Page 46 of The Arrival of the Dragons

BETRAYER?

“Caden, when do you have to be at the--thethingtonight?” Wally asked as he, Caden and Rose headed out of the Emporium’s front doors.

Caden knew that thethingWally was referring to was his meeting with the Red Dragon Queen Mei that evening at High Reach. Maybe after he dutifully met with her then he could somehow sneak around, shift and make his way to Valerius’ quarters so they could have some alone time. Valerius would likely think that was a bad idea. A very bad idea. He’d reminded Caden earlier that afternoon that it would only be a few days until the other Dragon Shifters were gone and that they would be alone again. But Caden still thought he might do it anyway.

“Caden? Earth to Caden?” Rose laughed. When his head jerked towards her, she tipped hers towards Wally. “He asked you a question.”

“Oh, right, seven. So I’ve got time.”

It was just a little after five. He had plenty of time. And he wasn’t sure what he was going to do or where he was going to spend it. He wasn’t going home that was for sure, unless Rose came with him. She would be the only reason his parents would actuallyspeakwith him.

“Would you like to come with me to see Landry?” Wally asked.

Caden blinked. “I thought she was in some kind of lockup where she couldn’t have visitors.”

Wally tipped his head up a little pridefully. “I may not still be in the underworld, kid, but I’ve got some connections.”

“Those must be some connections, Wally!” Rose looked impressed. “I don’t even think Marban could get into the Oubliette to see a prisoner like Landry. Not officially anyways, and certainly not to bring a guest!”

The Oubliette was the maximum security prison located in Low Reach. It was a thick, squat building that had high, sheer stone walls and narrow arrow-slit windows. The security was solely made up of the biggest Werewolves. Caden had only ever heard about it on the news and maybe passed by it once or twice in his life. He had never thought to know anyone inside. He certainly wouldn’t have expectedLandryto ever be in there.

Unless it was to be visiting her brothers to be honest. But Landry herself? Never. I just can’t believe this is real.

Caden’s forehead furrowed at Rose’s words while Wally rocked back and forth, a huge grin on his face, loving the mystery. But then a thought came to Caden.

“Chione has something to do with this access, doesn’t she?” he asked.

Wally looked so crestfallen that Caden knew it was true.

“I don’t name sources, Caden! First thing about being your Councillor is that I got to keep our sources anonymous, even from you!” Wally sniffed.

“Even from me, huh?” Caden chuckled.

“Especially from you! Loose lips sink ships!” Wally wagged a finger in the air before he went to lock the Emporium behind them.

Truthfully, there was little reason to lock it as they had been cleaned out by the customers that day. Wally had called his suppliers and had jumped up and down like a piece of popcorn in a hot skillet as he demanded they work double, triple, quadruple overtime to get him all of his merch. All the Dragon Shifters coming into Reach was bigger than even the 30th Anniversary had been and he wouldn't miss out monetarily.

“I keep secrets, Wally! I can’t believe you think I’d blab!” Caden shook his head.

“It’s better not to know. So you won’t have to worry about blabbing accidentally,” Rose told him. “And Wally is now your Councillor?”

“Yeah, Valerius has Chione so I needed someone, too. Who better than Wally? And you, of course! I think I have two of the best Councillors, honestly!” Caden smiled.

“I have a feeling your father’s partners might be a little miffed about you taking advice from us and not them,” Rose said with a shake of her head.

“If I believed that they had my best interests at heart, I might listen to them, but they don’t. They want power so they assume everybody else does, too, and for no other reason than to lord it over others,” Caden admitted with a shrug. “Besides, they haven’t even asked to meet withme,yet I’m sure they are formulating plans and all that to talk to Justice St. John about my situation! Think about it! How can you represent somebody you've never spoken to?”

“You’ve got to pinch that in the bud, Caden. People speaking for you is bad business, especially if they don’t represent your interests.” Wally was frowning as he pulled the key out of the lock and tested to make sure the door was securely locked.

“Yeah, I sort of did that with Mom and Dad last night.” Caden rubbed the back of his neck.

“It didn’t go well,” Rose succinctly told Wally.

“They want to do what’s best. But since they are your parents they want to actinstead ofyou, instead offoryou,” Wally guessed. “You’re the White Dragon Shifter and no one can do that job but you.”

“Yeah, I know.” He rubbed the back of his neck some more. It seemed the more they talked about his parents the tighter his muscles became there. “Even if they are mistakes.”

Wally shoved the massive keyring in his pocket. “They areyourmistakes. Theyshouldbe yours. It’s the only way to really learn.”

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