Page 51 of Hot for the Dragon

They stepped back outside into the crisp autumn air. Terry straightened from where he'd been leaning against a tall oak tree, his expression hopeful but guarded.

"We'll check your intel about Max Stone first," Archer announced, positioning himself slightly in front of Daphne. "If it proves accurate, we'll consider meeting these other dragons."

Terry's face brightened. "You won't regret this. When should we-"

"Tomorrow morning," Archer cut him off, his muscles tensing beneath his shirt. "Early, before the bakery opens. You'll come with us. Any objection?"

Daphne recognized the challenge in Archer's tone. If Terry was setting a trap, going together would force him to spring it himself rather than lead them into an ambush.

"None at all," Terry agreed quickly. "I want to prove I'm telling the truth."

"We'll see." Archer's expression remained stern. "Meet us here at dawn."

Terry nodded and shifted into his dragon form, taking off into the afternoon sky. Daphne watched him go, hope blooming in her chest despite the gravity of their situation. If they could win over even a few of Carmen's followers, maybe they could prevent the coming bloodshed.

She felt Archer's eyes on her and turned to face him. "I hope you know what you're doing," he said quietly.

"So do I," she admitted. The weight of what was at stake pressed down on her shoulders. Three days until Carmen's attack. Three days to try and change the tide.

The pre-dawn air nipped at Daphne's skin as she waited with Archer outside his mansion. Terry landed precisely on time, shifting smoothly from dragon to human form.

"Ready?" Terry asked, rubbing his hands together against the morning chill.

Archer's only response was a grunt as they shifted into dragon form and took to the sky.

The bakery sat dark and quiet when they arrived, though the scent of fresh bread already wafted through the air. Daphne's stomach growled, reminding her she'd skipped breakfast in her nervousness.

"Back entrance," Archer commanded in a low voice, leading them around the building.

The lock proved no match for Terry's pick set. Inside, the warmth of the ovens wrapped around them like a blanket.

"There." Terry pointed to a shelf of invoices. "Max keeps Carmen's records disguised as supply orders."

Archer rifled through the papers while Daphne kept watch. Her heart jumped at approaching footsteps.

"Someone's coming," she whispered.

Archer shoved the papers back and pulled Daphne behind a rack of cooling bread. Terry ducked behind some flour sacks just as Max Stone himself walked in, humming off-key.

The baker froze when he spotted them. "What-"

Archer moved like lightning, pinning Max against the wall. "Let's talk about your special orders for Carmen Kane."

"I don't know what you're-" Max's protest cut off as Archer's eyes narrowed dangerously.

"The invoices are coded," Terry called out. "Every 'dozen chocolate chips' means information about Council movements."

Max's face went pale. "How did you-"

"Doesn't matter," Archer growled. "What matters is what happens next."

Daphne stepped forward, touching Archer's arm. "Mr. Stone, we know Carmen's forcing many people to help her. If you cooperate now, we can protect you."

The baker's shoulders slumped. "She threatened my family."

Within minutes, they had Max's full confession and copies of all Carmen's coded orders. Terry's information had been completely accurate.

Outside in the growing dawn light, Archer finally relaxed his guard stance slightly. "Alright," he admitted grudgingly to Terry. "You were telling the truth."

---