Page 16 of The White Dragon's Dilemma

Tilly rolled her eyes and swung her legs harder.She might be acting a little like a brat, but that was only because they’d nearly lost their mom today and that had shaken her down to her bones. She was using anger to hide her fear.

“I don’t know whether there will be or won’t be,” Caden answered her.“But that’s what the Faith…” Seeing his mother’s warning look, he quickly amended, “That’s whatcertainpeople in the Faith think and they’re preparing for that.”

“By setting bombs?”His mother let out a sharp laugh as if she had never heard something so absurd in her life.She confirmed as much when she added, “That’s ridiculous!”

“Why is it ridiculous?”Tilly’s lower lip was quivering now.“Caden became the Ninth Dragon Shifter because of what they did. Sounds like they have the right idea.”

“That’s monstrous though!The Faith is not about that--”

“You said it wasn’teverybodyin the Faith,” Tilly reminded her.His sister’s arms crossed tightly over her chest.“So maybe the whole Faith isn’t about that, but some of the Faithful are.”

“But--but it's just absurd!”Their mother shook her head as if she couldn’t quite believe it, but did accept it was the truth.

“So, here’s the thing, as crazy as it sounds to us--as crazy as itis--Valerius and I think it would be safer for you guys to stay at High Reach from now on,” Caden finally got out.

Valerius had offered to be with him to make this offer.But Caden had said he should do it alone first.Valerius could come in later.Although maybe Chione would be a better seller of the delights of High Reach than either of them.And maybe he should throw in Rose and Esme too.But he had to be the one to broach this first.

“If we move in here the media will get wind of it and your identity will be revealed,” his mother said in a reasonable tone.

“You’re right.It would be, but considering I intend to reveal who I am anyways it does not matter,” he explained.

Tilly’s head shot up and her mouth opened in an “O” of surprise.He wondered if his sister was happy about that.It would give her some bragging rights.Not to mention plenty of Dragon rides.Iolaire hooted in agreement.She would have had her Dragon rides no matter what.

But it also would separate her from her friends, from everyone.Forever, she would be known as the sister of the Ninth Dragon Shifter.The other Dragons were so old that if they still had living heirs no one knew of them any longer.His family would be the first in history to be connected to a Dragon Shifter. They would be breaking new ground with every breath they took and moves they made and words they spoke.

“Caden, if you do that…” His mother paused and swallowed before continuing in a low, rushed voice, “if you do that there is no going back.There is no being anonymous.You will not be able to have a normal life.”

It was Caden’s turn to swallow.“I know, but the truth is that the moment I became the Ninth Dragon Shifter any chance of a normal life was over.People took risks to give me even a few days of normality and I…” Caden rubbed his hands over his face again.“I am actually ashamed that I let them do that at all.I put people in danger.I allowed evil people to try and use my desire for a normal life against my friends.Landry...”

“She’s getting out, by the way.” His father’s head had been lowered the whole time, not looking at Caden or anyone, but lost in thought.He lifted it now.“Justice St.John let me know.”

“That’s right!”Tilly beamed.“Since the Faith--I mean the bad members of the Faith or--or whatever did the bombings then Landry isn’t going to prison!”

Caden let out a breath he hadn’t known he had been holding.“Thank God, but I thought that she would still be in there for the smoke bombs and whatever else Jasper roped her into.”

His father shook his head.“The only charges they’ve filed are in regard to the smoke bombs.Those aren’t serious.”

“Smoke bombs.Thank God,” he repeated again.

A lightness filled him.Landry was free! She wasn’t going to stay in prison her whole life! He couldn’t wait to talk to her.He’d reach out to her first thing tomorrow and invite her up to High Reach.They had so much to catch up on.

Momentarily, he felt bad about taking her away from Wally.He had left the man with no one to help him but Rose and Marban.But maybe Wally would close the Emporium now.As crazy as that sounded to have Wally existing without his Emporium, Caden would need Wally by his side now that he had decided to fully be the Ninth Dragon Shifter.

“Yes, it’s a good thing, but she revealed your identity to Jasper Hawes, Caden, and her brothers are still very much in Humans First,” his father reminded him.

“Yeah, but Landry isn’t her brothers,” Caden said firmly.“She knows what Humans First is selling is garbage anyways.She’s proved her loyalty to me already.”

“Family has power.She would be going against the hold that has on her just for your friendship,” his father said.

He looked at his father then.His father appeared exhausted, drained and almost defeated. As if the idealistic power of the law that had been kindled in his breast again had been snuffed out.

“Dad, what do you think about living here?”Caden asked.

“Grant is not going to give up our home, Caden!”His mother shook her head in disbelief.“Because it wouldn’t just stop at that.If us being here is the only way we’re safe then how will your father practice law at the firm?Or Tilly go to school?Or me practice with the Faith and do all the charity work that I do?We’d have to give up our lives!”

Caden winced.“I know, Mom.”

She gaped again at him.“I just don’t see--”

---