Page 62 of The Dragon Recruit
Iris shook her head. “That doesn’t make any sense. The dragon hunters in the past said their mission was to protect humans, at any cost. It’s why they want dragon’s blood—to heal everyone. No, they don’t care about killing dragon-shifters in the process. But killing humans? That’s a major shift, if true.”
“I’m still trying to determine if that’s their goal or not. However, I think the incident earlier today in the town was a test. They wanted to see if it would kill me and knock out whoever was watching me.”
“So someone knows you’re working with dragon-shifters?”
“I don’t have any evidence yet, but my gut says yes. I’m waiting for MI5 and the DDA to respond and say what to do. All I know is that we’re to keep investigating Birkwood Castle, and maybe Dalquharran Castle, and to be careful about it.”
“Which means gas masks, and that won’t allow us to be under the radar.”
“Ah, but there is a way we can protect ourselves and still look like a normal person, going about their day.”
“How?”
“One of my gadget treasures is a set of filters that go inside your nose and another set that attaches to your back teeth. They should keep us safe.”
“Should?”
“Yes. It’s not a guarantee. Max may back out because of it, not that I blame him. He has a daughter on the way and a mate to think of.”
He studied Iris, wanting to say she needed to keep her distance until they knew the special filters worked.
However, doing that would push her away and destroy any chance for a future with her. He had to let her do her job and trust she could protect herself.
Not that he liked it.
She’s not like Lisa—she has years of special training. If she can survive, she will find a way.
Although his heart didn’t like the logic, he willed himself to be the rational, level-headed leader he needed to be, not the man falling fast for a certain dragonwoman with lovely brown eyes.
So he asked, “So knowing all of this, do you still want to help with the search around Birkwood Castle?”
“You’re not demanding I refuse and stay far away?”
“No. Even putting aside that I have more respect for you than that, you’d still find a way to scout the area if I said no. However, if you wish to work with Clan Northcastle in Northern Ireland, on their latest lead about the dragon hunters, that option is also available. It’s up to you.”
And even though he’d lost his appetite, Antony forced himself to eat as he waited for Iris’s answer. He wasn’t entirely sure which option he wanted her to pick.
Iris knew Antony well enough now to recognize he wore his forced neutral expression. He wasn’t trying to persuade her one way or the other. No, he trusted her to make the decision, knowing the risks, even if he might not want her near danger.
Her dragon spoke up.As I told you, he’s different.
Even so, she’d still expected him to send her away at the first sign of danger. After all, it’d taken her a long time to convince the male dragon Protectors on Lochguard that she could handle herself.
And yet, with Antony, he’d listened to her frustrations and was giving her the choice. He may be clenching his jaw to keep his mouth shut, but the fact he didn’t order her to flee at the first sign of danger did something to her heart.
Not wanting to focus on how the male was starting to mean something to her, she asked, “If the filters fail, has Dr. Turner found anything that will neutralize a minor exposure to this gas?”
“Not yet, but she’s roped in Dr. Trahern Lewis and Dr. Emily Davies to help her.”
Dr. Trahern Lewis was originally from the Welsh dragon clan but had moved to Stonefire a few years ago. “Isn’t he newly mated, though?”
“Yes. I won’t get into his personal life, as that’s his business, but he seemed eager to bury himself in research. At any rate, they’re working on it, but there’s no guarantee.”
“You want to tell me to stay away, aye?”
“Part of me does, yes. I would say the same to Max. However, both of you have minds of your own, and I’ll respect your choices.”
She tilted her head and studied the human. He was far more honest than most males she knew. Well, apart from a handful who were already mated, and she’d never fancied. Definitely nothing like what she felt for Antony.
