However, the dragon hunters probably wanted to improve the chances of IVF for nefarious purposes. Because if they could impregnate more females and have more dragon babies, they could keep them in dragon’s blood farms. And since dragon’s blood had healing properties, they could earn huge amounts on the black market to fund their operations.
Pushing aside the anger gathering in his belly at the hunters only seeing dragons as sources of cash, he wondered why he hadn’t heard of this big change in their strategy. So he studied Antony as he asked, “Why didn’t you mention this earlier? Before we invited Dr. Davies here and she agreed to come?”
Antony shrugged. “We only learned about the finer details late last night, when our undercover operative finally escaped.”
“And they said she’s the sole target?”
Antony replied, “For the most part. However, she’s our biggest concern right now since she has a unique set of skills. And because she’s human, she’s easier to kidnap than a dragon doctor with the same knowledge.”
He resisted a growl. “I don’t like how you’re only telling me part of the problem, aye? Even so, that means Dr. Davies needs to go back to Stonefire. They have more resources to protect her, plus she knows the area better, including which places to avoid.”
Euan shook his head. “If we send her straight back, it’ll signal that we know what they’re up to since this trip has been planned for weeks.”
Cam glanced at his clan leader. “Does that mean we have a traitor here, or one nearby that would share information with the hunters?”
Iris jumped in. “Everyone inside Seahaven is loyal. Unfortunately, we can’t say the same for all the humans you work with, though. It’s better to use this opportunity, and if Emily consents, then we might be able to trap some hunters alive and then question them later.”
“Wait, you want to use her as bait? Euan, how can you agree to this?”
Euan crossed his arms over his chest. “We’ll talk with Emily first, of course we will. But if she says yes—and she just might—then we’ll need your help to make this plan work. Not just because you have to protect her, but because she’ll also need constant surveillance. Which means it’ll be safer if she moves in with you.”
“Pardon?” he blurted.
Antony chuckled, and Cam resisted the urge to punch the human in the face as he said, “Now, now, listen to the whole idea before shouting up a storm. Your cover story will be that the DDA is thinking of revoking Dr. Davies’ permission to live with a dragon clan unless she mates a dragon-shifter. Since Seahaven is in need of mates, they’ve sent her here for both research purposes but to also see if you two suit. Because, you see, you kindly volunteered.”
His dragon laughed.I like the idea of her living with us.
Shut it, dragon.He replied to Antony, “Why me? She could live with Dean just as easily.”
Euan spoke up. “Because you’re the best Protector on Seahaven, and you know it. And when this is all over, you won’t be forced to mate anyone. However, like it or not, Seahaven is seen as the most vulnerable dragon clan in the UK, and that means the hunters might risk kidnapping her whilst she’s here.The story of Emily needing a dragon mate is the most believable reason for why she’d live with you.”
He opened his mouth to reply, shut it, and then tried to figure out how the bloody hell to respond. While he’d vowed to do anything to protect his clan, he hadn’t counted on fake dating a human female and living with her.
His dragon snorted.You just worry that you’ll like her more than you think.
Thankfully, Iris spoke up and he focused on her reply, “Just listen to our plans and goals first before you protest. Can you do that?”
He grunted. “Aye, but get to the point quickly.”
She smiled. “First, you do a brilliant job with the resources you have, Cam. But for this, we’ll have some of our team, as well as a few Protectors from Lochguard, ready to help. Those from our team are already living in the area, and have been for weeks.”
Cam narrowed his eyes. “Which means despite the information you received last night, you thought something like this would happen.”
Antony replied, “Yes, of course. Part of my job is predicting what might happen and safeguarding against it. Dr. Davies has been a possible target for ages, but the probability of her being kidnapped on Stonefire was low. Seahaven’s numbers put her at a higher risk, and I wanted to be prepared. Dr. Davies is too much of an asset to lose, no matter where she is.”
Euan spoke again. “Don’t take it personally, lad. Whilst we’ve built up good relations with most of the humans in the area, all it takes is for one to be tempted by the dragon hunters’ money and betray us. And if that happened, we might never recover. The DDA could force us to disband and scatter amongst the other dragon clans. And aye, Dr. Davies is that important. If she’s harmed in our care, that’s the end of Seahaven.”
Even if he’d resented being tossed out of Lochguard as a teenager, Seahaven had become Cam’s home. The thought of his friends and family being scattered across the UK made his stomach churn. He couldn’t do that to them.
His dragon spoke up.It won’t be that difficult to pretend for a bit. And who knows, maybe you’ll enjoy living with Emily.
Ignoring his dragon, he replied, “I don’t really have a choice in this matter, do I?”
Antony shrugged. “You can say no, but then Dr. Davies’ breakthrough might never happen, and that will hurt your kind.”
Iris jumped in. “What Antony is deliberately being vague about is that she’s here to use some local plant life—both from the land and sea—to counteract some of the dragon hunter poisons. Specifically, to protect against them ahead of time.”
Euan bobbed his head. “If she’s successful, her and Daniel both, then it could make taking down the dragon hunters that much easier.”
