Page 6 of The Dragon Shifters’ Enemy (Dragon’s Reign #7)

“Yes, ah, look! The court has already sent out a press release.” Chione showed her tablet to his father who glanced at it.

His eyebrows rose and he nodded in appreciation at whatever was written. “You were right, Chione, he really has been thinking about this.”

“Indeed, and it’s clear the respect he has for you.

He’s cited your law review articles, your recent casework, everything.

And stated quite affirmatively that your role helps him more than it helps you.

He wants your perspective. The fact that you are the father of the Ninth Dragon Shifter is important. ”

Caden lost track of their conversation as Tilly’s laughter bubbled up. She and Wally were joking about her “I hate you!” to Lisa Yang.

“Did you think it was immature, Wally? I mean I did shout it out at her like we were in the school yard,” Tilly admitted.

“You got her attention, kid. And no one can doubt that you love and protect your big brother,” Wally assured her. “Ms. Yang won’t ask those types of questions with you around!”

“It was just so unfair! I mean, of course, Caden feels awful about those people! Everybody does! But it was an accident and he’s doing his best,” she said stoutly.

“You were great, Tilly,” Caden assured her. “But, I guess, reporters really aren’t supposed to be fair . They’re supposed to ask the hard questions.”

They’d made it to the massive dining room where they were meeting the other Dragon Shifters. Even with the doors closed, Caden could smell the ham, roast beef, chicken and savory sides. His stomach audibly grumbled as Valerius opened the doors for them.

“Here is the thing about reporters that you must prepare yourself for, Caden, which is that it does not matter in many respects what you say. The press--”

“Ought to be taken out back and killed!” Illarion said around a mouthful of lamb that he’d torn off with his teeth from a bone as they stepped inside.

“We don’t do that here, Illarion.” Caden frowned at the Green Dragon Shifter.

Illarion shrugged as he licked lamb juice off of his fingers. “Eh, you just wait to see how they twist that interview you just did. Already, they are making things up. A dead reporter tells no lies!”

“That’s because a dead reporter is dead ,” Tilly pointed out dryly as she took in Illarion.

The Green Dragon Shifter was standing near a sideboard that was groaning with food. He picked up another lamb chop in greasy fingers as he regarded Tilly. He thrust the lamb chop towards her.

“You were the one who expressed your hatred towards the rudest reporter,” Illarion said.

Tilly crossed her arms over her chest. “Uhm, maybe.”

“Why deny it?! You were brilliant!” He shook the lamb chop at her, which nearly splattered her dress with grease.

“Are you done being a barbarian, Illarion?” Esme asked dryly as she drew Tilly out of grease range.

“Never! Not if it means I must tolerate the questions of impertinent and disrespectful reporters!” Illarion devoured the lamb chop with relish.

Since his mouth was too full to speak, Esme got a word in edgewise and saved Tilly, “Go get yourself something to nosh on. I do have to say that Valerius knows good food.”

“Thank you, Queen Esme!” Tilly curtseyed like a pro, which got her a pat on the head before Tilly scooted off back to their parents.

Esme then turned to Caden and said, “You did very well, Caden.”

Again, Caden wanted to ask, “Really?” But instead he nodded and smiled. “It could have been worse!”

“Always, for certain.” Esme nodded back.

“The thing is that you got across the type of person you are. The press will try to skin every single word, look and gesture down to its core to see if there is some disguise, but the audience will mostly take you at face value. And what they saw was a thoughtful young man who understands the position that many people are in today.”

Caden blinked. That made what he’d done sound quite a bit better than spout off problems without any solutions.

“You were quite inspirational,” Jahara said as she glided over to them, looking elegant and noble.

She had a plate of fruit and cheese in her hands. Purple grapes so dark that their skins were almost black. White cheddar that crumbled when she touched it. Creamy blue cheese that she smeared on some dried apricots. And walnuts that looked to be sugared.

“Thanks. These are great compliments from both of you.” Caden bobbed his head.

“And very well earned.” Valerius kissed his temple. “I will get us some wine. Sit and talk with them.”

Caden reluctantly let the Black Dragon Shifter go.

But he was parched and hopefully Valerius would grab them some food.

On the sideboard, besides the lamb chops that Illarion seemed to think were solely for him, were succulent glazed hams, crispy-skinned roast chickens, two turkeys overloaded with stuffing, prime rib studded with garlic and rosemary and sliced thin with au jus and horseradish sauce, and platters of steaks at all degrees of doneness.

And those were just some of the meat courses.

Roast, mashed and au gratin potatoes filled between the meat courses.

Refreshing salads with tomatoes, cucumbers and mint overflowed bowls.

Green and white asparagus were dressed with lemony yellow hollandaise.

Maple glazed carrots glistened next to piles of bacon and brussel sprouts.

His mouth watered. But he turned back to Esme as she began to explain her thinking.

