With a huff, his inner beast moved to the back of his mind just as Bram mentioned needing to talk with Kai. Then Bram looked to Melanie and added, “Keep a watch on the human media for me and if you could come up with any ideas on how to use it to our advantage, let me know. I’ll be back as soon as I have more information.”
Mel gave a stiff bob of her head. Tristan wanted to rub her back to help ease her tension, but as she scooted another inch away from him, he decided against it.
Bram looked to him. “Tell Melanie whatever she wants to know. There won’t be any more clan secrets kept from your mate. She is one of us.”
Once Tristan nodded, Bram turned toward the door. “Keep your phones close to hand. Evie or I will call you soon.”
As Bram left with his mate and son, a strained silence filled the cottage. He wanted to ease his mate’s pain, but Tristan had never been very good with words. He had no idea of what to say, yet if he said nothing, he might lose her trust.
Unsure of what else he could say, Tristan blurted out, “I’m sorry.”
Mel turned toward him, her eyes guarded. “Right here, right now, I need to know if there’s anything else you’ve been keeping secret from me.”
“Just one more thing.”
She moved another inch away. “Well?”
He glanced down at his son, asleep in his arms. The sight of his son’s peaceful face gave him the courage to look back at Melanie and say, “After Annabel was born and I waited to see if you’d live or die, I cried to the point of nearly sobbing. I hadn’t done that since my mother’s death.”
Mel’s posture eased. “Tristan.”
She would probably allow him to hug her and hold her, but he needed to do more than patch up his mistake; he needed to heal it. “I’m sorry I didn’t tell you about the Dragon Knights, Melanie. Bram’s dominance and my respect for his leadership prevented me from giving in to the desire to share everything with you. I won’t do it again. Please don’t leave me or take away our babies.”
His mate frowned. “What the hell are you talking about?”
“You’re angry and keep moving away from me. I keep waiting for you to bolt.”
“Tristan MacLeod, stop being paranoid. I’m upset, yes, but I would sure as hell hope our love is stronger than one little incident. Things have been nearly perfect up until now. Something was bound to happen. However, if you’re willing to give up on us that easily, maybe I should leave.”
Tristan reached out and touched her cheek. “No, I don’t want you to leave. You and the children are my everything.”
Her face softened. “There’s that tenderness again. It wouldn’t hurt to show it a bit more often, you know, when I’m not angry?”
“So, you forgive me?”
With a sigh, she moved, readjusted her grip on their daughter, and cuddled her head against his chest. “I suppose so, but to start making it up to me, tell me everything you know about the knights.”
He kissed the top of his mate’s hair. The heat and softness of her against his side allayed both the man and beast’s worries. “There’s not a lot to tell, really. The modern human sacrifice system was loosely based on one used during the medieval period, when lords and villages would offer a human female in exchange for protection against outside threats. The Dragon Knights thought they could do a better job of protecting other humans, at a price of course.
“The legends say the knights slayed the dragons to prove how much better it would be to hire them for protection than to offer a female to a dragon-shifter for the same thing.”
His mate nuzzled his chest with her cheek. “Bram mentioned the Enlightenment-period thinkers saving the dragon-shifters. Is that when your number repopulated, even without human sacrifices?”
“Yes. At least, until the two world wars during the last century. After that, we were desperate again.”
“I know the rest from my research, about the local bargains being made on a case-by-case basis until the DDA was established in the 1980s. If only I had access to some of the university libraries, I could start digging for references. Just think, Tristan, there’s a whole side to human and dragon-shifter history which the humans know nothing about.”
She fell silent and the corner of his mouth ticked up. “Are you outlining another book in your head?”
Looking up, she gave a coy smile “Maybe.”
He chuckled and kissed her nose. “Let’s handle the aftermath of this one first, love. Then we’ll tackle the next.”
His mate snuggled against him again. “I love you, Tristan. And I wish we could just stay like this, cuddled all day with our children, but Bram asked for us to watch the human media reports. We should get started.”
