Which meant no, he didn’t really have a choice.
His dragon spoke up.It won’t be that bad, and if we can help get one step closer to defeating the dragon hunters, we need to do it, aye?
Maybe in his early Protector years, Cam might’ve protested more and put up a fight.
However, he’d been doing his job long enough to acknowledge Seahaven was the most vulnerable dragon clan in the UK. And if he didn’t do his part, one attack from the hunters could end the life and sanctuary they’d made here.
He said to his beast,Just don’t push me when it comes to Dr. Davies. I’ll be polite, and ensure her safety. But that’s it, dragon—she’ll never be more than a job to me.
His beast sniffed.I won’t push. Much. But I like her, and you think she’s bonnie, too. Maybe just be open to seeing if we suit, aye?
Cam was about to argue some more, but Euan’s voice snapped him back to the present. “Well? Will you help, Cam? It’s a lot to ask, but Emily seems nice enough and who knows, you might even become friends.”
He looked at Iris, the more direct of the Holbrook pair. “Will you promise to be upfront on this going forward? That means no keeping secrets if it’s related to Seahaven or Dr. Davies.”
Iris replied, “Aye, I will.Wewill. Won’t we, Antony?”
Antony brushed some invisible dust off his sleeve. “I suppose. Provided Cam is just as open with us, and that you make it worth my while later, my dear.”
Iris sighed, but her pupils flashed with heat and amusement. “We’ll see.”
They stared at one another, having a conversation without words, and Cam ignored the stab of jealousy to his heart.
His beast spoke up.If someone as secretive as Antony Holbrook can find someone to trust and love, we can do the same.
Cam replied to the pair, “Then aye, I’ll go along with your plan.”
Antony said, “Brilliant. Now, let’s go over a few details before we share the joyous news with Dr. Davies.”
As he listened to the details—ranging from the operatives settled in the nearby villages to the hidden location of a base Antony and Iris used in the Scottish Highlands—his respect for Antony and Iris kicked up a few notches. Oh, Antony was still an annoying arse, but he was clever and clearly had resources Cam could only dream of.
Once they finally had an overall plan nailed down, Euan sent a message to Daniel, and they waited for him and Emily to arrive. Part of Cam hoped she’d refuse and demand to go back to Stonefire, and the other part wanted her to say yes so he could help capture some dragon hunters.
That was the only reason, though. He most definitely didn’t look forward to riling her up again like he’d done earlier. Not at all.
Chapter Four
Emily had barely finished setting up her research space when someone knocked, and Dr. Daniel Keith entered. He smiled at her, his pupils flashing as he said, “Euan needs to see you right away.”
She frowned. “Is something wrong? Does Stonefire need me back?”
“I don’t know the particulars, but if he’s being vague, there’s a reason. It’s not an emergency or he would’ve said so, but you should go straight over to see what he wants.”
Resisting a sigh, she walked over to Daniel. “I’m sure Euan is like Bram, in that he wouldn’t disrupt our day if it weren’t important.”
“Aye, that’s right. Come on, I’ll show you the way. The sooner you chat with him, the sooner you can finish unpacking at your temporary home, too.”
Daniel had given her the day to set up both at the surgery and her accommodations before starting work the next day. She’d wanted to help with the school examinations this afternoon, but in the end, she’d stayed to gear up for her research. The sooner she completed her latest tests, and hopefully a finishedserum, the sooner she could leave. Maybe even go back to Wales and accept the university research position she’d been offered repeatedly.
Because Stonefire would be strange now that Trahern had a mate and two stepsons.
After locking her computer, she grabbed her coat and followed Daniel out of the surgery. As soon as the wind hit, she shivered and put her hands into her pockets.
Daniel smiled. “You get used to it eventually, I promise.”
“But I bet you still have to wear jumpers in the summer.”
“Most of the time, aye. But not always in July and August, or if we’re really lucky, part of September, too.”
