“I wish I was. Did Emerson recognize them from the photos we sent?”
“No,” Caro shook his head. “But he was young when they kicked him out and lived fairly sheltered before then.” Much as he prefers to now.
“Do we have enough homes for the newcomers?” Ionus asked. “Or should we draw up expansion plans?”
“So far, so good,” Larkin replied. “The main apartment complex still had a few units left, including the one Ronan vacated. If the influx continues then I’d say we revisit that option then. Definitely keep it in mind though.”
“We’d considered adding a second building in that same complex and still have the designs for it. Shouldn’t take much to push it through planning,” Mattias reminded us.
“True.” Right now, the Drakemyres are still bunking with Ionus, Mattias, and Quint, though there will come a time when they’ll want their own homes, I’m sure. Though Baird and Gramps will likely stay with Ionus and Alex to be near the dragonets.
“Angus and Elgin are ready to leave for the Smoky Mountains, Ionus,” Baird announced. “Will a protector be with them?”
“Aye, I will,” Quint replied. “We leave at sunset. It’s about a four-hour flight to reach the vast area. It may take a day or two to locate the village.”
“If Ronan shares anymore details, I’ll be sure to pass them right over to Quint.” Hopefully we can get more from his dragon.
“Daigle,” Ionus snarled. “Dangerous, unpredictable and ruthless. I’m glad Ronan didn’t put up a fight about destroying his car.”
“As was I,” Larkin added. “That leech had eggs all over his engine. We fried every last one of them.”
“Mind control was his game, and it sounds like it still is. Thought we’d done away with him centuries ago,” Ionus shook his head. “This time, we make certain of it.”
“I wonder how many more blasts from the past we’ll stumble upon.” These last couple of years have been nothing but surprises. Both good and bad.
“Unless,” Larkin paused, all eyes turned to him. “Raven. I have a feeling those in the dungeons have been infected with those leeches. Do you think Raven would have the ability to safely remove them if they do indeed have them?”
“Great question.” Ionus pulled his phone out and fired off a text. “We’ll soon know. I see where you’re going with this. As long as they’re under Daigle’s control, there will be no rehabbing them. And if we can’t safely free them of it they’re no good left alive.”
Brothers, do you think it’s possible that as long as they’re infected, Daigle and those he’s associated himself with can see and hear everything they do?
Fuck, that would explain why they haven’t torn their hearts out as the other had.
Too right you are, Mattias.
Ionus picked his phone up. “Larkin, Raven said she’ll meet you at the station. Quint, get some rest. I’ll update you before you head out tonight.”
“Same with you, Angus and Elgin,” Baird added. “Ionus, I take it you and I are headed into town?”
“That we are, my friend.”
After a quick hello to the dragonets, I went home and checked on my mate, who was still soundly sleeping, so I got to work whipping up breakfast for us. As soon as the smell of bacon hit the air, he wandered in all cutely tucked away under his adorable pink bathrobe.
“I’m so huge. Look,” he pointed to his exposed belly. “My robe won’t tie anymore.”
“Awe,” I came around the counter and gave him a kiss, “I love your belly,” then kissed his tummy and heard the girl’s giggle. “And I love what’s in there even more. Good morning Opal, good morning Ruby.” Their laughter made my day. “And good morning to you too, Daddy.”
“It’s gonna take weeks of work to get my figure back,” he pouted.
“Nope, you’ll have it in a day or two. That’s the magic of your dragon. I can’t wait to see you in full form and for us to fly together.” He groaned, but I just ignored him. It’ll take some coaxing to get him to fly, though I had a feeling his dragon was more than ready to spread his wings.
“Lazy day today? I’m on shift tonight.”
“That sounds wonderful. And Odem, thank you again for my special room and for the nursery. I couldn’t have imagined anything better.”
Whew, guess this old dragon did alright after all.
“I didn’t order the curtains or linens, figured you’d like to have a hand in that. You’ve mentioned a few different things so I thought we could shop for those together. Sprawl out on the big couch in our comfy clothes and shop away.”
