Page 18
Chapter Eighteen
T o most people, Antony would look almost nonchalant, with the corners of his mouth turning up slightly as if he were about to smile.
However, Iris could see the tenseness of his jaw, the way his eyes became a little distant, and she knew this was hard for him.
Aye, part of her still regretted bringing it up. And yet, the coming days would probably be crazy and busy and she might not have another chance to ask.
Her dragon spoke up. You don’t have to justify asking him. You’re curious about him, just like me.
Aye, but I still feel guilty about not making him orgasm like he did with us.
Later. We both want more than a onetime thing, aye? We need to be genuine.
Still, the longer Antony remained silent, the more she started to think she should tease him or tickle him or distract him somehow. Then he tightened his hold on her waist and said, “I guess I should start by saying my parents weren’t killed because of me or my job. No, it was a car accident. And yes, at first I thought maybe it was staged. However, it wasn’t long before the drunk driver was arrested, confessed, and no amount of background checks by me or my colleagues found anything nefarious. Just an idiot, careless with other people’s lives.”
She squeezed his hand in hers. “I’m sorry.”
He shook his head. “Don’t be. The culprit died, in prison, of natural causes. It can’t bring my parents back, but at least justice was served.”
“Still, it’s not easy, aye?”
“No. Although I haven’t thought about it in years, to be honest. I was more concerned about Max being happy.”
“How old was Max when your parents died?”
“He was just shy of fourteen. Not an easy age to begin with, but he ended up saving me, in a way. After Lisa’s murder, I became obsessed with getting stronger and smarter and more clever about maneuvers. And at the time of the car crash, it’d been over a year since I’d visited my family. I didn’t want to risk them getting hurt, too. Only once I was stronger could I see them. Then I didn’t have a choice because there was no one else alive to take care of my brother.
“At first, I somewhat resented Max because it meant I had a huge liability to look after. But once I saw him at our parents’ funeral, looking lost and not his usual cheerful self, I realized how bloody selfish I was being. He was still a child, his whole world had tilted, and he needed me to step up. To better protect and look after him, I stepped away from the field and analyzed intelligence instead. Little did I know, my desk work would be extremely helpful later on.
“But back to Max—I had to be both brother and parent to him. It’s when I started making jokes again, just to get him to smile. I encouraged his studies and interest in dragon-shifter history, especially archaeology. There was never a dragon-shifter version of Time Team —that old show where they had three days to investigate an archeological site and present their findings—but Max thought that maybe one day he could do it. Much like me, he was charming when needed and could make a good host. And I never laughed at the idea because once he fixated on something, he became somewhat obsessed, even if it got him into trouble.”
Iris chuckled. “Aye, I could see him hosting a show. Whenever I had to take him to archaeological sites, Max often acted as a TV presenter, albeit a rambling one.”
Antony smiled. “He might still do it one day, after he finishes with Dragon’s Court.”
“Maybe. Although given your caution and protectiveness, how did he end up working with you?”
He shrugged one shoulder. “Stubbornness runs in the family, and he built up this image of what I did and how he could save the world. The reality is a lot different, though. And since he has a softer heart than me, he couldn’t live with the tough decisions he had to make.”
She cupped his cheek, wanting to help ease the pain in his eyes. Pain she understood well herself. “Protecting people isn’t always black and white, aye? Sometimes you have to make the difficult decision of who to save and who you can’t.”
“You’ve had to make that type of decision before, too?”
She nodded. “Aye. In the early days as a Protector, before Finn was in charge, the old leader wanted to attack the wee splinter clan, Seahaven, and force the dragon-shifters back to Lochguard.”
Antony searched her eyes. “He wanted to start a war?”
“Aye. Toward the end, Dougal Munro became obsessed with online groups that pushed for dragon domination. He’d heard about Marcus King and Clan Skyhunter, and had even thought of reaching out to him, back before King changed tactics and started working with humans. Dougal thought that if Lochguard and Skyhunter banded together, they could surprise Stonefire and Snowridge and take them over. However, that kind of talk was too extreme for many, even for those who didn’t like humans, and it’s the reason why Lochguard voted to have a new clan leader trial.” She tilted her head and studied Antony, noting how he wasn’t surprised. “But you knew all of that already, didn’t you?”
“Yes. I may, just may, have had an informant inside Lochguard, one who helped garner support for the new clan leader trial to challenge Dougal.”
She should be angry. And yet, Iris had been privy to Dougal’s ramblings, the ones the clan at large hadn’t known about. Dougal hadn’t been in his right mind at the end. “Your meddling might have saved Lochguard and prevented a dragon war. Finn has definitely been the better leader. But just how much meddling have you done over the years?”
