“Could be…your guess is as good as anyone’s,” Carson said.
“Okay, let’s assume my mate is right,” said Hunter. “Where does that leave us? Do you think the witches will ultimately go after Fionn?”
“No,” Carson assured him. “We took care of the witches. They won’t bother anyone again. That only leaves Niall MacDùghlas. And my gut tells me…”
“That he won’t stop and that puts Fionn in danger,” growled Hunter.
“That’s what we think, too,” Cason said.
“Do you know where he is?” asked Hunter.
“Nope. We were hoping Fionn did,” Remy said.
“Can’t help you. I never met him and have no idea where my uncle lived. The last time I saw him…other than in the courtroom…it was as a child. When my father started spending more time in France than at home, my uncle stopped visiting us in Scotland.”
“Maybe Penn would know,” Hunter said, “since Eideard did file for custody of Fionn.”
“Can you contact him right away?” asked Carson.
“Sure,” Hunter said, fishing his phone from his pocket. Scrolling through his contact list, he found Penn’s information and shot a text to him. “Done. Tell me…do you know if Fionn’s cousin has made a specific threat against him?”
“No…but my wolf is telling me Remy is in danger. The witches have been neutralized so the only one left is Niall MacDùghlas. Once we know where he is, we intend to pay him a visit,” Carson said.
“Mate, we need to go with them.”
“No, I’m not having you go anywhere near your crazy-ass cousin,” Hunter growled.
Frowning at his mate, Fionn said angrily, “So, am I supposed to sit by while Carson and Remy fight my battles? I don’t think so! Besides, my cousin is a dragon…I’m a fucking dragon…and no one else here is. How do you think I’d feel if something happened to Carson when I could’ve helped…he’s your family and that makes him my family. His brothers stepped up and helped me. For fuck’s sake, Logan and Kieran rescued me when I was dying…Ki gave me back my will to live. At every turn, Carson and his brothers have been there for me. Do you think I could turn my back on them now? That because my cousin has turned out to be as nuts as his father, I should let Carson face him on his own? Really? Is that what you think of me?”
“Oh fuck, no, pet, not at all,” Hunter assured him, smoothing the furrows in Fionn’s forehead. “I wasn’t thinking that at all…you are the bravest person I ever met…but pet, if something happened to you…”
“Nothing’s going to happen to me because I have you to protect me. Do you think my piss-ant cousin stands a chance against the White Knight? I don’t think so.”
After listening to his mate’s persuasive soliloquy, Hunter had to agree. “Fine,” he said, “then we’ll go, too.”
After finding out Eideard MacDùghlas’s address, Carson said, “Listen up. Remy is going to transport us there so stand close to us.”
“Ready everyone?” asked Remy.
Holding Fionn tight to his chest, Hunter asked Remy, “Have you ever done this before?”
“Nope,” grinned Remy before waving his hand.
Carson felt himself being sucked through a black hole before emerging, standing next to his mate on a dirt lane. “Hey, you did it!” he exclaimed, proud of his mate’s magic.
“Fuck you, cousin! Pet, are you all right?” asked Hunter, checking his mate over to make sure he’d made it intact.
“Oh wow! How fucking cool! Ki will want to try it!” Fionn said, excitedly.
Studying the old manor house in front of him, it became apparent to Remy why Fionn’s uncle had wanted to be heir to Artur’s estate. Describing it as run-down was being overly kind to the dilapidated building. Finally, heunderstood the jealousy that must have consumed Eideard at his brother’s success. Looking at his mate, Remy murmured, “Ready, Carsy?”
Before Carson could respond, the front door opened, revealing a man in tattered clothing. He stared at Fionn with obvious hatred, his eyes darting wildly from one visitor to another, spittle running down the corners of his mouth, Finally, he spoke. “Well, hello, cousin,” sneered Niall MacDùghlas, “or, should I say hello, faggot.”
Hearing his mate’s quick intake of breath, Hunter stepped in front of him, attempting to shield Fionn from the vile, hateful language.
“Ohhh, leetle Fionny has a guard dog.” Laughing maniacally, Niall partially shifted, his claws emerging as he opened his mouth and directed a streaming flame at Hunter. “Move fleabag, so the insult to the dragon world standing behind you can finally die. Yeah, that’s right, I’m talking about you…Fionny, the fucking defect. When everyone finds out I killed the fucking white dragon… What? You didn’t know I knew that? You fucking, stupid twerp! When I send you to hell, I’ll be the richest dragon in the world—what I would have been if your fucking mother hadn’t interfered and saved you.”
Raising his hand, Remy waved it in a circle. Ropes of magic entwined Niall, restraining him tightly, piercing his skin with sharp points.
