His cheeks darken. ‘To keep you going until tonight. Hopefully prevent any more spontaneous shifting. So, breakfast?’
I drink in the way his rain-soaked shirt clings to his skin. ‘I could eat.’
I have to remind myself that he isn’t on the menu. Not yet, anyway, and if I want to stand any real chance with him, I need to do better than the absolute shitshow that just happened.
Although I did hold him in both forms, so maybe it wasn’t that much of a disaster after all.
‘The warehouse security spells work in layers, and are constructed using a combination of air and fire magic,’ I sign to Raj from across the small table on the patio overlooking the formal gardens.
We’re inside the weatherproof dome spell, which keeps Raj warm as well as both of us dry. There’s no scaffolding back here, so we have a clear view of the bare winter gardens through the continuing downpour. We did manage to go back inside for a while, but my dragon was twitchy every time anyone so much as looked at Raj, so I suggested we move our meeting outdoors.
He frowns. ‘Can you expand on that please? I know fae have elemental magic, but not much more than that.’
How to explain fae security spells to someone who can’t see or sense magic? Hmm. ‘One of the layers detects vibrations. A second is visual, like the fae version of security cameras. A third connects all the air particles inside the warehouse, so every single disturbance is tracked.’
‘Like a motion sensor? Or an infrared camera?’
I scratch my jaw as I consider it. I don’t really know a lot about that kind of tech. ‘More like a motion sensor, I think. There’s a heat-detecting layer as well, and all layers work in tandem. There were similar spells in Wargate, although more sophisticated, and the guards could find out exactly where each inmate was at any given time. I think Far Out Freight track their workers the same way.’
He tenses and makes a few notes on his tablet. ‘Does the vibration layer work differently than the layer that monitors the air particle disturbances?’
That’s a good question, given my description. ‘Yes, it’s a different thing. It reminds me of the vibrations I feel from a bass guitar or a drum.’
Understanding sparks in his eyes. ‘They’re monitoring audio. But are all these spells designed to protect valuable freight, or are they enhanced security because of the mandatory work programme?’
‘Could be both.’
He leans back in his chair. ‘What really concerns me is that if they’re tracking their workers this closely, and the explosion we were caught in wasn’t an accident, then they knew we were both in that aisle at the time. That could go for the maybe-missing shifters as well.’
My chest tightens and scales break out over my skin at the idea that Raj could have been targeted on purpose. My dragon tries to force a shift, but I’m able to keep him contained this time by reminding him that Raj isn’t in any danger from his pack, and we’re inside a secure ward. But fuck, I can’t bear the thought thatLance and the senior team at Far Out Freight have decided to go after my tiger.
Faced with my tenuous control, Raj reaches across the table and squeezes my forearm. It’s a brave move—most people sensibly back away from a dragon shifter on the verge of an out-of-control shift—and I appreciate how much he trusts that I’d never hurt him. That, or he’s already figured out how much his touch on my scales calms me.
I have to concentrate on breathing deeply until my scales retract, at which point he unfortunately removes his hand. Even then, my hand movements are shaky. ‘Why you? You’re not on the mandatory work programme like the shifters who’ve gone missing.’
He grimaces. ‘I’ve been asking myself the same question. Maybe because I’m not from Birchester and, as far as Far Out Freight are concerned, don’t have family or friends nearby.’
‘What if it’s because of me?’ Fuck, I hope not, but I can’t dismiss the possibility.
His attention is laser-sharp. ‘Because of the history between you and Lance, you mean?’
I give him a reluctant nod. ‘I’ve made no secret of my attraction to you. What if I’ve made you a target?’
I hate the idea so much that I want to burn the warehouse to the ground as payback for them going after him, although that would be all kinds of stupid. I think that’s why my dragon is so on edge, though. Raj is my treasure to protect, regardless of whether anything ever happens between us.
He studies me for a moment. ‘If that’s the case, better that they unknowingly go after an undercover task force officer than someone else, although there’s also a possibility you were the target.’
I shake my head. ‘The box was next to you. They’d have known I was further down the aisle.’
‘But from what I understand, it was a much stronger explosionthan previous ones, and it specifically messed with your dragon magic. Maybe they got the timing wrong, or targeted both of us simultaneously. They wouldn’t have known you’d see it before it happened, but you were walking towards me at the time.’
Shit, he’s right. Either way, he’s in danger because of me.
The sensible thing to do would be to back off, to stop flirting and give them no reason to go after him. But that would be like letting Lance win, and I will never be okay with that option. Besides, Raj and his pack are actively trying to find out what Far Out Freight are up to and put a stop to it. At this point it may not matter what I do. Raj will get involved regardless.
Far better that I keep him as close as he’ll let me while I assist the task force in bringing down Lance and everything he’s built. My tiger may be the one with the Special Forces background, but I’m still a motherfucking dragon. I’ll protect him in any way I can.
His hand movements are firm. ‘Don’t worry; I’ll keep you safe. Now, tell me about the rest of their security. What other active spells are there?’