“You have something we do not: a closeness in perception to what it was like being human and being human in this age,” Esme said as she sipped from a perspiring glass of white wine.

“Young people especially will look to you for support. The fact that you see their problems--had their problems--not all that long ago will aid you in knowing where you want to put your energy.”

“If you have the youth, you have the future,” Jahara agreed.

Kaila came over to them. She had a whole deep fried fish on a plate and was pulling off flaky white fish with her fingers. It smelled so good that Caden almost reached for it himself. She offered to share it.

“Have some! Valerius’ chef has tons more,” Kaila said.

Caden did not have to be asked twice and he pulled off some of the lovely fish that melted in his mouth. It was lemony and spicy too. He took off another hunk, finishing the one side. Kaila turned it over so they could devour the other.

“So what did you think of the interview?” Caden asked her.

“Reporters talk too much.” Kaila shrugged.

Caden suppressed a smile. “You don’t mind what I said?”

Kaila’s eyebrows rose and he wondered if she had even listened to the reporters. “Uhm, it was fine?”

Jahara let out a soft laugh while Esme sniffed or, more like snorted, but she was so ladylike when she did it that it could have been a sniff.

“Just about people feeling bad about where they are in life and not having opportunities. Ah, it doesn’t matter,” Caden said.

Kaila bobbed her head. “Ah, it is good to give people hope. To show them clear seas that they can swim in. But there is always a bigger fish.”

“What do you mean?” Caden asked her.

“That no matter where you are, there is always someone who has more than you.” Another shrug, but this time it was almost eloquent. “So, one must have happiness even if that bigger fish exists.”

“I guess I see what you mean,” Caden nodded.

Kaila lifted the now defleshed fish with a grin. “But, at least, we can eat the smaller ones. I’ll have the chef prepare us another!”

She then turned on her heel and hurried off.

Caden licked his fingers regretfully of the remnants of fish.

Mei and Tez started towards him then. When they caught sight of the other out of the corners of their eyes, they each hurried forward.

Mei seemed to let Tez get ahead when she stuck a foot out.

He nearly went down. She giggled even as Tez glared and narrowed his eyes at her.

But then he just shook his head and they both approached at a sedate pace.

Tez gave Caden a one-armed hug. He had a plate of chicken and potatoes in front of him.

The chicken skin was a golden brown and studded with spices.

The potatoes looked crisp and delicious.

There was truffle mayonnaise beside them.

He could have just gone to get food himself, but he felt he needed to talk to the other Dragon Shifters first about the interview and what he had done.

I don’t need permission. But I do want their thoughts.

“You were brilliant! I clapped when you talked of inequality! When people lose hope of advancement, of feeding their families--or even having one of their own--their lives turn to ashes!” Tez sighed.

Mei sighed and shook her head. “Tez, haven’t you learned that most of the oppressed would eagerly become the oppressors? There will always be a top and a bottom. It’s when the middle gets hollowed out that there’s a problem as the gap is too large.”

Tez frowned. “In a truly egalitarian society, all would have their basic needs met. Everyone who wished to could pursue what they are best at. Without want and lack of basics, society becomes better.”

“You used the words wished to ,” Mei pointed out with a snort of derision. “Many do not wish to do anything.”

“And why should they? Life is about beauty and enjoying oneself! One need not work to find happiness. Often, people work in order to afford their happiness. We should remove that,” Tez said.

“But what about those who simply work harder or smarter than everyone else?” Mei pushed back. “Shouldn’t they be rewarded for that? Should they have to carry those who do not wish to work on their back?”

“Rewarded yes? But with so much they could not spend it in even one of our immortal lifetimes?” Tez spread his arms wide. “While others go without basics like clean water and ample food and a roof over their head? Inequality destroys societies. The poor will rise up.”

“If the poor cannot get themselves out of the position they are in, I hardly think we’re in danger of them putting together an uprising.” Mei waved a hand through the air.

“But, Mei, people are rising up,” Caden pointed out. “Humans First? Even this crazed idea in the Faith! My father, who is smart and capable and on the top of the pile in a lot of ways for humans before this, felt the squeeze. If he’s feeling it, imagine what other people are experiencing.”

Anwar’s voice rose up then, “I admire your audacity, Caden. It fits with what I saw you do on the streets today.” The Silver Dragon Shifter seemed to glide over to him on silent feet.

His handsome face was wreathed in smiles, but his eyes were shadowed.

“And I do agree that there is unrest out there due to inequality, but…”

Valerius stepped to his side then and handed Caden food and wine as he asked, “But, Anwar?”

The Silver Dragon Shifter’s eyes narrowed. “But there is another force that is making anger burn hotter, hatred seethe more readily, and even corrupting the minds of the Faithful.”

A chill ran down Caden’s spine. “You mean there’s an actual enemy--a singular enemy--that we can face to stop some of what’s happening?”

Anwar nodded. “It wants to enter this world and needs death and chaos to do so. Its name is Behemoth.”