Focus on your work. Lachlan knew what lay ahead if he deviated from his routine and organized lifestyle. He’d relapse and end up drinking.
And that was something he vowed to never do again.
Turning away from the laughter, he went back to work.
~~~
Grant hovered above the clearing on the hill where the fort had once stood long ago. There weren’t any lights glowing and to human eyes, the pitch darkness would be almost impossible to navigate without a torch. He wondered if Holbrook had the skill to climb the place and rummage in the blackness.
There was just enough room at the top of the hill for Grant to touch his feet to the ground and fold his wings to his back. Faye was keeping an eye on the surrounding area from the air. If she found anything, she would give a specific series of low roars to tell him and vice versa if he needed assistance.
After laying down the small satchel he’d clutched in his front limb, he imagined his body shrinking, and Grant stood in his human form a few seconds later. Thanks to it being early summer, he could wander the hilltop naked and not end up with hypothermia. He picked up the small pack that contained his phone and took off toward the fort’s boundary wall.
Grant watched where he walked and avoided stepping on anything that could give away his location. Max had no military training that Grant was aware of, but just in case he was working with a partner, Grant wasn’t taking any chances. While the human seemed sincere in his interest of unlocking history, there were many humans in the world who may want his skills and force him to do their bidding.
As he made his way silently around the edge of where the fort once stood, he kept an eye out for anything unusual. But as he went, no one jumped out of the trees or tried to shoot him. Tracking Max was more time consuming than usual since the area was frequented by hikers and he couldn’t simply look for broken branches or footprints. Instead, every fifteen or twenty seconds, he paused and listened for the slightest sign of another person.
The faint breeze blew the branches of the trees, but he pushed past that and listened for the minutest details. If Max Holbrook was stealthier than him, Grant would eat his own shoe.
His beast huffed. Hurry up and find him.
Ignoring his dragon, Grant continued around the perimeter of where the fort’s walls once stood. When he reached the area assumed to be the rear, there was a male grunt. Sweeping the area with his eyes, Grant finally spotted movement a few feet beyond the tree line.
Careful to keep a wide berth, Grant finally saw the crouched form of Max Holbrook. He looked to be using his trowel to uncover something in the dirt.
As soon as Grant was close enough he could tackle the human to the ground if need be, he said, “What the bloody hell are you doing?”
Max didn’t stop his actions. “Looking for proof of a dragon-shifter settlement in the post-Pictish era.”
The human continued to dig with his trowel in the dark. He was fairly certain the male was working alone since no one else had made their presence known. Grant stated, “You can’t possibly see anything.”
Max glanced up, and Grant finally noticed the strange goggles. “A friend of mine invented these. Even if they’re not as clear, they’re less bulky than standard night vision goggles and work well enough for what I need.” He looked back toward the ground. “Although I could do without seeing your naked body. Didn’t you bring some clothes with you?”
His dragon growled. Why does he seem so unconcerned? He must know we’re here to cart him away.
I don’t know. He’s odd. That’s all I can say.
Grant wanted to send a text to let the others know he’d found Max, but given the human’s unpredictability, Grant wanted him in custody first.
He took a step closer. “Your slipping away put everyone on high alert. There was even a theory that you weren’t working alone. You can’t stay here. We need to head back.”
“Of course I’m alone. I had no choice but to sneak off and come here. Word is that illegal artifact dealers are targeting this spot. If I don’t find what’s needed, it could be lost to history.”
His beast spoke up again. Okay, I almost admire him.
I don’t want to know.
Grant took another step. “Maybe the DDA can negotiate something on your behalf. After all, Craig Phadrig is a scheduled monument. The government will protect it.”
Max never stopped his work. “Much like how they protect you from dragon hunters and the Dragon Knights? How well is that working out for you?”
Grant growled. “I don’t have time to argue. I was being polite, but I’m not above carrying you back to Inverness Castle against your will.”
“A-ha! This is what I was hoping for.” Max removed something from the dirt. “Isn’t she a beauty?”
“It looks like a dirt-covered rock.”
“Maybe you’re the one who can’t see in the dark.” He held up the object and wiped away some more of the dirt. “It’s a pottery shard with an early version of Mersae on it. I’ll need to clean it up more to decipher the meaning.”