Page 17 of Red Fury (The Dragon Tributes #8)

S hadow

I close my laptop with more force than necessary, the sharp snap echoing in the conference room as delegates begin filing out.

What a complete waste of time.

My dragon has been restless all afternoon, pacing beneath my skin like a caged animal.

She knows, just like I do, that we’ve spent the entire day listening to bullshit while the real decisions – the ones that could determine our species’ fate – happened behind closed doors during that classified meeting before lunch.

The meeting I was excluded from.

I gather my materials and follow the slow procession toward the doors, keeping my expression neutral despite the frustration clawing at my insides.

Around me, other delegates chat about dinner plans and tomorrow’s schedule, completely oblivious to the fact that they might have just spent hours planning the extermination of an entire species.

Or maybe they know exactly what they’re planning and don’t give a shit. We’re just animals, after all.

The thought makes my stomach turn.

As I step into the hallway, my enhanced senses immediately pick up a familiar scent – dragon smoke mixed with that distinctive masculine musk that makes my pulse quicken despite my best efforts.

Fury.

I spot him near the far wall, standing at attention in his standard black suit. His eyes scan the room, but when his gaze lands on me, they narrow slightly, making my breath catch.

He and Laurence Webb arrived back from wherever they went during the lunch break. I’ve been dying to know where that is, what they discussed, but with all the security personnel and delegates around, there’s been no opportunity to speak privately.

I force myself to look away before anyone notices my staring. The last thing I need is to alert the team to whatever this thing is between us. I’m not even sure what to call it myself. Alliance? Partnership?

Truce.

It doesn’t hit right anymore. We are officially working together at this point. A fact my Council hates. At least I managed to get reluctant approval to work with Fury after overhearing Harrison in that elevator. They think I’m using him…and I am using him. Just as he is using me.

“There you are, Claire.” Secretary Harrison’s voice pulls me from my thoughts.

I turn to find him approaching, his expression lighter than it’s been all day. The tension that’s been radiating from him during the meetings has eased considerably.

“Yes, sir?”

“I wanted to let you know that you’re free for the evening,” he says, adjusting his tie. “I’m having an informal dinner with some old family friends who live here in Chicago. Nothing work-related, just catching up. You’ve earned a break after these long days. Pour a bubble bath and relax.”

Relief floods through me, though I’m careful not to let it show. “Thank you, sir. I appreciate that.”

“We’ll reconvene for one final session at nine AM, then head to the airport around two. Should have you back in D.C. by evening.” He checks his watch. “Try to get some rest. You’ve been working non-stop.”

If only he knew that rest is the last thing I’m capable of right now.

“I will, sir. Enjoy your dinner.”

Harrison nods and heads toward the elevators, where his close protection detail is waiting. I watch him go, then start walking, my mind already racing through possibilities.

This could be my chance. With Harrison gone for the evening and most of the team off duty, maybe I can find a way to access his computer or at least get into areas of the hotel that were off-limits during the meetings. There has to be something, some piece of intelligence I can—

“Ms. Douglas.”

The deep voice stops me mid-stride. I turn to find Fury approaching, his expression neutral, but his eyes burning with an intensity that makes my skin prickle.

“Mr. Marsh,” I reply formally, hyperaware of the other security personnel still moving through the hallway.

He glances around, then leans slightly closer. “Could I have a word? It’s about tomorrow’s schedule?”

The lie rolls off his tongue smoothly, but I can see the urgency in his gaze. He needs to talk, and from the tension radiating off his massive frame, it’s important.

I nod. “Of course. Conference room B should be empty if you’d like to discuss the details privately.”

We walk in silence down the hallway, maintaining distance even though every cell in my body is hyperaware of his presence beside me. I can feel the heat emanating from him, catch hints of his scent that make my dragon purr with unwanted approval.

She really needs to stop that.

I push open the door to the small conference room we used for overflow meetings earlier. It’s empty, the lights automatically flickering on as we enter. The moment the door closes behind us, the professional facade drops completely.

“What happened in there today?” he asks without preamble, his voice rough with barely contained emotion. “Did you learn anything useful?” His body is tense. “Please tell me you did,” he presses.

I move toward the window, needing distance. “Nothing. At least, nothing that matters to our people.” I sigh. “It was a colossal waste of my time.” All the pent-up frustration from the day comes to the surface.

“What do you mean? They were going to discuss the biological threats. You must have heard something.” He frowns heavily.

“I spent hours listening to discussions about traditional biological threats – anthrax, smallpox, weaponized flu strains.” The frustration I’ve been holding back all day finally breaks free.

“Then, just when they were about to discuss something actually classified, something that could have been important, I was kicked out.”

His expression darkens. “You can’t be serious. You have the necessary clearance level.”

“I’m sorry to disappoint you – I feel it too, believe you me – but I was kicked out.”

“Kicked out how? By whom?”

What the hell is wrong with him?

He’s in one hell of a mood.

“General Delport dismissed all support personnel and security before the classified portion began. No exceptions.” I cross my arms, the memory still stinging.

“Harrison tried to argue that I should stay, but she shut him down immediately. Compartmentalized Intelligence protocols, she said. I had to wait in the hallway for over an hour. That was the meeting about us, I know it was.”

Fury begins pacing the small space between the table and the wall, his giant frame making the area feel even smaller. “Who else was dismissed?” He turns and glares at me.

What is it with all the questions? I have to say, it stings that he doesn’t trust me, even though I shouldn’t be surprised.

We’re enemies, after all.

“Everyone except the core delegates. Dr. Henley from the CDC, some FBI agents, all the security teams, all the assistants.” I watch him pace, noting the way his hands clench into fists.

“I know this isn’t what you wanted to hear.

