Page 69 of Winterfall Destiny

Ethan scoffs. "No. I'm not a dragon. I'll merely keep the bastards in check. Once the Confederacy fall, the shifters are likely to splinter back into their societies again. The small influence the Confederacy had over them will disappear, and me, Zeke, and you will fill the gap."

"This is as bad as what Declan wanted!" I protest. "I won't be a part of all this."

"You're helping me dismantle their empire, that's all. You saw some of the shit they're involved in," he says gruffly. "Remember the girls at Declan's place? Trafficked."

"I know but?—"

"Ash, you often forget how much power you have due to the people you surround yourself with," Ethan interrupts.

"This is about Gabriella," he says stiffly. "I'm here to get information about Gabriella."

Ethan's expression sours. "Yes, Ash, and also to make your mark on these people and demonstrate why they'll need to cooperate with us. Callum is curious about you; that's how we can get close enough to investigate more."

"I am not fighting," I say firmly.

"And we're safe?" interrupts Maeve cautiously.

"Oh, yeah. Dragons hate me already and might attempt to take me down, but if they've spoken to Declan about our visit to him, those we meet tonight know that's a bad idea." He gives a tight smile. "But I'll stay calm."

Without another word, Ethan strides through the sliding doors leading into the hotel's casino. My eyes widen again. This isn't the rows upon rows of slot machines I pictured. The casino area sprawls out before us, lit by overhead chandeliers to match those in the lobby. I'd expected bright lights, loud machines, and louder people, but although the air buzzes with excitement, voices are quiet amongst the weirdly opulent gambling area.

Ethan pauses, and we halt, Maeve exchanging a look with me. "Is this where we're meeting Callum?" she asks.

"Hope not." I look to the nearest roulette table where the couple who tossed their Porsche keys to the valet outside now sit with drinks and looks of concentration as a ball bounces around.

"We could sit in the hotel bar first and figure out if Dominion are around?" whispers Maeve.

"Maybe later, I'm more interested in whether any Dominion are with Callum tonight," says Ethan.

Maeve frowns and looks around the casino. "Can the owners identify the mind readers in the place? Because I can sense a few."

Ethan snorts. "If a witch or vamp does use magic, they're careful how often they win. Dangerous game to play since the dragons catch them, eventually."

Like the security by doors leading between rooms, and outside a partitioned bar, some wandering amongst the tables? They've earpieces, and one bulky guy in a black suit speaks into an attached mic as he watches us.

"Where are we meeting this Callum guy?" I ask.

Ethan gestures upwards. Cameras. "We're on-screen. I'm sure someone will approach us in a moment."

"Callum will?" Ethan glances at me but doesn't speak as security stride towards us. "Ethan. Callum is expecting us, right?" No response. I swear beneath my breath and draw Maeve closer, an arm around her waist. "Ethan! Callum doesn't know we’re coming here, does he?"

"And give dragons who're helping Gabriella the heads up? Don't be stupid." He crosses his arms, biceps bulging and revealing the black scales on the back of his wrist, as the security guy studies us.

"You said you'd arranged a meeting, Ethan," I snap.

"I'm early." He pulls out his phone and checks the screen. "A day early."

Maeve looks at me, her face paling despite the make-up. If Tobias knew this, he'd never have allowed us to go alone.

I guess all of Dorian's gang operate at a less than honest level.

The guy with the crew cut hair who communicated our presence homes in on us and glances at his shorter, wider colleague. Still furious with Ethan, I straighten as the imposing pair walk over.

"All witches must register with us in order to use the casino," he says gruffly and stares at Maeve. I catch him studying parts of her way too closely, and my teeth clench.

"All witches?" asks Ethan. "What about Dominion?"

Around us, humans cluelessly gamble money they probably can't afford to lose, and neither guy's expression changes.

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