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Chapter Sixteen

A fter two days of watching the other female dragon-shifters, Zoe was starting to notice alliances. Namely, the ones who wanted to trust that she would help them and those who viewed her as a traitor for not hating humans. Most of the latter group were also open to Chelsea’s plan of dragon world domination. A few trusted no one but themselves.

Her cousin, Rebecca, was on the fence about whom to believe. She rarely talked with Zoe, yet she kept stealing glances, as if wanting to learn more, but was afraid to.

Zoe nearly reached out to her dragon but stopped since she was still silent. She missed her inner beast more than anything else.

However, the lack of their second half was hard for any dragon-shifter, and it was an angle she’d been testing out with the others. Because Zoe doubted their captors would ever let them have their beasts back, and even though everyone probably knew that on some level, voicing it had made a few females less hostile toward her.

Some, though, said Chelsea would find a way to bring back their inner beasts once they escaped.

Rubbing her forehead, Zoe resisted sighing. Bloody hell, she’d never envisioned having to play politics like this. And yet, if she ever wanted to get free, she would have to.

As she mentally went through the list of females she wanted to talk with today, Bethan, the Welsh dragon in her cell, said, “You still haven’t said why they put you in here with us.”

“That’s because I don’t know.”

“Right, I’m sure you don’t.”

Zoe rolled her eyes. “Believe me or not, I don’t care. As I said, I was meeting a DDA liaison and the next thing I knew, I ended up here.” Thankfully, she’d regained her strength, so she stood and studied Bethan. “How did you end up in here?”

Silence.

That was something no one had wanted to discuss, along with Zoe’s news about the mass grave. Some still refused to believe her, although she thought it might be because of denial rather than true disbelief.

Zoe shrugged. “Aye, well, then there’s not much else to discuss.”

The female fell silent, and Zoe pretended to study her nails as she checked out the cell across from hers. Her biggest conquest so far was the female formerly from Skyhunter named Gemma. Even so, the female hadn’t revealed much beyond how someone had shot canisters of something into their settlement back in the Cairngorms. And then she’d woken up here.

Zoe was starting to think there had been two types of gas—one to knock out everyone and allow someone to take the females of childbearing age, and another to kill the rest.

And to think, she’d been on a treasure hunt with Logan Lamont and Emma MacAllister not too long ago, and now she was trying to convince traitors to trust her.

Bethan went to her bunk and turned her back, feigning sleep. Zoe was about to talk with Gemma again, to see if she could learn even more, when her cousin walked over to her and said, “I believe you were meeting with that DDA person.”

Hiding her surprise, she replied, “Why?”

Rebecca frowned. “What do you mean, why?”

“Why now and not before?”

Her cousin lowered her voice. “It’s the most likely scenario. Even if I didn’t agree with Finn about the humans, I can’t imagine him imprisoning all of us and putting you in here, too, to find out information.”

“It would be rather elaborate, aye? And expensive.” She studied Rebecca a beat and decided to push a wee bit. After walking to the corner, she waited for Rebecca to follow before lowering her voice so no one else should be able to hear. “Who would want to put us all together, then?”

Emotions flitted across her cousin’s face—uncertainty, worry, fear, and finally resignation. As if she’d made a decision.

Zoe might be one of the younger Protectors, but she had learned a while ago when to keep silent and when to talk. And so she waited.

Eventually, Rebecca leaned over to her ear and whispered so softly Zoe almost missed it. “When they moved us in here, I had started to wake up.” She paused, and Zoe didn’t even dare to breathe until her cousin spoke again. “They mentioned a ‘she’ was in charge. Someone named Green. Do you know who that is?”

A female named Green? Then it hit her—Margot Green was Simon Bourne’s half-sister. Bourne was in charge of the dragon hunters, and recently, Margot had caused some trouble for Stonefire. Zoe’s gut said that was the “she” they’d referred to, which meant Bourne’s sister was a bigger threat than they’d first surmised.