“Well, I try to avoid meddling when possible, so very little. But Dougal Munro wanted to start a civil war, one that would’ve killed a lot of people, both human and dragon. It was a calculated choice.”
Iris turned a little to better study Antony’s face. “How did you stay in the shadows for so long? To the point we didn’t know you existed?”
He gave a wry smile. “I was erased and invisible to the outside world for a long time. It was safer that way, especially as the government worked to better protect against hackers and cybersecurity threats. Having humans and dragon-shifters who didn’t have any kind of records, like those on my team, meant our enemies wouldn’t look for us.”
“So what changed to bring you into the light again?”
He shrugged one shoulder. “Rosalind Abbott. When she took over the DDA, she was told about us and she reached out for a meeting. She convinced my superior that slowly having us in public, helping the dragon-shifters and humans alike, would make for better optics. Especially since Rosalind has plans she is determined to see through, ones that concern humans and dragons.”
Iris had suspected for a long time that the DDA Director was playing 3D chess, always a few steps ahead of everyone else. “And you can’t share any of those plans?”
He traced her cheek. “I’m afraid not, my dear. At least, not yet. Once we finish this business with the rogue dragon-shifters and your fellow Protectors, I’ll be recruiting more people to work with my team. Ones I can share everything with. You, too, if you’re still interested by the end.”
Iris wanted to ask more about his proposal. However, at his mention of Zoe, guilt crashed over her. She needed to focus on helping her fellow clan member and changed the topic. “Speaking of Zoe and the others, you still need to tell me what you learned today.”
“Back to work already.” She arched an eyebrow, and he sighed. “Of course. But let’s get cleaned up and sit down to eat, then I’ll tell all.”
As he helped her up off his lap, part of Iris wanted to hold Antony close and go back to cuddling on the sofa.
However, too many people were counting on her. Her wants and needs would have to wait.
Her dragon spoke up. You act like we’ll never be alone with Antony again.
I hope we can be. But if we find the missing dragon-shifters and have to do a rescue mission, anything could happen. We’ve lost people before.
Don’t think like that. Be positive, aye? Dad always says if you think you’re defeated before you even start, it’ll become reality.
I know, dragon. I know.
So Iris did her best to push her worries aside as she cleaned up, dressed, and brought the takeaway containers to the table. Once she and Antony were seated, she asked, “What did you learn?”
He grimaced, and her stomach dropped. This wasn’t going to be good.
Antony wanted to keep Iris safe, and yet he couldn’t keep things from her. That would be the fastest way to lose her.
So once she asked for the news, he took a deep breath and said, “I talked with Dr. Turner about the small object from the town today.”
“So someone managed to retrieve it?”
“Yes, one of my people did, after I left, and they transported it down south to Dr. Turner. The object was a hollowed-out chestnut, filled with a tiny tube and release mechanism.”
“A real one? How did they fit that in there? It’s tiny.”
“Yes, which means time and effort went into making it. However, they made a mistake using a real chestnut because someone on Dr. Turner’s team analyzed the shell down to its components, which tells us it came from a tree in South Ayrshire.”
“Aye, I’ve heard of how certain amounts of elements or what have you can pinpoint a location, but Lochguard has never really had the ability. But does South Ayrshire mean anything?”
He nodded. “There’s another abandoned castle there—Dalquharran Castle. One with a rumored set of secret tunnels.”
She frowned. “That seems too easy and predictable to have the chestnut lead to a place with tunnels. Especially given how much we learned about the dragon hunters and their tunnels a few years ago. It might be a deliberate distraction or a trap.”
“I agree. But the more worrying matter is what Dr. Turner thinks the gas used today will do. Namely, it can kill humans but only knocks out dragon-shifters.”
“I’ve never heard of something working on both humans and dragon-shifters before, since our genetic makeup is a wee bit different. How did they do it?”
He shook his head. “I don’t know. Dr. Turner and her team are still looking into it. However, our job became that much more important, given what someone might use this for—to destroy entire clans in one go.”
Iris shook her head. “That doesn’t make any sense. The dragon hunters in the past said their mission was to protect humans, at any cost. It’s why they want dragon’s blood—to heal everyone. No, they don’t care about killing dragon-shifters in the process. But killing humans? That’s a major shift, if true.”
“I’m still trying to determine if that’s their goal or not. However, I think the incident earlier today in the town was a test. They wanted to see if it would kill me and knock out whoever was watching me.”
“So someone knows you’re working with dragon-shifters?”
“I don’t have any evidence yet, but my gut says yes. I’m waiting for MI5 and the DDA to respond and say what to do. All I know is that we’re to keep investigating Birkwood Castle, and maybe Dalquharran Castle, and to be careful about it.”
