Sid smiled as they approached the surgery. The medical research laboratory was inside.
They entered the building from the back to avoid notice. However, after making a few turns, Ginny spotted them and rushed up to say, “So you two are alive.” She scrutinized Sid and then Gregor. “No visible bruises or claw marks, so it couldn’t have been too rough.”
Sid had seen her fair share of injuries after the mate-claim frenzy. “We’re fine, as you can see. Is Dr. Lewis with a patient?”
Ginny’s mouth formed a thin line. “He’s probably in that bloody room again. He does his rounds early and orders us not to disturb him unless it’s an emergency. I hope he isn’t taking advantage of our hospitality and doing something sinister.”
Sid hated keeping Ginny in the dark, but she couldn’t risk the information spreading. “If he’s working on what I think he is, it shouldn’t be.” Ginny raised her brows in question, but Sid shook her head. “I can’t tell you just yet. But as soon as Bram gives the green light, you’ll be the first of the staff to know.”
Ginny harrumphed. “I miss the old days, without all of the secrets and strangers coming into our fold.”
Sid touched the nurse’s bicep. “I don’t keep secrets longer than I have to, and you know it.”
Ginny sighed. “I know.” She waved down the hall. “Go find out what the Welsh dragonman is up to. If it’s something that can help someone recover, he’ll need all the help he can get.”
As Sid and Gregor moved toward the research room, Sid’s heart rate ticked up. It was possible Trahern had found something to help with her dragon
However, she wasn’t about to get her hopes up just yet. Knocking on the door, she heard the muffled, “Enter,” and turned the door knob.
Inside Trahern peered at his computer screen. Never taking his eyes from it, he said, “So, you two have returned.”
Gregor shut the door and locked it before replying, “Aye, we’re back and I hope you have good news for us.”
Trahern remained silent for a few seconds. Sid was about to speak when the Welsh dragonman beat her to it. “I’ve identified all of the compounds but one. Unfortunately, that unidentified one seems to affect dragon-shifter hormones and is probably the culprit.” He finally met Sid’s eyes. “I’d like to confer with a colleague, but Bram said you two were the only ones who could grant approval.”
Sid’s hard-fought battle to control Stonefire’s medical issues had paid off. “I’m not sure we should bring anyone else into the fold at this point.”
Trahern frowned. “I thought formulating a way to counter the effects of this compound was your top priority? Doesn’t that mean we should use all resources available to us?”
“Who is it?” Sid demanded.
Trahern adjusted his glasses. “My lab partner from university. She’s human.”
Gregor jumped in. “Giving a human this knowledge is dangerous, Lewis.”
Sid p
atted Gregor’s chest and focused on Trahern. “How well do you know her?”
“We were lab partners on and off for a few years at Cardiff University. However, we still keep in touch via email to discuss new breakthroughs,” Trahern answered.
Inviting a human was dangerous, especially if she were allowed to come and go back to her life afterward.
Sid had an idea. “Would she consider staying with us?”
“What?” Gregor and Trahern asked in unison.
“Think about it. All of us have mentioned needing more research and establishing a baseline for dragon-shifter care. If Trahern and this woman work together here, with us, Gregor, then we might actually be able to accomplish enough to build a case with other clan doctors. We might even be able to put out regular articles about our findings. No one may read them at first, but with time, others might do the same thing.”
Trahern responded before Gregor. “There’s the little matter of the DDA and the legality of a human living on dragon-shifter land without being mated.”
“Bram had promised the DDA someone could come to study our clan. It was delayed with some of the attacks and other problems, but things have calmed down a bit. Evie might be able to persuade the DDA to accept our suggestion, even if she’s not an anthropologist. Maybe your human could bring a friend and divide their research. That’s probably more feasible.” Sid answered.
Gregor answered, “I’m not sure about things being calm, lass. We’ve kept the information about the drone attack from the DDA for now, but they’re bound to find out soon enough.”
“Then we’d better hurry up and get this female approved to come to our land.” She looked to Trahern. “What’s her name? Do you think she’d accept?”
“Her name is Dr. Emily Davies. And it’s possible she would come. She’s always been fascinated with dragon-shifters, but was never allowed to pursue the interest.”