Page 40 of The White Dragon Revealed

It’s like a snake eating its own tail,Caden sighed.But, like I said, I think I have a plan.

I would wish you good luck but…Valerius’ eyes narrowed.

Don’t worry! Well, you can worry, but since you’re right here, even if I make a hash of it, things will be okay.

But Valerius knew that Caden had to do this on his own.

Caden pulled back and looked at his father. Grant stroked the sides of his son’s head.

“Are you all right?” Grant asked.

“Yes, I’m fine,” Caden assured him. “How are you? You don’t look like you have gotten much sleep, Dad.”

“I’m…” For a moment, Grant wavered slightly, which had Caden’s eyes widening, but then Grant locked his knees. “I’m a little tired. We’ve been working on legal briefs all night and fine-tuning the arguments to be had with the Dragons.”

“Arguments with the Dragons?” Caden let out a huff of laughter and pointed back the way they’d come. “Rose and I just left Kaila and Illarion squaring off in Esme’s foyer.”

“My money is on Kaila,” Rose said with a quirk of a smile.

“Illarion is a monster! His idea of human rights is to put humans in camps!” Mr. Storn hissed.

“Yeah, Illarion is… something all right.” Caden rubbed the back of his neck. “I guess what my point was is that I don’t think they’ll care about your arguments unless you have fire breath or water breath or… well, if you aren’t a Dragon.”

“All the more reason to secure your rights through the law,” Mr. Guissler sniffed.

Caden grimaced. “Dad, I’m glad you’re here.”

His father’s eyebrows lifted and a faint smile appeared on his face. “I admit I didn’t expect to hear you say that. I expected a fight. Your mother was quite certain you would want nothing to do with me.”

Caden smiled, but there was a sadness in that smile. “Well, she’s not entirely wrong.”

Grant stiffened slightly. But then Caden hugged him again quite fiercely. Grant softened against him.

“I love you so much, Dad,” Caden breathed.

“And I love you, Caden. You are so important to me and I want what’s best for you and--”

“And that’s why I’m firing you as my attorney,” Caden interrupted gently.

“What?” Grant froze.

“Now look here, young man!” Mr. Storn cried.

“I do say that you have the wrong end of things, Caden. We’re here to protect your interests!” Mr. Guissler said.

“No, actually, you’re here to protect your own and whatever myfather wants for me.” Caden pulled out of his father’s embrace though he still kept hold of Grant’s shoulders.

Grant looked like Caden had gutted him. Valerius took no pleasure in this, but he saw what Caden’s plan was. It was a good one. It would hurt though.

“This is surprising and wise of the lad,” Marban said, “though I do believe Mr. Bryce is not ready for it.”

“He’s been living in terror since Caden joined with his Spirit. All of his actions so far are because of that fear,” Chione murmured with a shake of her head. “As a lawyer, he felt he could be in control of something, because as a father he was helpless. It wasn’t just about how it helpedhim, Marban, as you suggested before.”

Marban shrugged. “Perhaps not entirely. I am more used to the darker side of people than you, Chione. But what I see is a brilliant man who finally gets a chance to help a son he adores with the skills that have long been denied.”

Valerius grimaced. He could see how those two things were likely driving Grant.

Caden continued, “Dad, I really do need you. I need your advice. I need your support. I need your love.”

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