Zoe’s triumph at learning the information was quickly replaced with anger. Had the rogue dragon-shifters kept their people in the dark about possible enemies? Even if they believed humans were beneath them, the dragon hunters had dangerous weapons that could hurt or fatally wound dragon-shifters. And they should’ve been warned.

But before she could prod for more information, the daily lunch arrived. The human males who delivered it wore masks, like always, and didn’t say a word as they pushed small troughs into each cell. Her cousin went to grab a sandwich—no one had been poisoned…yet—and Zoe lost her chance to ask more questions.

However, she’d learned something extremely important. So as she watched everyone eat, she went through what she knew about Simon Bourne, his sister, the dragon hunters, and anything else she could use to better understand their captors. Because understanding them would be the key to escaping, or at least give her a way to signal to her clan members where she was.

Over the next day, as Iris spent more time with Antony, she became more and more impressed. He had a knack for talking with informants and allies, smoothly transitioning from small talk to vital information, all while charming people along the way. He might be cocky, but he should be. Iris would never have the skill of coaxing someone to share more information like he could. Or suffer through small talk long enough to look natural before learning what she really wanted to know.

Since she wore the special contacts that hid her flashing dragon eyes—she was in a town near Birkwood Castle, discreetly watching Antony’s back—her dragon spoke up. We have better observation and tracking skills. Don’t compare. That way lies madness.

Aye, I know. Now, hush. I’ve seen that male walk by twice before.

She sipped her coffee, watching as the human male slowed down his pace as he passed Antony talking to a female informant. The female ran the local florist shop, was in her sixties, and kept touching Antony’s arm. But whenever she did, Antony made a quip, and she laughed.

As the female did it again, Iris ignored her to watch the male. He dropped something a few feet from where Antony was standing and quickly strode away. Antony had seen it, though, and discreetly kicked it into the street. Once it rolled to a stop, a few seconds passed before it released a tiny amount of gas, one she could see because of her keen eyesight.

Damn, someone was on to them.

Antony ushered the female inside her shop. Iris itched to investigate the small object in the street, but knew someone—or many someones—were waiting and watching for exactly that.

So she stayed put, leisurely finishing her drink and muffin before finally leaving the small cafe. She deliberately walked away from the small object and down the route she and Antony had agreed upon earlier. Except at the hidden meeting spot in a nearby forest, she didn’t find Antony but his younger brother, Max.

The blond-haired human lacked his battered fedora today, though, and wore almost normal looking clothes in jeans and a button-down shirt. He tugged at his sleeves—an action that reminded her of Antony—before he spotted her. He winked and waited for her to get close enough before he murmured, “My brother called in the cavalry, and so here I am.”

She blinked. “For what?”

“The local council is thinking of tearing down Birkwood Castle, but first needs an archaeologist to take a look. Since some records say a dragon-shifter village existed there over a thousand years ago, there might be something of historical significance, near or under it. And as you know, I’m quite famous for dragon-shifter archaeology these days.”

Max had recently discovered Dragon’s Court, an extensive dragon-shifter piece of history, with his dragon mate, Lavinia. The pair and their discovery had been everywhere in the news and online. “Aye, well, that still doesn’t explain why you’re here in this forest and not your brother.”

“You used to love me, Iris. What happened?”

She muttered, “I miss the clown you used to be.”

Max grinned. “In public, I still am, sometimes. But things will move faster if I get to the point and not ramble about the finer points of Roman mosaics for an hour.”

“Aye, good point. So get to it.”

Max shrugged. “You’re to be my security guard. That’s all I know.”

Iris checked the secure phone Antony had given her. There was a brief message: Be patient. Go with him.

After trying to read between the lines for so many years, cynical Iris thought it was a ploy to get her away from danger. And yet, Antony loved his brother, and she wanted to believe he’d picked her because of how much Max meant to him.

Pushing her cynicism away, she gestured down a path, one that led to the car Antony had given her to use. “How did you get roped in so quickly?”

