I hustle toward the room I’ve been using as a remote office here and close the door behind me. “How is that possible? I thought you killed Roman.”
“I did. Someone else must’ve taken the wheel.”
“Already?”
“Already. The Order bombed a baby shower, Seb. They targeted a dragon in her own home. On her own property.”
“What?” Heat rises in my blood. Thank the creator I’m alone because I have the strongest urge to knock someone’s head off. I did not need this today. “The mother and baby?—”
“They’re alive. Some of the older dragons covered her with their bodies.”
“Thank the creator.”
“But six others died. The host and the women closest to the door. An order member posed as a delivery driver and hid a cursed bomb inside the cake.”
“Fuck, Connor. Six! Shit. Was there anything we could have done? Any forewarning?”
“None. As far as we know, it was a random act of violence.”
I scoff. “It was an act of war. When Donovan died, the accord died with him. I just thought we’d have some time while the Order regrouped and named a new leader. I thought we’d have a few months to strategize on how best to protect our people.”
“I know. I didn’t see this coming either. I’ve convened the four as my last order of business.” The four are the subset of dragons that take on the brunt of decision-making. Since we each lead for a month, the next three signs after us have to be closely involved in anything we do for continuity. Connor is an Aries, which means I, as a Taurus, Remus as Gemini, and Ellison as Cancer make up the four right now. The remainder of the twelve are brought in if necessary, after the four have convened.
“Right. We’re going to need Remus and Ellison.”
“And Lucas. As of tonight, I’m transitioning the crown to you. The four now includes Lucas as Leo.”
“Fuck. That’s right.”
“Look, unlike a month ago when Solomon stepped down and I rose to this position as Aries, I’m not going anywhere. I’ll help you as much as I can, just as long as it doesn’t put Fiona in danger.”
As much as I appreciate Connor’s help and am glad he’s able to transition things to me properly, I know better than to take his generosity for granted. His mate Fiona has been through enough over the last month. She’s been lucky to avoid another major fibro flare after all the stress she’s been under. When Connor says he’ll help as long as it doesn’t put Fiona in danger, that includes excessive stress or worry. Those things can land her in bed for weeks recovering. I won’t be the cause of that. Besides, it’s customary for the last leader to get a break from the heavy lifting. It’s why we operate the way we do. It’s an ancient system and one I’ve been intimately associated with for a decade, since the last Taurus brother stepped down.
“So, Cardinal Island tonight for the handoff?”
“Can’t. We have to do this on world. I can’t bring the ring through the portal. We’re coming to you.” He means the cursed ring we obtained earlier this year, the same kind as is worn by every member of the Saint’s Order, the secret society that exists for the sole purpose of enslaving or killing dragons. The magic of their rings is toxic to us.
“You’re bringing the ring here, to LA?”
“I am. I’m not going to miss being in charge of this thing, Seb. It gives me nightmares. Makes my skin crawl having it in the same room as me.”
“Fan-fucking-tastic. Really looking forward to taking possession of the evil jewelry.”
“Just wait. I have something else for you. Something I didn’t see coming.”
“So where are we meeting?” I ask.
“Beverly Wilshire. Penthouse. One hour.”
“See you then.”
Chapter Two
SEB
“About time you joined us,” Connor chides through a teasing grin as he lets me into his hotel room. Correction, suite of rooms. This place could be someone’s very high-end apartment. The enormous Viking of a male pulls me into a hug and thumps me on the back. Fiona, his human mate, stands just behind him, and I greet her with a warm smile. Although I’m tempted to pull her into a hug, it’s a bad idea to touch a dragon’s mate, especially when the relationship is as new as theirs.
She meets my eyes and offers a little wave. “Hi, Seb!”
