Page 99 of The Dragon's Mate

It kept asking for Bren, kept begging herto go to him, but after texting him this morning and not hearing back, she hadn’ttexted again. Maybe he was at work and busy, or maybe he wanted nothing to do withher ever again.

Her clan had, after all, voted to murderhim last night.

“Hey!” She heard the muffled shout of thereporter pressing up against her door as he was pushed out of the way and Bishopbent down to peer at her through the window.

Relief flooding through her, she opened herdoor and stepped out of the car. The steady clicking of pictures being takenwas an annoying buzz in her ears, and the microphones being shoved toward hermade her dragon growl in annoyance.

She soothed it as Bishop snarled at thehalf a dozen reporters crowded around them. “Get back, now!”

She realized that Mal and Kat were standingbehind Bishop and they pushed and shoved the reporters back as she and Bishop walkedtoward their office building.

“How dangerous are you?” A reporter shouted.

“How big are you? How many dragons are inyour clan? Is it true that you can speak the human language when you’re inyour dragon form?” Another reporter spat rapid fire questions at her.

“Who does your hair colouring?” A thirdreporter shouted.

Kat hissed at the reporter who tried to dodgeby her. “Get any closer to her and I’ll kick your ass.”

The reporter scooted back. “God, lady, youdon’t have to be such a bitch.”

“Go on and go home,” Mal said calmly as hestopped in the doorway of the office building. “She won’t be making anystatements and you’re not going to get any footage of her turning into adragon. You’re wasting your time.”

He shut the door and, to Kaida’s surprise,none of the reporters followed them into the building. As they took theelevator to their floor, Kaida said, “Thanks, you guys. I appreciate yourhelp.”

Kat squeezed her arm. “No problem. Howare you doing?”

“Okay. It’s still a little surreal.”

“I bet. Did you know the dragon who outedyou?” Kat asked as they stepped off the elevator and walked to the office.

“Knew of him,” Kaida said, “but never actuallymet him. He was in Belinda’s clan in Los Angeles. He was banished, went mad,and revealed our existence before committing suicide.”

“Why was he banished?” Mal asked.

“I don’t know. Cadmus and the othercouncil members haven’t told us and with everything that’s happened, none of ushave thought to ask.”

She followed Bishop into the office. “Cadmushas been warning the other clans for years that this very thing would happen,but they wouldn’t listen. Now…”

She trailed off as Willow hurried out frombehind the reception desk and gave her a hard hug. “Hi, Kaida. I’m so sorry.”

“Thanks, Willow.”

“Will, would you mind getting Kaida a cupof tea?” Bishop asked.

“Of course not. I’ll bring you one too.”Willow smiled at Kaida before heading to the small kitchenette.

“Come into my office,” Bishop said.

She sat in one of the comfortable leather chairsand Bishop sat next to her. He took her hand. “How are you?”

“I’m sorry I didn’t call before showing up,”Kaida said.

“It’s fine,” Bishop said. “How are you?”

She could feel the sting of tears and sheblinked them back. “So much has happened in the last seventy-two hours. I don’teven know where to start, my bear.”

“Start from the beginning,” Bishop said asWillow set two cups of tea on his desk and left, shutting the door behind her.

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