Page 35 of So I Dared a Dragon

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Calista

Fire rolled out of Aarix’s nostrils, and I was surprised the heat didn’t melt the design off my arm.

“Why didn’t you tell me?” he demanded. “Here we sit like fools, playing with paint, while our enemies laugh at us.”

My heart sank. “I’m sorry. I wanted to have a fun night. I didn’t want to let them win.”

“Our security team is working on finding the culprit as we speak,” Bibi added. “They haven’t provided me with any updates yet, which was why I was reluctant to let you go off on your own. Until we have answers, it’s best that we stick together.”

Aarix’s green gaze was squarely on Bibi. His body was still too warm to even think about touching. I wanted to comfort him. I was tired of letting the people I cared most about down when I was trying to protect them.

“Did it not occur to you that the dragons and I could be part of the solution?”

Bibi startled. It wasn’t often the fairy dragmother got challenged.

“You’re not here to solve problems,” she said smoothly. Even though she was flustered, she managed to keep her cool. “Yourjob is to fall in love with your mate and start a new life. We’re not asking you to fight these battles.”

Aarix rose from the chair, gaining Magnus and Luca’s attention.

“It’s my duty to keep my mate safe,” Aarix said. “That means we’re part of your security team now. I’d like to see this note.”

The other two dragons approached the table.

“Everything okay?” Magnus asked. His gaze slid to me. His disapproval—and more than that, dismissal—was painted on his face more plainly than the gorgeous scales Aarix had just gifted me with.

It had been such a beautiful moment. Once I’d given Aarix direction on how to add dimension, he’d made breathtaking art. Before Bibi had come over, I hadn’t been able to take my eyes off it.

What I would give to be a dragon right now and fly away from my problems…

“She received another threat,” Aarix growled. “Just before the date.”

“We’re working on it,” Bibi repeated.

Luca furrowed a brow. “How? By painting mountain vistas? By filming a dating reality show?”

“By not letting those bastards win.” I stomped my foot. I was tiny in comparison to the three dragons and even Bibi, but I wouldn’t let them underestimate me. “They wanted us to cancel the date and cower in fear.”

“We’ll find them and make sure they never threaten you again.” Aarix crossed his arms.

“Calista has a point.” I was so thankful Bibi had my back. These dragons were ready to burn the world down to save me, and while it was endearing and, I had to admit, sexy as hell, it was also completely over the top. Unless I was so used to troubleI didn’t know how much I was in. “So far, whoever’s leaving the notes hasn’t done anything more threatening than that.”

“Yet,” Magnus added.

“We’d like to see the note,” Luca said, looking to Aarix for confirmation, and he nodded. “And any other evidence that you have. We requested to see them earlier, but so far, we haven’t had access to them.”

“All evidence has been turned in to our security team.” Bibi pursed her lips. Even she had to admit, this was a bad look for the show. My heart hurt for her. And I silently cursed Hugo for…whatever he thought was more important than standing by his mate when she needed him most.

If he even knew or cared shit had totally hit the fan at HQ.

Maybe he’s working on something even bigger and keeping those thugs from putting their threats into action.Surprisingly, my she-wolf had Hugo’s back.

“What if I brought the dragons to my trailer so they could see how we found things?” With the exception of the note, I’d mostly left things as we’d found them. All I did once I realized the space had been violated was change into my date outfit.

“That sounds like a splendid idea,” Bibi said, but there was no hiding the fact she was totally defeated. Once the dragons finished their investigation, we’d talk. I didn’t know how I’d fix this, but I promised myself I would. Everything felt like we were walking on impossibly thin ice, and I wouldn’t let Bibi’s success with the show and everything else she’d built fall into jeopardy because of my dumb ass.

“Follow me.” I waved the dragons in the direction of the trailers.

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