Chapter 3 #3
His dragon snorted. You just worry that you’ll like her more than you think.
Thankfully, Iris spoke up and he focused on her reply, “Just listen to our plans and goals first before you protest. Can you do that?”
He grunted. “Aye, but get to the point quickly.”
She smiled. “First, you do a brilliant job with the resources you have, Cam. But for this, we’ll have some of our team, as well as a few Protectors from Lochguard, ready to help. Those from our team are already living in the area, and have been for weeks.”
Cam narrowed his eyes. “Which means despite the information you received last night, you thought something like this would happen.”
Antony replied, “Yes, of course. Part of my job is predicting what might happen and safeguarding against it. Dr. Davies has been a possible target for ages, but the probability of her being kidnapped on Stonefire was low. Seahaven’s numbers put her at a higher risk, and I wanted to be prepared.
Dr. Davies is too much of an asset to lose, no matter where she is. ”
Euan spoke again. “Don’t take it personally, lad.
Whilst we’ve built up good relations with most of the humans in the area, all it takes is for one to be tempted by the dragon hunters’ money and betray us.
And if that happened, we might never recover.
The DDA could force us to disband and scatter amongst the other dragon clans.
And aye, Dr. Davies is that important. If she’s harmed in our care, that’s the end of Seahaven. ”
Even if he’d resented being tossed out of Lochguard as a teenager, Seahaven had become Cam’s home. The thought of his friends and family being scattered across the UK made his stomach churn. He couldn’t do that to them.
His dragon spoke up. It won’t be that difficult to pretend for a bit. And who knows, maybe you’ll enjoy living with Emily.
Ignoring his dragon, he replied, “I don’t really have a choice in this matter, do I?”
Antony shrugged. “You can say no, but then Dr. Davies’ breakthrough might never happen, and that will hurt your kind.”
Iris jumped in. “What Antony is deliberately being vague about is that she’s here to use some local plant life—both from the land and sea—to counteract some of the dragon hunter poisons. Specifically, to protect against them ahead of time.”
Euan bobbed his head. “If she’s successful, her and Daniel both, then it could make taking down the dragon hunters that much easier.”
Which meant no, he didn’t really have a choice.
His dragon spoke up. It won’t be that bad, and if we can help get one step closer to defeating the dragon hunters, we need to do it, aye?
Maybe in his early Protector years, Cam might’ve protested more and put up a fight.
However, he’d been doing his job long enough to acknowledge Seahaven was the most vulnerable dragon clan in the UK. And if he didn’t do his part, one attack from the hunters could end the life and sanctuary they’d made here.
He said to his beast, Just don’t push me when it comes to Dr. Davies. I’ll be polite, and ensure her safety. But that’s it, dragon—she’ll never be more than a job to me.
His beast sniffed. I won’t push. Much. But I like her, and you think she’s bonnie, too. Maybe just be open to seeing if we suit, aye?
Cam was about to argue some more, but Euan’s voice snapped him back to the present. “Well? Will you help, Cam? It’s a lot to ask, but Emily seems nice enough and who knows, you might even become friends.”
He looked at Iris, the more direct of the Holbrook pair. “Will you promise to be upfront on this going forward? That means no keeping secrets if it’s related to Seahaven or Dr. Davies.”
Iris replied, “Aye, I will. We will. Won’t we, Antony?”
Antony brushed some invisible dust off his sleeve. “I suppose. Provided Cam is just as open with us, and that you make it worth my while later, my dear.”
Iris sighed, but her pupils flashed with heat and amusement. “We’ll see.”
They stared at one another, having a conversation without words, and Cam ignored the stab of jealousy to his heart.
His beast spoke up. If someone as secretive as Antony Holbrook can find someone to trust and love, we can do the same.
Cam replied to the pair, “Then aye, I’ll go along with your plan.”
Antony said, “Brilliant. Now, let’s go over a few details before we share the joyous news with Dr. Davies.”
As he listened to the details—ranging from the operatives settled in the nearby villages to the hidden location of a base Antony and Iris used in the Scottish Highlands—his respect for Antony and Iris kicked up a few notches.
Oh, Antony was still an annoying arse, but he was clever and clearly had resources Cam could only dream of.
Once they finally had an overall plan nailed down, Euan sent a message to Daniel, and they waited for him and Emily to arrive. Part of Cam hoped she’d refuse and demand to go back to Stonefire, and the other part wanted her to say yes so he could help capture some dragon hunters.
That was the only reason, though. He most definitely didn’t look forward to riling her up again like he’d done earlier. Not at all.