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The building looked like a dozen others or more on the street. It was attached to another house on one side and was brick. As they entered the front door, Grant noted the B&Bs to either side posted no vacancy.
Lachlan didn’t bother to check in and proceeded to the living area. Once he shut the door to the room, he turned to face them. “This B&B and the other two on either side are where all of the participants and their guards are staying.”
“It seems a bit out in the open with regards to security,” Grant pointed out.
“Perhaps. But the DDA owns all three of these buildings. We find it easier to come and go along the busy street full of tourists, especially since we book rooms to anyone who wants it most of the year. Even the locals think this is just another bed and breakfast.” Lachlan pointed toward the ground. “However, there is also a tunnel underneath that serves as an escape route, in case we need it. The DDA has taken every precaution to ensure this event goes forward.”
Grant grunted. “We’ll need to see the tunnel and study its exit point.”
“In time,” Lachlan answered. “First, I need to brief Cat and the others on the event. You’re the last to arrive. Wait here while I fetch the remaining participants.”
The human left, and Grant looked to Faye. She nodded in understanding—she would locate all of the available escape routes as soon as possible as well as find the nearest place they could shift and fly away, if need be.
In that second, Grant forgot about the traitors in his family as well as him trying to resist Faye. It was nice to be doing more than paperwork behind a desk. Being the head Protector wasn’t always as glamorous as some might think.
Grant’s thoughts were cut short as another human entered the room. His worn-leather jacket and the battered fedora in one hand made him blink.
However, before Grant could say a word, the human grinned and took Faye’s hand. “Nice to meet you.” He moved to Cat. “I’ve been itching to talk with some more dragon-shifters.” He moved to Grant, but at his glare, resisted taking his hand. “Although, maybe you can stand to the side if all you’re going to do is stare at me.”
Grant growled out, “Who are you?”
The man put his hat over his heart and stood tall. “I’m Maximilian Holbrook, the premier dragon-shifter archaeologist in the UK. You can call me Max.”
Grant vaguely recalled the name from a report. “You’re the one w
ho bothered one of my clan members on Skye and we had to relocate you.”
“I wasn’t bothering anyone,” Max answered. “That dragon intruded on my dig site. I was a bit friendly, but it was one of the first times I’d seen a dragon-shifter in the flesh. An older female, correct? I liked her. Although the other dragon female who took me back to Suffolk handled me a little rough.”
“Iris took you back. And from all accounts, she was trying to shut you up,” Grant stated.
Max raised his eyebrows. “Is that so? I thought she was telling me she couldn’t hear, so I only shouted louder.”
It was a miracle Iris had delivered the human in one piece. Grant would’ve been tempted to drop him into a loch.
Cat stepped in between them. “Hello, Max. I’m Cat, one of the artists. I thought this event was dragon-shifters showing off their creative talents? Pardon me asking, but what is an archaeologist doing here?”
Max’s gaze moved to Cat’s. “Ah, but the event is called, ‘Unmasking Dragon-shifters’ and that’s what I do. I bring a historical perspective. It’s hard to understand the present without knowing the past.”
Grant crossed his arms over his chest. “I would think that a dragon-shifter archaeologist would be a better fit.”
“There aren’t many of them, sadly. Besides, I have a knack for digging in places most can’t access since I’m human. No one knows more about dragon-shifters in the Roman period in Britain than me.”
Grant didn’t care if Max had more artifacts than the bloody queen, he could make Faye’s task difficult if he followed Cat around and made a spectacle of himself. According to his report from Iris, the human didn’t understand self-control or how to keep under the radar.
Cat spoke up again. “Well, then, you’ll just have to share some of your stories with us over a meal at some point. I don’t know much about dragon-shifter history, apart from what we’re taught in school. But I’m sure there’s plenty of little-known, interesting stories to hear.”
Max opened his mouth, but thankfully Lachlan returned with a few other dragon-shifters. Grant didn’t recognize any of them.
Lachlan pointed to each in turn as he introduced them. He gestured toward a male in his forties, with slightly graying hair. “This is Dylan Turner from Stonefire, who is a silversmith.” Then Lachlan motioned toward a female in her fifties. “This is Nia Merrick, from Snowridge, who will be displaying her sewing and craft skills.” He indicated the last male, who was about Grant’s age. “And this is Caelen Corr, from Northcastle. He’s a woodcarver. And everyone, this is Cat MacAllister from Lochguard, and she’s an accomplished painter and photographer. The only human participant is Max Holbrook. He’s an archaeologist who specializes in dragon-shifters.”
As everyone murmured their greetings, Grant noted that each of the dragon-shifter clans in the UK had a representative, except for the one in southern England—Skyhunter.
Considering that clan’s leader had recently been convicted of giving the order to murder a number of his clan mates, all to help the former DDA director Jonathan Christie, Skyhunter had more important things to worry about than sending someone to an art show.
The absence reminded Grant that he needed to talk with Finn once they returned home. If Lochguard wanted to try an alliance with Skyhunter, then reaching out as soon as they finally selected their new leader would be the perfect time to do it.
Grant paid attention once more as soon as Lachlan spoke again. “Everyone will have a chance to introduce their security staff at a later date. I’m going to go over the schedule and rundown of events. We can also get your questions out of the way.” He looked to Grant and Faye. “You two can go to your rooms and settle in. This building is secure.”
