Page 49 of Hot for the Dragon

"I've been talking to others," Terry said. "There are more who question Carmen's methods, especially after seeing what she's done to the town recently. They're just... afraid to speak up."

Archer watched Terry's body language carefully as the dragon shifter explained himself. Every muscle in Archer's body remained tense, ready to protect Daphne at the slightest hint of danger.

"And you expect us to believe you've suddenly grown a conscience?" Archer's tone dripped with skepticism.

"Not suddenly." Terry met his gaze steadily. "I needed time to gather support, to find others who felt the same way. If we could get them together, maybe have Daphne speak to them again..."

"Absolutely not." The words ripped from Archer's throat before Terry could finish. His dragon roared beneath his skin, protective instincts screaming. "You want us to walk into a gathering of Carmen's dragons? After what happened yesterday?"

"I think we should consider it," Daphne piped up behind him.

Archer turned to face her, his eyes blazing. "You were attacked by Ned less than twenty-four hours ago. Or did you forget that little detail while planning your suicide mission?"

"But if there are others willing to stand against Carmen-"

"Or this could be their Plan B since Ned failed." Archer used his height advantage to loom over her. "They couldn't get to you one way, so now they're trying another."

He watched as doubt crept into Daphne's expression, her green eyes clouding with uncertainty. His protective instincts urged him to bundle her up somewhere safe and deal with Terry himself, but instead he waited for her response.

"Could you give us something concrete?" Daphne turned and asked Terry. "Some way to verify what you're saying is true?"

Terry nodded, his posture relaxing slightly. "Max Stone. He runs the bakery on Fifth Street. He's been passing information to Carmen about Council movements and city defenses."

Archer's jaw tightened. He knew Max - the man had always seemed too interested in his comings and goings when Archer grabbed his morning coffee. The pieces clicked into place.

"But that's not all," Terry continued, his voice dropping. "Your efforts to cut off Carmen's supplies, her information network - it's worked. Maybe too well." He glanced over his shoulder as if expecting Carmen herself to swoop down. "She's moved up her timeline. The attack isn't coming in a month. It's coming in three days."

The words hung in the air. Archer felt Daphne stiffen beside him, her shoulder pressing against his arm. His protective instincts flared again, and he had to resist the urge to wrap an arm around her.

"She's gathered forces from three territories," Terry added. "Anyone who'll fight for the right price. When she strikes, it'll be with everything she has."

Archer cataloged every micro-expression that crossed Terry's face as he spoke, searching for any sign of deception. His years of experience told him Terry was either telling the truth or was the best liar he'd ever encountered. The dragon within him growled, already anticipating the coming battle.

"Three days?" Daphne's voice cracked. "That's not possible."

"The hell it isn't," Archer growled, his muscles coiling tight with tension. The news hit him like a physical blow. Three territories worth of dragon shifters and mercenaries meant Carmen had been planning this longer than anyone suspected. "Terry, I need a minute with my partner."

Terry nodded, remaining near his property line. "Take your time."

Archer's mind raced through combat scenarios, each one worse than the last. Even at his peak fighting condition, taking on that many dragons would've been suicide. Now? After years of isolation? The odds made his dragon bristle beneath his skin.

He glanced at Daphne, whose face had gone pale. Her presence complicated things further. If Terry was telling the truth, she'd be in even more danger. If he was lying... well, that scenario ended with Archer tearing someone apart. His protective instincts surged at the mere thought of harm coming to her.

The late morning sun beat down on his shoulders as he calculated their options. They could warn the Council, but evacuation would take longer than three days. They could try to rally the town's supernatural community, but against three territories worth of dragons? The math didn't add up.

His gaze drifted to Daphne again. She'd insisted on being involved, on helping protect the town. Now here they were, backed into a corner with a potential spy offering them intel that could either save them or destroy them. And all he could think about was keeping her safe.

The wind shifted, carrying Terry's scent to him again. Still no trace of deception, but Archer had learned the hard way that trust was a luxury he couldn't afford. Not when Daphne's life might depend on his judgment.

He flexed his hands, feeling his claws itching to emerge. Three days. Carmen had outmaneuvered them all, and now they were running out of time. The dragon within him roared for action, for violence, for protecting what was his.

23

DAPHNE

The scent of fresh wood shavings filled her nose as Daphne followed Archer into his workshop. Half-finished carvings dotted the surfaces. Through the window, she spotted Terry still waiting outside near the edge of Archer’s property.

"Three days," Archer growled, pacing the length of his workbench. "Carmen's never been one for patience, but this is reckless even for her."

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