She waved at them both. “Good morning.”
Angus nodded his greeting, and Tor signed as he talked. “Good morning, Emily. Ready for today?”
She wasn’t quite at the point she could sign and talk at the same time, even though Tor had been giving her lessons. So she just made sure to face him as she replied, “Yes. It shouldn’t be too bad, as the water’s calm and we’re not going very deep.”
Mary scoffed and signed as she said, “I could never dive like that. No, I prefer staying where I can breathe.”
“I get it. A lot of people are like that, although I think dragon-shifters like diving in their dragon forms, right?”
Tor nodded. “Aye, even I’ve done it, with Cam and my dad there. It’s easy to swim down and then jump off the bottom to reach the surface quickly.” He sighed. “I wish I could go with you and Cam today.”
Mary clicked her tongue. “The last thing Cam and the other Protectors need is another person to look out for. You know there was another attack recently, on the Lochguard visitor last week.”
Despite how much she’d loved the past few weeks, it was never far from Emily’s mind that the dragon hunters had a bounty on her head. She’d been careful and listened to Cam’s advice, and had easily agreed to having some Lochguard Protectors assist during her big dive today.
Tor spoke up. “Cam won’t let you get hurt, Emily. He loves you.”
Her cheeks flushed. “I know Cam will protect me. That’s his job.”
Because there was no way he could love her so quickly.
Could he?
No. Don’t think about it. You need to stay focused today, of all days. You can worry about your personal life later.
Thankfully, Mary took something from the counter and turned toward her. “This is for you.”
Having learned early on that trying to refuse something from Mary out of politeness was pointless, Emily opened her hand. The other woman placed a small, painted rock on her palm. One that had purple thistles in the foreground and a dragon flying in the distance. “It’s lovely.”
Mary smiled. “I painted it right before Cam was born. Times were still uncertain for humans birthing dragon babies back then, and I wanted him to have something to remember me by. But, thankfully, we both survived, and I forgot about it for years. I came across it recently, and since it brought me luck with Cam’s birth, I thought it might bring you luck for today and the future.”
Emily traced the designs on the rock. “Thank you. But are you sure? Maybe you should give it to Cam?”
“Och, no. We painted our own rocks together when he was wee, and this is mine to give to whoever I wish.” She patted Emily’s arm. “And I want to give it to you. Come back to us safe, lass. Not only for Cam, but we care about you, too.”
Emily’s eyes heated with tears as she studied the rock. She’d told Mary a little about her parents and what had happened, and Mary had only tried harder to make Emily feel included.
Feel like a daughter.
“Thank you, Mary. It’s small enough that I can tuck it into my suit today and take it with me.”
She hugged Mary briefly before checking the time. “Oh, no! I don’t mean to be rude, but I really need to leave or I’ll be late.”
Mary shook her head. “Don’t worry about it. But remember, you’re coming over for dinner tonight. So come back safe to us.”
“Of course.” She smiled at Tor and then Angus, before saying to Mary, “Thanks again for the good luck charm.”
With that, Emily said her goodbyes and raced toward the Protector building, where Cam and the Protectors from Lochguard should be waiting for her.
Cam hadn’t liked askingClan Lochguard for help, and yet, to protect Emily, he would do anything.
Especially as someone from Lochguard—a cousin to the MacKays—had visited and been attacked on his way home.
He’d also discussed extra security with Antony Holbrook, and he knew Iris would be monitoring them all from a distance, too.
And yet, his gut still didn’t like how exposed they’d be today. He’d shared his concerns with Emily, but she’d been determined to go. The very last element she needed for her serum might be in the sea, and she couldn’t risk someone bringing back the wrong thing.
Oh, she’d agreed to his extra security and even a time limit for diving.
