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"Oh, my new one. My best friend, Freddie, is there, and I've been making other friends, too. Not to mention they're all dragon-shifters, and so that means I can see them in their dragon forms during practice time. Even though I can't shift, Mr. MacLeod helps teach me some other things, since I'm behind."
Ms. Cook asked, "Don't you miss your human friends?"
"Well, I do miss Emily. But she loves dragons, too. Especially since she made a new friend named Jayden. She'll visit us loads, I'm sure. So it's not too bad."
The woman asked another question. "Some people won't like you because you live with the dragons. There are dragon hunters and they sometimes kill humans who like dragons. Are you afraid?"
Dawn opened her mouth to protest—why would they ask a child about being murdered—but Hayley placed a hand on her arm and gave a minuscule shake of her head. Apparently, Dawn needed to allow the question.
Clenching her jaw closed, she waited to see how Daisy answered. Her daughter tapped her chin a second and then replied, "No, I don't think so. Bram and Kai and Nikki and everyone works so hard to keep us safe. And they told me that I'm part of the clan now, too. So they'll do everything to keep me safe, too. Plus, I learned loads about dragon and human wars in school recently. So it's happened over and over again in history and humans are still okay. I think that means it'll always happen, right? As long as people hate dragons for just being dragons. Or something like that."
Ms. Cook nodded. "Probably. I have one more question for you, Daisy. Everyone is nice to you right now on Stonefire, but that could change. What if there was a new war against humans and everyone started to hate you? Wouldn't you want to move away?"
Dawn bit her lip to keep from telling the woman off. Some of her questions weren't appropriate for a child.
But leave it to Daisy to just shrug and say, "Not really. I mean, I've heard lots of bad things about dragons, and that didn't stop me from wanting to see them. And now my best friend is a dragon-shifter. Freddie would never hate me. And I don't think his mum, or Bram, or the others would, either. There are lots of human mates, too. Even dragon-shifters would see that not all humans are bad."
Oh, Daisy. Her daughter was insightful without even trying.
"Perhaps," Ms. Cook murmured. Then she looked at each of the adults in turn. "We have everything we need. We'll send our verdict in the next week."
With that, the panel filed out of the room. And without even glancing their way—not even at Daisy—Susan and her solicitor exited, too.
Anger churned in Dawn's stomach. The bloody woman just wanted to use Daisy to make a statement. And if the panel decided to hand over her daughter to Susan, Dawn would have to think about snatching Daisy back and flee into hiding.
Hayley's voice broke through her rescue planning. "I'd like to go over how I think it'll go from here. Let's find some lunch, and I can answer any of your questions."
Daisy chimed in. "But can I ask about dragon museums on our way out? I don't want to forget, and it's something they really should know about. I mean, if they don't exist already, of course. But if not, they should."
Smiling, Dawn nodded. "Okay, but only for a minute or so, and then we're off to lunch. Agreed?"
"Okay." Daisy stood and rushed to the door. "Let's go!"
Dawn stood, and Blake moved instantly to her side. He kissed her and murmured, "Daisy's portion went quite well."
She watched Daisy stop at the doorway and jog in place, trying to hurry them up. "It did, and it gives me hope."
He pulled her against his side and turned them toward the door. "For now, let's learn all we can, get some lunch, and I may just reveal the surprise I have in store for you this week."
She raised her brows at Blake. "A surprise?"
He smiled. "Yes, a surprise. And I only mentioned it once Daisy was out of earshot because otherwise, it wouldn't be a surprise for long. She'd get it out of me in no time."
She snorted. "Very true." Searching Blake's eyes, she touched his cheek. "I love you."
"I love you, too."
Hayley cleared her throat. "We should go before the next appointment enters the room."
And so with great effort, Dawn followed Blake's lead and did her best to be positive for Daisy for the rest of the day.
Chapter Eighteen
A few days later, Blake looked over the packed lunches on the kitchen counter and nodded to himself. Even for his pregnant mate, there should be enough food for the afternoon.
His dragon spoke up. If she's still hungry, she can have some of ours.
Daisy raced into the kitchen and skidded to a halt next to him. "Can we go yet? I'm ready, and so is Mum. If we leave right away, that means we'll have more time for your surprise. And since you had to pack lunches, it means it's not on Stonefire. Right?"
