Angus was with Larkin’s team, patrolling Dragon City while Caro and I covered our compound. Patrolling was long and boring, and more than anything, I despised those who made this necessary due to their lack of morals.
I have a really bad feeling about this. Between my mate’s father coming to town not once, but twice, and now the possibility of yours doing the same, the proverbial shit is about to hit the fan, I can feel it.
As do I, brother.
There was a reason that all our mates were showing up now and why the town’s population had drastically increased as of late. A shift in the wind was what they used to say, only now that so-called wind was headed directly for us.
How many were friend as opposed to foe? How many were terrified, searching for a safe space to call home?
This was one of those events where only time would tell, for evil would always reveal itself.
As the sun rose after a very long and thankfully uneventful night, we landed on the practice pitch and headed straight toIonus’ office. When we stepped inside, all our brothers, plus Larkin and the Drakemyres, were there.
“Morning, take a seat.” Straight to the point, that was our dear Ionus. “As you know, Odem, I’ve briefed the others on Ronan’s revelations. Larkin, any update or concerns with the influx of newcomers to Dragon City?”
“Yes,” Larkin replied. “It’s taking some time to get them all into the database.”
“Wait, they’re all shifters?” There was no way. It was like a fucking mecca landing in our once quiet town.
“Aye, they are and the vast majority are dragons. Many of which are sharing stories similar to Ronan’s during their processing interviews.”
“Fuck. Me.”
“Your concern is warranted, Odem, though your choice of verbiage is questionable,” Ionus groaned. “What can we do to help, Larkin?”
“Looks like it’s going to be all hands-on deck for a while. Something has spooked them and the devil, or in this casedevils, may be headed our way,” Larkin sighed, “And the ones in the dungeon still refuse to talk.”
“Have you taken blood samples from them as well?” Not sure why that just hit me. I know when any shifters move to town taking a vial of their blood was part of the interview. It was analyzed and entered into the database.
“No, but that’s a great suggestion, Odem. May take a couple of us to hold them down to get it. I fully expect them to put up a fight. Once we run it through the system it will link them to any matches we already have.”
Anyone else get hit with a slight feeling of dread over that?
Sadly, Emerson may match several of them and I wouldn’t be surprised if Ronan did too,Ionus added.
“Mattias, Quint,” Ionus began, “Since the two of you are on day shift why don’t you head into town with Larkin when the meeting is over and help make that happen.”
“Aye,” they readily agreed.
“We’ll take the van and pick up any parcels at the post office,” Quint added.
“I’ll patrol the compound. Odem, since your mate is pregnant, you’ll stay close to home, plus you and Caro need to get some shut eye. Let’s reconvene before the evening shift. Maybe Ronan will have more to share, along with Larkin?”
“I’ll patrol with you,” Baird told him. “Ignatus, Elgin and Hamish, take the town patrol. Rory, stay behind and cover the ground.”
“Aye, Baird,” they readily agreed.
Shit was getting real. Should’ve known it wouldn’t be all fun and games finding our mates. The universe gives but it always comes with a price tag like it grants you a favor and takes something away in return.
Ionus adjourned the meeting and I followed the giggles into the family room to get my dragonet fix before heading home and straight to bed.
“Unca O!” the four of them cried out. I loved how they’d nicknamed me.
“Hold,” Luna’s tiny fingers waved up at me. I swung her up in the air, her laughter warmed my heart.
“Good morning, Princess Luna. How are you?”
“You silly,” she rubbed her nose against mine. “You play wif me?”