“Which means gas masks, and that won’t allow us to be under the radar.”
“Ah, but there is a way we can protect ourselves and still look like a normal person, going about their day.”
“How?”
“One of my gadget treasures is a set of filters that go inside your nose and another set that attaches to your back teeth. They should keep us safe.”
“Should?”
“Yes. It’s not a guarantee. Max may back out because of it, not that I blame him. He has a daughter on the way and a mate to think of.”
He studied Iris, wanting to say she needed to keep her distance until they knew the special filters worked.
However, doing that would push her away and destroy any chance for a future with her. He had to let her do her job and trust she could protect herself.
Not that he liked it.
She’s not like Lisa—she has years of special training. If she can survive, she will find a way.
Although his heart didn’t like the logic, he willed himself to be the rational, level-headed leader he needed to be, not the man falling fast for a certain dragonwoman with lovely brown eyes.
So he asked, “So knowing all of this, do you still want to help with the search around Birkwood Castle?”
“You’re not demanding I refuse and stay far away?”
“No. Even putting aside that I have more respect for you than that, you’d still find a way to scout the area if I said no. However, if you wish to work with Clan Northcastle in Northern Ireland, on their latest lead about the dragon hunters, that option is also available. It’s up to you.”
And even though he’d lost his appetite, Antony forced himself to eat as he waited for Iris’s answer. He wasn’t entirely sure which option he wanted her to pick.
Iris knew Antony well enough now to recognize he wore his forced neutral expression. He wasn’t trying to persuade her one way or the other. No, he trusted her to make the decision, knowing the risks, even if he might not want her near danger.
Her dragon spoke up. As I told you, he’s different.
Even so, she’d still expected him to send her away at the first sign of danger. After all, it’d taken her a long time to convince the male dragon Protectors on Lochguard that she could handle herself.
And yet, with Antony, he’d listened to her frustrations and was giving her the choice. He may be clenching his jaw to keep his mouth shut, but the fact he didn’t order her to flee at the first sign of danger did something to her heart.
Not wanting to focus on how the male was starting to mean something to her, she asked, “If the filters fail, has Dr. Turner found anything that will neutralize a minor exposure to this gas?”
“Not yet, but she’s roped in Dr. Trahern Lewis and Dr. Emily Davies to help her.”
Dr. Trahern Lewis was originally from the Welsh dragon clan but had moved to Stonefire a few years ago. “Isn’t he newly mated, though?”
“Yes. I won’t get into his personal life, as that’s his business, but he seemed eager to bury himself in research. At any rate, they’re working on it, but there’s no guarantee.”
“You want to tell me to stay away, aye?”
“Part of me does, yes. I would say the same to Max. However, both of you have minds of your own, and I’ll respect your choices.”
She tilted her head and studied the human. He was far more honest than most males she knew. Well, apart from a handful who were already mated, and she’d never fancied. Definitely nothing like what she felt for Antony.
A sliver of panic stabbed her heart. Was she making decisions based on him and not just her own goals?
How far would it go? Would he eventually dictate her life? After all, Iris had once trusted a male to respect her job and position, and that had ended in disaster.
Her dragon spoke up. Stop comparing him to the ex-arsehole, and just talk with Antony. If you start building up walls again, I’ll take control and tell him not to give up.
She resisted smiling. You would, too.
Aye, of course. Now, talk with him. He can never replace me, but I wouldn’t mind sharing with him.
I would never replace you, dragon. Ever.
I know. I am brilliant, aye?
She mentally chuckled, but finally replied to Antony, “I want to stay and help you and Max. However, you need to promise not to hover or make decisions based on just my safety and no one else’s.”
“I’ll try my best, I promise. But when it comes to you and Max, I’m not sure if I can be as objective as I am with other members of my team.” Before she could ask what he meant by that, Antony added, “Now, let’s share what we each learned today and start adjusting our plans. Once the other teams arrive, I want to be able to debrief and finalize our search of the area.”
“Have the others found anything?”
“I’m not sure yet. We deliberately compartmentalize. Regardless, we need to make sure there’s nothing near Birkwood before moving elsewhere. I don’t want to overlook something and learn later that Zoe and the others were here the whole time.”
At the regret in his voice, Iris knew he’d had a few failures before. Ones that still haunted him.
She reached across the table, gently squeezed his arm, and released him. He smiled, she did the same, and then they discussed everything they’d learned that day.
As they shared information and strategies, Iris wondered if this could be her future—protecting her clan and her kind, all while still having someone to share her life with when she wasn’t working.
She hoped more than she should that Antony was different. And while she wasn’t going to shut him out to protect herself, if he betrayed her, she might just give up males entirely, no matter what her dragon wanted.