Page 70 of Marked Dragon

Theron nodded, his face flushed. A vein bulged between his eyes. “It’s been happening for the past three years, apparently, but we just learned of the trauma when a thunder in Utah alerted us a year ago. Forty dragons were killed, leaving the thunder at a total of fifty.”

The numbers didn’t make sense. “Wait. I thought you said only the old, weak, and disabled. Forty out of ninety is an awfully large number.” That was almost a fifty percent death rate in one attack. That much of the population couldn’t be old, and weak, and disabled dragons appeared to be rare. Hell, even though Theron and Aiden had to be in their sixties, they didn’t look that old, except for the gray hair. They were just as muscular and strong as Vlad and Thorn, which made sense, given dragons lived for about five hundred years.

“They also killed any thunder member who didn’t agree with the man Drake designated as the new leader. A friend of mine who left our thunder to join his mate’s thunder gave me a heads-up because he knows about my son. Otherwise, we’d have been clueless until they attacked.”

Vlad rubbed a hand down his face. “Drake needs people who won’t revolt against him or rat him out to the king.”

Theron laughed humorlessly. “You’re still sticking with the king not knowing that his son—his heir—is doing these things?”

“He doesnot.” Errol’s jaw tensed. “I would’ve overheard something if he did, and I’m still confused about how it would be possible.”

“I believe King Arman is clueless.” Tyson’s lips curved. “Drake injured me, lied to his dad, and drove us to live on the outskirts of town. He blamed me for it. He’s a jackass, and he intends to finish the job of killing me.”

Drake was a psychopathic narcissist. The very worst kind in the world.

I turned to Peter and arched a brow. “You still want to go home?”

He scowled but didn’t respond.

“That’s why it’s a huge risk to have you here.” Theron scrubbed his hands through his hair. “Because of the potential attack, I bought this land in case Sol and I had to leave fast and go into hiding for a while. We’re an hour’s flight from my thunder, so the risk is a lot less than having you at our location. As long as you stay put so there’s no risk of anyone seeing you, everything should be fine. I stocked the kitchen while you were on your way here.”

“We understand.” Errol stepped forward, a warm smile on his face. “We appreciate the shelter you’re providing.”

“Wait.” Saphira eyed the barn warily. “We’re stayinghere?”

“Won’t be much different from how you smell now,” Tyson quipped, bumping her arm. “Maybe it’ll be an improvement.”

“Absolutely not.” Peter shook his head. “Thisis where we’re expected to stay? Hell no. You all need to take me home. This is the final straw. I’d rather take my chances with Drake.”

Thorn snarled. “You won’t make it that far because your death will happen before you make it five feet from me. I will not allow Drake to capture you and use you as leverage against Eva and Everly.”

Recoiling, Theron pressed his lips into a line.

He wasn’t happy with how Thorn was handling things, and my heart sank.

I was done having the same conversation repeatedly. I lifted my chin and glared at my stepdad. “Peter. There are two ways this can go down. One, you behave and understand that theonlyreason you’re here is because you’re Eva and Elliott’s dad and we’re trying to protect you and your children. Or two, we can gag you and tie you to a chair so you can’t eat, pee, or get a drink of water without permission. I refuse to let you keep pushing everyone’s buttons, and the sound of your voice is getting on my nerves. One more negative thing, and you will have made your choice…permanently.”

Peter’s eyes darkened and sweat sprouted above his lip.

Apparently, my threat had been more effective than Thorn’s, which surprised me, but I’d take it.

Theron squared his shoulders. “I’m serious.Onemore thing to make me regret allowing all of you here, and I will evict you, and you can become someone else’s problem. Do I make myself clear?” He glared at each of us. “I’ve got backup measures in place. If I disappear or show up late, I’ve instructed several members of my pack to notify Drake. I can use my fated-mate bond to give my wife the barn’s location if Drake comes, and if I don’t return, she can bring the warriors here.”

“Having Drake show up is a risk to your son.” Cassidy ran her hands along her stomach. “Surely, you wouldn’t contact him.”

“First off, my son wouldn’t be there when they arrived, so it’s not an issue.” Theron crossed his arms. “And second, Drake has made a video stating that anyone with information on Thorn and Everly that results in their capture will be owed a great debt. That would come in handy if he ever does learn about my son.”

I wanted to tell him that Drake was lying, but he wouldn’t believe me. I could see the determination in his eyes. He believed that, since Drake had said it on the Dragonnet, he couldn’t go back on his word. Explaining Drake’s treachery would just be another strike against us.

Theron glanced at the sky. “I’ve got to return home before they get nervous.” Then he focused on Vlad and walked over, handing him keys while saying, “I’m trusting this group because of your father. Don’t let me down.”

“We won’t.” Vlad took the keys. “I promise. We want to remain hidden until we figure out what to do.”

“Don’t go into town. We can’t risk exposing you and this place.” Theron headed toward the tree line. “I’ll be back tomorrow to check in and make sure there isn’t something you’re lacking. There are clothes inside, though I’m not sure they’ll fit all of you. What’s here is yours, just as long as you take good care of things.”

“Thank you.” I nodded at him, and some of the weight of the world disappeared from my shoulders. This man seemed like a good guy, and I hoped we’d have a few days to regroup.

He darted into the tree line to shift and go back to his thunder.

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