“Griffith is arriving later tonight. He was going to help. Come and tell us again what happened and what you did. We’d all like to listen to the story.”
“Is it safe to talk in front of the others?”Sasha asked through her private family channel.
“Yes. We’re friends here, and we’ve fought for each other. I bet you our story is better than your adventure.”
“Our brother has no idea,”Sasha’s dragon said.
Sasha rolled her eyes, agreeing with her dragon, and took a seat next to Max.
“Okay?” he murmured.
“I think so.”
Once Cherry and Liza distributed the tea and cakes, Sasha related the events that had led to her meeting Noel and Max, and how they’d ended up coming to Holy Island because of Max’s grandmother.
“That’s terrible,” Liza said. “My ex-husband was trying a similar thing with Joanna. It was greed because my father has money, and my ex wanted his share—even though he didn’t deserve a thing.”
“What will you do now?” Cherry asked. “What if your private investigator doesn’t find the info he’s looking for in the next two days?”
“I should take Noel and run, preferably to a place the cops will never find him. I’d need to start again and find a job to support Sasha and Noel,” Max said. “The last thing I want is to let my grandmother take Noel, especially if she merely wants the money for Noel’s support. My brother deserves to have people in his life who love him.”
“His Down syndrome doesn’t slow him down,” Liza said. “Leo, Joanna, and I are returning to the Dragon Isles while Cherry and Martinos are setting up a business in Bamburgh. You could go to Perfume Isle with Blaze and Griffith and live there. Give Cherry and Martinos your friend’s contact details and communicate via them.”
Blaze indicated agreement. “That’s an excellent idea. Noel would be safe. You’d have the opportunity to prove to Mother and Father you’re happy and secure with Max. I think they’d like Noel. He’ll charm them.”
“What sort of job did you do?” Leo asked.
“I was a reporter,” Max said.
“Set up a newspaper,” Liza said. “Part of the problem with the Dragon Isles is the lack of easy contact between the three islands. A weekly newspaper could help with that. Henry might transport it between the islands for you. At the least, a newspaper would keep every resident apprised of the important news. It might be a way to advertise for people to move to Smoking Isle as well.”
“A newspaper is a fantastic idea,” Leo said. “I enjoyed reading of the things happening on the mainland when Cherry brought the paper home yesterday.”
“I could do that,” Max said. “Or try my hand at other work. I don’t want anyone to accuse me of freeloading. As long as Noel and Sasha are safe and happy, and we can support ourselves.”
“I could write kissing books,” Sasha said. “My friends and other dragons—maybe the humans too—might enjoy reading kissing books.”
“Kissing books?” Cherry asked with interest.
“Romances,” Max said.
“Oh,” Cherry said with a wink at Liza. “I think we’re going to get along great with Sasha.”
“But I can sense the barrier,” Sasha said. “How did you get here? How is it possible for you to travel from the Dragon Isles to Holy Island?”
“That,” Liza said, “is a very long story. You might have to stay for lunch.” She glanced at her mate and her friends. “Should I start by telling Sasha what happened to me?”
Sasha and Max listened as Liza told them her story of what occurred after Leo rescued her from the sea. Cherry took up the tale, and once she’d finished her recitation of how she’d found Martinos on the beach, both women plus Leo, Martinos, and Blaze informed them what had happened next and how they’d stopped a group of dragons from taking over the mainland.
“Wow,” Max said. “Do the rest of the dragons understand what happened?”
Leo shook his head. “Most of them are clueless. Some wouldn’t believe the skullduggery that played out under their noses.”
Max’s gaze narrowed. “What do you hope will happen now? Will you let everyone know what has happened? How will you stop it from happening again?”
Liza laughed aloud. “You’re definitely a reporter.”
“Most people on the Dragon Isles can read. I think weshouldpublish a basic newspaper here and deliver it to the residents,” Cherry said. “We can use a desktop publishing system and print out the copies. Cherry and I can drive over to the mainland and get whatever supplies we need.”
