Page 40 of The Alliance

“Good afternoon,” I said.

“Please join me. Unless you were busy,” he added.

“Not at all.”

Ireallywasn’t busy.

The room was large and well-lit, but it had a homely feel to it. Probably the rugs and stuff. I wasn’t particularly interested in home décor.

As I crossed to the chair opposite John, which he indicated, I nodded at Darren. The gargoyle was standing beside John, against the wall. I knew enough of gargoyles to know that they did that, stood back, observed, guarded. They were excellent fighters. Their magic was defensive.

Sure enough, when I sat and studied John, I could see all sorts of protections over him.

If the elder had to be away from her mate, it seemed logical that she would leave the gargoyle to watch over him.

“It must be strange for you to be around so many dragons.”

I nodded. “A bit.”

The older man smiled at me and something about it was so understanding that I actually expanded on myanswer.

“I can sense them all around me. Surrounding me.”

“I suppose that makes you feel trapped, if you’ve always thought of dragons as your enemy.”

The simple way he put it made something inside of me crack. For a man with no power, he somehow understood exactly what it was like for me. To be the odd one out among the creatures my body told me were dangerous.

My throat became tight and I was afraid my voice would squeak if I spoke, so I nodded.

“Does it bother you that your mate is a dragon?”

“No.” I was grateful my voice stayed steady.

“But his family is a different matter.”

“I don’t mind them being dragons. I just need to get used to them. And not frighten them.”

“Ah, yes. They are rather wary of you. It’s amusing, actually, to see them all bristle when you walk in, even thoughtheyare the apex predator in the room.”

“Dragons are deadly warriors,” I agreed.

John shrugged. “Some of them are. I don’t think Dimpy has been in a fight in his life. And he’s unlikely to start now. His mate has an aversion to blood.”

I nodded, slightly bemused.

John asked, “You’re never worried that your mate is afraid of you?”

I snorted with amusement. “I’m more worried that he’snotafraid of anyone, least of all me. He’s the Guardian.” I paused, realising I’d just repeated the phrase Glimmer had used to describe himself when we’d met, and I hadn’t understood at all. “I mean, he’s a warrior who takes his responsibility of protecting his clan very seriously. He defends them. Against anything, includingridire.”

“Yes, I believe Edith is giving the alliance some time to settle and for Alfie to become comfortable with his role, and then she’ll have some questions for you about how best to defend againstridire.”

I was not at all sure I wanted to speak to Edith, but I knew better than to say so.

John seemed to notice, though. He shrugged apologetically. “I’m afraid dragons are like that. Very protective. Especially the elders. I’m surprised she hasn’t asked you already. No dragon has ever had the chance to talk to aridirebefore.”

“Ex-ridire,” I corrected.

“Oh, yes of course!”

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