I feel your frustration, believe me.” I scrutinize him, seeing his set jaw, tight shoulders. “Are you okay, Fury?”

He ignores the question. “Who was leading the discussion after you left?” His eyes are blazing now.

“General Delport, I assume. She’s the one who took control.” I frown at his increasingly agitated state. “Fury, what’s going on? You’re acting like—”

“How long were you outside for? Did you overhear anything useful? Anything at all?” He steps right into my personal space.

“No…I…um… Why are you interrogating me? What the hell happened during your meeting today? I heard you left with Webb to attend some or other important meeting. Is that true?”

He stops pacing and fixes me with a stare. “As much as I want to trust you, Shadow, I can’t shake the feeling that you’re not telling me everything you know. What are you keeping from me? It would be in your best interest to tell me now.”

He has got to be kidding right now. “Excuse me?” I push out, sounding angry, because I am.

Asshole.

“Are you keeping something from me? Some piece of information you think might benefit your people over mine?” he practically growls.

Heat floods my face, anger and hurt warring in my chest. “Are you seriously questioning my honesty right now?”

“Yes, Draiger, I am.”

It hurts even though it shouldn’t, and my blood boils.

“Fuck you, Red!”

“Fucking is off the table, remember?” He cocks a brow.

I make a squeaking noise because I can’t believe him. I cannot!

“I’m questioning your honesty,” he says, his voice dropping to something dangerous. “Why should I believe you? Isn’t it true that you’d sell out Mistveil if it meant saving Draig?”

I stare at him, my dragon snarling beneath my skin. “I thought we were…that… We agreed to help each other, Fury. We made a deal. Because I thought—” I cut myself off, too angry to continue. “I guess I was wrong,” I mutter.

“You thought what?” He narrows his eyes, looking down his nose at me.

“I thought we were actually working together,” I snap. “I thought this truce meant something. I thought perhaps we could trust each other just enough to focus on the real threat instead of this centuries-old bullshit between our islands. We’re the same damned species, after all.”

His jaw clenches. “The real threat being what, exactly?”

“The humans, you idiot!” I throw my hands up in exasperation. “The government that’s been lying to both our peoples for who knows how long. The same government that just held a classified meeting about biological threats that somehow required the highest security clearance imaginable.”

“And you learned nothing from that meeting because you were excluded,” he says, skepticism heavy in his voice.

“Why is it so hard to believe? I’m just a PA.

I learned nothing. Zero. Zilch.” I take a step toward him, my temper flaring.

“But you know what? You don’t believe me.

You think I’m lying to protect my own interests.

So why don’t you go ask your teammates? Maybe you’ll believe Jake Reynolds or Thompson when they tell you the exact same thing I just told you. ”

His eyes stay on mine. “What’s that supposed to mean?”

“It means they were dismissed, too, genius. I already told you that every single member of the security detail was sent out of that room. So, if you think I’m holding back information, go interrogate them. Maybe their word will carry more weight than mine since they’re not Draigers.”

The silence that follows is deafening. Fury stands frozen, his expression cycling through emotions I can’t read. When he finally speaks, his voice is quiet.

“Shadow—”

It sounds like he might want to apologize, only I don’t want to hear it.

“No.” I hold up a hand, my heart pounding with hurt and anger. “Just no. I thought we had an understanding. I thought we were on the same side, working toward the same goal. But it’s clear that I was wrong.”

“It’s just that—” he starts to say, but it’s too late.

I move toward the door, my hands shaking with the effort of keeping my dragon contained.

“You want to know what I think? I think you’re just as prejudiced as every other Red who’s ever dismissed Draigers as inferior.

You want my help when it’s convenient, but the moment things get serious, you can’t bring yourself to actually believe me. ”

“That’s not—”

“It is exactly that.” I yank open the conference room door. “We’re done here.”

“Please. Let me explain.”

“Explain what? That you think I’m a liar? That after everything, everything we’ve been through, you still see me as the enemy?” My voice cracks slightly, and I hate myself for it. “To think I was starting to see you as—”

“As what?”

I snort. “It doesn’t matter. None of it matters. I’m glad you set the record straight.”

I storm out of the conference room, my pulse pounding in my ears. Behind me, I hear his heavy footsteps as he follows.

The area has cleared of delegates, everyone glad to be done for the day.

“Wait, Shadow,” he says, urgency laced in his voice. “I—”

“Go to hell, Fury.”

The words come out cold, but I’m too hurt and angry to care. The funny thing is that I’m not sure why I feel this way. This shouldn’t be affecting me so badly. He’s a Red, not my friend, certainly not… I dismiss the thought before it can develop.

“Whatever you have to say, I don’t want to hear it. Leave me alone. I think it’s better that we work separately going forward.”

I stride toward the nearest elevator and, thankfully, the doors are already open, as if the Universe is finally throwing me a bone.

“Shadow, wait!”

I step inside and immediately punch the button for my floor, then hit the door-close button repeatedly. “We’re done!”

I’m sure he wants to apologize. He needs me. I’m close to Harrison. He’s not only burned this bridge, he’s blown it clean up.

Fury reaches the elevator just as the doors begin to slide shut. “Shadow, we need—” He reaches out, but the doors close, cutting off whatever he was about to say.

Good! I don’t want to hear it.

I lean back against the elevator wall, my heart going nuts inside my chest. I’m done being the only one in this partnership who’s willing to take a leap of faith.

When push came to shove, he couldn’t trust me. He couldn’t find it in himself to believe I wasn’t sharing simply because I had nothing for him.

Asshole.

I’m not sure why I’m so angry. I should have expected this. Why did I let my guard down with him?

I shouldn’t have, and I won’t again.