Page 40 of The White Dragon's Dilemma

But Landry wasn’t finished yet, she continued, “There are more humans than shifters on this planet, yet we have to fight over the scraps while the shifters geteverything.They have all the wealth and all the power.The human part of the government is a complete sham!”

“She hasn’t met President Goodfellow,” Caden murmured as he recalled the tenacious politician hanging outside of Valerius’ rooms.

Landry thrust a fist into the air as she said, “Well, I’msickof it! I wrongfully ignored what was happening to humans when I was forced to work a menial job as a store clerk.”

“Hey!”Wally cried woundedly.

“But after I was put inprisonfor a crime I didn’t commit just because I think that humans deserve equal rights to shifters, I’mdone!” Landry pumped that fist into the air.

Caden saw Jasper’s Humans First flunkies cheer and shout in response, but it wasn’t just them that approved.He thought he saw nods and smiles from some of the reporters too.People who had been passing by and had stopped to see what the commotion was about adding their voices to the flunkies.There were large nods and cries of assent.

“Why is no one sticking up for the shifters?”Tilly asked and he saw a determined expression cross her face.

“Tilly, don’t,” Caden said before his sister decided to jump out of the car and tell those people what was what.

“Why? Someone has to speak up!”Tilly asked, her body held rigid and quivering with righteous anger.

“Because your brother is going to announce that he’s the White Dragon Shifter to the world soon and the press getting wind of any kind of fight with Humans First would be a PR disaster,” Wally explained as he tugged on his chin.

“But, Wally, if Humans First is the only one who speaks then that’s the only stuff people will hear on the news!”Tilly lamented.

“That’s incredibly smart, Tilly,” Caden said slowly as he nodded.“You’re right about that.There’s got to be voices in opposition to this… hate.”

Landry was beaming and nodding at the reporters and her little cadre of supporters.Caden felt sick to his stomach as he recognized that Landry was finally getting the type of attention she might have always craved but had never been given.

“Maybe she’s still working undercover for Chione,” he said lamely as Landry was ushered into a big, black SUV driven by the Humans First people. She took pride of place beside Jasper Hawes.“Chione was a little cagey with me earlier about Landry.”

“If Landry was going undercover why wouldn’t Chione tell you?”Rose asked.“You’re the White Dragon Shifter!She’s not going to keep stuff like that from you.Caden, you’ve got to remember who youare!”

Caden grimaced.“I’m Landry’s friend.I have to talk to her.Wally, can you follow that car?”

Caden pointed to the Humans First vehicle.

“No problem, kid.”Wally nodded and started up the Bug.It sputtered to life and shook for a moment like it was an old animal shaking off sleep.

“I’m hoping they take her home.Then I can talk to her,” Caden said as he sat back in the car seat and hoped it didn’t shake loose from the frame.

Wally was good at tailing vehicles.Despite his car topping out at 40 miles per hour and there being few cars on the road, Wally stayed far enough behind that the Humans First people didn’t seem to know--or maybe they didn’t care--they were being followed.Caden had thought they would go to Landry’s house, but they didn’t head there at all.In fact, they went to a rather nondescript townhouse along the edge of the mid.This was near where Caden and Valerius had used the secret exit to leave Reach.He had a panicky moment when he thought they might be leaving the city.But the garage door opened and showed a normal space and not a road curling deep into the wall.Wally parked the car just around the corner.

“What are they doing here?”Tilly asked, her brow furrowing.

“They’re definitely up to no good,” Wally said, making a face.

“You know, just because the Faith were behind the other bombings doesn’t mean that Humans First couldn’t pull a copycat,” Rose said darkly.

“We need to know what’s going on in there,” Caden said and stopped meaningfully.Rose and Wally looked at one another. “You guys did it before.And, besides, they know my face and they’d totally see Iolaire’s big butt.”

Iolaire, who had been observing all of this with a somewhat sad expression on its face, rustled its wings at the description of its “big butt”.Its butt was perfect.It was completely perfectly proportioned.Raziel thought it was the most perfect dragon butt out there, thank you very much.Caden rolled his eyes.

It’s still big.Nearly as big as that townhouse!We couldn’t hide!Caden reminded Iolaire.

His Spirit twittered sadly that yes, perhaps that was true.Just perhaps though.

“I guess the kid has a point,” Wally sighed.“Ready to play spies again, Rose?”

Rose nodded even as she pretended to look put out.Caden thought she seemed rather excited.“I suppose. Caden, you and Tilly stay put.Don’t even think of straying outside the car.”

“She’s treating us both as if we are little kids,” Tilly sniffed indignantly.

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