Page 17 of Red Marked

I don’t answer.

I trust my own damned eyes.

“The Council has ruled,” Pryce goes on. “We don’t get to question that ruling; we simply have to obey.”

Like sheep.

I’m a fucking dragon shifter. I will never be a sheep.

“That’s not an answer.”

He looks at me head-on, his eyes hardening. His jaw tightens. He’s angry, and I don’t give so much as a single shit.

“You saw something out there, Flint. I’m not saying you didn’t.” A pause. “I’m saying it isn’t what you think it is. Leave. It. Alone!”

“What about the dragons without markings?”

“It was just the bad lighting,” he practically growls.

Bad lighting, my ass.

“You saw what you wanted to see. You were there when they were taken. It’s guilt talking.”

Guilt?

Is he fucked in the head?

“I have reports to file, as do you,” he tells me. “You can close the door on your way out.”

I know when to fight and when to back down.

Backing down does not mean giving up.

I start toward the door.

“Have a lovely evening, Flint. Again, well done.”

I don’t turn back. I leave, closing the door.

Atlas, Saber, and Rift are waiting in the corridor when I come out.

“Well?” Atlas says.

“He’s not talking.” I shake my head. “Says it isn’t what we think, and to leave it alone.”

“Bullshit.” Rift’s arms cross tightly over her chest. “I know what I saw.”

“Me too.” Atlas’s shoulders are a hard line.

Saber’s been quiet till now, propped against the wall a few feet off, but he pushes off it. “I didn’t get as clean a look as the rest of you, but I do believe you.” He shakes his head. “It doesn’t matter. The Council wants this buried. There’s sweet fuck-all we can do about it.”

Screw that!

“I’ll see you in the morning,” I tell them. “We’d better get some rest. We have a full day again tomorrow.”

Rift nods.

“Right,” Atlas says, sounding irritated.