Tristan growled. “If you want up, then give me a kiss first.”
“How about asking nicely?”
“No.” He moved his son on his lap to lean against his sister in Melanie’s arms and then placed his finger under Mel’s chin. “This time, I’m going to take what I want.”
Tilting her head up, he kissed her. She allowed his tongue in without protest and he made each stroke count, letting his mate know how much he loved her better than he could ever do with words.
~~~
When Tristan finally broke their kiss, Melanie sighed. “One day, you’re not going to make me forget everything with a kiss, Tristan. What will you do then?”
His eyes flashed to slits and back. “That day will never come. My dragon agrees with me on that.”
With a smile and a shake of her head, Melanie readjusted her children so they were both on Tristan’s lap. “So cocky.” As Tristan placed a hand behind the heads of each of their twins, her heart squeezed. “Yet so devoted.”
Before her mate could persuade her to do some more kissing, Mel moved to the TV and turned it on. The BBC was in the middle of a special news report. Settling back beside her mate, Melanie tried to make sense of the images dancing across the screen.
Judging by the fire brigade trying to put out the flames of an old, brick building, the scene was the London Department of Dragon Affairs.
Pushing aside her initial shock, Melanie focused on what the announcer was saying.
“We’re still waiting on an official count, but sources say the death toll might reach as high as two hundred people. The Chief Fire Officer has put out a public statement asking citizens to please stay away from the scene. Memorials and tributes will be scheduled at a later time, once the fires are out and the investigation is complete.”
The announcer went on to replay the Chief Fire Officer’s earlier statement and Mel looked up at Tristan. “Two hundred people dead in London alone.”
“I know, love. But they’re talking about you now. Look.”
Mel glanced to the TV. Her official author photo was in the corner. She focused on the announcer’s words.
“The group claiming responsibility, the Order of the Dragon Knights, put out a video stating the recent book about the dragon-shifters living in the North of England is what prompted the attacks. Quote, ‘The dragon-shifter book is part of their agenda to seize control of the country. Melanie Hall-MacLeod was probably forced to write the book of lies under duress, to help alleviate the truth of dragon brutality. As soon as we let down our guard, the dragons will attack.
“The Department of Dragon Affairs has long worked with the dragons and can’t be trusted. To ensure the safety and future of the United Kingdom, we will target anyone helping the dragon-shifters, be it a civilian or the government. Consider this your only warning. If you associate with dragons and no longer wish to become a target, then comment on this video posted online with details of traitors. We will be checking there as well as other major sites on the internet, to be announced at a later date.’”
The announcer introduced a guest analyst and Mel clenched a fist. “How dare they accuse us of trying to take over the country, let alone plan an attack.” She looked up at Tristan. “Do you see now why I have to do the interviews? Otherwise, the knigh
ts will receive all of the airtime. The most easily swayed section of the population will start to believe them before long.”
Tristan sighed. “Even if you do the interviews, it’s going to take more than you defending yourself and the book to change public opinion. The knights have emotionally charged material.”
Her idea from earlier popped into her head. Could she really exploit her friends to sway public opinion?
“Melanie.” She met her mate’s brown eyes and he continued, “Tell me what you’re thinking so I can help you. Something’s conflicting you. It’s plain on your face. What is it?”
“Sometimes, I wish I was better at hiding my feelings.”
“Stop stalling. Tell me what’s on your mind, my little human.”
After a deep inhalation and exhalation, Mel blurted out, “I have an idea, but it involves Nikki, baby Murray, Charlie’s mate, and…”
He raised an eyebrow. “Who?”
“Arabella.”
Her mate raised his other eyebrow and she spilled her plan. When she was finished, he sighed. “It might work, but even if Bram gives the okay, you’ll have to convince Ara to help you. And honestly, I’m not sure if she will.”
“I know, but I have to try, Tristan. I don’t know what else to do.”
“Right, the twins will wake up soon to be fed. Once that’s done, we’ll ask Ella and her mate to watch the babies and then we’ll talk to Bram.”
