Page 23 of Fire Dragon
But she was and Liam knew it. He understood how vulnerable he was to her and how much he risked by being this close to her.
As she passed by one of the security teams, he watched her levitate and place her hand on the shoulder of the lead dragon. She ran her palm across his glittery gold-brown scales. It was considered a friendly gesture, yet all it did was remind Liam that he wanted her hands on him, and only on him.
When the dragon kept swinging his massive head her direction, he knew they were communicating telepathically. He could tell the dragon was enjoying the exchange.
Liam had seen her interacting with others often. She was friendly and truly interested in people, their lives, their pursuits, their families. This dragon was a happily married man with three children and Liam shouldn’t have been jealous. But there it was. Again. And his hands were in fists.
“I want her riding with you,” Santos said. “That should be enough.”
Liam’s temper once more shot into the stratosphere as he shifted his gaze back to Santos. “I draw the line at the caravan runs. This is my show. This has nothing to do with the Arranfar Defense Force. Emma isn’t needed out here.”
“Then stand down and continue running drills on the lake. I’ll get Logan or Noah to take this one out.”
Liam’s jaw dropped. “You’re serious.”
“Never more so. For as long as it takes, and until I see things differently, I want you with Emma everyday. That means she’s on this run or you’re back to training. Period.”
Liam considered the hard line of Santos’s jaw and the set of his shoulders. He realized he was looking at something else here, something he’d failed to see for the past month.
He switched to telepathy.What are you not telling me, Miguel? We’ve known each other a long time, but all of this says you’re holding back. I think it’s time you let me in on the latest horror show. If you don’t, call Logan and I’ll respectfully request about six-month’s worth of vacation time and take it on Peru, Earth. I want to hikeMachu Picchu. How does that sound?
Santos stared at him hard. His nostrils flared.Fine, but this goes no further. We’ve had rumors that the Magi have developed a new technology for their dragon force. If what Intelligence has heard, the weapon can do damage beyond anything we’ve seen so far. If we don’t have a defense ready, and they attack HQ, we could lose Blue Lake South. If that happens, the entire continent will fall.
Liam let these words sink into his skull, his brain, his soul.
It was worse than anything he’d imagined. He’d thought maybe the Magi were planning a major assault and Santos wanted everyone on their A game.Did you get this from the dragons Emma and I dropped into the lake?
In part, yes. But they only confirmed what we’ve been hearing through our backchannels for the past several weeks.
You should have told me, Miguel. All the lead dragons.
I’ve been waiting for confirmation, something tangible, before I made an announcement.
But why Emma and me? What can we possibly achieve that others can’t?
That’s just it, I don’t know. But Emma’s performance in her first battle, the way she attached to your energy, has given me hope that the two of you together can do something, though what exactly, I have no idea. Do you remember the assessment I had the entire force take a few months back?
Of course.
It was intended to reveal a certain genetic alignment. Yours and Emma’s genes show an exceptional cohesiveness. When I was first told about this test, I thought maybe it would create a stronger link during battle. What I didn’t expect was what Emma actually accomplished, and that on her virgin run. If anything, she has proved the current working theory correct.
Santos continued, But it has also convinced me that the two of you need to stick close in case something else might emerge that will help us defeat this latest threat. Do you understand now?
Liam nodded. He had lived a long time, over two hundred years. The last century was the most peaceful he’d known. Much was due to men like Santos and others who had created the Arranfar Defense Force. Until now, they had been victors in any engagement with the Magi because of superior training and the use of symbiotic dragon-riders during battle.
He supposed it was to be expected that those who could advance science and technology would eventually use the same to build better weapons. The Magi were gifted in each of these areas.
It was the way of both worlds, Earth and Dusane.
Santos sighed.I will apologize if the pairing has created difficulties. I know you have a history with Emma.
Now that he understood what was at stake, Liam’s ire faded.We can both live with it but thank you for telling me.
Santos blew the air from his cheeks.You need to understand as well that I’ve disobeyed orders from the governing Council in Davathorpe by saying anything to you. It goes without saying that I rely on your discretion.
You’ve got it.
Liam watched Emma give a final pat on the shoulder to the security dragon before she turned back to head his way. He ignored a now-familiar spark of jealousy.
He pivoted to face Santos once more then met his gaze straight on.Emma needs to know, Miguel. If she and I are to work together in ways that will combat a threat as great as the one you’ve described, Emma must know.
Santos nodded.As you wish. I know you’ll both be discreet. Safe journey.Then he was gone.
