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Killian answered, “Teagan is asking for Lochguard’s head Protector, Grant McFarland, and his co-leader, Faye MacKenzie.”
A female judge would definitely help rein in the bias against Teagan. “And the others?”
“Wildheath has people coming from Snowridge in Wales, and Greenpeak has people coming from Normandy in France.”
Aaron tilted his head. “As in Clan PerleForet?”
Killian nodded. “Yes. The French clan has long been an ally of the Killarney dragon-shifters.”
“And the Irish DDA is just going to allow the French to waltz into Ireland?” he asked.
“As long as no more than four dragon-shifters come from a particular clan, and the total for all visitors remains under twenty, they will allow it.”
Aaron doubted the British DDA would be that understanding, let alone grant permission so quickly. There must be a history in Ireland he wasn’t aware of. “So when does this take place and when will McFarland and MacKenzie arrive, provided they agree to judge?”
“The judges will arrive in two weeks, the day before the competition. As for the trials, Teagan has fifteen days to put it together.”
“That’s a rather specific number.” When Killian didn’t expand, Aaron sighed. “Fine, I’ll find the meaning on my own. Is there anything else that can’t wait? I’d rather have clothes on before I start my next duty.”
“Considering my grandmother has requested your presence, you had better be dressed. I’ll wait here. We’ll leave as soon as you’re done.”
Aaron wanted to say he didn’t need a bloody escort, but since he hadn’t received a formal tour of Glenlough, he didn’t actually know where Orla Kelly lived.
He took the stairs two at a time. Inside his room, he dressed and wondered what the elderly dragonwoman wanted with him. It had to be important if his visit took precedence over arranging security for Faye and Grant.
~~~
Teagan glanced at her computer screen for the tenth time. She didn’t know Finlay Stewart—the Scottish leader of Clan Lochguard—that well beyond rumors, but she needed his help. The question was whether he’d answer her sudden request for a video conference or not.
She went back to the stack of DDA paperwork on her desk. A few more minutes ticked by, but her screen remained blank.
Maybe she’d have to reach out to Clan Stonefire first and ask their leader to reach out to Finn. Sure, it had to be a surprise for Lochguard to learn that Glenlough’s leader was a female and that Killian was merely used as a ruse. But from what she knew, Finn would be open to that more th
an most given his own troubles with his clan accepting him because of his nontraditional views on dealing with humans.
On top of that, he was around her age. Usually that helped with being treated as an equal compared to dealing with the elderly.
Just as she moved a completed form off her paperwork stack, her video conference app rang. She cleared her throat, squared her shoulders, and hit Receive. The blond-haired, tired-but-smiling face of Finn Stewart filled her screen. He spoke first. “I’ll admit I was surprised to learn that Glenlough’s leader was actually a female, let alone that you wanted to talk with me, but I’m always open to expanding my list of allies. What did you need, O’Shea?”
While she wanted to ask why he accepted a female in charge so easily, Teagan focused on what was important. “I actually need a favor.”
“Oh, aye? And what type of favor are we asking for?” She explained the challenge and upcoming trials. Before she could ask her favor, Finn frowned and said, “Don’t those bastards have more important things to take care of than to worry about what set of genitals a leader has?”
She smiled. “You would think so, but they aren’t as secure in their manhood as you are.” She waved to the pink baby blanket sitting on his shoulder.
Finn shrugged. “I have a daughter, and her mother hates pink, so of course I have to use it as often as possible. If that makes me a bad leader, then maybe the person thinking so shouldn’t be part of my clan.”
She raised her brows. “Wait, you irritate your mate on purpose? Despite the fact she recently birthed three babies?”
“Aye, it’s what we do. It’s part of the deal with loving me. But that’s not what this call is about. Ask me directly what you want, or I’ll end the call. I have three bairns that’ll be waking up soon.”
Teagan didn’t so much as blink an eye at the steel in Finn’s voice. She wanted to point out that he had derailed the conversation, but restrained herself until she knew him better to fully speak her mind. “Each participating leader needs to invite two judges from a non-Irish clan. I was hoping you could give me two of your Protectors. Your coheads, McFarland and MacKenzie, would be my top choices.”
Finn studied her a second. “If I do this, then I want to start talks about an alliance. That way Bram can’t lord it over me at every opportunity.”
She tilted her head. “Despite barely knowing me, you seem fairly confident I’ll win.”
He shrugged. “You care enough for your clan to put up with this bullshit challenge. Add asking me for a favor out of the blue, and I admire your guts.”