“My brother has helped me a lot over the years, but he rarely calls in a favor. So when he asked, I couldn’t say no.” He studied Iris a beat before adding, “My brother sings your praises now. Said if he couldn’t watch over me, then you’re the next best thing.”

Ignoring the thrill at Antony’s compliment, she drawled, “Probably because I know how you can wander off and get into trouble.”

“Well, I had to be a convincing fool. I’ll probably wander a bit this time, too, just to make it authentic.”

Even though she shouldn’t venture into anything personal—because Max might then ask her something too—she couldn’t help but ask, “Your mate must be exhausted by the double life, aye?”

A soft look came over Max’s face. “Lavinia gets to play up scolding me in public and has a lot of fun with it. Maybe one day I can drop the act entirely. However, when we’re alone, we get to be ourselves.” He raised an eyebrow. “Given how much my brother talks about you now, my guess is that he gets to be himself with you.”

Damn Max and his perceptiveness. “I don’t know what you mean.”

“Suit yourself. But just don’t hurt my brother, Iris. He’s been through a lot, as I’m sure you know by now, and he deserves a little happiness. More than painting cats and dogs and watching other people experience joy at his efforts, but never sharing it with him.”

Iris could lie and say she couldn’t hurt Antony because there was nothing there.

And yet, Max was showing his true colors with her, no longer hiding like he did with most of the world.

Her dragon spoke up. I’ve always rather liked him. Even if I miss his other persona, his true colors show more of how he and Antony are a lot alike in some ways.

Except that Antony is a lot more attractive. And charismatic. And clever.

Good to see the last two days haven’t changed your mind about giving him a chance.

After the car ride down to southern Scotland, they’d spent all of their time meeting with Kai and Trina, as well as figuring out plans.

The car ride had been full of sexual tension. Every time Antony had accidentally touched her, her heart rate had kicked up. And when she’d done the same, he’d also reacted.

And yet, there had never been a moment to explore more.

She replied to her dragon. No, I haven’t changed my mind. And I never would’ve guessed that wanting to bed a male would be such a strong motivation for finishing a job.

Her beast sniffed. Well, we never met a male like Antony before.

Max’s voice prevented her from replying to her beast. “You must be wearing those contacts my brother talked about. I don’t like them. Flashing dragon eyes help me better understand when to talk or not.”

Her dragon remained silent as Iris unlocked the car doors and gestured them inside. Once they were seated, she replied, “Well, I’ll have to pretend to be a human security guard, so I have no choice, aye?”

Once she was on the road, heading back toward Lesmahagow near Birkwood Castle, Max spoke again. “So, does my brother drop his mask around you?”

She raised an eyebrow but kept her eyes on the road. “I could refuse to answer.”

Max grinned. “You could, but I don’t think you will. Because I can go on about the mural found near Dragon’s Court, the hidden secrets, and how we found it. I mean, some of the mosaic-like art was bloody amazing. It must’ve taken forever to?—”

Iris sighed. “You’re playing that part again, are you?”

“Hey, you said you missed it.”

Iris gripped the steering wheel tighter, released her fingers a little, and gripped it again. Her dragon spoke up. Think of it this way—you can also learn more about Antony by telling Max a wee bit.

Aye, I know, dragon. But that means talking about myself.

He won’t use things against you, like our ex-arsehole. Max has always gone on about how brilliant a flyer we are.

Of course you remember that.

Just talk with him.

Iris glanced over at Max, who was studying her. He said, “You were talking with your dragon. You have a tell.”

She frowned. “What the bloody hell are you talking about?”

“Your mouth twitches up and down, depending on whether you agree or disagree. Or, at least, that’s my theory.”

For all that she’d been told about how Max had once worked for his brother, she’d never really believed it. Until now. “I’m not sure about that, but I’ll have to be more careful in the future.”

He waved a hand in dismissal. “We’re nearly family, and I would never betray you like that.”

