Page 37 of Claim the Dragon
“We’re not like vampires or witches or even the fae, who can use their glamour to look like humans.Each time we take on our true form we knock down buildings, destroy whole blocks.And if there are humans near, we risk causing a widespread panic at seeing a big-ass dragon walking along these streets.This isn’t the movies, Steele, and we’re not Godzilla,” Aiken countered.
“But this is a time of war,” Ziva said solemnly.“The Royal Blood is pissed at us for killing one of their own months ago.They’re going to strike back and what’re we going to do, stay hidden here in this mountain while they bring their creepy bloodsucking violence to the city?”
“But we’re talking about an Egyptian dagger and a few mummies,” Aiken said.“Not the freakin’ Royal Blood that’s at least eight hundred deep in Burgess alone.”
“It was more like a few dozen mummies and they were steadily coming, from where I don’t know, but there didn’t seem to be a pause button to their intro,” Steele told them.“What I’m trying to tell you is that I don’t think Robles having that dagger was a mistake.Isla’s doing deeper background checks on the guy and I’m certain she’s going to find something to help piece this together.”He was also hoping whatever she turned up didn’t somehow link to Ravyn.
“Okay, and say that she does find something and it connects to a bigger preternatural problem?We’ll come together and we’ll deal with that.But in the meantime, you need to deal with that human, who knows way too much right now,” Theo said.
Steele looked at him, wanting to say that Theo hadn’t been thinking along those lines when he’d let Shola stay here and then revealed not just himself but every one of them to her.He didn’t say it because he knew those were different circumstances and as it turned out, Shola was a demigoddess.That meant she wasn’t a normal human like Ravyn.
“I’ll handle it,” Steele said and stood, pushing the chair back.“But this is big.Those mummies were being controlled by someone or something.”
Bleu shook his head.“That’s ridiculous.Mummies have free will.”
“Right, but ancient Egyptians believed so much in life after death that they began mummifying just about everybody, especially soldiers to protect the tombs of the pharaohs,” Steele said.
“You’re thinking they’re being controlled by the curse?”Magnum asked.“Coming after whoever has that dagger.”
He nodded.“Coming after Ravyn.”The words stung the back of his throat and Steele’s hands fisted at his sides.“It’s our job to protect the humans.I won’t let her die.”
Magnum’s look was full of more sorrow than understanding, but Steele ignored it.He didn’t want to rehash the past with his brother, not when he had a chance to make a better decision now.
“I want to hear Isla’s report as soon as possible,” Theo said.“Bleu, you find out about every being that’s strong enough to control an army of mummies.Magnum and Reese, head back to the hotel to see what you can find.”
“Ziva and I will stay here,” Shola said, her gaze settling on Steele.“For Ravyn.”
He didn’t like how Shola was looking at him.Like she knew the turmoil going on between him and his beast, the battle between that damned Drakon Selection process and his will to remain in the emotion-free/hurt-free zone.
“I’ll take care of Ravyn,” he said through clenched teeth.“She’s my responsibility.”
He walked out of the room at that point, not looking back and not giving a damn what anyone was thinking or saying about him.This was his job, he’d been born to do it and none of them could stop him.
