“Right, then my first question is why did you write the book? There are a number of theories and rumors floating around, as you well know, but what is the truth?”
Mel kept her voice strong. “The truth is I wanted to share how the dragon-shifters live here so everyone can see they’re not so different from us. There is no ulterior motive, no plan for world domination. Anyone who says otherwise is just being silly.”
“You must admit that a person who can change into a fifteen-foot dragon in a matter of seconds is scary to regular humans. If the government were to allow dragon-shifters and humans to interact freely, how would we prevent rogue dragons from terrorizing the population?”
Anger coursing through her body, Mel squeezed her leg with one of her hands to help tamp it down. Her voice was calm yet steely when she replied, “Human psychopaths roam the street and more than a few are killers. Yet do you put away all humans with a temper to prevent a future possible murder? No. It’s the same with dragon-shifters. There are a few bad eggs, but as you’ll see with some of my clan members today, dragonmen and women are just trying to live their lives without being hunted, targeted, or drained of blood.”
“I assume you’re talking about the dragon hunters and the problem of them selling dragon’s blood on the black market. Rather than us talking about it from secondhand knowledge, how about we bring out one of your clan members?
Her part of the interview seemed extremely short, but there wasn’t anything she could do but nod. Maybe she’d have a chance later to talk more about her time with Stonefire.
From the doorway on the far side, one of the BBC staff guided in Hudson. Once he sat down next to Melanie, Jane smiled at the dragonman and started up again. “Hudson, thank you for meeting with us. I understand dragon hunters killed your wife a few months ago. Please, tell us what happened.”
Mel watched Hudson recount the story as they had rehearsed. The dragonman was solemn and his voice only cracked twice during his retelling. Melanie’s heart squeezed at the pain in his eyes. She didn’t know what she would do if she lost Tristan.
Still, since she’d heard the story ten times before, her mind wandered once Jane asked him a few more questions. Had Arabella arrived yet? Would she even go through with it?
No. Stop doubting yourself. Tristan will take care of it. If anyone could convince her sister-in-law to do something, it was Tristan. And even if he had trouble, he’d call Bram.
Focusing back on Jane and Hudson, Melanie pushed thoughts of Arabella out of her head. Whatever her sister-in-law ended up doing, her clan members needed her support.
~~~
Arabella watched first Hudson, then Evie with Murray, and finally Nikki leave with one of the news staff. As each of her clan members left, it became harder not to bolt. It was nearly her turn.
Melanie had been fantastic in her section of the interview, being both strong and passionate without devolving into petty comments. Her sister-in-law might have been a politician in another life.
Her other clan members had done fairly well, too. Even when Hudson broke down when describing his mate’s death, Jane Hartley had even reached out to comfort him, not caring he was a dragon-shifter. If that had been the response of a seasoned journalist, then the general human population had to be moved as well.
Mel’s plan might be working, even without Arabella’s help.
She eyed the door. If she left now, she would still have time to leave the cottage before they called her.
Then Tristan walked into the room with Bram and any hope of escape faded. The only two males in the entire clan who could convince her to carry on with the interview had arrived.
Bram moved to her left and Tristan to her right. Bram was the first to speak. “You still up for this, lass?”
“Like I have a choice.”
Bram studied her before replying, “You have a choice, Arabella. If you want to go to Lochguard, you’ll do this. If you wish to back out, I’ll support you, but that signals you’re not ready to leave the clan.”
She looked back to the TV screen. Nikki had become quite animated, gesticulating with her hands and moving her arms to describe how the dragon hunters had captured her.
Tristan’s voice garnered her attention. “You’ll do fine. Remember what I told you.”
Right, positive thoughts. She recalled her research on Clan Lochugard.
The Scottish clan was situated in the northern Highlands, nestled next to a lake. Peaks and rolling hills surrounded the clan lands. While similar, the lake and hills were different from the Lake District and more than anything, she wanted the chance to explore them. With time, maybe even fly over them.
Then Finlay Stewart’s handsome face flashed into her mind, and she only just prevented herself starting. Why am I thinking of him? He’s bossy, pushy, and far too cocky.
Out of nowhere, her dragon said, But he is fun to tease.
She paused a second before forcing herself to reply. W-what did you say?
Don’t fear me, Ara. We will have fun in Scotland.
Arabella blinked. A part of her wanted to keep talking with her dragon, but another part of her felt odd. While her inner beast had been there all along, they were essentially strangers and she had