Page 153 of The Dragon's Mate

“Sorry, I’m …”

“Tell me what’s wrong, honey,” Sika saidgently. “Maybe I can help.”

“It’s… I don’t even know where to start or-”

The knock on her door made them both jump.

“Come in,” Kaida called.

Javee stepped into her cabin. Her face waspale and Kaida could smell her anxiety from across the room. “Javee, what’swrong?”

“Sika, would you give me a minute alonewith Kaida?” Javee asked.

“Sure.” Sika left the cabin.

The minute the door was shut, Kaida said, “What’swrong?”

“Has your human spoken with his father?”Javee asked.

“No, at least not as of this morning. Brentried to contact him a few times yesterday, but his father wouldn’t return hiscalls. He was going to go and see him today, but I wrecked my phone and I don’tknow if Bren talked to him or not. Why?”

“Bones is with Cadmus at the main cabin.They’re going to meet with the senator. They’re leaving in five minutes and Idon’t have a good feeling about this.”

Kaida immediately grabbed her jacket,shrugging into it and heading for the door. “Me either.”

The two of them jogged to the main cabin. Asthey reached the porch steps, the door opened, and Cadmus and Bones steppedoutside.

“Cadmus, you said you would wait until Brenspoke to his father,” Kaida said.

“No, I said I would consider the merits ofmeeting with him a little longer. I have considered it and believe it’s wiseto meet with Senator Matthews,” Cadmus said.

“I’m coming with you then,” Kaida said.

She waited for Cadmus to say no and wasalready mentally preparing her argument when Cadmus said, “All right.”

“You need me. You and Bones going aloneisn’t… wait, what?”

Cadmus snorted laughter. “I said allright. You may come with us.”

A large black SUV pulled into the clearingand stopped in front of the cabins. A blond man, his body long and lean,stepped out. Kaida could smell that he was a cheetah shifter as he approachedthem.

“Mr. Cadmus?” The cheetah shifter held hishand out to Cadmus. “My name is Fenton. I understand you need a ride past thereporters.”

Cadmus shook his hand. “I do. As well as mytwo companions. Can you get all of us out without the reporters seeing us?”

Fenton looked Bones up and down. “Shouldbe able to.”

“We have a vehicle parked in the woods notfar from the reporters,” Bones said. “We’ll only need you to drive us to it.”

“Sure. Whatever you want,” Fenton said.

“Cadmus,” Kaida took his arm as he walkedby her, “I don’t think this is a good idea. Bren will return soon. We shouldwait and -”

“It will be fine, Kaida. Do not worry.”Cadmus pulled away and followed the cheetah shifter to the SUV.

Bones was kissing Javee goodbye and the dragonessgave him a fierce look. “Be careful, my love. Promise me.”

“I will. I’ll see you soon,” Bones said.

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