Page 17 of The Dragon Recruit
“I know how to do my job, Antony.”
“Then why am I here?”
She leaned forward. “Because your team is going to work with my department on this.”
He buffed his nails. “My team doesn’t exist, Rosalind. Therefore, we can’t work with anyone.”
“The Prime Minister, as well as the heads of MI5 and MI6, all said you will this time.”
Antony frowned. “What?”
“You heard me. If we can’t contain this, or if more mass dragon graves are found, then the humans will panic. Probably beyond our borders, given how fast information travels these days. And as much as it pains me to say it, your team is one of the best. We need you. Please.”
The DDA Director almost sounded desperate, which was new. So he dropped his act and said, “We are already working on it, which my superiors know. Meaning there must be another reason why they ordered us to work with you.”
She nodded. “Yes. For this assignment, your team is getting some new blood—some dragon-shifters and a human woman.”
“Wait, no. I pick my own team members. I always have and I always will. I won’t have some unvetted, bumbling idiot ruining everything.”
A secret door slid open, and several familiar dragon-shifters strode in: Kai Sutherland from Stonefire, Robin Driscoll from Skyhunter, Wren Jones from Snowridge, Kaine Ferris from Northcastle, and Killian O’Shea from Glenlough.
They were all head Protectors, in charge of security for the various dragon clans.
Kai drawled, “The bumbling idiots have arrived, human.”
He snorted. “And so you have.”
There were a few growls, but Antony merely stood. At his full height, he was only a few inches shorter than most of the dragonmen. He looked at each in turn as he said lightly, “I may be human, but I know every single way to incapacitate a dragon-shifter. Remember that.”
As Kaine opened his mouth, Rosalind stood and spoke first. “Now, now, lads, I know the lot of you are used to being in charge. But for now, you’re going to work together. Antony is technically in charge, but only just. And I would think the security of your clans and countries should be more important than a figurative cock measuring contest.”
The corner of Antony’s mouth kicked up. “Did you just say cock, Rosalind?”
The DDA Director raised her dark eyebrows. “A woman doesn’t get to where I am without hearing far worse.” She looked at each person in turn. “Lochguard elected to send Iris Mahajan as their representative, given the situation on Lochguard, and she’ll join you soon. For now, let’s review what we know and how far you can go past the usual laws and boundaries to clean up this little problem.”
As Rosalind went over things Antony already knew, he covertly studied the dragon-shifters. Throwing a tantrum would get him nowhere, but he didn’t fully trust all of them. Yes, some more than others. But it would be far better to have someone from his usual crew paired up with each of them. His people would grumble, but teams would be the fastest and safest way to proceed.
And he knew exactly who would be his partner, too.
Back at the secret facility, Iris waited for Scarlett’s answer. Would she finally be able to shift back to her human form?
The doctor stood inside the room, without any protective equipment, checking something on her tablet. She wanted to scream for the female to hurry up, but knew she was just doing her job.
Besides, over the last five days, Iris had grown to like the doctor’s sense of humor and honesty. Iris didn’t have any female friends, really, but she kind of wanted to be Scarlett’s.
Her dragon spoke up.The lack of friends is your fault. Kiyana has invited us loads of times to have coffee or a meal, and you always brush her off.
She always asked when I was busy. Besides, I think she only does that because Mum asked her to.
Kiyana Boyd spent a lot of time in the clan archives, researching one thing or another. And Iris’s mother ran the archives.
Her dragon sighed.I don’t even know why I try.
Scarlett’s voice prevented her from replying to her beast. “Everything points to you being healthy enough to shift. However, that being said, I will need to examine and run some tests on your human form. I brought some clothes so you can spare any passing humans the embarrassment. And don’t worry, Holbrook isn’t here, so he won’t come peek while you change.” Heading toward the door, Scarlett added, “The clothes are in the room next door. I’ll be back shortly to finish my examination. Fingers crossed, you’ll be cleared and can join the others.”
She tilted her head in question, and Scarlett shook hers. “I shouldn’t have said that. Usually I’m better at keeping secrets,but I’ve been chattering for days to you since you can’t answer without the prototype. Holbrook will fill you in once I clear you.”
With that, the doctor strode out of the room, and Iris’s dragon spoke up.Let’s shift so you can get answers. This stewing for days is tiring.
