“So I’m to go to Canada then?”
Gaia chuckled. “I probably shouldn’t tell you this, but you were closer when you were in Boston. But she’s not in Boston…yet. I’m sorry to be so cryptic, but you wouldn’t appreciate her if this were easy.”
Conlan dropped to his knees and clasped his hands. “I swear I will appreciate her forever and always, even if you help me find her.”
“Well, I’m not going to. A little guidance is all I’ll give. Eastern United States. The rest is up to you.”
“Why? With all due respect, of course…”
She tossed her hands in the air. “How do I know you won’t just give up if your mission becomes difficult? Don’t you want to know how committed you are?”
Conlan gripped both sides of his head and shook it. “You’re confusin’ me. I know how committed I am. It’s up to me to continue the species. Hell, I’m on the side of a bloody mountain in bloody Scotland. As long as I get down from here alive, I’ll go to America and continue my search there. And I will not give up!”
The goddess nodded once. “Excellent. I wish yougoodluck.”
And with that she disappeared. She watched from the ether as he took a deep breath and let it out in a whoosh. Then he scooted over the ledge, finding a place for his foot and anchoring his weight. He slammed his pickax into the rock and appeared more determined than ever as he climbed back down.
* * *
Jayce would have to fly back to Boston at top speed the next morning to make it in time for his shift. He watched from overhead as Amy and Kristine carried out their plan to get Kristine an emergency leave from work, and Amy some sick time from her job.
As far as he could tell, everything went well and the ladies made it to Penn Station safely. Soon they were aboard the first commuter train bound for Boston. Then he had to get moving.
The night before, Gabe had agreed to leave his window open and lay some clean clothes out for Jayce. By the time he arrived at work, he’d probably have a few more gray hairs, but if anyone noticed he’d blame it on hard partying on his vacation.
He was actually looking forward to getting back. He had a few questions for Drake, his dragon buddy. Specifically if there might be a way to have human offspring with non-dragons. Drake had a son. There had to be a way.
He was greeted by his coworkers and welcomed back as he got his coffee in the firehouse’s kitchen. As soon as he saw Drake, he cornered him. “Hey buddy, can I talk with you?”
“Sure, Jayce. What’s up?”
“Uh… We should find a place where we won’t be overheard.”
Drake looked at him quizzically but followed him to the rec room. They closed the door. A large window allowed them to see if anyone was coming. It was probably the most privacy they could find in a firehouse with a dozen people around.
“Have a seat,” Jayce said.
Drake found an overstuffed armchair next to the couch and sat down slowly. “You’re making me nervous. Is everything all right?”
“Yeah. I don’t mean to worry you. I just need some information. I want to know a few things about your kind.”
Drake studied him. “My kind?”
“You didn’t think I knew about Chloe—my sister-in-law—being a dragon? Weren’t you curious about whether the whole Fierro family knew her secret?”
“So Ryan told you?”
“Not exactly. He took our father to the paranormal club, and he said you were there. My dad spilled the news to everyone at Sunday dinner.”
Drake nodded and then heaved a sigh. “How much do you know?”
Jayce smiled. “Enough to trust you. Especially since I have a secret too, and trust goes both ways. Let’s just put our cards on the table. I’m a phoenix. You’re a dragon. We both have an advantage when it comes to fighting fires…”
Drake nodded. “Okay. You got me. So what does Chloe have to do with this?”
“Nothing really. It’s just the fact that my brother, a phoenix, fell in love with and married a dragon. Now I’m in love with a dragon too.”
Drake’s eyebrows shot up. “The hell you say. I don’t know any other dragons besides the Arish family. Don’t tell me you’re breaking up a happy family! Or…are you involved with one of the male cousins?”
