Each dragon clan in the UK had a group of special ops-like soldiers called Protectors. They each served with the British armed forces for two years before being trained by their respective clans. The fact this dragonwoman was nearly done spoke volumes about her abilities as well as her loyalty. “Right, then I’ll tell you this in confidence: The high levels of dragon-shifter hormones in her blood might have caused her death in childbirth.”
Nikki frowned. “I’m not a doctor, but I think it’s normal for a human who carries a dragon-shifter child to have those hormones.”
“You’re right, but the levels were exceedingly high, as if someone were giving her extra amounts on the side.”
“That’s not good.”
“No. So the sooner you take me to see Dr. Jackson, the better.”
“The clan calls her Dr. Sid, but never in a million years would she try to kill someone.” Nikki turned and motioned with her head. “Still, she might have an idea of who could. Follow me.”
As they turned down a path on the left, they moved away from the main living community with cottages cheek and jowl and headed toward the wide-open space ringed with rugged hills that was the landing and takeoff area. Or, at least, that was her guess since a large, dark purple dragon jumped up and beat its wings before flying into the distance.
Most dragon-shifter doctors placed their surgeries near the landing area to make it easier to access their most critical patients. While accidents and injuries happened every day, the worst ones were caused by
the dragon hunters, especially if the rumors about their recent weaponry upgrades were true.
Within ten minutes, Nikki stopped in front of a three-story house with a large covered, yet open-aired, space on the side used to treat dragon-shifters who were too weak to shift back into their human forms. The dragonwoman said, “Dr. Sid might be with a patient, but she should be here. She can, hopefully, answer your questions. Although I hope you’re wrong about someone tinkering with Cait’s hormone levels.”
Evie nodded. “Believe me, I hope so too.”
They entered the house-slash-surgery. Inside was obviously a waiting area with some chairs and a desk staffed by a young dragon-shifter male who couldn’t be more than twenty. He smiled at Nikki, but his smile faded when he eyed Evie. “Why did you bring a human here, Nikki? We aren’t due for another female sacrifice for a few months.”
Rather than let Nikki answer for her, Evie butted in, “I’m Evie Marshall and I’m investigating something for Bram. I’m here to talk with Dr. Cassidy Jackson.”
The male dragon-shifter eyed her with suspicion. “If Bram had a human investigating something for him, he would’ve alerted the clan and he hasn’t. Who are you?”
Nikki stepped in front of her. “Leo, she’s with me and I’ll vouch that she’s here to do as she says.”
While the action was small, Nikki’s defense meant the world to her.
Leo stared at Nikki and finally sighed. “The last time I stood up to you, I ended up with a black eye and a broken nose. Take a seat and I’ll let the doctor know you’re here.”
Nikki nodded and Evie couldn’t help but smile. The dragonwoman was a bit like her in that she didn’t take shit from anyone.
The pair of them moved toward the nearest chairs and sat down to wait.
~~~
After nearly two hours of back and forth, Bram waited for Finn’s answer.
And not just any answer, but the answer that would determine the future of his clan.
The tall, blond Scot studied him with his dark brown eyes. The teasing and flirting from earlier in the morning was gone, replaced with a dragonman with an unreadable expression on his face. The version of Finlay Stewart sitting across from him right now was the version who had won the right to be clan leader.
Finn’s voice finally filled the room. “I have one last condition.”
He resisted a growl. “I’ve stated my terms and what I’m willing to compromise on. There’s not much room for negotiation.”
“This falls within your parameters.”
Bram waved a hand. “Well, stop being melodramatic and spit it out already.”
“For my people to truly believe you want to work with us, I think we should foster like in the old days.”
He frowned. “That hasn’t been done for centuries.”
Finn shrugged. “I think each of us hosting a clan member or three from the other clan will A) help to show that we’re more alike than we give credit and B) allow us to each have a spy.” Bram opened his mouth, but Finn beat him to it. “You seem to like the truth, and spy is closer to the truth than a prolonged guest.”