Page 58 of Primal Dragon

Drake stood there seething, his chest rising and falling rapidly. The man had no control over his new body, and he was clearly trying to keep himself from lunging at his sister. Henrik was ready to stop him.

“I don’t care that you’re a vampire. My best friend is a vampire. What I care about is why you’re hanging out with a very bad vampire. Do you really have no morals? Do you not care that he’s hurting people, especially women?”

“What has your friend told you?”

She held up her hand. “I’ve witnessed plenty with my own eyes so don’t even think you’re going to start convincing me that he’s got it all wrong.”

“Quinn, you can’t be anywhere near all this shit. If Stefano finds out that you know anything, he’s going to make sure you disappear. He can do it.”

“I will be involved as long as I need to be,” she growled.

Henrik glanced around the room. He was intruding on a moment, and maybe he shouldn’t have said anything to her, but he didn’t want to lie to her either. Her brother was clearly okay with lying to her.

“There’s so much more going on here than you even know about.”

“So, tell me, then I’ll know.”

Drake scoffed, “Yeah, I don’t think so.”

“Is James alive?”

Drake shrugged. “I have no idea. I know Stefano brought him in, but I have no idea what happened to him after that. I was sent home.”

“You knew what he meant to me. How could you do this to me? To him?”

“I don’t give a fuck about James and you shouldn’t be hanging out with someone like that.”

“Someone like that? You mean a man who is trying to do the right thing? Because as far as I can tell, I shouldn’t be hanging out with someone like you.”

“I tried to take care of you, help you, and you continuously spit in my face.”

Quinn’s mouth fell open. “Are you kidding me? Do you hear yourself right now?”

Drake crossed his arms over his chest. “Why are you really here? You just looking for information on James?”

“You don’t know anything about James. What about the ingredients you bought at the fae market?”

Drake paused, his brow drew together like he was confused.

“Missing time?” Henrik asked. “Are you as in control as you think you are?”

Drake opened his mouth, and then snapped it closed again.

“Help me, Drake. Tell me what Stefano is up to.”

Drake glanced behind him and then moved closer to Quinn. Henrik shifted closer.

“I don’t know much. I only know he’s trying to do something that will give his boss the upper hand,” he murmured. Drake’s smug expression faltered. “Whatever Grey is working on, it’s going to be big. He promised plenty of vampires their own city and feeding grounds. He may be lying, but no one wants to take a chance that he’s not on the level because what he’s promising is so good.”

Henrik couldn’t help it, he burst out laughing.

Quinn and Drake both shot him a glare.

Henrik covered his mouth and tried to subdue the humorless laughter. He cleared his throat. “I’m sorry. I am. But that’s the bullshit Stefano and Grey are selling?”

Drake crossed his arms looking offended by Henrik’s remark. “They’re not selling anything. I’ve seen it. Once Stefano gets everyone and everything into place, he’s going rise. Grey is building an empire. The next phase is coming soon.” Drake reached out to Quinn. “Come with me, little sister. Maybe we can petition Stefano together to help save James, if he’s still alive. Maybe he’ll save you too.”

“He is still alive,” Quinn said defiantly.

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