Revealing the Dragons (Stonefire Dragons #2.5)

by Jessie Donovan

  When Arabella started talking, he listened. “Yes, my name is Arabella MacLeod and I was taken, beaten, and tortured by a group of Carlisle dragon hunters when I was seventeen years old.”

  Even though Arabella’s voice was a little less confident than he liked, Tristan was proud of his sister.

  Jane asked, “Is that where your scar and burns came from?”

  Arabella paused and then replied, “Yes. A group of men held me down, poured petrol on half of my body, and set me on fire.”

  The journalist paused. Her voice was soft when she finally spoke, “Did they give a reason?”

  Tristan gripped his arms tighter. As if they needed a bloody reason. Dragon hunters were evil.

  His sister, however, was more diplomatic than he was. “A dragon’s blood can’t heal anything until a dragon-shifter hits maturity. Melanie stated as much in her book.” Arabella glanced to Melanie and then back to the journalist. “They wanted to weaken me so it would be easy to keep me captive until I hit maturity.”

  Jane Hartley cleared her throat and asked, “Some say we already spend too much money tracking down the dragon hunters. What would you say to those people?”

  Arabella frowned. “After today, I would hope they’d think twice before saying such crap. Each of us here has suffered because the laws surrounding the dragon hunters are too lax. Human law prevents us from taking care of the threat ourselves, so the law either needs to be changed or the DDA offices need to step up their game. Too many dragons are dying because of the limbo we’re placed in.”

  Bram murmured, “She’s doing extremely well. If she’d never been attacked, she might’ve been like this always. She might even have gone after the clan leadership.”

  Tristan’s dragon spoke up. I agree with Bram. Arabella is more of a leader than anyone admits.

  She’s kept herself locked up for years. Of course they would think so.

  She will do extraordinary things in the future. I believe in her.

  Before he could think too hard on his dragon’s words, Jane was talking straight to the camera again, signaling the end of the interview. Tristan focused on her words, “I wish to thank all of our guests for sitting down and talking with me. I’m sure I’m not the only one who will do some thinking and reevaluate my views on dragon-shifters, dragon hunters, and their interactions with humans.

  “If you’re curious to read more, you can download a free three-chapter preview of Melanie Hall-MacLeod’s book, Revealing the Dragons. The web address is on your screen, or you can go to our website for the link.

  “Stay tuned for the hourly news update with John Smythe. This is Jane Hartley reporting from Clan Stonefire in the Lake District. Good evening.”

  The screen switched to another program and Tristan moved to the door. He needed to check on his mate and his sister. Judging by Melanie’s face, she wasn’t happy about the whole thing and he wanted to calm her down before her temper got the best of her.

  Chapter Nine

  Melanie forced herself to smile and shake hands with Jane. As soon as she could extricate herself, Mel moved toward the far door.

  She still couldn’t believe the bloody woman. Mel had barely said a few sentences the whole time. How was she supposed to make a passionate speech and sway hearts and minds if all she did was sit there?

  Not paying attention to where she was going, she rammed into a hard chest. She was about to apologize when she saw it was her mate. “Tristan.”

  Without a word, he engulfed her in his arms and hugged her close. The contact helped to ease her angry tension a fraction. Her mate’s voice rumbled in his chest. “You were brilliant, just as I thought you’d be.”

  She looked up, glanced around, and whispered, “I barely did anything. She wouldn’t let me talk. The speech I rehearsed was all for nothing.”

  One corner of Tristan’s mouth ticked up and she glared. Ignoring her glare, he said, “You did fine. The stories from the others were more powerful than anything else.”

  She let out a deep breath. “I know, but I wish I could’ve done more. Still, Arabella was fantastic. She didn’t break down once. She’s come a long way from the first day I met her, Tristan. She’s ready to go to Lochguard.”

  Her mate grunted. “We’ll talk about that later. For now, I want to get you home. There’s bound to be a response to what was said during the interview and we should be ready.”

