Part 19 (1/2)
He moved to stand so both Rafe and Nikki could see the small screen of his smartphone. The BBC live video began streaming and a grainy video probably recorded with a mobile phone played, showing a laser blasting Nikki and her subsequent fall.
A male announcer then came on screen. ”With the most trusted dragon clan in Britain under attack yet again, the public has been flooding the Department of Dragon Affairs with calls and emails, asking for action. Many feel the attack was a result of the Prime Minister not making a final Director appointment to the DDA since both Houses of Parliament have been unable to agree upon a candidate.
The hearings for the two contenders, Jonathan Christie and Rosalind Abbott, has been long and arduous. While an official word has yet to be released by Abbott, Christie is about to give a live press conference. Let's go to the scene now.”
The feed switched from the television studio to a podium secured outside the rebuilt DDA headquarters in London. The balding man in his fifties at the podium was Jonathan Christie. Rafe hated everything about the man but pushed aside his anger to focus on his words.
Christie spoke up. ”The attack on Clan Stonefire is a blow to us all. The one dragon clan that has proved itself time and again to be civilized and open to negotiations has also become a symbol of hatred and fear. I truly believe the prolonged lack of leaders.h.i.+p inside the DDA since our former leader's tragic death in the terrorist bombing is responsible. I urge the Prime Minister to make an appointment to the DDA. With a firm hand, the dragon hunters, Order of the Dragon Knights, and any others wis.h.i.+ng to harm the dragon-s.h.i.+fters will be dealt with swiftly and efficiently.”
Christie paused for applause and Rafe muttered, ”The f.u.c.king liar. He wants the dragons to cow down to humans. He's said it before.”
Aaron nodded in agreement before the applause died down and Christie continued.
”Alas, my hands are tied at helping the poor beasts. As Deputy Director, I do not have the authority needed to take care of the attackers. My good people, I urge you to write and call your MPs. Tell them it's time to put someone in charge of the DDA who can actually make a difference. With pressure, they may be able to convince the Prime Minister to make a decision before more of Stonefire has to suffer at the hands of domestic terrorists.”
More applause and cheers rang out as Christie left the podium. The news announcer's form returned to the screen. ”Christie has put out a call for const.i.tuents to make their voices heard. Maybe the will of the people will help solve the issues inside the DDA and save Clan Stonefire from more attacks.”
Aaron exited the streaming video and looked from Rafe to Nikki and back again. ”I don't know about you, but the timing of the attack and Christie's sympathy speech seems pretty b.l.o.o.d.y convenient to me.”
Rafe nodded. ”I agree. His sudden change of tune smells like a political hat trick to me. Somehow, some way, Christie must be connected to today's attack.”
Nikki gave a low roar, and the both looked down to her talon tapping the ground. There was one word: prisoners.
Rafe met Nikki's eye in understanding. He turned toward Aaron. ”See if any of the prisoners will confess to a connection to Christie. Also, find out about the man who escaped-he could be a lead later. If we can't find proof Christie is tied to the hunters and this attack, the man will probably be selected as head of the DDA after that speech.”
Clenching his mobile phone tightly, Aaron answered, ”I'm supposed to leave for Ireland tomorrow, too. Kai and Zain will have to work on this while I'm gone.” He looked between Rafe and Nikki. ”However, I think you two should help. With Rafe's army contacts and resources, we might be able to speed the process along.”
”Provided I can keep my superiors from finding out the true reasons why I'm sniffing around some dragon hunters, it may work.”
”Just don't get yourself thrown out of the army, Hartley.”
Rafe raised an eyebrow. ”That almost sounded sincere.”
”Of course it's sincere. After all, if the Ministry of Defence develops a way to defend against the laser guns, I want to know.”
Rafe shook his head. ”And here I thought you appreciated my skills.”
Nikki b.u.mped his back with her snout before he petted it with his hands. ”I know you appreciate them, Nikki.”
Aaron pocketed his phone. ”Right, then. I'll leave you two be. I hope by the time I come back from Ireland, you'll have the whole Christie issue sorted.”
”I'd almost say that was a challenge.”
Aaron smiled. ”Good. Then we'll see who accomplishes their mission first.”
Nikki growled and Aaron laughed as he left. Rafe turned toward his dragonwoman and resisted laughing at the look in her eyes. ”I know you're thinking 'males' inside your head. But challenges and joking around is the male equivalent of hugs and warm feelings.”
Nikki shook her head and he chuckled.
Tracing some words in the dirt, Nikki moved her paw aside when she was done. Can we get Christie?
”I hope so. Because if he becomes DDA Director, I have a feeling my future on Stonefire isn't guaranteed.”
Nikki hissed through her teeth. Stroking the side of her neck, he murmured, ”Don't worry. If there's one thing I'm good at, it's reconnaissance and strategizing. There has to be a way to catch Christie. There just has to be.”
As Nikki leaned her head against his body, Rafe was careful to keep any doubts he had to himself.
Chapter Seventeen.
Aaron Caruso would've preferred flying to County Donegal in Ireland, but Clan Glenlough's leader, Killian O'Shea, had forbidden it.
So instead of gliding through the night sky at a quick pace, he was stuck driving a hired saloon car along the country roads and tapping his fingers against the steering wheel as he trudged along. ”How do humans stand being inside these slow machines so much?”
One of the Protectors accompanying him on the trip, Quinn Summers, chuckled. ”Patience was never one of your strengths, which makes your choice of career an odd one.”
Aaron's dragon spoke up. Why does everyone keep saying that to us?
Because it's true.
His beast huffed. We are still a good Protector, which is all that matters.
Rather than have the same, pointless argument he'd had with his dragon before, Aaron answered Quinn. ”I can be patient if it requires it. But each second we spend at this ridiculous speed gives the hunters that much more time to attack before we can prepare for it. I may know little about O'Shea, but the enemy of my enemy is most a.s.suredly my friend in this case.”
Quinn looked to his smartphone. ”We're nearly there at any rate if the directions are correct. Are you sure about this, Aaron? I don't like facing a new clan in the dark.”
The phone said to make a right turn, so Aaron complied. ”It's more common in Europe than the UK. I found that out in Italy. Something to do about avoiding human notice. Things aren't quite so friendly elsewhere as in Northern England and Scotland.”
Aaron had spent nearly two years living with his mother's clan in Italy and had only recently returned to Stonefire.
Quinn sighed. ”It's only b.l.o.o.d.y Ireland, not Italy. A few centuries ago, we were allies with the b.a.s.t.a.r.ds.”
”That was before the part.i.tion of Ireland. If the Northern Irish clan knew we were here, they'd report us to the British DDA and cause trouble. I just want to get in, convince Killian to listen to our b.l.o.o.d.y warning, and leave. Kai can sort out the details. He's much better at that than I am.”
Quinn snorted. ”I won't argue with that.”
He shot his friend a look, but when Quinn shrugged, Aaron couldn't help but smile again. ”You're just jealous I won our year six flying compet.i.tion. It's been nearly twenty years. I think it's time to let it go, Quinn.”
”Considering I won it the next two years, I would think you'd be the one needing to let it go,” Quinn pointed out.
”I would challenge you to a rematch, but I know your mate wouldn't like it.”
”Vivian probably wouldn't have cared a year ago. But now with the coming baby, I promised to be a bit more careful.”
”Right, careful. I'm surprised she let you come on this mission.”
”I'm a Protector, Aaron. Besides, she still feels guilty over Murray being kidnapped under our watch about a year ago. If I can do anything to help take down the hunters, she would be on board.”