Persuading the Dragon (Stonefire Dragons 9)

The female smiled for the first time, making her look younger. "I can do that. No one ever asked me to explain anything back on Clan LupoForesta. So ask me a question any time, and I'll do my best."

His natural curiosity wanted to know more, but Zain had his hands full with Ivy. So he restrained himself from asking more about Serafina's past. "Right, then I won't hesitate to ask questions when I have them." He motioned toward the laptop. "Go ahead and watch as many as you can stomach. I'll check in on you later, but Lucien and Nate are also available if I can't answer you right away."

The female bobbed her head and immediately turned on the next video. He had a feeling she'd watch as many as she could without any sort of break, unlike him and the others who'd hadn't been able to stomach more than a few before storming out. Zain said to his dragon, I wonder if she's always so focused.

Remember this is probably the first time she's been able to do her job without someone telling her how to treat someone. Yes, she doesn't want to go back to her old clan. But she most likely feels useful again for the first time in ages.

I guess you're right. Maybe we'll be useful again soon, too.

As he made his way out of the Protectors' main building, Zain switched his focus from the psychologist to his upcoming task with Ivy.

In order to help Serafina, he'd have to use his limited amount of question time to try and figure out if (a) Ivy had ever met the leader of the Knights, and (b) if he or she even existed or was just an anonymous persona.

Since he wouldn't be able to do either until she was awake and rested enough, Zain headed back to his cottage. He'd scan her files again—he kept a copy at home in addition to his office—just in case he'd missed something. While Stonefire’s Protectors had uncovered early on in their background check on Ivy about her brother's murder, he'd rather not bring it up until she was stronger.

However, if she refused to cooperate and tell him what he wanted, then he'd do whatever was necessary to move his mission forward.

Chapter Four

Ivy missed the days of being able to eat or drink on her own.

The glass of water sat on a table next to her bed, but she didn't have enough energy to reach out and pick it up. And even if she could, holding it up and guiding the straw to her mouth was beyond her capabilities.

Ivy had never been a physically fit person to begin with, but certainly she could pick up a bloody glass when she wanted.

Staring at it, she debated calling for one of the nurses. Usually the stony-faced, determined nurse named Ginny answered her call. However, Ivy wasn't sure if she had the energy to deal with her. The dragonwoman demanded a clear request, complete with please and thank you, before she did anything.

And even then, she'd give a glare before proceeding.

The only clue Ivy had about the woman's animosity was a one-time mutter: "She could've been the one to hurt Sid, and now we're helping her."

Not that Ivy could ask Ginny about what had been done to Dr. Sid. As it was, the nurse said the bare minimum. Divulging secrets was most definitely not part of her job.

Before Ivy could weigh the severity of her thirst against facing the nurse, the door opened, and the dragon-shifter named Zain walked in.

Since this was the first time she could get a good look at him without confusion or exhaustion, she noticed he was tall, as all dragons were, with dark hair and eyes. His skin was slightly tanned, which was strange considering it was early summer, and that rarely meant lots of sunshine in the North of England.

His pinched eyebrows and firmly set jaw made the dragonman a little menacing, but now that Ivy was fully aware he couldn't hurt her—not to mention Sid said to call out for her if he made her feel uncomfortable—she wasn't as afraid of him.

However, Ivy wasn't completely immune to the fact he was part dragon, and she itched to get away from him in case he lashed out. At least her heart rate hadn’t skyrocketed yet, which was progress.

Same as his last visit, he pulled up a stool and sat near her bed, his arms crossed over his chest and his gaze piercing.

Words slipped out before she could stop them. "What do you want?"

He grunted. "Your voice sounds better. That means you should be able to give me more thorough answers compared to before."

Of course he wanted information from her—why else would they keep her alive?—but she could use that to her advantage. He was her best chance at getting the dragon-shifters to listen. Only then would they go after her enemies at full force. She bit out, "Answers to what? You don't need to play games. Just ask, and I'll tell you almost anything."

He didn't miss a beat. "Who is the leader of the Dragon Knights?"

Of all the things for him to ask, he'd ask that one. She sighed. "I don't know."

He studied her. "How is that possible?"

The door opened, but Ivy answered while she still could. "Only the inner-most circle had access to the leader. There's a structure in place to minimize the risk of exposure."

Dr. Gregor Innes strode to the other side of her bed. "Are you tired, Ivy?"