  Mel looked behind her, but Bram was talking with Evie and Arabella. Nikki and Hudson were already gone. “We should invite your sister.”

  “I think she’s already going with Bram and Evie. Knowing my sister, she wants to make sure Bram puts in a call to Lochguard without delay.”

  Sure enough, Arabella waved a hand at them, turned around, and left.

  Tristan moved so that he was at her side with his arm around her shoulder. She sighed. “Do you think the dragon hunters, or even the newly reformed Dragon Knights, will retaliate now?”

  As they maneuvered to the front door, Tristan squeezed her shoulder. “I don’t know, love. But if I know Kai, he’s already planning defensive and offensive strategies.”

  “Is that why he was standing off to the side for awhile, inside the interview room, staring at the journalist? So he could gather information for his plans?”

  “What are you talking about?”

  Mel leaned a little more against her mate. “Well, he stood with his arms crossed and stared at Jane Hartley the entire time. Has the clan worked with her before?”

  “Not to my knowledge. He was probably just keeping an eye on you. As much as we’d like to trust the BBC, not everyone will have pro-dragon views.”

  “If you say so. Still…”

  “Spit it out, Melanie.”

  “Well, it was hard to see because of the bright lights shining on me, but I swear he was looking at Jane like he was starving.”

  They were out in the open air now and Tristan stopped them to look down at her. “What?”

  She tilted her head. “Yes, he looked like he’d been waiting his entire life for her and given the chance, he would’ve devoured her.”

  Tristan shook his head. “Impossible. He met his mate a long time ago, but he couldn’t have her for some reason.”

  “Do you know why not?”

  He raised an eyebrow. “Have you met Kai? At times, he makes me look chatty.”

  She smiled. “True.” She wrapped an arm around his back and gave a small push. Once they were walking again, she added, “I’ll still ask Bram about it, later. Provided, of course, we’re not under attack.”

  At the mention of danger, they walked in silence.

