Page 45 of Bryce

“Why did you hold information back from us, then? From them? They hadn’t a clue the Gwydions might be practically on their doorstep, yet I’d be deeply surprised if you hadn’t done your research much earlier on. You’re nothing if not thorough.”

“I would normally take that as a compliment.”

“I meant it as one, truly,” I added when her eyes narrowed. “You’re quite thorough. But I stand by the assertion that the dragons would have been better off knowing how close they’ve been to danger all this time.”

I looked down at the map which she’d already been emailed, the one I’d located in the mansion’s basement. Like a war room, it was, one wall lined with screens, computer terminals lining another. The Gwydions had taken to technology. “You’ve seen the map containing the properties they own, I imagine.”

“I have.”

“Five of them. With this mountain in the center. Like a bull’s eye.”

“I know.”

“What are the odds of such an arrangement in Scotland?”

“We’re looking into it now, and I’ve alerted Alan to this new development, in case you were about to ask.”

“If Isla’s clan is in danger of attack, they deserve to know.”

“Isla.” Her eyes darkened. “I see. Another attachment formed.”

The change in her voice and demeanor sent a bolt of awareness through me. My lion paced, looking out at her through my eyes. Who were we looking at, truly? “Did you take the letter I left for her?”

“Did I what?”

“The letter. Did you take it before she could find it?”

She scoffed. “I don’t know what you’re talking about.”

Didn’t she? I leaned in, my face close to the camera. It would fill her screen, just as I wanted it to. “I owe you my life. None of us owes you less than that. But if you believe that gives you the right to manage our lives, you’re sadly mistaken. The misunderstanding caused by the missing letter has been smoothed over.”

She pursed her lips, nostrils flaring. “Does this mean I’ll be losing you, too? As I did Klaus?”

“Is that how you see it? I’m sorry you do.” And with that, she’d shown her hand.

It was best to move on to other matters, else this would only continue to devolve. “They’re loading up two trucks now. We plan to move out at sunset.”

She shuffled papers on her desk, clearing her throat. “The communication channels have been quiet. Whether they’re remaining mum on the arrival of the team or are still unaware of their presence remains to be seen.”

“I’ll bring the radios and alert you when we move out.”

“And I’ll make sure to be in touch with anything I hear.”

I left it there, ending the call while I could still stand the sight of her. How could she be so intrusive? How could she interfere in my life?

“You all right?” Gate stepped into the room. “I didn’t want to interrupt while you were on the call.”

“It might have been better if you had.” I looked him up and down. “Feeling better?”

“My old self, though Martina still insists I stay behind this time around.” He rubbed the back of his neck, uncomfortable with it.

“I would never blame you for staying here, no matter the reason. Besides, this gives me one less thing to worry about.” I stood, nudging him good-naturedly as I passed. “Do you think either she or her mother would let me live in peace if anything happened to you? And with us on the move, there’s a greater chance of an attack on the mountain. The more of you here, the better for everyone.”

“Bryce?” Pierce called out, waving me over to where he was in conference with Smoke and Fence. “I need you here.”

I pushed thoughts of Mary’s deception aside in favor of the job before me. We had what was shaping up to be a rescue mission on our hands.

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