Page 62 of Hidden Fate

Excellent. This reminded me of something from a few days ago. “We should train them with weapons. I had to hold a gun the other night, and I was uncomfortable. I need to learn to shoot.”

“Why did you need a gun here?” Echo scowled and examined the room like it held answers.

“It wasn’t here,” Theron said from his spot near the back door, a few feet away from Arrow and Cassidy. He’d been watching the others train outside. “It was when we met with Uther, Gemma, and Jerry, and they gave us a burner phone and asked us to take in their family members, who Drake was using as leverage to force their loyalty.”

We filled the warriors in on everything that had happened to date.

“Those three are good people.” Arrow took a sip of his drink. “I can think of several others who would ally with us, but it’s too risky to reach out to them.”

“There might be another way for us to gain more allies.” Thorn cleared his throat as something brimmed through our bond: anticipation.

Hope sparked inside me. He had a plan. “What?”

“Theron, you still have access to the injured dragons’ network, don’t you?” Thorn winked as a warm feeling spread between us.

I tilted my head. I had no idea where he was heading with this. “Do you want us to move again?” I asked. The bouncing around was hard, but if they thought we might be at risk, I was willing to do whatever was necessary.

“That’s not what I’m getting at. What if we coordinate meetings so I can heal more injured dragons?” He gestured at me. “And Everly could help with those who were injured in human form and give them some relief.”

My heart leapt. “That won’t guarantee us allies.”

He shrugged. “Doesn’t matter. It’s the right thing to do—as long as we know our meeting location will be secure.”

“I’m telling you, the people in this network—they aren’t like that.” Theron turned to the table, his eyes lighter than I’d seen in days. “Just the fact that you’re willing to help would make a world of difference to so many.”

“And word will spread, and other thunders won’t be afraid of you.” Errol grinned. “Some will want to ally with you just because of the good you’re doing for the community, and that will make it easier for others to follow you two.”

Us two?“You mean him,” I said.

“The king is only as strong as the queen beside him.” Errol smiled kindly. “Mira is capable of so much, but none of you had the opportunity to see it because all the light was on King Arman.”

Echo chuckled. “That lady is as strong as they come. I’ve seen it with my own two eyes—when she walked into a room and spoke, King Arman listened. Their love was inspiring.”

His words dampened my mate’s spirit, and I understood why. He hadn’t gotten the chance to notice it…not as a man. He could remember it only through a little boy’s eyes.

I glanced out the window and saw Peter scowling with his arms crossed on the sidelines. He’d been a constant pain in the butt, and ever since Elliott and Eva had been changed, he’d become sulky and silent, dragging us down.

Reece was outside, despite not training like the rest, and stood next to Peter, trying to talk to him, but he ignored her just as he’d done to me when I was her age…at least, when my mother wasn’t around.

Something clicked, and a lightness filled my body. “I know what we can do to completely derail Drake and solve another problem.”

CHAPTERTWENTY-ONE

All seven pairsof eyes pinned me. The idea had rushed at me so quickly. We’d have to work out logistics, but I believed it couldwork.

Thorn quirked an eyebrow.Are you adding to the suspense?

Bite me,I replied as I lifted my hands, getting ready to talk.

Gladly.He inched forward.I didn’t get the opportunity this morning, so I have no qualms about doing it right here at the table in front of everyone.

Heat flooded my body, and my dragon surged forward. Never would I have believed I’d be the type of girl who’d love a man this possessive and unafraid of public affection, but here we were. I hoped it never changed.

“What if we use Peter for something useful?” I rubbed my hands together, focusing back on what I’d been planning.

Thorn thumped a hand on the table like a drum. “Sold. I don’t need to know anything more. Let’s get rid of the man who keeps glaring hatefully at my matebeforeI lose control and kill him.”

I laughed, surprising myself. Thorn had a way of making me smile, no matter the circumstance.

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