She gently touched her daughter’s head. “Do you think Bram will agree?”
“I don’t know, but even if he does, Ara will take some work.”
“Then I’ll just have to try my best. If we don’t garner more support, then the dragon-shifters might be worse off than ever before.”
Tristan kissed the top of her head. “Even if it does, we’re survivors. Now, take Annabel and I’ll take Jack.”
Mel picked up Annabel, who didn’t so much as bat an eyelash. The second Tristan moved Jack, however, the boy started wailing. He didn’t like missing his sleep.
As they moved and took care of their children, a sense of guilt about what she was about to ask her friends made her stomach churn. If there were any other way to sway public opinion, she would do it.
There wasn’t, so she hoped Arabella MacLeod was strong enough to possibly get them out of the current mess. The Dragon Knights needed to be dealt with swiftly. She refused to think about what would happen if her sister-in-law said no.
Chapter Six
Two hours later, Melanie sat in Bram’s cottage with Tristan at her side. One of the teachers who worked with Tristan agreed to watch the twins for a few hours, allowing Mel and Tristan to pitch their idea to Bram.
It hadn’t taken long to convince Stonefire’s leader of the merit of her idea and they’d been interviewing the necessary players ever since.
Mel looked over at the black-haired, brown-eyed young Protector talking with Evie near the door. The young dragonwoman, Nikki, gave Melanie one more look with a nod of acknowledgment before she left.
Shutting the door, Evie walked back into the room and sat on the arm of Bram’s chair. She snaked her hand around the back of Bram’s neck before saying, “Nikki’s agreement makes three out of four. Do you think you two can convince Arabella?”
Mel glanced to Tristan and her mate answered, “Not only is Bram allowing Murray to be a part of this, Bram supports the plan as well. That may be the tipping point in garnering her consent.”
Mel squeezed Tristan’s hand in hers. “We’ll find out soon enough. She’s due any moment.” Melanie looked to Bram. “You still haven’t told me why you’re going with my idea. A few seconds after I finished, you began calling the others to come in. Why?”
Stonefire’s leader shrugged. “You made a good case. A leader’s best asset is realizing when to lean on his clan members for help. I’m not about to be a macho alpha who needs to think of everything myself. Somehow, I don’t think Evie would put up with it.”
Evie leaned slightly against him. “I’m glad you understood that on your own.”
While Mel and Evie hadn’t hit it off in the beginning, Mel couldn’t think of anyone better suited for Bram. She only hoped Arabella would find the same happiness one day.
Guilt made her stomach churn. Mel had spent more than a year coaxing and pulling Arabella out of her shell, yet what she was about to ask might undo all of that hard work. Still, even if her sister-in-law grew to hate her afterward, Mel would suffer the ill feelings if it meant earning the public’s support and ensuring the safety of Clan Stonefire.
A knock at the door interrupted her thoughts. Evie went to answer it.
Tristan squeezed her hand and whispered, “You can do this, love.”
After giving her mate a weak smile, Arabella’s voice carried down the hallway. “Anyone care to tell me why I had to trudge all the way here? I’m on a deadline for upgrading our security systems. With the new threats, I can’t afford to let it wait.”
Evie guided Arabella inside the living area. “Believe me, Arabella, this is more important.”
Arabella looked at each of them in turn before replying, “Okay, the look on Melanie’s face alone has me worried. What’s wrong?”
Tristan rubbed her knuckles with his thumb. The rough, warm strokes gave her the courage to spit it out, “You’ve heard of the attacks today, but have you heard about the Dragon Knights claiming responsibility?”
Arabella glanced to Bram and he nodded. “She knows all about them now.”
Arabella looked back to Melanie. “Of course I know. Everybody knows, but what does that have to do with me?”
Mel sat up a little taller. “Everything. You’re part of the solution.”
Arabella frowned, her scar crinkling slightly in the process. “What the bloody hell are you talking about?” The dragonwoman looked around the room. “Someone tell me what the fuck is going on and quickly because I have shit to do.”
