George’s shoulders stiffened, having heard their conversation. Not surprising since neither of them had lowered their voices.
Admittedly, it probably wasn’t the smartest idea angering the woman who carried a weapon capable of ending her, but seeing Roslyn’s brittle expression fade at their banter made it worthwhile.
Leaving the subject of George alone, Tate pinned Ryu with a hard glance, making sure to keep her voice low enough so only the four of them could hear. “Now, what’s this about?”
She understood Ryu’s hesitance to reveal anything while George was standing within earshot. Even if the woman had never killed a dragon before it didn’t mean she didn’t have the potential to do so.
Now, however, was the time to come clean. Starting with why he’d appointed Dewdrop the role of hostage.
That’s how the situation read to Tate anyway. Kind of an, ‘Oh, you don’t want to report to duty? I’ve got your nearest and dearest. How about now?’
“There’s been an incident involving something related to the dragon-ridden.”
Tate hesitated for a beat, knowing he was trying to tell her something but not entirely understanding what. “Should I be worried?”
Ryu appeared to consider her question, something that didn’t fill her with warm fuzzies. He was so confident in his own infallibility that it bordered on arrogance. Nothing ever seemed to faze him, yet worry crouched in the back of his eyes.
Something about this situation unsettled him. Tate needed to find out why and, if possible, address it.
Ryu finally shook his head the barest bit. “No, but be on your guard anyways.”
“Always.”
That went without saying.
At her response, Dewdrop huffed and crossed his arms over his chest as if to call into question the truthfulness of her words.
Noticing something, Tate squinted at him. Now that she thought about it, she realized he wasn’t wearing the same clothes he’d worn to attend court. Instead, he wore a faded black coat draped over a shirt two sizes too big for him and a pair of striped pants.
They looked an awful lot like the pajama bottoms Dewdrop favored.
Noticing her stare, a defensive expression crossed Dewdrop’s face. “I was in a hurry. The prickly dragon slayer and her hulking partner didn’t give me a lot of time to dress.”
By that, Tate took it to mean Ryu wasn’t the one who’d insisted on Dewdrop’s presence but rather George. If that was the case, Tate regretted not taking the time to truly mess with the woman while she could. The irritation Tate had treated her to was only a tenth of what she could muster when she put her mind to it.
“I didn’t ask,” Tate said, sending a speculative glance in George’s direction.
“I could hear you thinking it.”
“Ah, but thinking is not asking.”
Dewdrop sent her a dour look.
This time Tate couldn’t quite contain her smirk. “What about Daisy and the others?”
“They’re protected. Blaise or Jacob will be with them at all times.” Dewdrop glared at George. “No thanks to her.”
“What do you mean?”
“She tried to insist on their attendance,” Ryu said. “I managed to convince her only our presence was necessary.”
Tate narrowed her eyes at the dragon slayer. “I’m beginning to dislike this woman.”
“Only beginning?” Dewdrop asked. “I’ve been there since she interrupted our game with the children.”
Tate sent him a quelling look. Dewdrop lifted both hands as if to ask ‘what?’. Tate supposed she had only herself to blame for his sarcasm. She’d pretty much opened the door with her comment.
“George has had a difficult life,” Roslyn said. “She can often come across in ways she doesn’t intend.”
