Page 98 of The Dragon's Mate

The powerful voice stopped the dragons intheir tracks and sent a shiver down Bren’s spine. He turned to stare at Cadmuswho hopped nimbly onto the top of the table and clapped his hands sharply.

“My clan, be quiet and listen closely.”

The dragons quieted down immediately, staringup at Cadmus as the elderly dragon folded his hands behind his back. “We knewthis day may come and now that it has, it is important that we remain calm. Yes,the humans know we exist and where we are, but we cannot and will not panic.This is our new reality, and no one in this clan will do anything to humans orshifters who approach us. Is that clear?”

The dragons nodded, giving each otheruneasy looks as Cadmus smiled down at them. “I know you are frightened, myclan, but it will be all right. For too long, we have walked this line and nowour future lies before us – new and uncertain. But as long as we remain together,we will be all right.”

“What if they attack us?” Mateo said.

“They won’t,” Cadmus said. “Not if we showthem that they have nothing to fear from us.”

The elderly dragon spoke reassuringly, butBren could still feel the nervousness from the crowd of dragons that surroundedhim.

“We all knew the risk of banishment andwhat a mad dragon might do or say. We must now live with the consequences ofour choices. The council will speak with the other clans and formulate a plan.For now, return to your homes,” Cadmus said.

“What about this human?” Drago pointed atBren.

“What about him?” Kaida said.

“He’s been sentenced to death,” Drago said.

Bones rolled his eyes. “Are you kiddingme? The entire world knows of our existence, Drago, and you’re worried aboutone puny human?” He glanced at Bren. “No offense.”

“None taken,” Bren said.

“The human is not to be touched,” Cadmussaid. “He is free to go.”

Kaida squeezed his hand and he could almostsee the tension leaking from her body.

“Go, my clan. Return to your homes,”Cadmus said.

Kaida pulled him toward the door, pushingpast the other dragons until they were at the door first. “Time for you to go,Bren.”

“I can stay,” he said.

She shook her head as she opened the door ofthe cabin and they stepped outside. “No, it’s best for you to go.”

He followed her to his vehicle. “Kaida, I-”

“Please, Bren.” She glanced at the otherdragons. “My clan is afraid and sometimes when dragons are afraid, they makechoices they’ll regret later.”

“Like burning me to a crisp?” he said.

“Please go,” she said.

“It’ll be okay,” he said. He wanted tokiss her but settled for awkwardly patting her arm. “The humans will get usedto the idea of dragons existing.”

She smiled wearily at him before backing away.“Good-bye, human.”

“Good-bye, Kaida.”

* * *

Kaida parked her car, grimacing when thereporters immediately blocked it in with their vans. They jumped out and crowdedaround her car, shouting questions at her through the glass as the flashes ofthe cameras nearly blinded her.

She stared grimly at the steering wheel.She’d made a mistake coming to Bishop’s office. She should have known thereporters that had descended on the clan this morning would follow her.

But she’d needed to talk to one of her bestfriends, needed to admit how afraid and confused she was and, guilt crept intoher, she’d needed to be away from her clan for a bit. The entire clan hadspent most of the day in the community cabin and their combined anxiety was makingher dragon go a little crazy.

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