Tristan growled, “Watch your language, Arabella Kathleen MacLeod.”
Arabella rolled her eyes. “The world is falling apart and you’re worried about my language.” The dragonwoman’s brown eyes moved to Mel’s. “Tell me straight, Melanie, as you always do. I don’t like this beating-around-the-bush bullshit.”
With a deep breath, Mel knew her sister-in-law was right. “I need you to go on live TV and tell the world about what was done to you when you were attacked by the dragon hunters.”
Arabella blinked. “What?”
Mel’s voice was soft when she replied, “I know it’s a lot to ask, but there’s a plan behind it, Ara. Will you listen?”
Arabella shook her head and took three steps back. “Absolutely not. What happened to me is private.” Arabella looked to her brother. “Why would your mate even suggest it, Tristan? You, of all people, know how difficult it’s been to overcome that trauma. I don’t understand why you would ask this of me.”
~~~
Tristan was careful to keep his face neutral despite the protectiveness screaming for him to take care of his younger sister. “Every second of airtime the knights receive, the more people will start to believe them. The only way to counter their tactic is to give the public something to care about. The brutality of the hunters will earn us some desperately needed sympathy.”
Ara narrowed her eyes. “Sympathy? Do you really think I care about what the humans think? They not only did this to me, they killed our mother, Tristan. I’m not about to be used as a freak show for your plans.”
Melanie leaned forward, but Tristan gave his mate’s leg a squeeze to stop her. He continued, “You’re not a freak show, Ara, but a survivor. If there was any other way, we wouldn’t be asking you to do this. But the BBC interviews are in two hours and we need an answer.”
Before Arabella could reply, Bram jumped in. “Listen, Arabella MacLeod, your clan needs you. Hell, your family needs you. If you thought what happened to you was bad, what if that happened to your niece and nephew? Or, how about to your brother? Even me? Woul
d you want that?”
Even Tristan sat up taller and tapped his hand against his thigh at the dominance in Bram’s voice. Unsurprisingly, Arabella bowed to her clan leader too as she mumbled, “No.”
Bram raised an eyebrow. “Right, then you’re going to help us, along with Nikki, Charlie’s mate, and even wee Murray. It’s not just about you, Arabella, it’s about allowing the world to see what’s happened and hope like hell they will believe us. More importantly, that they’ll support us and turn against both the hunters and the knights. I want the same future as Melanie, where humans and dragon-shifters get along better than they do now. Only when humans may come or go as they please on our lands will we not have to rely on a barter system to ensure the survival of our race.”
As Bram and Arabella stared at each other, Tristan’s dragon peeked out. Arabella’s dragon is scared.
How in the hell can you know that?
I just do. Be careful with her.
I’m not about to coddle her. I did that for a decade and it hurt her in the long run.
Just remember to support her. She will need it.
Before he could decode his dragon’s cryptic words, Ara stood a little taller and raised her chin. “If I do this, then I want a guarantee I can be the first to foster with Clan Lochguard.”
Tristan blinked. “What? Where did this come from?”
His sister pierced him with a stare. “Finn invited me several months ago and I’ve been thinking about it ever since. I want to go.”
Narrowing his eyes, Tristan growled, “What did the Scottish bastard say to you? I sure as hell hope you don’t fancy him, Arabella. He’s not right for you.”
Anger flashed in Arabella’s eyes. “How do you know what I bloody want? I’m not the same dragonwoman I was a year ago, Tristan. I need a change. Besides, I’ve always wanted to go to Scotland. Your mate’s memories with her family only made me want to go more.”
He opened his mouth but Melanie laid a hand on his leg. Looking over at her, her brows furrowed. “Don’t glare at me, Tristan MacLeod. Scotland is a beautiful place and I would say the same to anyone.” He mumbled an apology and Mel continued, “Arabella’s made her decision. Let her go to Lochguard.” His mate glanced over at Bram. “Provided, of course, Bram says it’s okay.”
Revealing the Dragons (Stonefire Dragons #2.5) Page 5