  Melanie picked up her pace. As curious as she was about Kai, she was even more curious about the reaction to their interview. She just wanted to cuddle her children, sit next to her mate, and find out what their future held.

  ~~~

  An hour and a half later, Mel was waiting for the relief gel to start working on her son. When they had come home, Ella had suggested the boy was teething. Checking his gums, which were warm and slightly swollen, Mel knew it was true.

  Leave it to Tristan’s son to make a fuss when he didn’t feel well. Father and son were identical, in that regard. Annabel also had warm gums, but her daughter was taking it a hundred times better than her brother.

  Rocking her baby boy, hoping the soothing gel would help Jack fall asleep, she looked over at Tristan. Her mate was grinning at her. He cuddled Annabel tighter to emphasize he had the sleeping half of their children.

  Mel scowled and Tristan grinned even wider. “Don’t look at me like that. You’re the one who volunteered to take Jack. He’ll fall asleep eventually.”

  “Gee, thanks. While I do this, I don’t know, maybe you could check the news and see what’s happening? An hour and a half is enough time to delay the inevitable.”

  “If it weren’t for the children and the impending doom for all dragon-shifter kind, I’d rile you up more. I like it when your eyes flash and your face f
lushes.”

  She sighed. “Please tell me you aren’t thinking of sex right now, Tristan.”

  He shrugged. “Hey, when a dragonman has a mate as beautiful as you, he always thinks about sex.”

  Battling a smile, she lost. “Just turn on the TV and check the news.”

  Tristan chuckled. She knew he’d be cocky and bloody unbearable when they were alone later in the evening.

  Picking up the remote, he waved it toward her. “I wouldn’t worry too much. Bram and Kai would’ve come banging on our doors if something were wrong.”

  “Still, I want to know. If things aren’t going as well as I like, I have to think of something else.”

  Tristan raised an eyebrow. “We all will think of something else. Taking on the world by yourself will kill you, love.”

  Jack squirmed in her arms as if he were going to wake up so she bounced him. Once he settled, she looked at Tristan. “If it means you’ll turn on the damn TV, then I’ll agree to a costume party meeting.”

  He gave her a once-over. “That I would like to see.”

  Mel rolled her eyes and she heard the TV blip on.

  Looking to the TV screen, the view was Stonefire’s front gates. The sight of the crowd made her stomach drop. Were they waiting to attack? Or, were they just curious?

  Then she looked at the crowd more closely. Some people were holding signs, but she couldn’t quite make them out. Since the crowd members were waving and moving around, it was difficult.

  Finally, after stepping closer to the TV, she could read one, “Stop the Torture.” Another one read, “Justice for Arabella.”

  Mel blinked. “Am I going crazy or does Arabella now have a fan club of sorts?”

  Tristan grunted. “It seems so. I’m not sure how I feel about that.”

  A voiceover started and she waved a hand at Tristan. “Shush a second. I want to hear what they’re saying.”

  For once, her dragonman didn’t challenge her.

  The voiceover filled the silence. “No one was certain of how our earlier interview with members of Clan Stonefire would be received. Yet a scant two hours after the broadcast, a group has already assembled outside Stonefire’s gates. The crowd, while still small, is passionate about justice for the dragon-shifters. Our own Jane Hartley is at the scene. Let’s go to her now to hear what some of the participants have to say.”

  The screen changed to show Jane Hartley’s smiling face. “I’m outside Stonefire’s gates, and as you can see, there is a crowd of about fifty people behind me. Unlike the incident with the press conference, all of the people behind me appear to be supporters of the dragon-shifters. A few of them have agreed to talk with me. Let’s talk to our first person now.” Jane looked over and the shot panned out to include a woman wearing glasses. Jane asked, “Why did you decide to drive out here today?”

  The woman’s voice was from the North, probably from a neighboring village. “Hearing those stories on TV made me feel ill. When one human kills another or sets a woman on fire, they are brought to justice. Yet we never hear of dragon hunters or haters being brought to justice. It’s time to change some of the old laws, especially given what happened to the DDA offices earlier today. Something needs to be done.”

  Jane asked, “Have you been a life-long supporter of dragon-shifter rights?”

  The woman wearing glasses shook her head. “I never thought much about it, to be honest, until I moved nearby and could see the dragons fly overhead. Even then, it was just something to gawk at. After hearing the four stories today, however, I can’t ignore them anymore. I want to know them better.”

  Closing her dropped jaw, Mel looked to Tristan. “Did you hear that? I almost want to say it’s too good to be true, but maybe, just maybe, things will finally change.”

  “I wouldn’t get your hopes up just yet. It’s still early.”

  “Even so, the fact so many came out to support us is a sign. Some of the indifference toward dragon-shifters is fading. That alone is huge.”

  “It would be even better if they left my sister out of this.”

  Mel let out a sound of frustration. “Can’t we just celebrate a little? Yes, I know things could go wrong at any minute, but I can’t remember a time in my life when people cared this much about dragon-shifters.”

  Tristan looked at her a second before replying, “I will hold off for a few hours, at any rate. If things continue as they are, and that’s a big if, I might even have a chance to intimidate your parents and brother in person before long.”

  Mel rolled her eyes. “My mom is a lot like me. She won’t put up with your crap.”

  “Your brother then.”

  Mel smiled at the mention of her brother. “I’m not sure about Oliver. He used to be funny and able to charm anyone before the cancer. I wonder if he’s back to his old self or not. It’s hard to tell during our video chats.”

  “If you have anything to say about it, we’ll find out soon enough in person, my little human.”

  Smiling, she looked down at Jack, who had finally settled. “Let’s put the twins down and risk searching the internet. I want to know how other news outlets are handling all of this, and not just in Britain. Maybe then you’ll be a little more optimistic.”

  “You need my doubts to ground you.”

  Schooling her face into a mock serious expression, she made her tone sarcastic. “Yes, without you, the world would never change. Only through your doubts can I be motivated to change the world.”

  “Bloody stubborn woman.” Tristan stood up carefully. “Going back to your original topic, America might handle it well. I’m not so sure about China or Russia, though.”

  Dropping her mock act, Mel walked with her mate up the stairs to the twins’ room. “Regardless, if we figure out which countries are taking it well, Bram can reach out to some other clan leaders.”

  Tristan’s voice was dry. “Does Bram know of your plans for world domination?”

  She shot a look over her shoulder. “Not yet. But he’s the one who wants to form alliances. This is too good of an opportunity to pass up. I’m pretty sure Evie will back me up on this. If she does, he doesn’t stand a chance.”

  Shaking his head, Tristan mumbled, “Human females.”

  “That’s right, mister, and you wouldn’t have it any other way.”

  Inside the room, Tristan gave her a quick kiss. “As much trouble as you are, you’re right. Both man and dragon only want Melanie Hall-MacLeod.”

  “You’re not too bad yourself, dragonman.”

  Laughing, the pair of them went to work putting the twins down for the night.

  Mel kept touching each of her babies in turn. All of Tristan’s teasing aside, their children would have the future they deserved. If, for some reason, the public’s response became tepid and unsupportive, Mel would think of another tactic. And then another. She would do anything to ensure her children would have the opportunity to know their human side of the family.

  She and Tristan might even be able to start their own yearly family summer trips. Even though her twins and mate could fly, nothing bonded a family like a long car trip.

  With both babies asleep in their cribs, she leaned over them and put every ounce of confidence she had into her voice as she whispered, “I will change the world for you two, no matter what it takes.”

