Page 5 of The Dragon Shifters' Enemy
Carlos let out a soft huff of laughter as he met Valerius’ eyes and winked.Valerius lifted an eyebrow in surprise.Of all the reporters he thought that Carlos would be the softest.But he suddenly wondered if he had got the man wrong.He’d let the other two spar while he sat back for the most part.But now, he had center stage as Lisa and Claire had dug themselves into holes with everyone.
Carlos turned that genial smile on Claire.She, however, pointedly ignored him and was scrolling on her phone.Lisa sat very still between the two of them.Caden had affected her, whether for good or bad, Valerius couldn’t say.She was an excellent reporter, which meant she could never be a friend. Her reputation depended on asking the hard questions, which was likely why Chione had invited her.
If Chione had stuck with only reporters that would send softballs Caden’s way, the speculation would have been rampant.This was the elephant in the room: the death of innocents by his and Raziel’s hands.Yet Caden had answered for Valerius’ crimes. But Caden had somehow turned Raziel’s fury and his fear into something understandable.Something that people could forgive.His eyes slid to his Councillor, who was now at the right side of their sofa.
Do you think Chione knew this? Do you think she realized that Caden would be the perfect person to answer for what we did?Valerius asked Raziel.
But his Spirit remained blissfully unaware of the drama it had caused. He found himself smiling at how sweet Iolaire and Raziel looked.Iolaire’s head rested on Raziel’s stomach.Whenever his Spirit breathed, Iolaire’s head lifted then fell.Iolaire’s back feet scrabbled a bit at the cavern’s floor, likely chasing cows in its sleep just like Caden had thought earlier.
“There’s nothing really interesting about me,” Caden said warily.
Evidently, he learned quickly that the press were not to be trusted.
“A person doesn’t simply sacrifice themselves to save others without being somewhat extraordinary.”Carlos wagged a finger at Caden as if he were being naughty.He turned instead to Caden’s family. “Let’s see what those who know you best think.”
Ellen had high spots of color on her cheeks and she was perched on the edge of the couch, ready to spring off of it and rip to shreds the next reporter who insinuated something negative about her son. Grant’s eyes were narrowed as he surveyed the reporters like they were adversaries in the courtroom.Tilly had her arms tightly wound around her chest and was glaring at them.Despite being very mature for her age, Tilly’s reaction to say that she “hated” Lisa was likely the truest.He was amused to see that Lisa had a hard time looking at Tilly.There were costs to be a good reporter.
Carlos leaned forward, elbows resting on his knees, as he fixed Ellen in his gaze.“Ellen--I can call you Ellen, can’t I?”When Ellen nodded hesitantly, Carlos continued on, “You are the mother of the Ninth Dragon Shifter.You are also a member of the Faith.”
Ellen’s right hand had drifted up to the necklace that she wore.She immediately dropped it in her lap, self-conscious.
“Yes, I am, but one has nothing to do with the other!”Ellen let out an uncertain laugh.
“Perhaps not, but you have an eye for the Spirits.Did you see any signs that Caden might one day become a shifter?”Carlos added.
Ellen’s lips parted.Valerius assumed she would murmur “no” and then would look away.His understanding of Ellen was that she was a private person and not one to brag.She would have listened to the other parents rave on about their children being special, but she would only silently think hers were.
“I didn’t want him to be,” Ellen said.
This shocked everyone, including Caden.
“Mom?”Caden asked with a half-laugh.
“Shifters have to leave their families, Caden.Why would I ever want that?”she asked.
“Oh, Mom,” Caden said and he went over to her and hugged her.
This was something that was not often seen in interviews.Nor was it often seen a mother clutching her son to her.Caden pulled back, but stayed hunkered by his mother’s feet.She kept her right hand on Caden’s shoulder while she dabbed her eyes with a tissue.
“Becoming the Ninth Dragon Shifter was lucky, amazing in so many ways, but mostly, because we got to keep him,” Ellen explained.
“I would never have gone away… so long as you didn’t want me to.”Caden glanced over at Rose as he said this.
The Swarm Shifter came over and gave Ellen more tissues while rubbing her shoulder.Ellen reached out and took Rose’s hand and brought it to her cheek.
“We’re told that peoplehappilygive up their children, their spouse, their parents, their friends, buthowcan that be true?”Ellen asked.
Rose’s eyes were suspiciously wet.Valerius was surprised to see that Lisa was discretely wiping hers.
“I think there are so many wonderful, beautiful things about the Spirits and Shifters,” Ellen said with a watery smile, “but that I just couldn’t understand.So Caden being a Dragon Shifter meant he stayed.Well, really, we went with him.”
“You’re living in High Reach now, I heard?”Carlos prompted. “I imagine that, in addition to being here to be with your son, that you’re also here forprotection?A few nights ago there was a bomb scare at your house.”
“That was Humans First,” Caden said as he stood up, gave his mom’s hand a squeeze before settling back down with Valerius.The Black Dragon King slid a comforting arm around his shoulders.Rose, though, took Caden’s place and remained perched on the couch beside Ellen. Caden continued with a low growl in his voice, “Jasper Hawes found out who I was and wanted to blackmail me into helping his group.He intimated that another bomb had been placed at my family’s home.”
Lisa scribbled frantically while Claire’s mouth fell open.Carlos’ eyebrows rose.
“I’m sure you know howvolatilethings are with Humans First,” Carlos stated smoothly.“There are a lot of people who think that they have a point, even if they abhor their methods.To say that Jasper Hawes threatened your family… well… it’s explosive.”
