Page 8 of Feral

“That’s a bonny dream.”

“I won’t argue that she’s carved out a damn near impossible task for herself. But her sincerity and determination are real.”

I studied the Dragon, my claws tapping against the glass of the pint.

“The last director killed many a good clansman of mine,” my voice was low, the faces of the departed floating past my memory. “If not for my grand-dad, we might’ve been destroyed.”

“I know. She did a lot of damage. Director Dearborne is trying to make amends and fix our reputation with the supernatural communities.”

“And that’s why you’re here? Because I’ll be honest, sendin’ a Dragon is either a very large threat, or a bit of overkill in the customer service department.”

Trey laughed at that and took another drink of beer.

“You’re not wrong.”

“About which?”

“Both.”

“So, yer threatenin’ me?”

“No, sending a Dragon to investigate is a clear sign of how important the clans are to us.”

I nodded and took a pull from my glass. There was a lot he wasn’t saying, and it was the unknown that had me more nervous than before. My clan had come through a lot in the last few years between the previous director and the conflicts with the other clans, the Campbells in particular. Now, just when I thought we’d come through all of it to a new day, the rug had been pulled from under us.

“Why don’t you tell me the situation, as you see it,” Trey said.

I studied this Dragon, trying to see behind the power and beauty of his species to discern if he was being completely honest with me. Dragons were shrewd, secretive to a fault and greedy arses. But the one thing they generally weren’t was eejits. They’d been scarce during the previous director’s time, and she’d not been foolish enough to threaten them. The fact that this Dragon trusted the new director said something.

I just hope it says that I can trust him with our clan’s safety.

“How much do ya know about clan politics?” I asked.

“Enough to know that the MacDonalds and the Campbells have been at each other’s throats for hundreds of years.”

I nodded.

“Aye, that we have. But in recent years, the leaders of both clans have tried to put all of that behind them. It’s been shaky, to say the least. And to shore it up, make it a bit more stable, my older brother Angus has agreed to marry the clan leader’s granddaughter, Imogen. Everything was on track for a Beltane matin’ ceremony, until two weeks ago when Angus nearly ruined it all by sleepin’ with his ex, Lizzie.”

Trey frowned.

“That sounds unfortunate, but why do you think it’s supernatural in nature?”

“Because Angus is the steadiest man I’ve ever met. He didn’t want to break it off with Lizzie, that was true. They’d been off and on since high school. But Angus knew it was the best thing for the clan. Hell, he was the one that suggested it. This turnabout isn’t normal for him. But it’s not the only thing. The day after, two of my clansman went into Campbell territory and started shite on purpose. They’d been under their Alpha’s orders not to go anywhere near the Campbells until things settled down. But they did it anyway. Now, if you’re unfamiliar with an Alpha’s command, let me tell you, most of us can’t break that hold. Me? Maybe. But these two were barely out of school, they shouldn’t have been able to disobey.”

“Unless they were aided by something powerful.”

“Aye, such as an artifact. Now, you tell me that there’s some missin’, enough that James couldn’t come personally. I may not understand what goes on in that secret place of yers, but I know when somethin’ isn’t right with my clan.”

“I think your instincts are definitely something to listen to. And that’s why I’m asking you to come to the London office, and present this to the director. She can take a closer look at things and assign you an agent to investigate.”

I gave him growling chuckle.

“I can’t just up and leave in the middle of this kind of thing! The clan needs me.”

“I agree that they need you, but what good are you going to do by staying here? You’re the liaison, you need to present this to the director.”

I swore under my breath and finished off the pint.

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