Panic surged in her chest. “Listen, I don’t know what Antony told you?—”

“No, no, nothing like that. You and I have spent a lot of time together over the years, is all. And now we’re working together again. If not family, then I’d like to think we’re friends.”

A year ago, Iris would’ve snorted at the concept. And yet, she’d let down her guard bit by bit with the formerly clueless human. And now that she knew him a wee bit better, and sort of fancied his brother, she didn’t want to push Max away.

“Friends. Sort of. But don’t expect me to bail your arse out in the middle of the night.”

“Oh, I have a mate and we’re rather busy at night. Well, until the baby arrives, at any rate.”

“That’s right, I forgot about that. I’m surprised you would leave Lavinia alone.”

He snorted. “Lavinia doesn’t want to stay in bed and be pampered. It drives her mad. But Antony has people watching over her on Skyhunter and at the dig site, so I know she’ll be okay for a few days. She’s the one who convinced me to come to Scotland.”

That’s right—Max and his mate had moved to Clan Skyhunter, in the south of England. “Seeing as we’re friends now, tell me about Dr. Turner and your brother, aye?”

“Not the most deft change of topic. However, I truly don’t know Antony’s secret plans, or team members, or projects. So, sorry, I can’t help you. Dr. Turner is nice enough. She even told us we’re having a daughter, despite the silly dragon-shifter tradition of waiting.”

She could push, but decided not to. Max was trying to be her friend, and she needed to stay on topic and not constantly change it. However, she wasn’t good at chatting about bairns, and she blurted the first thing she could think of. “A female bairn? Well, the theory of a human male father and a female dragon-shifter mother having a greater chance of producing females seems to be true.”

“Seems so. So if Antony ends up your true mate, you’ll probably have a daughter as well. If you hurry, they’ll be close in age!”

She gripped the steering wheel tighter. “I can’t determine who’s my true mate, as you well know. And I’m certainly not planning out bairns.”

“Either way, you’ll need to help train my daughter. Given me and Lavinia are her parents, she’ll probably have an adventurous spirit, and I’d rather she be able to defend herself.”

Iris smiled. “Aye, maybe I can do that. If you convince other dragon parents to let me do the same.”

“Out to change the world, I see. I’ll work on it. Now, ask me.”

“Ask you what?”

“Oh, come on, Iris. You’re burning to ask me about Antony. He’s nowhere near as brilliant as me, of course, but he’s still a great catch.”

“I see that cockiness runs in the family.”

“It’s not cocky if it’s true.”

She snorted. “You two are more alike than I’d realized.”

“Your window to ask questions is going away in three, two?—”

“And you’re back to being annoying.” Max shrugged, held up three fingers, and started counting down again. So she blurted, “How are you so close, given the age difference?”

He frowned. “Antony didn’t tell you? Well, that is rather personal and you can ask him about the details. All I’ll say is that he raised me once our parents died.”

“So you’re giving me just enough to be interested, so I’ll ask your brother?”

“That’s the plan. Is it working?”

She shook her head. “How about we discuss your survey plans instead?”

Max sighed. “You’re no fun, but fine. What do you want to know?”

And as Max went over his plans for Birkwood Castle, Iris kept wanting to ask more about Antony raising Max. Especially since Antony had gone through a lot of tragedy with his ex-fiancée, and now she’d learned of this. Had he suffered even more when his parents died? Most likely after losing his female, given the ten or so years between Antony and Max.

Her dragon spoke up. At least we had our parents.

Iris had often been irritated by her mum and dad. Her mother had wanted her to attend university, maybe even become a doctor, but Iris had never wanted that future. Her father had been slightly more understanding, but still had wanted her to do something less dangerous than clan security.

However, just thinking of them dying in her early twenties made her heart squeeze.

More than ever, she wanted to finish this bloody investigation, rescue Zoe, and have the time to learn more about Antony Holbrook and see if he could be a male she trusted not to hurt her.