  ~~~

  Arabella uncrossed her arms and widened her stance. Then she shuffled her feet and clenched her hands at her side. Finally, Bram said, “Stop your fidgeting, Ara. Finn said he’d sign on.”

  Considering Arabella had set up the connection, she knew that. Still, the moment was too important. Before anyone could change their minds, herself included, she wanted her fostering with Lochguard to be a done deal.

  The screen filled with Finlay Stewart’s cocky grin and some of her agitation eased. Without thinking, she blurted, “You’re late.”

  Finn grinned. “That anxious to talk to me, are you Arabella? Seeing as you’re a celebrity now, your fond
ness is that much more precious.”

  She opened her mouth to reply when Bram beat her too it. “Stop with the flirting, Stewart. As you can imagine, I have a million things to do. Watching you charm one of my clan members isn’t on that list.”

  Finn replied, “Well, go on, then. What’s so urgent it couldn’t wait?”

  Bram looked up at Arabella and she nodded. Her clan leader looked back to the Scottish leader. “I’ve decided on the foster for your clan.”

  Finn’s amber gaze flicked up to hers and held it. “Oh, aye?”

  Her heart rate kicked up. Finn was looking straight at her, as if he were peering into her very center. For a second, doubts rushed through her mind. Was she really ready to leave Stonefire? Would Lochguard accept her? Would Finn drop his manwhore act once she arrived and ignore her?

  And why the bloody hell did his opinion matter? The two of them in a room would kill each other before long.

  Bram’s voice snapped her back to the present. “Yes, but before I tell you, let me remind you of our earlier discussions. If my clan member is hurt in anyway, I will seriously reconsider our alliance. Understood?”

  Finn finally moved his gaze back to Bram. The cockiness was replaced with a hint of anger. “If you think I would intentionally hurt your clan member, then you don’t know me at all. Hell, I saved your mate, Bram. I think I deserve a go at your trust.”

  Bram nodded. “You do, and I appreciated your offer of safe haven on Skye. Still, the clan member going is like a sister to me. I don’t want her hurt.”

  Arabella couldn’t take it anymore. “I’m standing right here, Bram. As I told you, I’ll be fine.”

  Finn’s eyes met hers and he smiled. “Oh, aye? So you’re the one coming.” He placed a hand over his heart. “I think my heart just fluttered. I look forward to seeing you again, Arabella. This time, you can’t run away.”