Page 46 of The Dragon Recruit
“Pregnant mothers.”
The human sipped his pint, and Iris wondered if it was really that simple. Maybe the female dragons were there, already being used for breeding, and anger rushed through her. While she couldn’t understand anyone hating humans enough to abandon their clans, she’d seen reports about what Stonefire and even Snowridge had discovered in some of the previous research facilities. About how the Dragon Knights had forced pregnancies on the female dragon-shifters.
No one deserved that, but especially not Zoe. Not her clan member.
Antony and the human male cheered at something in the game and then went on to talk about players and World Cups and other things two blokes in a pub would discuss.
Even though she kept an ear out in case Antony might need her help, they never talked about anything but sports after that.
She shouldn’t feel useless, and yet she did. Not wanting to waste time, she asked the tech to bring up everything he could about Birkwood Castle. Because as soon as Antony left the pub, they were going to return to the house to discuss strategy and leave as soon as possible to investigate their new lead.
By the time Antony could leave the pub without attracting notice—the end of the bloody match—he was itching to dash back to his secure flat. The informant hadn’t said much after mentioning Birkwood Castle, but there had been little drips here and there, if one knew the code.
He suspected some of the missing female dragons might be at the old manor house. However, they wouldn’t be in the building itself, which was derelict, but rather underneath it.
And since the dragon hunters had once inhabited an extensive network of tunnels, back before the Dragon Knights had started taking the spotlight off the hunters, it was entirely plausible they were using them again. Or maybe had never fully abandoned them.
So many flies to swat down, and Antony never seemed to have enough resources.
By the time he reached the safe house, he noticed the lights were on. But as agreed, one side of the curtains was open on thefirst floor and the curtains in the window below were open on the other side. The signal that Iris was there.
Regardless, Antony was still careful about approaching the back door and entering. Once he’d locked the door, he silently crept up the stairs and into the flat until he could see Iris staring down at a map. He knocked against the door trim, and she glanced over. Her hair was still up, but she’d changed to jeans and a T-shirt. Ones that hugged her arse and hips in a lovely way.
But even though he wanted to smile, charm, and kiss her, he forced himself to stride over and ask, “What more did you find out?”
For a second, relief flashed in her eyes. As if she’d been unsure of how he’d act now.
Resisting the urge to curse anyone who’d made her feel lesser, he focused on her reply as she tapped the map. “The small town of Lesmahagow is near Birkwood Castle, but not too close. The town to the northeast and the golf course to the south of the castle are our two biggest obstacles. I would’ve researched more about security and any videos online about the place, but there’s no internet in here.”
“No, it’s a security precaution. Whilst my team relies a lot on technology, there are a lot of pitfalls. Regardless, my tech guy has already contacted a trusted few under me, and we should know more by tomorrow morning.”
Iris stood. “We should leave now and find somewhere to stay closer to Birkwood. That way, we can act quicker once we have enough information.”
“Ah, I think not, my dear. It’s better to remain here, investigating what else we can find out about Jude and even Zoe’s disappearance, before rushing into things. Kai and Trina have already been reassigned to scout the area, and since Kai has some experience with finding dragon hunter tunnels, I thought it best to send him out ahead.”
“And us? Why do we need to stay here? Surely you have some staff who could investigate Jude.”
He risked tracing her cheek, oh-so-slowly. Her breath hitched as her pupils flashed to slits and back, and he smiled. “We both need some rest. Besides, staying in one place for a day or two has its benefits.”
Antony continued caressing her cheek, wanting more, much more, but not wanting to push Iris too far.
Eventually she replied, “Just rest, aye?”
“If that’s all you want.”
She bit her bottom lip, and his gaze shot to her mouth. Damn, he wanted to take that bottom lip between his teeth and tug.
Iris stepped back, turned around, and braced her hands on the table. For a beat, then another, she said nothing. But Antony was patient, so he stayed in place.
Her voice was lower when she said, “I can’t risk it.”
“Risk what?”
“Losing focus. Or my spot for this assignment.”
“Your spot is ensured, even if you need to work with one of my colleagues instead of me. I can even call my brother to work with you instead, since investigating old ruins is sort of his specialty anyway.”
She shook her head, but didn’t turn around. “No, it’s not that. As you mentioned, I’m good at my job and you wouldn’t want to kick me off of this.” She glanced at him. “And that is why I can’t risk anything with you. I can’t have any distractions.”
