Page 18 of Dragon Unhinged

Again, I mentally drift out of the room, wanting to be anywhere but here. Declan is alone, torn away from his family, and these men, thisboymy father thinks would be a worthy match, want nothing more than to make him into a villain. And for what? To advance some fictitious political career? To keep people scared? To have power over someone they couldn’t truly overpower without keeping them hurt, sickly, under spells?

I’d have to hope that they wouldn’t think this way if they actually talked to Declan, actually had a conversation about what the shifters want, why they’re here. I can’t imagine any of them are the monsters, no more so than any human has the capability. Especially considering there hasn’t been a wave of shifter attacks, or shifters showing up and destroying property. There’s a ton of sightings and videos that have come out since the dragon on the morning show, but no real evidence to show they’re a threat, aside from being different and probably more powerful than humans.

Which is enough to hurt any fragile male ego. Men of substance don’t worry about such things.

It just doesn’t make any sense to criminalize, to villainize every shifter, every supernatural creature, just because they may have at one point been a threat.

Throughout three courses, I fake my way through conversation, barely participating unless someone addresses me directly. As it allows, I think of Declan and the other creatures in this world and wonder about them. I’ve never fit in among the humans because of my father, I wonder if I could fit somewhere else.

By the time we stand and escort the Lees to the door, the irritation radiating off my father has lessened significantly.

It doesn’t matter how demurely I curtsy as I say my good-byes, and it doesn’t matter that Peter still kisses the top of my hand, and promises to look out for me at school, and it certainly doesn’t seem to matter that Peter’s parents seem pleased with the evening, when the door closes behind the Lees, my father’s entire demeanor shifts back to irate.

“Explain yourself.” He crosses his arms over his chest and glares down at me. “Why were you so disrespectful to our guests?”

I stay silent knowing there will be no answer good enough.

“The Lees are a good family. They would be able to support you in the same manner you grew up in. I don’t understand where this newfound rebellion is coming from. Is it your little school friend, Ellie?”

I jerk my head up with a gut clench at the idea of not being able to talk to Ellie again. “Ellie is not a bad influence, Papa. She and I study together, and her grades are nearly as good as mine. We are in many of the same classes. It isn’t like she’s taking me to fraternity parties or something. We only study together.”

“Someone is filling your head with the idea that you can talk back. If not her, who?”

My expression hardens and rage boils in my belly. I manage to keep my tone neutral as I speak to him with controlled words and tone. “You were the one who insisted I join the debate teamwhen I was in high school. I hardly think asking one simple question could be considered talking back.”

“Go to your room. Finish your studies for the night. And remember that I don’t have to let you return to school next semester or even tomorrow. I will not put up with your attitude. This is your last warning.” He points at the stairs, summarily dismissing me.

I close myself into my room just in time to see the black vans disappear from view in my window.

Is Declan fighting again? My stomach gurgles with the stress of the evening and now the concern that Declan could possibly not come home tonight.

Am I going to get to see him again, or is tonight the night they kill him?

A knock on my door surprises me, and I hurry from the window to look like I went straight to studying before calling out, “Come in!”

“Hey, little sister.”

Zimo is here. Is that a good thing, or a bad thing? He wasn’t at dinner, but maybe that’s just because he didn’t want to be around for my father’s mating ritual of getting me married off.

“Hey.” I turn in my desk chair and gesture at my bed. “What’s up?”

“I heard you were ambushed tonight. I wanted to make sure you’re okay.”

I shrug awkwardly. “It’s a day that ends in Y. If Papa didn’t try to make sure I’m his perfect daughter, the perfect wife-in-the-making for some strategic alliance, I’d have to wonder if he’s been exchanged for a pod person.” After a breath, I tentatively add, “Or are there shapeshifters who can look like other people?”

Zimo sits, letting out a chuckle. “You’ve been spending too much time reading science fiction, and not enough studying your textbooks. Don’t let Papa hear you talking aboutshapeshifters, or he really might marry you off to the next available political alliance, without thought for what you want at all.” He sighs. “I heard you were distracted in your classes today.”

“Great. Which of Papa’s spies ratted me out this time? The driver? Or another student?” My jaw throbs a little as I realize I’m clenching my teeth out of my own irritation for my father’s controlling ways. “I could ace that class with my eyes closed. What’s it matter if I miss one lecture, going over things I already know?”

He holds up his hands and smirks. “I’m not the enemy here, little sister. I’m merely curious what could distract the perfect attendance, perfect GPA student from her classes.”

“I’ve been thinking about what’s going on in the world with these supernatural creatures.” I bite my lip, worrying it a little as I wait for his reaction. “You don’t think they’re all bad, do you?”

“I imagine there are bad ones, and ones that aren’t so bad. But that doesn’t mean we should trust them. You can’t very well think they’d make for good friends.” He leans forward, his elbows resting on his knees so that he’s closer to me. “Brianna, I know you haven’t gotten the chance to really explore the world, but reading about things in books isn’t the same thing as seeing it face-to-face. These creatures aren’t like us. They don’t follow our laws. They kidnap women and force them into all sorts of things I don’t want you thinking about. Trust me when I say it’s for the best that people are finding ways to track them, to subdue them, and in some cases even destroy them.”

I frown at him, irritated that everyone I talk to seems to believe the same lies. But I know, deep in my gut, that there’s no way Declan is evil. I don’t think the other shifters are either.

“Will you help me with something?”

---