Page 29 of Red Fury

“Harrison spoke of multiple biological threats.” She narrows her eyes in thought. “It sounded like he wasn’t just talking about the dragons, but could he have meant something else?”

“I’m sure he meant Draig and Mistveil Islands, but I know what you mean. For a second there…I thought he might be talking about another threat entirely. One that has nothing to do with us.” I gesture to the door. “We should get out of here before it gets too late.”

She nods.

“I’m going to assume that you haven’t heard anything else aboutotherbiological threats before?” I ask her.

“Nothing.” She shakes her head. “This was the first decent intel I’ve had since arriving here.”

I’m not sure if I believe her, but why would she lie?

We go out into the hallway, and all is still clear, which is normal for this time of night.

“It had to be the two islands. There’s no other explanation that makes any kind of sense,” I say under my breath.

“Agreed,” she replies.

We choose to take the stairs down to the parking garage instead of the elevator. I press a button to unlock the SUV, and we climb inside, buckling up.

A few minutes later, we’re on our way back to Inwood Hill Park.

“There’s something I’ve been meaning to ask you. It’s been on my mind since last night.”

“Sure, ask away,” I say as I indicate and turn right. The streets are also relatively quiet.

“When I first arrived on the Mainland, I heard all about how there are sixty Tributes going to the dragons. That this is the second year with that many Tributes going.”

I make a noise of agreement.

“I head up the academy that trains the Tributes in the hopes of getting some of them to bond with our dragons. I train the new recruits and then the dragon riders.”

I glance her way. “I see. I must say, it’s a bit of a leap from Academy Leader to operative.”

“There is the odd shifter on Draig who has a little more control over their dragons. I am one. Octane – you might know him since he’s on your island – is another. I run my department by myself. I don’t have a PA. I’m quite capable.”

I nod. “Yeah, I’ve met Octane, and I’m sure you are.”

“Here’s the thing: we only received thirty Tributes at the last intake, and we only got thirty again this year. We suspect that the extra thirty Tributes are for Mistveil Island since they weren’t being sent to us. This was later confirmed when documents crossed my desk to that effect.”

“Yes, it’s true; we had thirty Tributes sent to our island last year and again this year. We put in a petition to the Mainland, which was granted.”

“Why? You don’t need riders to stay in control. My Council is trying to convince me that you’re an anomaly, Fury. That would explain everything. Is that true?”

I don’t know how much to tell her. I like Shadow; I’m certainly attracted to her. But I can’t trust her or the rest of her people for shit.

“Can we agree to work together and to share intel?”

“I thought we were doing that already. Didn’t we call a truce?” Her eyes narrow. “I’m in this vehicle with you; I’m about to trust you with my life. I think that it’s safe to say we’re working together.”

“You have a good point. I’m not an anomaly. I’m the norm on Mistveil. As to your other question, I’m going to tell you something about the Mistveil dragons you clearly don’t know.” Although I’m sure her Council must be aware of what I’m about to say. Octane has been the go-between for the two islands. I’m sure this is information he has divulged twice over. It isn’t exactly classified. In fact, I’m shocked that Shadow doesn’t know.

“I’m all ears.” She sounds skeptical.

“We’re having fertility problems on our island. Major problems. Most of our females can’t bear young, and those who do mostly have male offspring. We’re at serious risk of dying out.”

She gasps, her eyes widening. “I didn’t know that.”

That much is clear to see from her reaction. I don’t think you can fake that level of shock. “Yep…it’s all true. We petitioned to get Tributes so that our males can mate and have families.”