Raiden’s conversation drifts to us as he rounds the cabin before I have to figure out a response, pacing the perimeter while on the phone. Carina’s speaking so loudly, I don’t even have to try to eavesdrop.
“ - are going apeshit over the ‘new age of dragons,’ you reckless fucking idiot! It doesn't matter how long it takes for word to get out that Malcolm is dead, you guys slaughtered enough of his supporters that they're out for blood. The phone calls and emails are pouring in about you three being hypocrites breaking theonelaw you actually decreed when you took over.”
Raiden looks at me for a heavy beat before saying, “Don’t wait for us. Enact emergency lockdown procedures.”
She hisses in a sharp breath. “What about anyone trying to make it here for sanctuary before things get worse?”
Eyes closed, Raiden releases a shuddering exhale. “Full defense protocol, Carina. Too many people would force their mates to act as a Trojan horse, and we can’t risk the people we’ve already vowed to protect.” He rubs his temple. “And when you decide to be a bleeding heart and find a loophole to ignore the order, put them in the dungeon. We’ll vet them after things settle down and go from there, but I especially don’t want the safety of the transition center compromised when they’re our most vulnerable residents.”
He wraps an arm around my waist when I get within reach, tugging me away from Stone and into his side. “Avery is on her way to you for the red emergency bag. She can’t get into the castle right now, so do me a favor and go get the silver briefcase out of my room. Load a few of the darts and one of the guns into the bag, and keep the rest for yourself.”
“Why can’t she get into the castle? What do the darts do?” she demands in rapid succession, but the sound of a door closing and wind crackling over her side of the call gives me faith she’s already en route to take care of it.
“Malcolm stole her anklet; it’s how he got in to grab Amara,” Raiden growls, wisps of smoke curling from his nostrils with his next exhale. “And the darts are Evren’s invention. It’s not safe for me to speak it aloud right now, but only use them as a last resort, and on shifters that are especially difficult to subdue.”
Carina has a lengthy pause before she sighs in defeat. “Understood. I’ll take care of everything on the homefront for now, but what’s going on that you can’t be here? Do you need me to send some of Kodiak’s men as an escort?”
Raiden’s fingers tighten on my hip. “No. We’ll be home eventually, but until then, stay safe, little sister.” Without waiting for a reply, he ends the call and tosses the phone back to Dominic waiting nearby.
My heart skips a beat. “But… what about everyone in Khalida that’s counting on you to protect them? People will be flocking to attack the city now more than ever.”
“They have Carina and a massive security team, as well as their own abilities. I’m exactly where I should be,mo chuisle.”
Dominic gives the four of us a contemplative look, but says nothing, simply gestures for us to follow as he strides away.
Kodiak claps Raiden on the back. “You made the right call, bossman. They’re in good hands.”
Raiden kisses the top of my head and starts walking. “Oh, of that I have no doubt. Emergency protocols have been updated since you two last looked over the plans.”
Stone laces his fingers through mine. “Oh?”
Raiden actually laughs, the smile reaching his eyes and looking more carefree than I knew he was capable of. “We got an earth dragon in several years ago that refuses to shift; it’s been driving Carina crazy trying to figure out what he is. He reluctantly agreed that if a lockdown was ever necessary, he’d not only handle the landslides to block off the roads so we can save our explosives, but he’d work with Carina to create a moat of lava as an additional barrier. Honestly, as long as a mole doesn’t betray us to destroy the city from within, the only things they’ll need to worry about are aerial attacks, or winged shifters trying to sneak in. They’ll be fine.”
I stumble, but Raiden doesn’t even miss a step, his arm around me an iron band keeping me upright. “Bastian?! Why didn’t you tell me?”
He shoots me a wink. “Wasn’t my secret to tell. But the cat will be out of the bag as soon as she starts the lockdown procedure anyway, so no reason I can’t share now.”
Kodi barks out a laugh. “Carina’s going to be so pissed; I wish I could be there to see her face.”
His laughter is contagious, and I can’t help but grin. “Nah, as soon as she finds out she gets to play with lava, all will be forgiven. Torin, on the other hand...”
Kodi cocks his head, spinning on his heel so he can walk backwards in front of us down the trail. “Why would Torin give a shit?”
I snort. “He’s already side-eyeing Jasper, but another dragon? One that’s going to be working closely with Carina to defend the city?”
Raiden comes to an abrupt halt, and only his grip keeps me from eating dirt. “Excuse me?”
They can’t really have been this blind, can they?
“Don’t tell me you haven’t noticed that he’s in love with her?”
All three of their expressions darken, and Stone narrows his gaze on Kodiak. “That’s the polar bear, right? The one assigned to find Amara in the training exercise?” Kodi gives a stiff nod, clenching his jaw.
A low rumble escapes Raiden, turning his demand guttural. “And where does Jasper fit into this?”
I can’t help it; I burst out laughing. “Down boys. Carina isn’t dating any of them yet, so no need to go into overprotective brother mode.” Grinning like a fool, I break out of Raiden’s hold to catch up with Dominic. “Butifshe does, why would it matter? Torin saved me from the fire, and Jasper was insanely protective of her even during training. Besides, Carina isn’t going to tolerate anyone not treating her the way she deserves.”
Kodiak grimaces. “It matters, because I sent Torin and Jasper out on a job to recover one of the women that drugging piece of shit traitor Jack sold out. Now they won’t be able to get back into the city.”
