Page 13 of Red Fury (The Dragon Tributes #8)

S hadow

“That concludes today’s session on enhanced cybersecurity protocols,” announces Director Foley from the podium, his voice carrying easily through the packed conference room. He looks at his watch. “Let’s take a short break; we’ll reconvene in fifteen minutes to discuss implementation timelines.”

The room erupts into the usual post-meeting buzz as delegates rise from their seats, stretching and reaching for their phones. I close my laptop and slip it into my leather portfolio.

I look over at my boss to see if he needs me for anything. Secretary Harrison immediately reaches for his phone, scrolling through what appears to be an avalanche of messages. His jaw tightens as he reads, and I can practically see the wheels turning in his mind.

“Claire,” he says without looking up from his screen. “I know you have two days of leave scheduled to visit your family in Denver like you do each month, but I’ve just received word of a critical meeting taking place this weekend.”

My pulse quickens. “Oh, I see. What kind of meeting, sir?”

“The kind that takes precedence over everything else.” He finally looks up, his expression grave.

“It pertains to the biological threats the Mainland faces. We touched on it yesterday.” This is true, only not much was revealed.

“There is a need to go into it more in-depth.” My heart picks up speed.

This is exactly what I’ve been waiting for.

This is it! Only… Shit! I will be expected to return to Draig.

“I need you there to take detailed notes, coordinate with the other departments’ representatives, and ensure all documentation is properly classified and distributed afterward. ”

Yes!

This is it. It’s the break I’ve been waiting for.

Out of the corner of my eye, I catch Fury’s subtle movement as he steps closer to our position.

He’s maintaining his professional bodyguard stance, but I can feel the weight of his attention.

Our eyes meet for the briefest moment, and I see the same sharp interest I’m feeling reflected in his gaze.

He looks away, pretending to monitor another section of the room.

“As you know, my mother is ill, hence my needing to visit home so regularly…but I’m sure I can reschedule by a few days,” I say, keeping my voice steady, not wanting to sound excited. “A meeting of this importance should take priority.”

Harrison nods approvingly. “Indeed. The timing is unfortunate, but these matters don’t wait for convenient scheduling. I’ll need you to make the necessary arrangements and confirm your availability as soon as possible.”

“I’ll handle it immediately, sir. If you’ll excuse me, I’ll make those calls now.”

“Of course. We’ll brief you on the specifics once your participation is confirmed.”

I gather my things and head toward the ladies’ room, my mind already racing through the implications. This could be exactly what the Council needs – direct access to the Mainland’s plans regarding our islands…Draig Island, to be more specific.

The bathroom is mercifully empty, and I lock myself into the furthest stall from the door. With trembling fingers, I pull out my encrypted phone and compose a message to Councilor Reed. I briefly outline what just happened and add:

Need to extend Mainland assignment by a few days. This sounds like a critical intel opportunity. Still feeling controlled and stable. Request permission to postpone return.

I hit send and lean against the cold metal of the stall door, trying to calm my racing heart. The truth is, I am feeling much better since shifting last night. More centered, more in control. My dragon is settled in a way she hasn’t been in weeks.

Of course, thinking about shifting inevitably leads to thinking about what happened afterward, and heat floods my cheeks.

The memory of Fury’s mouth on me, the way he made me come apart with just his tongue and fingers…

It was, without question, one of the most intense orgasms of my life. And his cock wasn’t even inside me.

My skin goes hot all over, and it’s not entirely from embarrassment.

Despite my mortification, my body responds to the memory with a treacherous throb of arousal.

The way he’d growled against my skin, the possessive grip of his hands on my thighs, the animalistic hunger in his eyes when he’d looked up at me as I fell apart.

Holy hell!

My phone buzzes with Reed’s response:

You are already overdue for your annual vaccination

My stomach drops. Shit. She’s right. How could I have forgotten?

Surely it can wait a few more days?

Three dots appear and then disappear. This happens several times. What is she typing? I know that not going for your vaccination within the prescribed window has dire consequences.

We’re required to receive annual vaccinations against Reptilian Hemorrhagic Fever, a disease that can be fatal to our kind.

The vaccination schedule is strictly monitored by Mainland representatives, and failure to comply results in immediate investigation and consequences such as serious jail time.

Reed’s next message confirms my worst fears:

Our records state that you were due three days ago. The system will flag your absence soon. A few more days might end up being a few days too many. As it stands, you will get a slap on the wrist

Since they verify identity with fingerprints, no one can stand in for me.

Not to mention that it puts me at risk of getting sick, especially here on the Mainland, where I could be exposed to the virus.

It’s all but been eradicated on our island, but only because of the thorough vaccination schedule.

Crap!

My hands shake as I type:

The intel opportunity is unprecedented. Direct access to their planning sessions pertaining to the so-called biological threat, AKA us. I have to stay. I don’t really have a choice.

Several minutes pass before Reed responds:

The risk is substantial. The vaccination aside, extended time without shifting will make your dragon increasingly unstable.

I can handle my dragon. I am fine. I swear.

And if you’re discovered? If you shift in public? The consequences would be catastrophic for all of us.

I won’t let that happen.

I can say that with certainty because I shifted just the other day. I can’t tell her that.

Another long pause. Then:

I don’t like it

Neither do I, but this could be our only chance to understand their true intentions.

Fine. You have up to 3 extra days and no more. Gather what you can and return as soon as possible. The vaccination delay will be noted, but we can hold them off, if need be.

Relief floods through me.

Thank you. I won’t waste this opportunity.

See that you don’t. And Shadow? Be careful. The Mainland is more dangerous than you know.

Noted.

I delete the conversation thread and take a deep breath, steadying myself. I can do this. I have three days to gather the most crucial intelligence of my career. I’m sure I’ll get to the bottom of everything, and then I’ll return to Draig Island and hopefully never have to see Fury again.

The thought should be comforting, but instead it… I don’t know… It makes me feel uncomfortable.

I worry what he will get up to in my absence. That must be it.

I unlock the stall door and step out, then I wash my hands and leave, only to find Fury waiting right outside in the hallway.

He steps up toward me so that he can speak under his breath.

“Interesting conversation in there.” He uses his thumb to point toward the conference area.

“You were listening in?” It isn’t really a question.

“Yes, how could I not?” he replies. “Please tell me you’re staying for this meeting.”

“Yes. I’m postponing my trip home.”

“Good.” He nods once. “I’ve been called in for additional security protocols during the meeting, but I doubt I’ll be anywhere near the actual discussions. You, on the other hand, will be right in the room where it’ll all take place.”

“I know.” I take in a deep breath.

“This is it, Shadow. This is what we’ve both been waiting for. Finally, we’ll know what they’re really planning. Are we still together on this? Still a team?”

I nod, unable to trust my voice.

He leans in closer, his proximity making my skin tingle with awareness. “If you need to shift again before then,” he murmurs, his breath warm against my ear, “you know where to find me.”

The memory of his hands on my skin, his mouth between my legs, crashes over me with renewed force. My body responds instantly, nipples tightening and heat pooling low in my belly.

I snort and roll my eyes. “Not happening, Red,” I whisper.

“We’ll see,” he says, and I can hear the smile in his voice.

Without another word, I push past him, walking away. Behind me, I hear him chuckle softly, and it takes every ounce of self-control not to turn around and…what? Slap him? Kiss him? I’m not sure which impulse is stronger.

This is exactly why I need to gather the intelligence I need and to get the hell off the Mainland as quickly as possible. Before I do something stupid.

Like fall into bed with the enemy.