone bleeding into me. And for the first time in weeks, these strange sensations are beginning to make sense.

That chills me. Because I know this is a problem. Within the short space of time that Elena Ross has been in my world, she’s changed everything. Put us at risk. Compromised my leadership abilities. And her life is at stake.

I can’t have that.

My clan can’t have that.

I take a deep breath, steeling myself. This has to end. For her sake, for mine, for the clan’s.

As I move forward, a final thought anchors itself in my mind, a thought that rips at my heart even though I’ve barely had time to process the idea of being bonded to her: I have to end this before it destroys everything.