Total pages in book: 49
Estimated words: 46156 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 231(@200wpm)___ 185(@250wpm)___ 154(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 46156 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 231(@200wpm)___ 185(@250wpm)___ 154(@300wpm)
I get to wear that again, don’t I?
“Of course, mate,” Ardon assured her. “Or you can choose another next time if you’d prefer.”
Thank goodness. I was going to steal it.
“Let’s avoid the red bottom that would result from that,” Oldrik suggested with an arched eyebrow. “Time to get you in bed to recover.”
Chapter 17
The dragon shifters sat in Drake’s library. The atmosphere was tense as they all shared any bits of info that they had gleaned from their territories and duties. Oldrik fumed as he sat in his wingback chair.
Whoever was organizing the attacks on them had another purpose. It made little sense that the violence resulted from the dragons’ protection of the city of Wyvern and the citizens. What was the purpose of these strikes?
“Do you think we’re dealing with zealots who are anti-dragon?” Oldrik asked. It wouldn’t be the first time in history that humans had sought to eliminate them. So many knights in shining armor had been toasted in their protective gear.
“You may be on the right track, Oldrik,” Ardon backed him up. “They’re organized around a goal or purpose.”
“The early results from the analysis of the samples we’ve taken have pinpointed several chemicals,” Argenis said. “Those supplies should dwindle without technology to refine and produce it. I have a list of the closest three supply depots.”
“We need to split up and go check them out,” Drake decreed.
“I agree. We don’t know what we’re getting into at each location. A show of power would make a statement and eliminate future trouble,” Khadar pointed out.
“Is there any other use for that chemical? Will eliminating it cause the humans hardship?” Ardon asked.
“Only in the production of heavy industrial batteries,” Rogan shared.
“No one needs those now.” Argenis voiced what the rest of them were thinking. Batteries for cranes and bulldozers wouldn’t solve the technology failure.
“I’ll take a location by myself,” Keres said from the doorway. The black dragon hadn’t relaxed into a chair with the others.
“Groups of us, Keres. Rogan and I will go with you,” Drake told him, before adding bluntly. “No kamikaze moves.”
“If you insist,” Keres answered sarcastically.
“I do.”
“Oldrik and I can handle one,” Ardon said.
“That leaves Argenis and Khadar to eliminate the last spot,” Drake said. “Argenis? Will you share the location with each group?”
“Of course.”
As they waited for Argenis to provide that information, Ardon chatted with Rogan. “Any progress in finding a mate?”
“It’s like my mate is close and I keep missing them. I can smell someone who calls me,” the red dragon told him.
“You think your mate is in town?” Ardon asked.
“I do. I’m about to go door-to-door like I’m selling cookies or vacuum cleaners,” Rogan said. His eyebrows pulled together, revealing his frustration. “They’re evading me. There’s something tantalizingly unique about the scent.”
“This is going to be fun to see. Perhaps we need to have another party to draw everyone together,” Ardon suggested.
“We need to address this violence first. I don’t want my mate threatened with that poison,” Rogan said decisively.
“We’re ready, Rogan. Let’s go before Keres pulls a ninja move and disappears without us,” Drake told him.
Armed with their locations to scrutinize, Ardon and Oldrik headed out for the first one. It was a fair distance away. Oldrik didn’t like leaving their mate for an extended time, so he set a grueling pace. Ardon didn’t protest. He also was motivated to finish their scouting endeavor.
After waving goodbye to her dragons earlier that afternoon, Skye had stayed close to Oldrik’s mansion. She’d drawn a few features around the property: a dragon head hitching post, a ginormous tree she suspected was over a hundred years old, and the tumbling creek that ran behind the property. With all those finished, she was at a loss about what to do next. The nap Ardon had suggested was off her to-do list.
Lying back on a soft patch of grass near the mansion, Skye watched the darkening clouds inch their way overhead. She’d worried in the past about her Daddies flying in bad weather. Since finding out that they were naturally resistant to lightning, she’d dismissed that concern. Sticking close to the entrance would allow her to escape if the show above her turned into a torrential downpour.
A rattling of wheels on the long-curved drive drew her attention. The guards at the gate had allowed the wagon through, so she didn’t worry. They were cautious about who they permitted on the grounds. She wondered what delivery was arriving today.
Tierney walked out of the building to greet them. The visitors waved him over to the far side of the delivery vehicle to see what they had brought. A strange sound reached Skye. Unable to tell what it was, she was on alert. An uneasy feeling built inside her. Something was wrong.
A fat raindrop splashed on her face, followed by many others. Distracted by the need to get inside, Skye pushed herself up to stand. She raced toward the door as water pelted down.